Syllabus

Cambridge IGCSE™
French 0520
Use this syllabus for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Exams are available in the June and November series.
Exams are also available in the March series in India.

Version 1
For the purposes of screen readers, any mention in this document of Cambridge IGCSE
refers to Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education.
Why choose Cambridge International?

Cambridge International prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a
lasting passion for learning. We are part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a department
of the University of Cambridge.

Our Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can
shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn – with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways
to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the skills they need for
life, so they can achieve at school, university and work.

Our programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. They are created by
subject experts, rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research. They provide a strong
platform for learners to progress from one stage to the next, and are well supported by teaching and learning
resources.

Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and qualifications
for school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we develop Cambridge
learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged – equipped for success in the
modern world.

Every year, nearly a million Cambridge students from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future
with the Cambridge Pathway.

School feedback: ‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’
Feedback from: Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA

Quality management
Cambridge International is committed to providing exceptional quality. In line with this commitment, our
quality management system for the provision of international qualifications and education programmes
for students aged 5 to 19 is independently certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard,
ISO 9001:2015. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment September 2022

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Cambridge University Press &
Assessment is a department of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy
material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre.
Contents

Why choose Cambridge International?......................................................................... 2

1  Why choose this syllabus? ......................................................................................... 4

2  Syllabus overview ........................................................................................................ 7

Aims 7
Content overview 8
Assessment overview 9
Assessment objectives 10

3  Subject content ..........................................................................................................12

Skills 12
Topic areas 14

4  Details of the assessment .........................................................................................15

Paper 1 – Listening 15
Paper 2 – Reading 17
Paper 3 – Speaking 19
Paper 4 – Writing 24
List of grammar and structures 25
Vocabulary list 27

5  What else you need to know .................................................................................... 50

Before you start 50
Making entries 51
Accessibility and equality 51
After the exam 52
How students and teachers can use the grades 53
Grade descriptions 53
Changes to this syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027 54

Important: Changes to this syllabus

For information about changes to this syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027, go to page 54.
The latest syllabus is version 1, published September 2022. There are no significant changes which affect
teaching.
Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2021 are still suitable for use with this
syllabus.
 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

1  Why choose this syllabus?

Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international
qualification for 14 to 16 year olds, although it can be taken by
students of other ages. It is tried, tested and trusted.

Students can choose from 70 subjects in any combination – it is

taught by over 4500 schools in over 140 countries.
Cambridge
Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and learner
understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.

Cambridge IGCSE French develops a set of transferable

skills for understanding and communicating in everyday
situations in French. Learners begin to develop cultural
awareness of countries and communities where French is
spoken. They acquire the essential linguistic skills required for progression to further studies or employment.

Our approach in Cambridge IGCSE French encourages learners to be:

confident, using new and familiar structures and vocabulary to communicate with others in everyday situations

responsible, seeking opportunities to use and develop their language skills

reflective, considering how to communicate different ideas and attitudes

innovative, applying language to a variety of situations

engaged, developing learning strategies which help them to express their ideas and their understanding of
other cultures.

School feedback: ‘The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally

recognised and has provided an international pathway for our students to continue their studies
around the world.’
Feedback from: Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles International Group of Schools, Indonesia

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Why choose this syllabus?

International recognition and acceptance

Our expertise in curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment is the basis for the recognition of our
programmes and qualifications around the world. The combination of knowledge and skills in Cambridge
IGCSE French gives learners a solid foundation for further study. Candidates who achieve grades A* to C are
well prepared to follow a wide range of courses including Cambridge International AS & A Level French.

Cambridge IGCSEs are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers around the world as
evidence of academic achievement. Many universities require a combination of Cambridge International
AS & A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs or equivalent to meet their entry requirements.

UK NARIC*, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and
skills, has carried out an independent benchmarking study of Cambridge IGCSE and found it to be comparable
to the standard of the GCSE in the UK. This means students can be confident that their Cambridge IGCSE
qualifications are accepted as equivalent to UK GCSEs by leading universities worldwide.

Cambridge IGCSE French has been designed to help candidates develop language proficiency to level A2
(Basic User) with some elements of proficiency at level B1 (Independent User) of the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).

Assessment objectives, subject content, mark schemes and task types have been designed with reference to
the CEFR to ensure that candidates have opportunities to demonstrate proficiency at the intended levels.

* Due to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, the UK NARIC national recognition agency function was re-titled as UK ENIC
on 1 March 2021, operated and managed by Ecctis Limited. From 1 March 2021, international benchmarking findings are published
under the Ecctis name.

Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/recognition

School feedback: ‘Cambridge IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognised
qualifications in the world. It is very popular in Egypt because it provides the perfect
preparation for success at advanced level programmes.’
Feedback from: Managing Director of British School of Egypt BSE

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Why choose this syllabus?

Supporting teachers
We provide a wide range of resources, detailed guidance, innovative training and professional development
so that you can give your students the best possible preparation for Cambridge IGCSE. To find out which
resources are available for each syllabus go to our School Support Hub.

The School Support Hub is our secure online site for Cambridge teachers where you can find the resources
you need to deliver our programmes. You can also keep up to date with your subject and the global Cambridge
community through our online discussion forums.

Find out more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

Support for Cambridge IGCSE

Planning and Teaching and Learning and revision Results

preparation assessment • Example candidate • Candidate Results
• Schemes of work • Endorsed resources responses Service
• Specimen papers • Online forums • Past papers and • Principal examiner
• Syllabuses • Support for mark schemes reports for teachers
• Teacher guides coursework and • Specimen paper • Results Analysis
speaking tests answers

Sign up for email notifications about changes to syllabuses, including new and revised products and services at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/syllabusupdates

Professional development
We support teachers through:
• Introductory Training – face-to-face or online
• Extension Training – face-to-face or online
• Enrichment Professional Development – face-to-face or online
Find out more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/events

• Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications

Find out more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/profdev

Supporting exams officers

We provide comprehensive support and guidance for all Cambridge exams officers.
Find out more at: www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

2  Syllabus overview

Aims
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.

The aims are to enable students to:

• develop the language proficiency required to communicate effectively in French at level A2 (CEFR Basic
User), with elements of level B1 (CEFR Independent User)
• offer insights into the culture and society of countries and communities where French is spoken
• develop awareness of the nature of language and language learning
• encourage positive attitudes towards speakers of other languages and a sympathetic approach to other
cultures
• provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation
• develop transferable skills (e.g. memorising, drawing of inferences) to complement other areas of the
curriculum
• form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for progression to work or further study,
either in French or another subject area.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is an education organisation and politically

neutral. The contents of this syllabus, examination papers and associated materials do not endorse
any political view. We endeavour to treat all aspects of the exam process neutrally.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Syllabus overview

Content overview
The subject content is organised in five broad topic areas (A–E below). These provide contexts for the
acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. The study of these topic areas enables
students to gain an insight into countries and communities where French is spoken. The five topic areas listed
below are described in more detail in section 3.
A Everyday activities
B Personal and social life
C The world around us
D The world of work
E The international world

The syllabus gives students opportunities to develop and apply a wide range of foreign language skills.

Candidates will be expected to read and understand a variety of written and spoken texts on familiar topics.
Candidates will be required to demonstrate understanding of the main ideas, opinions and attitudes, as well as
select and extract relevant details and deduce the meaning of occasional unknown words from context.

They will also have opportunities to write in French on familiar, everyday topics, and to speak the language by
taking part in everyday conversations.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Syllabus overview

Assessment overview
All candidates take all four papers. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.

All candidates take: and:

Paper 1 Approximately 50 minutes Paper 2 1 hour

Listening 25% Reading 25%
40 marks 45 marks
Candidates listen to a number of recordings and Candidates read a number of texts and answer
answer multiple-choice and matching questions. multiple-choice and matching questions as well
Externally assessed as questions requiring short answers.
Externally assessed

and: and:

Paper 3 Approximately 10 minutes Paper 4 1 hour

Speaking 25% Writing 25%
40 marks 45 marks
Candidates complete one role play and Candidates complete one form-filling task, one
conversations on two topics. directed writing task and one task in the format
Internally assessed and externally moderated of an email/letter or article/blog.
Externally assessed

Information on availability is in the Before you start section.

Check the timetable at www.cambridgeinternational.org/timetables for the test date window for Paper 3.

