IGCSE COURSE AT INTERTU EDUCATION

The IGCSE course is focused by many parents with children attending international schools because IGCSE is an important stepping stone to create a solid knowledge base to transition to pre-university programs such as IB or A-level.

See also: IGCSE program

1. IGCSE program overview

IGCSE is an International Certificate of Secondary Education developed and administered by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE). IGCSE is chosen to teach by most international schools in the world for students in grades 9 – 10 because the curriculum framework meets the criteria for comprehensive development of both knowledge and skills that international schools aim for.

Each subject in the IGCSE program has a scale from A* to G and is divided into 2 levels for students to choose from:

• • Basic level – Core: Students only get the highest score from C – G
  • Advanced level – Extended: Scores range from A* – E

The program has about 103 subjects divided into 6 subject groups:

• • Creative and Professional
  • English Language and Literature
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Language
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences

Students must study at least 5 subjects and can choose up to 14 subjects, of which 3 are compulsory subjects: Math, Science, and English. There is no rule about having to choose subjects from each different subject group. Students choose subjects according to their abilities and interests.

Particularly, the three compulsory subjects are Math, Science, and English, which are divided into a variety of subject options to suit the students’ future orientation.

• • Math: Mathematics – Additional, Mathematics – International…
  • Science: Science – Combined, Sciences – Coordinated (Double)…
  • English: English – First Language, English as a Second Language, English – Literature in English, English as an Additional Language…

There are a total of 4 exam boards for designing, organizing and marking IGCSE exams. CAIE and LRN exam boards are only for schools outside the UK, and AQA and Edexcel exam boards organize and mark exams for schools both inside and outside the UK.

2. Should the students sign up for an IGCSE tutor?

The answer can be immediately “yes”, IGCSE not only focuses on teaching knowledge but also building skills of logical thinking and problem solving to prepare students for the international learning and working environment.

IGCSE certificates are recognized in more than 160 countries around the world and are highly appreciated by universities, if you get an IGCSE certificate with a high score from B to A*, it will be a great advantage to prove your adaptability as well as academic ability for later higher levels such as IB, AP, A-level, WACE, Foundation… and even university environment.

Knowledge in IGCSE is not too difficult, but with a relatively large number of subjects (usually 6-9 subjects) and limited study time in school, supplementary after school tutoring IGCSE is considered by many parents as a solution. The optimal solution supports building a good foundation through consolidating core knowledge and continuously practicing solving a variety of exercises.

But where to learn IGCSE? Does IGCSE exam preparation center meet the needs of students? What qualifications do IGCSE tutors need to have? Those are the things that many parents care about to choose a quality IGCSE exam preparation venue.

See also: Typical subjects in Cambridge IGCSE program

3. IGCSE exam preparation process at Intertu

Depending on the needs and level of the students that Intertu will design an appropriate program customized for that student:

3.1. Students struggling with the majority of knowledge:

• • Focusing on the students’ knowledge gaps
  • Fixing the misunderstanding of knowledge
  • Practicing exercises for each knowledge
  • Walking through the exercises

3.2. Students on a good level and wish to achieve higher scores:

• • Summarizing all the knowledge of the subject
  • Practicing high level exercises
  • Working on past exam papers 

3.3. Students wishing to achieve the maximum score (A or A*):

• • Walking through the advanced knowledge in the Cambridge IGCSE program
  • Practicing on the logical and critical thinking exercises
  • Working on past exam papers as regularly as possible

4. Who are the teachers at Intertu?

• • Foreign teachers: Teachers whom come from Europe, US, UK and more, whom also have the degree in their teaching subjects.
  • Teachers whom had studied abroad: These are the students whom had studied in the UK, US, Australia, Singapore… with a bachelor or master in their teaching subjects.
  • Graduates from advanced or international program: Teachers whom achieved a master in the country with courses that are taught entirely in English.

All the teachers that work at Intertu Education receive proper trainings to better support the students and ensure to follow strictly the standard of Cambridge IGCSE program:

• • Learning materials designed to follow the standard of IGCSE exam papers.
  • Proper planning for the students’ learning progress.
  • Teaching method customized for each students, focusing on improving scores.
  • Have an in-depth knowledge about the subjects and content of learning.

5. What materials used to prepare for IGCSE course at Intertu?

• • Intertu uses IGCSE books and materials written and published by Cambridge, Oxford, Pearson, Hodder Education…
  • Question bank: A bank of questions for all the subjects in IGCSE along with summarized materials, practice papers and exercises.
  • Past Papers: All the past papers of IGCSE program in the past 10 years have been put into one place for easy access and practices.   

6. Form and type of studying IGCSE exam preparation at Intertu

6.1. Form of studying

• • Offline IGCSE exam preparation: Suitable for students who reside and prepare for IGCSE in HCMC who are attending international schools that teach IGCSE such as British International School (BIS), British Vietnamese International School (BVIS), Australian International School (AIS), Renaissance International School Saigon (RISS), ABC International School (ABCIS), Singapore International School (SIS)…

• • Online IGCSE exam preparation: Students who are studying at international schools in Hanoi or studying abroad can participate in IGCSE exam preparation classes at Intertu through the exclusive integrated “virtual classroom” with full features. Teaching and interacting vividly and effectively is no different from offline learning.

6.2. Type of studying

• • 1 on 1 tutoring: Suitable for students whom need special help from students whom struggle with the course to the ones who want to achieve A or A* mark, the materials and methods are form LRN, Edexcel, AQA.
  • Private tutoring (up to 4 students): Suitable for students study with other students for interaction, engagement and knowledge sharing with one another.
  • Small class (from 2 to 8 students): This class will walkthrough all knowledge of the 2 years of IGCSE with a fixed program that is designed by Intertu to meet the standard of Cambridge IGCSE. Suitable for students whom are on a good level, just start with year 1 or year 2 of IGCSE, aiming for the B or A mark.

See also: Should Science in English be taught?

7. What is the difference of IGCSE exam preparation at Intertu Education?

• • Guarantee on passing IGCSE certificate: Intertu Education can guarantee a 100% passing on the IGCSE exam preparation course as long as the students follow through strictly the contents and methods at Intertu.
  • IGCSE program preparation on the standard of councils: Intertu has done its research and homework on how to study IGCSE that does not only follow CAIE but also LRN, AQA, and Edexcel.
  • The only IGCSE test preparation center in HCMC that teaching unpopular subjects: Geography, History, Literature, Accounting, Computer Science, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Development Studies, Information & Communication Technology, Environmental Management, Global Perspectives, Chinese, Spanish, French…
  • Teaching all options of 3 core subjects: Mathematics – Additional, Mathematics – International, Science – Combined, Sciences – Coordinated (Double), English – First Language, English as a Second Language, English – Literature in English, English as an Additional Language…
  • Instructions for Alternative to Practical: Experimental simulations in Natural Science subjects will be supported by IGCSE tutors at Intertu to complete according to the instructions of official school teachers.
  • 4 core values at Intertu:

• • • Assurance: Support and assure the students in terms of psychological needs
    • Honesty: The methods and process of learning will be laid out clearly
    • Patience: Always listen to students and support the students patiently
    • Knowledge: Teachers have a good understanding of the subjects along with in-depth knowledge of the learning topics

Intertu Education is currently enrolling IGCSE program courses (IGCSE Math, IGCSE Physics, IGCSE Chemistry, IGCSE Biology, IGCSE Combined Science, IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences, IGCSE Economics, IGCSE Business Studies, IGCSE English…). If you have any questions about the IGCSE course, please contact us directly, via email or hotline for free advice.