Business Studies
This course is designed to give students a sound understanding of business, and the ability to use knowledge, skills and understanding appropriately in the context of individual countries and the global economy. Students will have the opportunity to focus on real-life business scenarios covering small and large businesses.
An iGCSE in Business equips students with the ability to participate effectively in global society as citizens, producers and consumers.
There are five main sections of study:
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Business Activity and Influences on Business
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People in Business
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Business Finance
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Marketing
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Business Operations
All of these topics will be assessed through two external examinations at the end of Year 11.
English
The aims and objectives of the IGCSE in English Language and Literature are to enable students to:
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develop and apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation.
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develop and apply their understanding of the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language.
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use linguistic and literary approaches in their reading and interpretation of texts, showing how the two disciplines can relate to each other.
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engage creatively and critically with a wide range of texts.
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explore the ways in which texts relate to each other and the contexts in which they are produced and received.
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develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language.
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undertake independent and sustained studies to develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language.
During the two year course, students study a wide range of fiction (play, novel and poetry) and non-fiction texts. Students study analyse and explore these within the contexts that they are produced and read.
They prepare to respond to unseen texts, which they compare with texts they have previously studied. For the coursework component, students also produce creative responses to studied texts, accompanied by their own commentary on how they link to the stimulus.
It is a varied and interesting course that combines the key elements of traditional language and literature.
French
IGCSE in French highlights the main points of familiar matters regularly encountered at home, in school, abroad, in life generally.
This course is designed so that you will understand commonly used terms in most areas, where you will be able to ask questions and will interact using different tenses and wording.
You will produce text and sentences related to your own experiences and events. You will use simple everyday expressions being able to order a meal in a restaurant, book a hotel room, read notices and posters.
Your ability to understand frequently used sentences will enable you to cover a wider range of topics. French is fun because of the pleasure in learning a beautiful and rich melodious language that is often called the language of love. It combines the culture, the way of life and a different way of thinking.
By speaking French in France, or in any other country where French is the first language, you remove the need to rely on the locals' English ability. Misunderstandings will disappear.
Geography
Geography is a vast and fascinating subject.
The IGCSE Geography course delivered at the school provides a great overview of its two main branches: Physical Geography and Human Geography. Some skills learnt in Geography can also be utilised in the Emerald Youth Award.
Topics covered include:
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River Environments
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Coastal Environments
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Hazardous Environments
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Economic Activity and Energy
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Rural Environments
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Urban Environments
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Fragile Environments and Climate Change
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Globalisation and Migration
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Development and Human Welfare
All topics will be assessed as part of this iGCSE qualification through 2 exams at the end of Year 11.
History
History is part of our identity. It is part of our culture.
History allows us to understand who we are, where are we coming from and how to face our future.
Historical knowledge helps you to make links between events from the past to the ones in present context.
Working with History, you are able to find patterns and understand theories from a diverse range of topics.
History can lead you to success in different careers, as it helps you to acquire essential skills. Especially the ones of analysis, critical evaluation and prioritising.
But, the most important point in favour of History is the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating and useful subject all throughout your IGCSE school time.
Keen interest and understanding of the past; historical events analysis and link them with present ones finding patterns; learn how to use evidence and evaluate it; have a global vision of the present international issues, are some of the key points you will be able to develop through your History IGCSE path…
Information & Communication Technology
This IGCSE qualification has a broad appeal and develops students’ communication and decision-making skills. These will support further study in any subject area.
In a world where information and communication technology (ICT) is constantly changing, individuals increasingly need technological and information literacy skills, which include the ability to gather, process and manipulate data.
The impact of ICT on society is enormous and ever-increasing. As the percentage of businesses and households connected to communications networks such as the internet grows, so does the need for individuals who understand these new technologies.
At IGCSE, the course encourages students to become effective and discerning users of ICT. It helps them to develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding.
Students study the structure and use of ICT systems, within a wide range of organisations, including the use of a variety of computer networks. As a result, students gain an understanding of ICT system life cycles, and how these affect the workplace.
Mathematics
Mathematics presents frequent opportunities for creativity, and can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder when a problem is solved for the first time. It can engage learners when a more elegant solution to a problem is discovered, or when hidden connections suddenly manifest. Mathematics is important for pupils in many other areas of study, particularly Science and Technology. It is also important in everyday living, in many forms of employment, and in public decision making.
IGCSE Maths involves some new topics, such as calculus, but also covers a higher level of topics already studied. The specific details of these depend on whether you study the Higher or Foundation course.
Topics include:
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Numbers and the number system
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Equations, formulae and identities
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Sequences, functions and graphs
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Geometry and trigonometry
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Vectors and transformation geometry
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Statistics and probability
All of these topics will be assessed through two external examinations at the end of Year 11.
Science
GCSE Combined Science provides learners with the foundation for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. We believe students should learn the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They should gain appreciation of the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world.
Combined Science offers learners the opportunity to study all three science disciplines: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It enables students to study an abundance of weird and wonderful topics, such as:
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BIOLOGY - Cells, Genetics, Health and Disease, Coordination, Exchange and Transport in Animals and Plants, Ecosystems and Cycles in Nature.
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CHEMISTRY - Matter and Mixtures, Bonds and Chemical Changes, Extracting Metals and Equilibria, The Periodic Table, Rates of Reaction and Earth Science.
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PHYSICS - Motion, Forces and Energy, Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum, Radioactivity, Electricity and Circuits, Magnetic Fields and Matter.
All of these topics will be assessed as part of this double award qualification, through a series of six examinations at the end of Year 11.
Sociology
Does the way in which we live, work and behave interest you?
Are you fascinated by why different people have different attitudes, life choices and chance, incomes and upbringings?
Well, if all this interests you, this is definitely the course for you.
It gives us all a much better understanding of our lives and societies, the people in them and some of the issues we all face as we all try to get on with each other.
Sociology IGCSE is made up of 7 main topics:
1. Theory and Methods
2. Culture, Identity and Socialisation
3. Social Inequality
4. The Family
5. Education
6. Crime, Deviance and Social Control
7. The Media
The course is assessed in two exam papers at the end of the course. Despite this, there will be some smaller tests throughout the course and this will enable the teacher to see how the student is improving with regard to their knowledge and understanding.
Spanish
Studying an iGCSE in Spanish at Emerald Sixth Form will lead you step-by-step through the syllabus by way of videos, songs, quizzes, assignments and, of course, the Course Book so that by the end you are confident and keen to enter the exam to show off all you have learnt.
When you learn Spanish, you are joining an international community from Spain and across many parts of the Americas, from South to North.
Spanish is not just an important subject which will help you to interact with half of the world, but fun as well!
An iGCSE in Spanish will help you enhance your future education and employment prospects.
Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills are tested through three examination papers, which take place at the end of Year 11.