Why is "Using the wrong gender word for 'my' (saying *ma portable* or *ma ordinateur*)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: Because *le portable* and *l'ordinateur* start with l' or look neutral, beginners can't see the gender and guess. How to avoid it: Memorise the gender with the word: *le portable* and *l'ordinateur* are masculine → *mon portable*, *mon ordinateur*; *la tablette* and *l'appli* are feminine → *ma tablette*, *mon appli* (mon before a vowel, even for feminine words). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy of gender

Why is "Conjugating the second verb after aller / vouloir / espérer (e.g. *je veux je travaille*)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: English uses 'to' before the second verb, and learners try to make both verbs 'agree' with the subject. How to avoid it: Only the helper verb changes; the second verb stays in the infinitive: *je veux **travailler***, *je vais **acheter***, *j'espère **devenir***. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4, verb structures

Why is "Giving a bare opinion with no reason (*c'est bien*, *oui*)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: Beginners answer the literal question without developing it. How to avoid it: Always add *parce que* + a reason: not *c'est bien* but *c'est bien parce que c'est pratique et rapide*. Aim for opinion + reason + (optional) contrast with *mais*. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 3 (Speaking), development of ideas

Why is "Confusing *parce que* (+ clause) with *à cause de* (+ noun)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: Both translate as 'because (of)', so learners use them interchangeably. How to avoid it: Use *parce que* before a full clause (*parce qu'on passe trop de temps…*) and *à cause de* before a noun (*à cause du harcèlement*). Remember *de + le → du*. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), connectors

Why is "Dropping accents on tech words (*telecharger*, *reseau*, *harcelement*)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: English has no accents and typing devices often omit them, so learners forget they are part of the spelling. How to avoid it: Treat accents as compulsory: **télécharger** (two é), **réseau** (é), **harcèlement** (è), **vidéo** (é). Check every accented word in your written answer. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), spelling accuracy

Why is "Inventing English-looking words (*le computer*, *le mobile phone*)" a common mistake in Communication and technology?

Why it happens: Learners assume technology words are international and reach for the English term. How to avoid it: Use the correct French: *l'ordinateur* (computer), *le portable* (mobile), *le mot de passe* (password), *le courriel/le mail* (email). Some loanwords are accepted (*le smartphone*, *le web*), but learn the French first. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4, vocabulary range

Topic Area 4 - The World of WorkCambridge IGCSE French (0520)

Communication and technology

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Communication and technology in French — vocabulary, opinions and future plans — Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 (2025-2027)

A complete beginner's toolkit for talking about phones, computers, the internet and social media in French: themed vocabulary, the key verbs, opinion phrases with reasons, and ready-made question and answer frames for the Speaking and Writing papers under the World of Work theme.

At a glance

This subtopic sits in Topic Area 4 — The World of Work: technology is how we communicate, study and increasingly work, so examiners love it for opinions, advantages and disadvantages.
Learn the core nouns with their gender: le portable (the mobile phone), l'ordinateur (the computer, masculine), l'application / l'appli (the app, feminine), le réseau social (the social network).
The three workhorse verbs are utiliser (to use), envoyer (to send) and télécharger (to download): j'utilise mon portable (I use my mobile).
Talk about the future with aller + infinitive (the near future): je vais acheter un nouveau téléphone (I am going to buy a new phone).
Talk about hopes and wants with vouloir + infinitive and espérer + infinitive: je veux travailler dans l'informatique (I want to work in IT); j'espère devenir programmeur (I hope to become a programmer).
Always give an opinion + a reason: à mon avis, c'est pratique parce que je peux parler avec mes amis (in my opinion, it's handy because I can talk to my friends).
Balance the good and the bad: technology is pratique (handy) and rapide (fast) but can be dangereux (dangerous) and lead to le harcèlement en ligne (online bullying).
Mind the spelling traps: télécharger has two é, réseau takes an é and means network, and appli is short for application (feminine).

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 syllabus (2025-2027).

Recognise and use core vocabulary for devices, the internet and social media, with correct gender and articles.
Use the key verbs utiliser, envoyer, télécharger, naviguer and partager to describe online activities.
Express future plans about technology and work using aller + infinitive (near future).
Express wishes and hopes using vouloir + infinitive and espérer + infinitive.
Give opinions about technology and justify them with parce que / car and a reason.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of technology and social media in balanced sentences.
Produce reusable question-and-answer frames for the Speaking and Writing papers under the World of Work theme.

Core vocabulary — devices, the internet and social media

Learn the everyday tech nouns with their gender, plus the verbs that go with them.