Check the samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples for submission information,

forms and deadlines for Paper 3.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Syllabus overview

Assessment objectives
The assessment objectives (AOs) are:

AO1 Listening
L1:. understand the main points and key information in simple everyday material
L2:. understand clear speech on a range of familiar topics
L3:. understand the description of events and expression of ideas, opinions and attitudes in simple texts
L4:. identify and select relevant information in predictable texts

AO2 Reading
R1:. understand the main points and key information in simple everyday material
R2:. understand authentic factual texts on a range of familiar topics
R3:. understand the description of events and expression of ideas, opinions and attitudes in simple texts
R4:. identify and select relevant information in predictable texts

AO3 Speaking
S1:. communicate clearly and effectively in a range of predictable everyday situations
S2:. engage in conversations on familiar topics, expressing opinions and feelings
S3:. use a range of structures and vocabulary with reasonable accuracy
S4:. demonstrate some ability to maintain interaction
S5:. show some control of pronunciation and intonation

AO4 Writing
W1:. communicate simple factual information clearly for everyday purposes
W2:. write simple phrases and sentences on a familiar topic
W3:. write simple connected texts describing events, experiences, opinions and hopes and ambitions
W4:. use a range of simple vocabulary and language structures reasonably accurately

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Syllabus overview

Weighting for assessment objectives

The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarised below.

Assessment objectives as a percentage of the qualification

Assessment objective Weighting in IGCSE %

AO1 Listening 25

AO2 Reading 25

AO3 Speaking 25

AO4 Writing 25

Total 100

Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component

Assessment objective Weighting in components %

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

AO1 Listening 100 0 0 0

AO2 Reading 0 100 0 0

AO3 Speaking 0 0 100 0

AO4 Writing 0 0 0 100

Total 100 100 100 100

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

3  Subject content

This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage your learners.
Where appropriate you are responsible for selecting resources and examples to support your learners’
study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural background and learning context as well as
complying with your school policies and local legal requirements.

Skills
The skills covered in the syllabus are outlined below.

Listening

• Understand short recordings dealing with everyday needs (e.g. simple transactions in shops, simple
directions or instructions).
• Understand factual information and ideas from a range of sources (e.g. announcements, phone
messages, news items, interviews, dialogues) on familiar topics.
• Understand descriptions of events, opinions, emotions, hopes and ambitions in simple texts (e.g. in radio
broadcasts, interviews, dialogues).
• Identify main points, specific information and details on everyday topics (e.g. personal and family
information, shopping, local area, employment, school, leisure activities).
• Identify main points, themes, opinions, ideas, emotions and attitudes in predictable texts (e.g. news
reports, conversations, interviews, simple monologues).
• Deduce the meaning of occasional unknown words and expressions from the context.

Reading

• Understand short, simple texts (e.g. signs and notices in public places, such as streets, restaurants and
bus/railway stations and airports).
• Understand authentic texts on familiar topics and situations (e.g. newspaper/magazine articles, email
messages, blogs and letters).
• Understand descriptions of events, opinions, emotions, hopes and ambitions in simple texts
(e.g. in articles, interviews or personal messages).
• Identify main points, specific information and details in predictable texts (e.g. advertisements, brochures,
menus, timetables, instructions, messages).
• Identify main points, themes, opinions, ideas, emotions and attitudes in predictable texts
(e.g. newspaper/magazine articles, simple plots of films or books).
• Deduce the meaning of occasional unknown words and expressions from the context.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Subject content

Speaking

• Participate in short social exchanges (e.g. greet people, make and respond to invitations, apologies) and
communicate on familiar topics to meet simple needs (e.g. order food and drink, simple transactions in
shops, use public transport, ask and give directions, request information).
• Participate in unprepared conversations on familiar topics of personal interest or relevant to everyday life
(e.g. family, friends, home environment, hobbies and interests, education, work, travel).
• Describe past events and experiences, hopes and ambitions and give brief reasons for opinions and
plans.
• Communicate with reasonable accuracy, using a range of structures, tenses and vocabulary relevant to
the given situation.
• Use simple connectors (e.g. and, but, because, then) to link a series of shorter discrete elements into a
connected sequence of points.
• Use appropriate strategies to maintain interaction.
• Use features of pronunciation and intonation to convey meaning and attitude.

Writing

• Fill in forms providing simple details.

• Communicate simple factual information in writing using everyday vocabulary and expressions.
• Write a series of simple phrases and sentences linked with simple connectors, relating to personal life,
immediate environment and everyday topics (e.g. writing about a holiday).
• Write simple connected texts (e.g. email messages, articles) on familiar topics (e.g. plans and
arrangements, likes and dislikes, family, home environment, hobbies and interests, education, work and
travel).
• Describe past events and experiences, opinions, hopes and ambitions and give brief reasons for
opinions and plans.
• Communicate with reasonable accuracy, using a range of structures, tenses/time frames and vocabulary
relevant to the given situation.
• Use simple connectors (e.g. and, but, because, then) to link a series of shorter discrete elements into a
connected sequence of points.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Subject content

Topic areas
Candidates will be required to show knowledge and understanding of the broad topic areas listed below.
These provide contexts for the acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. Through the
study of these broad topic areas, candidates gain insight into the cultures of countries and communities where
French is spoken.
The sub-topics listed are provided as examples of what teachers may choose to focus on. They are examples
only and are not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive.

Area Topic Areas Sub-topics

A Everyday activities • Time expressions (e.g. telling the time, days, days of the
week, months, seasons)
• Food and drink (e.g. meals, fruit and vegetables, meat,
fish and seafood, snacks, drinks, cutlery and utensils)
• The human body and health (e.g. parts of the body,
health and illness)
• Travel and transport

B Personal and social life • Self, family and friends

• In the home (e.g. rooms, living room, kitchen, bedroom,
bathroom, furniture and furnishings, garden, household
appliances)
• Colours
• Clothes and accessories
• Leisure time (e.g. things to do, hobbies, sport)

C The world around us • People and places (e.g. continents, countries and
nationalities, compass points)
• The natural world, the environment, the climate and the
weather
• Communications and technology (e.g. the digital world,
documents and texts)
• The built environment (e.g. buildings and services, urban
areas, shopping)
• Measurements (e.g. size, shape)
• Materials

D The world of work • Education (e.g. learning institutions, education and

training, the classroom, learning tools, subjects, studying)
• Work (e.g. jobs and careers, the workplace)

E The international world • Countries, nationalities and languages

• Culture, customs, faiths and celebrations

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

4  Details of the assessment

All questions requiring written responses are to be answered in French.

Dictionaries are not allowed in the examination.

Paper 1 – Listening
Approximately 50 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time, 40 marks

This paper consists of 37 multiple-choice and matching questions. Candidates answer all questions by
selecting the correct option or options. Each question tests comprehension of recorded texts (e.g. dialogues,
announcements, conversations). Candidates hear each recorded text twice. At the end of the test candidates
will be asked to transfer their answers onto the separate answer sheet.

Centres must check the Cambridge Handbook for the year candidates are taking the assessment. The
Cambridge Handbook tells you when and how to access the audio material for each examination series.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Teachers/invigilators must consult the relevant sections of the Cambridge Handbook about administering the
listening examination and for details about rooms, equipment, guidance on acoustics and checking the audio
material in advance.

Description of questions
Questions 1–8
Assessment objective L1
Task Candidates listen to short texts and answer eight multiple-choice questions
with four options.
Text types Announcements, phone messages, news items or dialogues
Total marks 8

Questions 9–14
Assessment objectives L1, L2, L4
Task Candidates listen to a monologue or dialogue containing factual information
and answer six multiple-choice questions with four options.
Text types Short monologue or dialogue
Total marks 6

Questions 15–19
Assessment objectives L2, L3, L4
Task Candidates listen to a conversation and match the names of people, places,
items or activities with the correct statements.
Text types Informal conversation
Total marks 5

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Description of questions (continued)

Questions 20–28
Assessment objectives L2, L3, L4
Task Candidates listen to a dialogue (conversation, discussion or interview)
or, alternatively, two shorter dialogues (each with a different person, on
a common theme) and answer nine multiple-choice questions with three
options.
Text types Conversation, discussion or interview
Total marks 9

Questions 29–34
Assessment objectives L2, L3, L4
Task Candidates listen to a dialogue (conversation, discussion or interview) and
answer six multiple-choice questions with four options.
Text types Conversation, discussion or interview
Total marks 6

Questions 35–37
Assessment objectives L2, L3, L4
Task Candidates listen to a dialogue (conversation, discussion or interview). In each
question there are five options and candidates must select the two options
which are true.
Text types Conversation, discussion or interview
Total marks 6

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Paper 2 – Reading
Written paper, 1 hour, 45 marks

This paper consists of six groups of questions, each comprising a number of multiple-choice and matching
questions, as well as questions requiring short answers in French.

