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Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE

Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Language

English Language for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE (syllabus 4EA1) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
4EA1
Board
Pearson Edexcel
Qualification
IGCSE

At a glance

Qualification
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Language
Spec code
4EA1
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official Pearson Edexcel specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Pearson Edexcel specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A (4EA1)

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A develops learners’ reading and writing skills across a range of non-fiction, poetry and prose texts, preparing them for further study and everyday communication. — Pearson Edexcel, official syllabus page

For first teaching 2016 (specification Issue 6, 2023). Students take Component 1 (Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing) plus EITHER Component 2 (Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing, examined) OR Component 3 (the non-exam-assessment alternative to Component 2). A modular version (4XEA1) is also offered for first teaching September 2025.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Pearson Edexcel syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Component-based qualification

Assessment components for Pearson Edexcel English Language 4EA1
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
4EA1/01: Component 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing 2h 15m 90 60% Written exam
4EA1/02: Component 2: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing 1h 30m 60 40% * Written exam
4EA1/03: Component 3: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing (non-examined assessment) — 60 40% * Coursework

* Candidates sit one of the components marked with an asterisk, not all of them.

Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official PDF (Specification Issue 7, August 2025): students complete Component 1 (compulsory) plus EITHER Component 2 OR Component 3 -- both alternatives carry identical marks (60) and weighting (40%), so this fits the existing alternativeGroup mechanism (unlike Cambridge 0475's mismatched-weighting routes). Component 1 (2h15, 90 marks, 60%): Section A Reading (45 marks, non-fiction text response) + Section B Transactional Writing (45 marks). Component 2 (1h30, 60 marks, 40%, externally assessed written exam): Section A Reading essay (30 marks) + Section B Imaginative Writing (30 marks). Component 3 (60 marks, 40%, internally assessed and externally moderated non-examined assessment): the coursework alternative to Component 2, covering the same content. A separate modular version (4XEA1, first teaching September 2025) also exists and is not modeled here. First teaching September 2016, first examination June 2018.

Assessment FAQs

How is Pearson Edexcel English Language (4EA1) assessed?

Pearson Edexcel English Language (4EA1) is assessed through: 4EA1/01 (Component 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing) — 2h 15m, 90 marks, 60% of the qualification; 4EA1/02 (Component 2: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing) — 1h 30m, 60 marks, 40% of the qualification; 4EA1/03 (Component 3: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing (non-examined assessment)) — no fixed duration, 60 marks, 40% of the qualification. It is a component based qualification. Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

English Language teaching and study resources, organised by level, board and topic.

All English at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 2 topics below are the official subject content of Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A (4EA1), for the For first teaching 2016 (Issue 7, August 2025) examination series, reproduced from the Pearson Edexcel syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 2 topics.

  1. 1 Component 1 – Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Non-fiction Texts · Section B: Transactional Writing

  2. 2 Component 2 – Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing

    3 Marlbridge resources

Source: Pearson Edexcel — International GCSE English Language A (9–1) specification and news pages at qualifications.pearson.com — For first teaching 2016 (Issue 7, August 2025) series. Verified 2026-09-02. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

English Language at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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