Start with the nouns, and always learn the gender (le/la or un/une) at the same time as the word — in French the gender is part of the word, and getting it right earns accuracy marks in Paper 4 Writing.

French	Pronunciation	English
le portable / le téléphone portable	luh por-TABL	the mobile phone
le smartphone	luh smart-FON	the smartphone
l'ordinateur (m)	lor-dee-na-TUR	the computer
l'ordinateur portable (m)	… por-TABL	the laptop
la tablette	la ta-BLET	the tablet
l'écran (m)	lay-KRON	the screen
l'internet (m) / le net	lan-tair-NET	the internet
le réseau social	luh ray-zoh so-SYAL	the social network
l'application / l'appli (f)	la-plee-ka-SYON / la-PLEE	the app
le mot de passe	luh moh duh PASS	the password
le mail / le courriel	luh MEL / luh koo-RYEL	the email
le SMS / le texto	luh ess-em-ESS / luh teks-TOH	the text message

Now the verbs. These are nearly all regular -er verbs, so they conjugate the same easy way (je …e, tu …es, il/elle …e, nous …ons, vous …ez, ils/elles …ent).

French (infinitive)	Pronunciation	English
utiliser	ew-tee-lee-ZAY	to use
envoyer	on-vwa-YAY	to send
télécharger	tay-lay-shar-ZHAY	to download
partager	par-ta-ZHAY	to share
naviguer (sur internet)	na-vee-GAY	to browse / surf (the internet)
surfer (sur le net)	sur-FAY	to surf the net
regarder	ruh-gar-DAY	to watch
jouer (à des jeux vidéo)	zhoo-AY	to play (video games)
tchatter / chatter	tcha-TAY	to chat (online)

Worked mini-example. Put a noun and a verb together: J'utilise mon portable pour envoyer des SMS. (jew-tee-LEEZ mon por-TABL poor on-vwa-YAY day ess-em-ESS) — "I use my mobile to send texts." Notice pour + infinitive = "in order to / to" — a very useful little frame for explaining why you use something.

Learn each noun with its gender: le portable, l'ordinateur (m), l'application (f).
l'appli is the everyday short form of l'application (feminine).
The key verbs are regular -er verbs: utiliser, envoyer, télécharger, partager, naviguer.
pour + infinitive = 'to / in order to': pour envoyer des SMS (to send texts).

Saying what you do online — using the verbs in sentences

Conjugate the -er tech verbs and build present-tense sentences about your online life.

Almost every verb in this topic is a regular -er verb, which means once you can do one, you can do them all. Here is utiliser (to use) fully conjugated as the model:

Subject	utiliser (to use)	English
je	j'utilise	I use
tu	tu utilises	you use (informal)
il / elle / on	il utilise	he / she / one uses
nous	nous utilisons	we use
vous	vous utilisez	you use (formal/plural)
ils / elles	ils utilisent	they use

(The endings -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent are the same for partager, télécharger, regarder and naviguer.)

Now you can build real sentences. Useful "how often" words make them richer:

souvent (soo-VON) — often
tous les jours (too lay ZHOOR) — every day
quelquefois / parfois (kel-kuh-FWA) — sometimes
ne … jamais (nuh … zha-MEH) — never

French	English
Je navigue sur internet tous les jours.	I browse the internet every day.
Je télécharge souvent de la musique.	I often download music.
Mon frère joue aux jeux vidéo.	My brother plays video games.
Nous partageons des photos en ligne.	We share photos online.
Je n'utilise jamais Twitter.	I never use Twitter.

Note the small spelling tweaks. Télécharger and partager end in -ger, so in the nous form they keep an extra e to keep the soft 'g' sound: nous téléchargeons, nous partageons. Without that e it would read like a hard 'g'.

Worked mini-example. Build a sentence about yourself: Tous les jours, j'utilise mon smartphone et je regarde des vidéos sur YouTube. (Every day, I use my smartphone and I watch videos on YouTube.) Add a frequency word at the front to lift your mark — examiners reward variety.

Regular -er endings: je …e, tu …es, il …e, nous …ons, vous …ez, ils …ent.
-ger verbs keep an extra e in nous: nous partageons, nous téléchargeons.
Add frequency words: souvent (often), tous les jours (every day), ne … jamais (never).
ne … jamais wraps around the verb: je n'utilise jamais ….

Future plans — aller, vouloir and espérer + infinitive

Three easy frames let you talk about plans, wants and hopes for technology and work.

Three future-plan frames — pick a helper verb and add an infinitive (the dictionary form of the verb).

When you talk about the future, you do not need a new tense. You take a "helper" verb and add an infinitive (the unchanged dictionary form of the verb, ending in -er, -ir or -re). This is the single most useful trick in this topic.