Description of question groups

Question group 1
Assessment objective R1
Task Candidates match a series of short statements with the correct pictures.
Text types Simple statements
Total marks 5

Question group 2
Assessment objective R1
Task Candidates match a series of short notices or signs commonly found in
public places with an explanatory statement. The texts are all set in the same
context.
Text types Signs, notices, instructions, messages, advertisements
Total marks 5

Question group 3
Assessment objectives R2, R4
Task Candidates answer multiple-choice questions with three options on a short
text.
Text types Email, message, postcard or letter
Total marks 7

Question group 4
Assessment objectives R2, R4
Task Candidates answer questions on a longer text requiring short responses
in French.
Text types Email, message, letter or blog
Total marks 12

Question group 5
Assessment objective R3
Task Candidates match a series of descriptions of the requirements, interests
or skills of different people with the correct description of places, events,
services or activities. All texts are on a common theme.
Text types Short descriptions, advertisements
Total marks 5

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Description of question groups (continued)

Question group 6
Assessment objectives R3, R4
Task Candidates answer questions on a longer text requiring short responses in
French.
Text types Articles
Total marks 11

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Paper 3 – Speaking
Approximately 10 minutes (plus 10 minutes of preparation time), 40 marks

Each speaking test lasts approximately 10 minutes, and is structured as follows:

• a warm-up section which is not assessed (approximately 30 seconds)
• one role play – candidates respond to five transactional questions to, for example, accomplish a task or
obtain goods or services (approximately two minutes)
• two topic conversations – candidates respond to questions on each topic to share views, opinions and
experiences (four minutes per topic conversation).

Both the role play and the topic conversations are set in predictable, everyday contexts and are based on the
topic areas outlined in the syllabus.

During the preparation time, candidates study a role play scenario provided on a candidate card. They must be
supervised under exam conditions. Candidates are not allowed to make notes.

The tests are conducted and marked by the teacher/examiner using the speaking assessment materials and
assessment criteria provided. They are moderated by Cambridge International.

Speaking tests take place before the main examination series (see the relevant series’ timetable). Before the
speaking test period, centres will receive materials for the test. Teachers/examiners must allow sufficient time to
familiarise themselves with the materials and procedures (see the Cambridge Handbook for details).

Cambridge International supplies a teacher/examiner booklet comprising instructions, assessment criteria and
teacher/examiner scripts for the role plays and topic conversations. Candidate cards containing the role play
scenarios are also supplied. The teacher/examiner booklet is confidential and must not reach candidates either
directly or indirectly at any point. The candidate cards are confidential and must not reach candidates until the
start of their 10 minutes of preparation time immediately prior to their speaking test.

The teacher/examiner allocates a role play and two topic conversations to each candidate according to a
randomisation grid provided in the teacher/examiner booklet.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Administration of the speaking test

Further information about the administration of speaking tests is provided in the Cambridge Handbook for
the relevant year of assessment. For copies of the forms required for the speaking test as well as information
about the deadlines, sample size and methods of submission, please refer to the samples database at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples

Using the samples database

The samples database refers you to key information about administering speaking tests.

Use the database to find out:

• when and how to submit your marks for the speaking tests
• when and how to submit the speaking tests
• which forms to complete and submit with the speaking tests.

The samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples will ask you for:

• your country/territory
• the syllabus code (i.e. 0520 for this syllabus).

The database will then take you to the information you need, including dates and methods of submission of
candidates’ marks and work, as well as any forms you may need to complete.

Cover sheets
You should upload a completed cover sheet with the speaking tests that you submit to Cambridge International.
Download the cover sheet from the samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples. Follow
the instructions on the form itself to complete it.

Recording and submitting candidates’ marks and speaking tests

Please refer to the samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples for information, dates
and methods of submission of candidates’ marks and speaking tests. You should follow the instructions on the
samples database.

You should record marks on the required form which you should download each year from the samples
database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples. Follow the instructions on the form to complete it.
The marks on this form must be identical to the marks you submit to Cambridge International.

Internal moderation
If more than one teacher in your centre is marking internal assessments, you must make arrangements to
moderate or standardise your teachers’ marking so that all candidates are assessed to a common standard.
(If only one teacher is marking internal assessments, no internal moderation is necessary.) You can find further
information on the process of internal moderation in the Cambridge Handbook and on the samples database
for the relevant year of assessment.

You should record the internally moderated marks for all candidates on the required Working Mark Sheet and
submit these marks to Cambridge International according to the instructions on the samples database at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

External moderation
Cambridge International will externally moderate all internally assessed components.

External moderators will produce a short report for each centre with feedback on your marking and
administration of the assessment.

Guidance on using levels-based mark schemes

Marking of work should be positive, rewarding achievement where possible, but clearly differentiating across
the whole range of marks, where appropriate.

The marker should look at the work and then make a judgement about which level statement is the best fit.
In practice, work does not always match one level statement precisely so a judgement may need to be made
between two or more level statements.

Once a best-fit level statement has been identified, use the following guidance to decide on a specific mark:
• If the candidate’s work convincingly meets the level statement, award the highest mark.
• If the candidate’s work adequately meets the level statement, award the most appropriate mark in the
middle of the range (where middle marks are available).
• If the candidate’s work just meets the level statement, award the lowest mark.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Speaking assessment criteria grids

Role play
Each of the five role play tasks is assessed using the mark scheme below:
2 The information is communicated. Language is appropriate to the situation and is accurate.
Minor errors (adjective endings, use of prepositions, etc.) are allowed.
1 The information is partly communicated and/or the meaning is ambiguous.
Errors impede communication.
0 No creditable response.

Topic conversations
When both topic conversations have been completed, give a mark out of 15 for Communication and a mark
out of 15 for Quality of Language.

Communication
Give a mark out of 15 for the candidate’s performance in both topic conversations.

Mark Level Descriptor

13–15 Very good • Responds confidently to questions; may occasionally need repetition of
words or phrases.
• Communicates information which is consistently relevant to the questions.
• Frequently develops ideas and opinions.
• Justifies and explains some answers.

10–12 Good • Responds well to questions; requires occasional use of the alternative
question(s) provided.
• Communicates information which is almost always relevant to the
questions.
• Sometimes develops ideas and opinions.
• Gives reasons or explanations for some answers.

7–9 Satisfactory • Responds satisfactorily to questions; frequently requires use of the

alternative question(s) provided.
• Communicates most of the required information; may occasionally give
irrelevant information.
• Conveys simple, straightforward opinions.

4–6 Weak • Has difficulty with many questions but still attempts an answer.
• Communicates some simple information relevant to the questions.

1–3 Poor • Frequently has difficulty understanding the questions and has great
difficulty in replying.
• Communicates one or two basic pieces of information relevant to
the questions.

0 • No creditable response.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Quality of Language
Give a mark out of 15 for the candidate’s performance in both topic conversations.

Mark Level Descriptor

13–15 Very good • Accurate use of a wide range of the structures listed in the syllabus with
occasional errors in more complex language.
• Accurate use of a wide range of vocabulary with occasional errors.
• Very good pronunciation, fluency, intonation and expression; occasional
mistakes or hesitation.

10–12 Good • Good use of a range of the structures listed in the syllabus, with some
errors.
• Good use of a range of vocabulary with some errors.
• Good pronunciation and fluency despite some errors or hesitation; a
good attempt at correct intonation and expression.

7–9 Satisfactory • Satisfactory use of some of the structures listed in the syllabus, with
frequent errors.
• Satisfactory use of vocabulary with frequent errors.
• Satisfactory pronunciation and fluency despite frequent errors and
hesitation; some attempt at intonation and expression.

4–6 Weak • Limited range of structures and vocabulary, rarely accurate and/or
complete; frequent ambiguity.
• Pronunciation can be understood with some effort; very noticeable
hesitations and stilted delivery.

1–3 Poor • Very limited range of structures and vocabulary, almost always
inaccurate.
• Poor pronunciation, rarely comprehensible; many serious errors.

0 • No creditable response.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Paper 4 – Writing
Written paper, 1 hour, 45 marks

This paper consists of a form-filling task, a directed writing task and an extended writing task in response to
given contexts and prompts.

Description of questions
Question 1
Assessment objectives W1, W4
Task Candidates fill in a form with single words or short phrases in response to a
given context.
Total marks 5

Question 2
Assessment objectives W2, W4
Task Candidates complete a directed writing task in about 80–90 words on a
familiar, everyday topic.
Total marks 12

Question 3
Assessment objectives W3, W4
Task Candidates choose between two tasks (an email/letter and an article/blog)
and complete one of these in about 130–140 words.
Total marks 28

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

List of grammar and structures

The list of grammar and structures provides students with an indication of the grammatical knowledge they are
expected to demonstrate in all of their assessments for IGCSE French. The list is not intended to be restrictive.

