Cambridge IGCSE Chinese as a Second Language 0523 - Version 4 - Syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025

Oct 23, 2026

Cambridge IGCSE Chinese as a Second Language 0523 syllabus (Version 4) sets out exam arrangements and subject requirements for 2023, 2024 and 2025. It outlines why Cambridge International offers the pathway, explains quality management and copyright terms, and provides a structured view of aims, content overview, assessment objectives and assessment overview. The document details the assessment components for reading and writing, listening and speaking, and explains grade descriptions, entry procedures, and key syllabus changes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Why choose this syllabus?

Key benefits

Syllabus overview

Aims

Content overview

Assessment overview

Assessment objectives

Subject content

Details of the assessment

Paper 1 Reading and Writing

Paper 2 Listening

Component 3 Speaking

What else you need to know

Before you start

Making entries

After the exam

How students and teachers can use the grades

Grade descriptions

Changes to this syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025

Syllabus Cambridge IGCSE™ Chinese as a Second Language 0523 Use this syllabus for exams in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Exams are available in the June series. Version 4 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 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. ‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’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](at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001) Copyright © UCLES September 2020 Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge. UCLES 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 1 Why choose this syllabus? .................................................................................................... 2 2 Syllabus overview .................................................................................................................... 5 Aims 5 Content overview 5 Assessment overview 6 Assessment objectives 7 3 Subject content ........................................................................................................................ 9 4 Details of the assessment ................................................................................................... 11 Paper 1 Reading and Writing 11 Paper 2 Listening 12 Component 3 Speaking 13 5 What else you need to know ............................................................................................. 20 Before you start 20 Making entries 21 After the exam 22 How students and teachers can use the grades 22 Grade descriptions 22 Changes to this syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025 23 Important: Changes to this syllabus For information about changes to this syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025, go to page 23. The latest syllabus is version 4,

FAQs

Which exam series is covered by this syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025?

Exams are available in the June series.

What are the main assessment papers/components for Cambridge IGCSE Chinese as a Second Language 0523?

The syllabus includes Paper 1 (Reading and Writing), Paper 2 (Listening), and Component 3 (Speaking).

Is Version 4 the latest syllabus, and are there significant teaching-affecting changes?

Version 4 is the latest syllabus (published November 2023), and there are no significant changes that affect teaching.

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by McGucket