1. aller + infinitive — the near future ("going to"). First learn aller (to go): je vais, tu vas, il/elle va, nous allons, vous allez, ils/elles vont. Then just bolt an infinitive on:

Je vais acheter un nouveau téléphone. — I am going to buy a new phone.
Nous allons utiliser une nouvelle application. — We are going to use a new app.

2. vouloir + infinitive — a want ("to want to"). Learn vouloir (to want): je veux, tu veux, il/elle veut, nous voulons, vous voulez, ils/elles veulent.

Je veux travailler dans l'informatique. — I want to work in IT.
Elle veut créer un site web. — She wants to create a website.

3. espérer + infinitive — a hope ("to hope to"). Espérer keeps its accents: j'espère, tu espères, il espère, nous espérons, vous espérez, ils espèrent.

J'espère devenir programmeur. — I hope to become a programmer.
J'espère trouver un travail intéressant. — I hope to find an interesting job.

Job and work words to slot in (this is the World of Work theme):

French	English
l'informatique (f)	IT / computing
un programmeur / une programmeuse	a programmer
un ingénieur	an engineer
une entreprise	a company / business
un travail / un emploi	a job
travailler en ligne / à distance	to work online / remotely

Worked mini-example. Combine a plan and a hope: Après mes examens, je vais étudier l'informatique parce que j'espère travailler dans la technologie. (After my exams, I am going to study IT because I hope to work in technology.) That single sentence uses aller + infinitive, a reason with parce que, and espérer + infinitive — exactly the kind of complex sentence that scores well.

aller + infinitive = near future: je vais acheter (I am going to buy).
vouloir + infinitive = a want: je veux travailler (I want to work).
espérer + infinitive = a hope: j'espère devenir (I hope to become).
The second verb stays in the infinitive (dictionary form) — never conjugate it.
Slot in work words: l'informatique, un travail, une entreprise, travailler en ligne.

Opinions with reasons — and the good vs the bad

Pair an opinion phrase with parce que and a reason, then balance advantages and disadvantages.

Examiners reward opinions backed by reasons. The formula is simple: opinion phrase + parce que / car + reason.

Opinion starters:

French	English
À mon avis, …	In my opinion, …
Je pense que …	I think that …
Je trouve que …	I find that …
Selon moi, …	According to me, …
Je crois que …	I believe that …

Joining words for reasons:

parce que (because) — parce qu' before a vowel: parce qu'il est rapide.
car (because / for) — a slightly more formal alternative.
donc (so / therefore), mais (but), aussi (also), cependant (however).

Useful adjectives (remember they agree with the noun):

French	English
pratique	handy / practical
rapide	fast
utile	useful
génial(e)	great / brilliant
dangereux / dangereuse	dangerous
cher / chère	expensive
inutile	useless

Advantages (les avantages) and disadvantages (les inconvénients).

French	English
On peut rester en contact avec ses amis.	You can stay in touch with your friends.
On peut trouver des informations rapidement.	You can find information quickly.
C'est pratique pour le travail.	It's handy for work.
Il y a le harcèlement en ligne (cyber-harcèlement).	There is online bullying (cyberbullying).
On passe trop de temps devant l'écran.	You spend too much time in front of the screen.
Ce n'est pas toujours sûr / sécurisé.	It isn't always safe / secure.

Worked mini-example. Build a balanced opinion: À mon avis, les réseaux sociaux sont pratiques parce qu'on peut rester en contact avec ses amis, mais ils peuvent être dangereux à cause du harcèlement en ligne. (In my opinion, social networks are handy because you can stay in touch with friends, but they can be dangerous because of online bullying.) Notice à cause de (because of) is followed by a noun, while parce que is followed by a whole clause — a distinction examiners like to see used correctly.

Formula: opinion phrase + parce que / car + reason.
Openers: à mon avis, je pense que, je trouve que, selon moi.
parce que + a full clause; à cause de + a noun (à cause du harcèlement).
Balance it: advantages (pratique, rapide, utile) vs disadvantages (dangereux, le harcèlement en ligne).

Reusable question and answer frames for Speaking and Writing

Ready-made question→answer pairs you can adapt for the exam in seconds.

In the Speaking exam the examiner asks questions; in Writing you often answer prompts. The smart move is to learn a few frames you can adapt on the spot. Here the question is in bold and a model answer follows, with the swappable parts in [brackets].

1. Use of technology

Q: Est-ce que tu utilises souvent ton portable ? (Do you often use your mobile?)
A: Oui, j'utilise mon portable [tous les jours] pour [envoyer des SMS et regarder des vidéos]. (Yes, I use my mobile every day to send texts and watch videos.)