Articles definite, indefinite, partitive, use of de after negative verb forms

Nouns gender
singular and plural forms
Adjectives agreement
possessive
demonstrative (ce, cet, cette, ces)
interrogative (e.g. quel, quelle, quels, quelles)
indefinite (e.g. autre, chaque, même, n’importe quel, pareil, plusieurs, quelques, tel)
comparative:
regular forms (e.g. aussi, moins, plus + que)
irregular forms (e.g. meilleur, pire)
superlative:
regular forms (e.g. le/la plus …, le/la moins …)
irregular forms (e.g. le meilleur, le pire, le moindre)
Adverbs adverbs of time and place
interrogative (e.g. combien, comment, où, quand, depuis quand)
common adverbial phrases
comparative:
regular forms (e.g. aussi, moins, plus + que )
irregular forms (e.g. mieux)
superlative:
irregular forms (e.g. le mieux)
quantifiers (e.g. assez, beaucoup plus/moins, bien, comme, fort, peu, un peu, si,
tellement, tout, très, trop)
Pronouns personal
reflexive
object: direct and indirect including position, order, agreement
demonstrative (e.g. ça, cela, celui, celle, -ci, -là, celui/celle de, celui/celle qui,
celui/celle que, celui/celle dont)
interrogative (e.g. qui ? que ? qui est-ce que/qui ? lequel ?)
relative (e.g. qui, que, dont, où, quoi, ce qui, ce que, lequel/laquelle)
disjunctive
possessive (e.g. le mien)
indefinite (e.g. quelque chose, quelqu’un, chacun, certain, n’importe qui, n’importe
quoi)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Verbs regular and irregular forms of verbs, including reflexive verbs

all persons of verbs, singular and plural
negative forms
interrogative forms
imperative
modes of address: tu, vous
impersonal verbs
indicative tenses
• present • future
• imperfect • conditional
• perfect • pluperfect
• immediate future
perfect infinitive
present participle
verbs governing an infinitive, including à and de + infinitive
use of depuis with present and imperfect tenses
use of venir de + infinitive in present and imperfect tenses
passive voice (receptive)
subjunctive mood: in commonly used expression (receptive)
Conjunctions co-ordinating (e.g. car, donc)
subordinating (e.g. quand, où, parce que, si, puisque)
Prepositions place (e.g. chez, entre, devant, à côté de)
time (e.g. avant, après, pendant, pour)
movement (e.g. jusqu’à, vers)
other (e.g. contre, malgré, sans, sauf, selon)
Number all cardinal/ordinal numbers
Quantity assez, beaucoup, demi, moitié, peu, un peu, tant, trop, tellement
Time date (e.g. le 12 septembre); time, including 24-hour clock, years

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Vocabulary list
The vocabulary list provided is intended as a guide for teachers to assist in the planning of lessons and
schemes of work. It is not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive and the assessment tasks will require
students to understand and respond to words (and/or forms of words) that are not on the list.

Although the skill of deduction is not directly tested, students should be taught the skill of deducing the
meaning of unknown words from the context on familiar topics.

Vocabulary is listed under particular topic headings but should be considered transferable, as appropriate, to
the other topics.

Students are expected to be familiar with plural and feminine forms of nouns and adjectives where these are
not given.

The list reflects the spelling rules at the time of publication for French. Examiners will accept both versions of
the spellings affected by the reform, i.e. old and new.

Les adjectifs courants

agréable faux / fausse
amical(e) fort(e)
amusant(e) froid(e)
animé(e) général(e)
approprié(e) génial(e)
beau / belle gentil(le)
bête grand(e) / plus grand(e) / le / la plus grand(e)
bon(ne) gratuit(e)
bruyant(e) impoli(e)
chaud(e) important(e)
clair(e) impossible
confortable intelligent(e)
correct(e) inutile
de valeur isolé(e)
dernier / dernière léger / légère
différent(e) lent(e)
difficile libre
disponible lourd(e)
douillet / douillette malheureux / malheureuse
doux / douce marrant(e)
drôle mauvais(e) / plus mauvais(e)
dur(e) meilleur(e) / le / la meilleur(e)
ennuyeux / ennuyeuse (le / la) même (que)
énorme mince
étroit(e) mobile
exact(e) moderne
facile mou / molle
faible mouillé(e)
fantastique nécessaire

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Les adjectifs courants (continued) Adverbes et prépositions courants

négatif / négative Prépositions courantes
normal(e) à
nouveau / nouvelle à côté de
parfait(e) au lieu
palpitant(e) au milieu de
passionnant(e) au-dessous de
petit(e) / plus petit(e) / le / la plus petit(e) au-dessus de
pire / le / la pire autour
plein(e) avec
poli(e) dans
populaire de
portable de (la part de)
positif / positive dedans
possible dehors
précédent(e) derrière
prêt(e) dessous
probable dessus
prochain(e) devant
profond(e) entre
rapide ici
récent(e) là-bas
responsable loin de
riche pour
sauf / sauve près de
sec / sèche quelque part
semblable sans
seul(e) sous
sévère sur
silencieux / silencieuse
simple Adverbes – Possibilité
strict(e) certainement
sympa peut-être
timide probablement
typique
utile Adverbes – Fréquence
vide d’habitude
vieux / vieille jamais
vrai(e) normalement
rarement
seulement
souvent
toujours
tous les jours

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Adverbes et prépositions courants (continued)

Adverbes – Manière Nombres – Autre vocabulaire (continued)
bien minorité (f)
exactement moins de
lentement nombre (m)
mal pas assez
rapidement plus de
plus ou moins
Adverbes – Intensité plusieurs
surtout presque
vraiment quantité (f)
quelque(s)
Adverbes – Quantité rien
assez suffisamment
beaucoup total (m)
juste tout
si tout(e) / tous / toutes
tout trop
tout à fait une fois / deux fois / trois fois
très
trop Verbes courants
accompagner
Nombres cardinaux accueillir
zéro / un(e) / deux / trois / quatre / cinq – un million adorer
aider
Nombres ordinaux aimer
premier / première / deuxième / troisième / aller
quatrième / etc. amener
apparaître
Nombres – Fractions appartenir
moitié (f) / tiers (m) / quart (m) apporter
apprécier
Nombres – Autre vocabulaire apprendre
à peu près arranger
chaque arriver
combien attacher
divers augmenter
double avoir
environ avoir besoin
la plupart avoir lieu
le/la seul(e) boire
les deux bouger
majorité (f) chercher

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Verbes courants (continued)

choisir penser
cocher permettre
commencer pleurer
comprendre porter
connaître poser
continuer pousser
copier pouvoir
crier prendre
croire raconter
déchirer ramasser
décrire ranger
demander recueillir
détester réduire
devoir regarder
diminuer regretter
dire relier
donner réparer
écouter répéter
écrire répondre
encourager ressembler
entendre ressentir
entrer rester
éprouver retourner
essayer rentrer
être retrouver
être désolé(e) réussir
explorer revenir
faire rêver
finir rire
garder s'approcher de
il y a s'arrêter
inviter s'asseoir
laisser tomber savoir
lire se calmer
louer sentir / se sentir
manger se rappeler / rappeler
mentir sembler
mettre se servir de
mordre se souvenir
organiser s'inquiéter
oublier s’inscrire
parler s'intéresser à

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

Verbes courants (continued) A Activités de la vie quotidienne (continued)

s’occuper de Expressions de temps (continued)
soigner moment (m)
sourire pendant
tirer pendant ce temps
toucher plus tard
travailler prochain(e)
trouver puis
utiliser quand
venir quelquefois
voir soudain
vouloir tard / en retard
tôt
A Activités de la vie quotidienne toujours
Expressions de temps tous les jours / toutes les semaines / tous les mois
à venir (votre, ton, mon) tour (m)
après-midi (m)
aujourd'hui Donner l’heure
avant à une heure / deux heures
bientôt après-midi (m)
chaque jour / semaine / mois heure (f)
d'abord horloge (f)
de bonne heure Il est sept heures et demie / moins le quart / et
quart.
déjà matin (m)
demain midi (m)
depuis minuit (m)
dernier / dernière minute (f)
en attendant montre (f)
encore seconde (f)
enfin soir (m)
ensuite une demi-heure, un quart d'heure
finalement
hier Les jours de la semaine
immédiat(e) lundi
jamais mardi
jusqu'à mercredi
la semaine suivante jeudi
la semaine / la semaine prochaine / la semaine vendredi
dernière samedi
maintenant dimanche
matin (m) week-end (m) / weekend (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

A Activités de la vie quotidienne (continued)

Les mois / les années Manger et boire – Les fruits
an (m) / année (f) abricot (m)
annuel(le) ananas (m)
chaque année / tous les ans banane (f)
date (f) cerise (f)
hebdomadaire citron (m)
mensuel(le) fraise (f)
mois (m) framboise (f)
janvier fruit (m)
février fruit (m) de la passion
mars mangue (f)
avril melon (m)
mai noix (f) de coco
juin orange (f)
juillet pastèque (f)
août pêche (f)
septembre pomme (f)
octobre poire (f)
novembre prune (f)
décembre raisin (m)

Les saisons Manger et boire – Les légumes

automne (m) aubergine (f)
été (m) carotte (f)
hiver (m) champignon (m)
printemps (m) chou (m)
saisons (fpl) chou-fleur (m)
concombre (m)
Manger et boire – Repas haricot (m)
déjeuner (m) laitue (f)
dessert (m) légumes (mpl)
en-cas (m) oignon (m)
entrée (f) poivron (m)
faire un barbecue pomme (f) de terre
nourriture (f) végétarienne / végétalienne salade (f)
pique-nique (m) tomate (f)
plat (m) principal
prendre le déjeuner Manger et boire – Autres aliments
prendre le dîner ail (m)
prendre le petit déjeuner beurre (m)
régime (m) cacahuète (f)
repas (m) confiture (f)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

A Activités de la vie quotidienne (continued)

Manger et boire – Autres aliments (continued) Manger et boire – Boissons
farine (f) boisson (f)
fromage (m) boisson (f) non alcoolisée
gelée (f) café (m)
glace (f) chocolat (m) chaud
huile (f) coca
noisette (f) eau (f) (minérale, gazeuse, plate)
noix (f) glaçon (m)
œuf (m) jus (m)
pain (m) lait (m)
pâtes (fpl) limonade (f)
poivre (m) thé (m)
riz (m)
sel (m) Manger et boire – Couvert et ustensiles
soja (m) assiette (f)
sucre (m) bol (m)
tofu (m) casserole (f)
couteau (m)
Manger et boire – Viande, poisson et fruits de mer cuiller (f) / cuillère (f)
agneau (m) fourchette (f)
bœuf (m) marmite (f)
fruits (mpl) de mer tasse (f)
hamburger (m) verre (m)
jambon (m)
poisson (m) Manger et boire – Verbes et expressions
porc (m) avoir faim
poulet (m) avoir soif
saucisse (f) avoir trop mangé
viande (f) boisson (f)
couper
Manger et boire – Les en-cas cru(e)
bonbons (mpl) grignoter
chips (fpl) manger
chocolat (m) prendre le petit déjeuner / le dîner
frites (fpl) prendre quelque chose à boire
gâteau (m) préparer
pain (m) grillé
pizza (f)
sandwich (m)
soupe (f) / potage (m)
yaourt (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

A Activités de la vie quotidienne (continued)

Manger et boire – Adjectifs Le corps et la santé – La santé et la maladie
cuit(e) dentiste (m/f)
épicé(e) infirmier (m) / infirmière (f)
frais / fraîche médecin (m/f)
salé(e) médicament (m)
sucré(e) pharmacie (f)
rendez-vous (m)
Le corps et la santé – Les parties du corps sparadrap (m)
bouche (f)
bras (m) La santé et la maladie – Verbes et expressions
cheville (f) aller à la salle de gym / au gymnase
cœur (m) avoir de la fièvre
corps (m) avoir la grippe
cou (m) avoir mal à la tête / au ventre / aux dents
dent (f) avoir une allergie à
doigt (m) / doigt de pied (m) blessure (f)
dos (m) être au régime
épaule (f) être en forme / en bonne santé
genou (m) être enrhumé(e)
gorge (f) être fatigué(e)
jambe (f) être malade
main (f) (droite, gauche) faire de l’exercice
nez (m) propre
œil (m) / yeux (mpl) s’allonger
oreille (f) se casser le bras / la jambe
orteil (m) se faire mal à / se couper le doigt
os (m) se sentir malade
peau (f) tomber
pied (m) (droit, gauche) vomir
poitrine (f)
tête (f) Les voyages et les transports
ventre (m) auto (f)
visage (m) (auto)bus (m)
ambulance (f)
Les parties du corps – Verbes et expressions arrêt (m) d'autobus
respirer avion (m)
se maquiller bagages (mpl)
se raser bateau (m)
sentir carte (f)
toucher chauffeur (m)
voir chemin (m) de fer

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

A Activités de la vie quotidienne (continued)

Les voyages et les transports (continued) Les voyages et les transports – Verbes et
conducteur (m) / conductrice (f) expressions (continued)
directions (fpl) tout droit
ferry (m) traverser
motocyclette (f) voyager
office (m) de tourisme voyager en autobus / en train
passager (m) / passagère (f)
piste (f) cyclable B Vie personnelle et sociale
quai (m) Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Salutations et
queue (f) expressions parlées courantes
retard (m) / en retard / retardé À plus tard.
taxi (m) À demain.
ticket aller-retour (m) / aller simple (m) Au revoir.
touriste (m/f) Bonjour.
train (m) Bonsoir.
trajet (m) Ça va ? / Ça va bien merci. / Ça ne va pas bien.
tram (m) Comment allez-vous ? / Comment vas-tu ?
transports (mpl) en commun Enchanté(e) de faire votre connaissance.
valise (f) Je dois m'en aller.
vélo (m) Je suis désolé(e).
visite (f) Merci.
voiture (f) Pardon.
vol (m) Pardon ?
voyage (m) Salut.
S’il vous plaît / S’il te plaît.
Les voyages et les transports – Verbes et
expressions Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Exclamations /
arriver Interjections
chercher Bienvenue !
conduire Que c’est ennuyeux !
descendre Que c’est gentil !
être perdu(e) / se perdre Que c’est intéressant !
faire de la randonnée Quel dommage !
marcher
monter Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Invitations
partir accepter / refuser une invitation
prendre l'autobus / le train / le ferry / l'avion inviter
retourner Merci, mais je ne peux pas. Un autre jour peut-être ?
revenir Veux-tu / Voulez-vous aller au cinéma ?
se garer Si on allait... ?
stationner
tourner

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

Moi, ma famille et mes amis – La famille et les Moi, ma famille et mes amis – La famille et les
relations relations (continued)
adolescent(e) (m/f) petit(e) ami(e) (m/f)
ami(e) (m/f) petit-fils (m) / petite-fille (f)
bébé (m) prénom (m)
belle-mère (f) / beau-père (m) se marier
célibataire (m/f) sœur (f) plus jeune / plus âgée
copain (m) / copine (f) tante (f)
cousin (m) / cousine (f) voisin (m) / voisine (f)
divorcé(e) vous-même / moi-même
enfance (f)
enfant (m/f) La famille et les relations – Verbes et
épouser expressions
famille (f) avoir
femme (f) être enceinte
fiancé (m) / fiancée (f) élever
fille (f) épeler
fils (m) / fille (f) grandir
frère (m) plus jeune / plus âgé mourir
gens naître
grand-père (m) / grand-mère (f) / grands-parents s'appeler
(mpl) vivre
homme (m)
jeune femme (f) Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Description
jeune homme (m) physique
jeune (m/f) âge (m)
jumeaux (mpl) / jumelles (fpl) barbe (f)
les personnes âgées (fpl) beau / belle
Madame blond(e)
Mademoiselle bouclé(e)
mari (m) brun(e)
marié(e) chauve
mariage (m) cheveux (mpl)
membre (m) de la famille couleur (f)
mère (f) court(e)
Monsieur épais(se)
neveu (m) / nièce (f) fin(e)
nom (m) de famille frisé(e)
oncle (m) grand(e)
parents (mpl) gros(se)
partenaire (m/f) jeune
père (m) joli(e)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Description Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Description du
physique (continued) tempérament et de l’humeur (continued)
laid(e) intelligent(e)
long(ue) intéressant(e)
maigre malheureux / malheureuse
marron marrant(e)
mince méchant(e)
moustache (f) paresseux / paresseuse
œil (m) / yeux (mpl) pauvre
petit(e) raisonnable
porter un appareil auditif satisfait(e)
porter des lunettes (fpl) sérieux / sérieuse
raide stupide
sexe (m) triste
taille (f)
vieux / vieille Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Verbes et
voix (f) expressions
aimer
Moi, ma famille et mes amis – Description du embrasser
tempérament et de l'humeur être de bonne / mauvaise humeur
actif / active pleurer
agréable rire
aimable se fâcher
anxieux / anxieuse sourire
bête
calme À la maison – Les pièces et les meubles
célèbre balcon (m)
content(e) bureau (m)
curieux / curieuse cave (f)
désagréable couloir (m)
drôle entrée (f)
en colère escalier (m)
ennuyeux / ennuyeuse fenêtre (f)
épuisé(e) garage (m)
fâché(e) grenier (m)
fou / folle meuble (m)
gentil(le) mur (m)
gourmand(e) plafond (m)
heureux / heureuse plancher (m)
impoli(e) porte (f)
important(e) salle à manger (f)
inquiet / inquiète toit (m)
verre (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

À la maison – La salle de bains À la maison – La cuisine (continued)
brosse (f) (à dents / à cheveux) chaise (f)
dentifrice (m) cuisine (f)
déodorant (m) évier (m)
douche (f)
gel (m) douche La cuisine – Verbes et expressions
miroir (m) bouillir / faire bouillir
peigne (m) chauffer / faire chauffer
robinet (m) congeler
salle (f) de bain(s) couper
savon (m) cuire / faire cuire (au barbecue)
serviette (f) (de bain) cuisiner
shampooing (m) / shampoing (m) frire / faire frire
toilettes (fpl) griller
hacher
La salle de bains – Verbes et expressions manger
prendre un bain préparer le déjeuner / le dîner
se doucher prendre le déjeuner / le dîner
se brosser les dents repasser
se brosser les cheveux rôtir / faire rôtir
se laver le visage
se peigner À la maison – La chambre
armoire (f)
À la maison – Le salon chambre (f)
canapé (m) couverture (f)
commode (f) drap (m)
étagère (f) lampe (f)
fauteuil (m) lit (m)
peinture (f) oreiller (m)
salon (m) placard (m)
séjour (m)
sofa (m) La chambre – Verbes et expressions
table (f) avoir sommeil
tableau (m) dormir
tapis (m) être fatigué(e)
s'allonger
À la maison – La cuisine se lever
boîte (f) (en carton) se reposer
bouteille (f) se réveiller

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

À la maison – Les tâches ménagères À la maison – Les appareils ménagers (continued)
aspirateur (m) / passer l'aspirateur machine (f) à laver
cuire (au four) mode (m) d'emploi
déchets (mpl) / trier les déchets pile (f)
lessive (f) / faire la lessive prise (f)
mettre / débarasser la table radio (f)
nettoyer réveil (m)
poubelle (f) / sortir la poubelle téléphone (m)
ranger télévision (f) / téléviseur (m)
recycler
vaisselle (f) / faire la vaisselle Les appareils ménagers – Verbes et expressions
allumer
À la maison – Le jardin casser
arbre (m) éteindre
clôture (f) fermer
fleur (f) ouvrir
jardin (m) pousser
mur (m) réparer
pelouse (f) tirer
plante (f)
Couleurs
Le jardin – Verbes et expressions argent
jardiner / faire du jardinage blanc / blanche
planter des fleurs bleu(e)
pousser / faire pousser brun(e)
clair(e)
À la maison – Les appareils ménagers couleur (f)
barbecue (m) foncé(e)
casque (m) gris(e)
chargeur (m) jaune
chauffage (m) marron
climatisation (f) noir(e)
congélateur (m) or
cuisinière (f) orange
électricité (f) rose
fer (m) à repasser rouge
four (m) / four (m) à micro-ondes vert(e)
frigo (m) violet / violette
gaz (m)
horloge (f)
lave-vaisselle (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

Les vêtements et les accessoires Les vêtements et les accessoires – Verbes et
bague (f) expressions
baskets (fpl) Ça me va. / Ça ne me va pas.
bijoux (mpl) Ça vous va bien !
blouson (m) C'est décontracté.
botte (f) C'est élégant / chic.
boucle (f) d'oreille C'est trop étroit.
casquette (f) C'est trop large.
ceinture (f) de quelle taille (vêtements) / pointure (chaussures)
chapeau (m) essayer
chaussette (f) mettre
chaussure (f) paire (f) de chaussettes (fpl) / chaussures (fpl) /
chemise (f) gants (mpl)
chemisier (m) porter
collier (m) s'habiller / se déshabiller
costume (m)
cravate (f) Les loisirs – Les choses à faire
écharpe (f) aller à un concert / un festival de musique / au
gant (m) théâtre
imperméable (m) chatter en ligne
jean (m) écouter de la musique (pop / classique / rock)
jupe (f) regarder la télévision / un film à suspense / un film
lunettes (fpl) / lunettes (fpl) de soleil romantique / une comédie / un film policier / un
maillot (m) de bain dessin animé / un film de science-fiction
manteau (m)
mode (f) Les loisirs – Les passe-temps
montre (f) batterie (f) / jouer de la batterie
pantalon (m) casque (m)
parapluie (m) chant (m) / chanter
poche (f) clarinette (f) / jouer de la clarinette
portefeuille (m) dessin (m) / dessiner / faire du dessin
porte-monnaie (m) échecs (mpl) / jouer aux échecs
pull (m) flûte (f) / jouer de la flûte
robe (f) guitare (f) / jouer de la guitare
sac (m) / sac à dos instrument (m) / jouer d'un instrument
sandales (fpl) jardinage (m) / faire du jardinage
short (m) lecture (f) / lire
tailleur (m) pêche (f) / aller à la pêche
uniforme (m) peinture (f) / peindre
veste (f) photographie (f) / faire de la photographie
vêtements (mpl) piano (m) / jouer du piano

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

B Vie personnelle et sociale (continued)

Les loisirs – Les passe-temps (continued) Les sports – Verbes et expressions
trompette (f) / jouer de la trompette (s') entraîner
violon (m) / jouer du violon gagner (la / une course / la / une compétition / une
médaille)
Les loisirs – Les sports marquer (un but)
athlétisme (m) / faire de l'athlétisme match nul (m) / faire match nul
badminton (m) / jouer au badminton perdre (une / la course / une compétition) prendre
balle (f) (de tennis) des photos
ballon (m) (de foot)
basket (m) / jouer au basket C Le monde qui nous entoure
course (f) à pied / faire de la course à pied Les gens et les lieux – Les continents
court (m) de tennis Afrique (f)
cyclisme (m) / faire du cyclisme Amérique (f) / Amérique du Sud / Amérique du
escalade (f) / faire de l'escalade Nord / Amérique centrale
équipe (f) Antarctique (m)
équitation / faire de l'équitation Arctique (m)
fan (m) Asie (f)
football (m) / foot (m) / jouer au foot(ball) Australasie (f)
golf (m) / jouer au golf Europe (f)
hockey (m) / jouer au hockey Océanie (f)
jouer
match (m) Les gens et les lieux – Les pays / les
matériel (m) nationalités et les langues
médaille (f) nationalité (f) du / de la candidat(e) + pays (m) de
nager résidence
natation (f) / faire de la natation langue (f) maternelle du / de la candidat(e) + autres
patinage (m) sur glace langues étudiées
patin (m) (patin à glace / à roulettes) pays (m) francophone
piste (f)
planche (f) à voile / faire de la planche à voile Les gens et les lieux – Les points cardinaux
prix (m) est (m)
raquette (f) nord (m)
rugby (m) / jouer au rugby ouest (m)
ski (m) / skier / faire du ski sud (m)
supporter (m) / supporteur (m) / supportrice (f)
surf (m) / faire du surf Le monde naturel et l’environnement
tennis (m) agriculture (f)
terrain (m) de golf / de foot air (m) / en plein air
vélo (m) / faire du vélo / faire du VTT branche (f)
voile (f) / faire de la voile champ (m)
volley (m) / jouer au volley chute (f) d'eau
yoga (m) / faire du yoga ciel (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

C Le monde qui nous entoure (continued)

Le monde naturel et l’environnement (continued) Le monde naturel et l’environnement – Les
climat (m) animaux
colline (f) animal (m)
côte (f) araignée (f)
déforestation (f) chat (m)
désert (m) chien (m)
environnement (m) éléphant (m)
étoile (f) lapin (m)
fleuve (m) lion (m)
forêt (f) mouche (f)
herbe (f) mouton (m)
île (f) oiseau (m)
lac (m) poisson (m)
lune (f) rat (m)
mer (f) serpent (m)
monde (m) singe (m)
montagne (f) souris (f)
nature (f) tigre (m)
ombre (f)
paysage (m) Le monde naturel et l’environnement – Le
pierre (f) climat et le temps
pittoresque brouillard (m)
plage (f) brume (f)
planète (f) chaleur (f)
pollution (f) chaud
poussière (f) conditions météorologiques (fpl)
protection (f) degré (m)
protéger éclair (m)
réchauffement climatique (m) ensoleillé
recyclage (m) / recycler froid (m)
région (f) gelée (f)
ressource (f) naturelle givre (m)
rivière (f) grêle (f)
sable (m) humide
se situer humidité (f)
se trouver météo (f)
soleil (m) neige (f)
sommet (m) nuage (m)
terre (f) / planète (f) Terre nuit (f)
vague (f) orage (m)
volcan (m) ouragan (m)
vue (f) pluie (f)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

C Le monde qui nous entoure (continued)

Le monde naturel et l’environnement – Le La communication et la technologie – Le
climat et le temps (continued) monde numérique (continued)
saison (f) photo (f)
soleil (m) remplir
tempête (f) renseignement (m)
temps (m) réseau (m) social
tonnerre (m) sécurité (f) en ligne
vent (m) selfie (m)
verglas (m) site (m)
souris (f)
Le climat et le temps – Verbes et expressions tablette (électronique) (f)
Il fait froid / chaud / frais. téléphone (m)
Il gèle. téléphone (m) portable / portable (m)
Il pleut. texto (m)
touche (f)
La communication et la technologie – Le vidéo (f)
monde numérique vlog (m) / vlogueur (m) / vlogueuse (f)
application (f) wifi (m)
article (m)
chat (m) Le monde numérique – Verbes et expressions
clavier (m) aller sur Internet / avoir accès (à) Internet / se
clé (f) USB connecter sur / à Internet
cliquer cliquer
courriel (m) coller
document (m) copier
dossier (m) effacer
écran (m) envoyer
écran tactile (m) mettre en ligne
e-mail (m) poster
en ligne sauvegarder
fichier (m) surfer sur Internet
film (m) télécharger
imprimante (f) téléconférence (f) / participer à une téléconférence
informations (fpl) trouver
Internet (m)
jeu (m) La communication et la technologie – Les
logiciel (m) documents et les textes
marque (f) article (m)
mot de passe (m) bande (f) dessinée
numérique billet (m)
ordinateur (m) / ordinateur (m) portable brochure (f)
page (f) Web carnet (m)
carte (f) / carte (f) d'identité

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

C Le monde qui nous entoure (continued)

La communication et la technologie – Les L'environnement construit – Les bâtiments et
documents et les textes les services (continued)
carte (f) postale hôpital (m)
certificat (m) hôtel (m)
facture (f) maison (f)
formulaire (m) musée (m)
guide (m) (touristique) piscine (f)
journal (m) poste (f)
lettre (f) restaurant (m)
liste (f) rez-de-chaussée (m)
livre (m) salle (f) de gym / gymnase (m)
magazine (m) sortie (f)
note (f) stade (m)
passeport (m) station-service (f)
publicité (f) théâtre (m)
ticket (m) université (f)
usine (f)
L'environnement construit – Les bâtiments et zoo (m)
les services
appartement (m) L’environnement construit – Les zones urbaines
ascenseur (m) aéroport (m)
bâtiment (m) aire (f) de jeux
bibliothèque (f) arrêt (m) de train / bus
bureau (m) autoroute (f)
cabinet (m) dentaire circulation (f)
café (m) coin (m)
centre (m) / complexe (m) de loisirs endroit (m)
château (m) feux (mpl)
cinéma (m) gare (f) / gare (f) routière
clinique (f) métro (m)
collège (m) parking (m)
commissariat (m) passage pour piétons (m) / passage clouté (m)
école (f) primaire / maternelle place (f) / place (f) du marché
entrée (f) pont (m)
étage (m) (premier / deuxième) quartier (m)
faculté (f) rond-point (m)
ferme (f) rue (f)
garage (m) village (m)
gare (f) / gare (f) routière ville (f)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

C Le monde qui nous entoure (continued)

L’environnement construit – Les courses Poids et mesures
addition (f) carré (m)
billet (m) centimètre (m)
bon marché court(e)
boucherie (f) degré (m)
boulangerie (f) gramme (m)
boutique (f) kilogramme (m)
carte de crédit (f) kilomètre (m)
cher / chère litre (m)
client (m) / cliente (f) long(ue)
fermer / fermé mètre (m)
kiosque (m)
magasin (m) Poids et mesures – La taille
marché (m) court(e)
monnaie (f) énorme
ouvrir / ouvert grand(e)
pièce (f) de monnaie gros(se)
pointure (f) long(ue)
prix (m) moyen(ne)
promotion (f) / en promotion petit(e)
reçu (m) tout petit
sac (m) à vie
serveur (m) / serveuse (f) Poids et mesures – La forme
soldes (mpl) / en solde carré (m) / carré(e)
supermarché (m) cercle (m)
taille (f) circulaire
vendeur (m) / vendeuse (f) rond (m) / rond(e)
triangle (m)
Les courses – Verbes et expressions triangulaire
acheter
C'est combien ? Les matériaux
dépenser argent (m)
faire des courses bois (m)
louer (un vélo) coton (m)
payer cuir (m)
rapporter laine (f)
rembourser / se faire rembourser métal (m)
rendre or (m)
se plaindre papier (m)
vendre pierre (f)
plastique (m)
verre (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

D Le monde du travail
L’éducation – Les institutions d’enseignement L’éducation – La salle de classe / les outils
collège (m) d’apprentissage / le matériel scolaire (continued)
école (f) maternelle / primaire / internationale / fenêtre (f)
privée feuille (de papier) (f)
jardin d'enfants (m) gomme (f)
lycée (m) iPad (m)
université (f) livre (m)
manuel (m) scolaire
L’éducation – L’éducation et la formation ordinateur (m) portable
année (f) scolaire porte (f)
bibliothèque (f) poubelle (f)
cantine (f) règle (f)
centre (m) sportif sonnerie (f)
cour (f) stylo (m)
directeur (m) / directrice (f) table (f)
dortoir (m) tableau (m) (noir / blanc / interactif)
élève (m/f) tablette (f)
enseignant (m) / enseignante (f) trousse (f)
étudiant (m) / étudiante (f)
gymnase (m) L’éducation – Les matières
internat (m) / interne (m/f) art (m) dramatique
licence (f) biologie (f)
matière (f) chimie (f)
moniteur (m) / monitrice (f) dessin (m)
proviseur (m) éducation (f) physique / EPS
professeur (m) / professeure (f) études (fpl) religieuses
programme (m) géographie (f)
rentrée (f) scolaire histoire (f)
salle (f) de classe informatique (f)
salle (f) d'informatique langues (fpl) vivantes
section (f) maths (fpl) / mathématiques (fpl)
surveillant (m) / surveillante (f) musique (f)
trimestre (m) physique (f)
religion (f)
L’éducation – La salle de classe / les outils sciences (fpl) / sciences (fpl) naturelles / SDVT
d’apprentissage / le matériel scolaire (sciences de la vie et de la terre)
cahier (m) sport (m)
carnet (m) technologie (f)
chaise (f) théâtre (m)
colle (f)
dictionnaire (m)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

D Le monde du travail (continued)

L’éducation – Les études Les études – Verbes et expressions (continued)
classe (f) réviser
contrôle (m) savoir
copain (m) / copine (f) de classe s'entraîner
cours (m) s'exercer
devoirs (mpl) surveiller
dossier (m) travailler
emploi (m) du temps
épreuve (f) Le travail – Les métiers / les carrières
étude (f) acteur (m) / actrice (f)
examen (m) agent de police (m/f)
exemple (m) agriculteur (m) / agricultrice (f)
exercice (m) architecte (m/f)
instructions (fpl) avocat (m) / avocate (f)
note (f) banquier (m) / banquière (f)
pause (f) déjeuner / pause (f) de midi boucher (m) / bouchère (f)
projet (m) scolaire boulanger (m) / boulangère (f)
question (f) chanteur (m) / chanteuse (f)
récréation (f) chauffeur (m)
résultat (m) chef (m)
chirurgien (m) / chirurgienne (f)
Les études – Verbes et expressions coiffeur (m) / coiffeuse (f)
adorer comédien (m) / comédienne (f)
apprendre comptable (m/f)
comprendre conducteur (m) / conductrice (f)
connaissance (f) constructeur (m)
connaître créateur (m) / créatrice (f) de sites Internet
demander cuisinier (m) / cuisinière (f)
détester danseur (m) / danseuse (f)
échouer dentiste (m/f)
écrire docteur (m)
étudier facteur (m) / factrice (f)
expérimenter / faire une expérience fermier (m) / fermière (f)
expliquer gendarme (m)
lire homme (m) d'affaires / femme (f) d'affaires
passer un examen hôtesse (f) de l’air
poser une question infirmier (m) / infirmière (f)
prendre des notes informaticien (m) / informaticienne (f)
rater ingénieur (m) / ingénieure (f)
répondre interprète (m/f)
réussir journaliste (m/f)

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

D Le monde du travail (continued)

Le travail – Les métiers / les carrières (continued) Le monde du travail – Verbes et expressions
mécanicien (m) / mécanicienne (f) (continued)
médecin (m) poser sa candidature
menuisier (m) prendre sa retraite
musicien (m) / musicienne (f) prendre un congé
notaire (m/f) se faire virer
pharmacien (m) / pharmacienne (f) trouver / chercher du travail
pilote (m)
plombier (m) E Le monde international
pompier (m) Les pays / les nationalités et les langues
professeur (m) / professeure (f) nationalité (f) du / de la candidat(e) + pays de
programmeur (m) / programmeuse (f) résidence
secrétaire (m/f) langue (f) maternelle du / de la candidat(e) + autres
serveur (m) / serveuse (f) langues étudiées
soldat (m) / femme soldat (f) pays (m) francophone
steward (m)
traducteur (m) / traductrice (f) La culture / les coutumes / la religion / les fêtes
travailler à son compte baptême (m)
vétérinaire (m/f) crèche (f) (de Noël)
croyance (f)
Le travail – Le monde du travail Divali / Diwali / Dipavali (m)
affaires (fpl) église (f)
atelier (m) feu (m) d'artifice
bureau (m) foi (f)
chômage (m) / chômeur (m) / chômeuse (f) jour (m) férié
CV (m) messe (f)
emploi (m) / sans emploi mosquée (f)
employé(e) (m/f) Noël (m)
employeur (m) / employeuse (f) Nouvel An (m)
entreprise (f) occasion (f)
salaire (m) office (m) religieux
travail (m) Pâques (m)
pèlerinage (m)
Le monde du travail – Verbes et expressions ramadan (m)
être renvoyé(e) religion (f)
être promu(e) saint (m) / sainte (f)
faire une demande d'emploi service (m)
faire un stage synagogue (f)
gagner temple (m)
partir en vacances
perdre son emploi

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  Details of the assessment

E Le monde international (continued)

La culture / les coutumes / la religion / les
fêtes – Verbes et expressions
célébrer
croire
être croyant(e)
être pratiquant(e)
fêter

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

5  What else you need to know

This section is an overview of other information you need to know about this syllabus. It will help to share the
administrative information with your exams officer so they know when you will need their support. Find more
information about our administrative processes at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Before you start

Previous study
We recommend that learners starting this course should have studied a French curriculum such as the
Cambridge Lower Secondary programme or equivalent national educational framework.

Guided learning hours

We design Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses to require about 130 guided learning hours for each subject. This is
for guidance only. The number of hours a learner needs to achieve the qualification may vary according to each
school and the learners’ previous experience of the subject.

Availability and timetables

All Cambridge schools are allocated to one of six administrative zones. Each zone has a specific timetable.

You can view the timetable for your administrative zone at www.cambridgeinternational.org/timetables

You can enter candidates in the June and November exam series. If your school is in India, you can also enter
your candidates in the March exam series.

Check you are using the syllabus for the year the candidate is taking the exam.

Private candidates can enter for this syllabus. For more information, please refer to the Cambridge Guide to
Making Entries.

Combining with other syllabuses

Candidates can take this syllabus alongside other Cambridge International syllabuses in a single exam series.
The only exceptions are:
• Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) French (7156)
• Cambridge O Level French (5020)
• syllabuses with the same title at the same level
• this syllabus must not be offered in the same series with Cambridge IGCSE First Language French (0501).

Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) and Cambridge O Level syllabuses are at the same level.

Group awards: Cambridge ICE

Cambridge ICE (International Certificate of Education) is a group award for Cambridge IGCSE. It allows schools
to offer a broad and balanced curriculum by recognising the achievements of learners who pass exams in a
range of different subjects.

Learn more about Cambridge ICE at www.cambridgeinternational.org/cambridgeice

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  What else you need to know

Making entries
Exams officers are responsible for submitting entries to Cambridge International. We encourage them to work
closely with you to make sure they enter the right number of candidates for the right combination of syllabus
components. Entry option codes and instructions for submitting entries are in the Cambridge Guide to Making
Entries. Your exams officer has a copy of this guide.

Audio materials
The Cambridge Handbook tells you when and how to access the audio material for each examination series.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Exam administration
To keep our exams secure, we produce question papers for different areas of the world, known as
administrative zones. We allocate all Cambridge schools to an administrative zone determined by their location.
Each zone has a specific timetable. Some of our syllabuses offer candidates different assessment options. An
entry option code is used to identify the components the candidate will take relevant to the administrative zone
and the available assessment options.

Support for exams officers

We know how important exams officers are to the successful running of exams. We provide them with the
support they need to make your entries on time. Your exams officer will find this support, and guidance for all
other phases of the Cambridge Exams Cycle, at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Retakes and carrying forward marks

Candidates can retake the whole qualification as many times as they want to. Information on retake entries is at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/retakes

Candidates cannot resubmit, in whole or in part, speaking tests from a previous series for remarking.

Marks achieved in Paper 3 Speaking cannot be carried forward to future series. See the regulations for carry
forward set out in the Cambridge Handbook at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Language
This syllabus is available in English only. The assessment materials are in French.

Accessibility and equality

Syllabus and assessment design
Cambridge International works to avoid direct or indirect discrimination. We develop and design syllabuses and
assessment materials to maximise inclusivity for candidates of all national, cultural or social backgrounds and
candidates with protected characteristics; these protected characteristics include special educational needs
and disability, religion and belief, and characteristics related to gender and identity. In addition, the language
and layout used are designed to make our materials as accessible as possible. This gives all candidates the
fairest possible opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding and helps to minimise the
requirement to make reasonable adjustments during the assessment process.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  What else you need to know

Access arrangements
Access arrangements (including modified papers) are the principal way in which Cambridge International
complies with our duty, as guided by the UK Equality Act (2010), to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for
candidates with special educational needs (SEN), disability, illness or injury. Where a candidate would otherwise
be at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to a candidate with no SEN, disability, illness or injury, we
may be able to agree pre-examination access arrangements. These arrangements help a candidate by
minimising accessibility barriers and maximising their opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and
understanding in an assessment.

Important:
• Requested access arrangements should be based on evidence of the candidate’s barrier to assessment
and should also reflect their normal way of working at school; this is in line with the Cambridge Handbook
www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide
• For Cambridge International to approve an access arrangement, we will need to agree that it constitutes
a reasonable adjustment, involves reasonable cost and timeframe and does not affect the security and
integrity of the assessment.
• Availability of access arrangements should be checked by centres at the start of the course. Details of our
standard access arrangements and modified question papers are available in the Cambridge Handbook
www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide
• Please contact us at the start of the course to find out if we are able to approve an arrangement that is not
included in the list of standard access arrangements.
• Candidates who cannot access parts of the assessment may be able to receive an award based on the
parts they have completed.
• Some access arrangements are not allowed in this syllabus because they affect the assessment objectives:
– candidates are not allowed to use voice-activated software to dictate their written work
– candidates are not allowed to use word processing technology which uses word prediction and/or
phrase prompting
– candidates are not allowed to use human readers.

Please note that we are unable to provide Braille papers for this syllabus.

After the exam

Grading and reporting
Grades A*, A, B, C, D, E, F or G indicate the standard a candidate achieved at Cambridge IGCSE.

A* is the highest and G is the lowest. ‘Ungraded’ means that the candidate’s performance did not meet the
standard required for grade G. ‘Ungraded’ is reported on the statement of results but not on the certificate.

In specific circumstances your candidates may see one of the following letters on their statement of results:
• Q (PENDING)
• X (NO RESULT).
These letters do not appear on the certificate.

On the statement of results and certificates, Cambridge IGCSE is shown as INTERNATIONAL GENERAL
CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE).

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  What else you need to know

How students and teachers can use the grades

Assessment at Cambridge IGCSE has two purposes:
1 to measure learning and achievement
The assessment confirms achievement and performance in relation to the knowledge, understanding and
skills specified in the syllabus, to the levels described in the grade descriptions.
2 to show likely future success
The outcomes help predict which students are well prepared for a particular course or career and/or which
students are more likely to be successful.
The outcomes help students choose the most suitable course or career.

Grade descriptions
Grade descriptions are provided to give an indication of the standards of achievement candidates awarded
particular grades are likely to show. Weakness in one aspect of the examination may be balanced by a better
performance in some other aspect.

Grade descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE French will be published after the first assessment of the syllabus in
2022.

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 Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.  What else you need to know

Changes to this syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027

The syllabus has been updated. This is version 1, published September 2022.

You must read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching programme. We review our
syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools. In updating this syllabus, we
have made it easier for teachers and students to understand, keeping the familiar features that teachers and
schools value.

Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2021 are still suitable for
use with this syllabus.

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School feedback: ‘While studying Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International A Levels, students
broaden their horizons through a global perspective and develop a lasting passion for learning.’
Feedback from: Zhai Xiaoning, Deputy Principal, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China

We are committed to making our documents accessible in accordance with the WCAG 2.1 Standard. We are always looking to improve
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us and supply your name, email address and requirements and we will respond within 15 working days.

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