2. Opinion of social media

Q: Que penses-tu des réseaux sociaux ? (What do you think of social networks?)
A: À mon avis, ils sont [pratiques] parce qu'[on peut rester en contact avec ses amis], mais ils peuvent être [dangereux]. (In my opinion, they're handy because you can stay in touch with friends, but they can be dangerous.)

3. Future plans / work

Q: Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire après tes examens ? (What are you going to do after your exams?)
A: Je vais [étudier l'informatique] parce que je veux [travailler dans la technologie]. (I'm going to study IT because I want to work in technology.)

4. Advantages and disadvantages

Q: Quels sont les avantages et les inconvénients d'internet ? (What are the advantages and disadvantages of the internet?)
A: Un avantage, c'est qu'[on peut trouver des informations rapidement]. Un inconvénient, c'est qu'[on passe trop de temps devant l'écran]. (One advantage is that you can find information quickly. One disadvantage is that you spend too much time in front of the screen.)

Asking your own questions (useful in the role-play part):

Tu as un smartphone ? — Do you have a smartphone?
Tu préfères les SMS ou les appels ? — Do you prefer texts or calls?
Tu utilises quelle application ? — Which app do you use?

Worked mini-example. Take frame 3 and personalise it: Après mes examens, je vais voyager, puis je vais étudier l'informatique parce que j'espère devenir ingénieur. (After my exams I'm going to travel, then I'm going to study IT because I hope to become an engineer.) One frame, fully adapted, complex sentence — that is how you turn preparation into marks.

Learn question words: Est-ce que tu …?, Que penses-tu de …?, Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire …?.
Keep model answers with [brackets] you can swap in the exam.
Always answer with detail + a reason, not just oui / non.
Prepare to ask questions too for the role-play: Tu as …? Tu préfères …? Tu utilises …?.

Quick recap

Core nouns with gender: le portable, l'ordinateur (m), la tablette, l'application/l'appli (f), le réseau social, le mot de passe.
Key -er verbs: utiliser, envoyer, télécharger, partager, naviguer — regular endings, with an extra e in nous partageons / téléchargeons.
Future plans use a helper + infinitive: aller (je vais acheter), vouloir (je veux travailler), espérer (j'espère devenir).
Always give an opinion with a reason: à mon avis … parce que …; use à cause de + noun, parce que + clause.
Balance advantages (pratique, rapide, utile) and disadvantages (dangereux, le harcèlement en ligne, on passe trop de temps).
World of Work words slot in: l'informatique, un travail, une entreprise, travailler en ligne, un ingénieur.
Use prepared question→answer frames and never answer with a bare oui.

Memorise this

Verbatim phrases and definitions Cambridge mark schemes credit.

le portable (the mobile phone), l'ordinateur (m, the computer), la tablette (the tablet).
l'application / l'appli (f, the app), le réseau social (the social network), le mot de passe (the password).
utiliser (to use), envoyer (to send), télécharger (to download), partager (to share), naviguer sur internet (to browse the internet).
aller + infinitive = near future: je vais acheter (I'm going to buy).
vouloir + infinitive = a want: je veux travailler (I want to work).
espérer + infinitive = a hope: j'espère devenir (I hope to become).
À mon avis, … parce que … (In my opinion, … because …).
pratique (handy), rapide (fast), utile (useful), dangereux/dangereuse (dangerous).
le harcèlement en ligne (online bullying); on passe trop de temps devant l'écran (you spend too much time in front of the screen).
l'informatique (IT), un travail / un emploi (a job), travailler en ligne (to work online).

How it’s examined

Communication and technology is a high-frequency theme across all four papers of Cambridge IGCSE French 0520, especially because it links naturally to the World of Work.

Paper 1 (Listening): Speakers describe how they use devices, apps and the internet, and give opinions. You must catch frequency words (tous les jours, souvent) and opinion + reason links (parce que).
Paper 2 (Reading): Texts about technology, online life and future jobs. Cognates help (l'application, l'internet, le programmeur), but watch false friends and decode unfamiliar words by rule.
Paper 3 (Speaking): Expect direct questions — Tu utilises souvent ton portable ? Que penses-tu des réseaux sociaux ? Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire après tes examens ? Answer with detail, a reason, and at least one future-plan frame (aller / vouloir / espérer + infinitive).
Paper 4 (Writing): Common tasks ask for advantages and disadvantages, your own use of technology, and future plans. Higher marks need a mix of tenses, opinions with reasons, and correct spelling/accents (télécharger, réseau, à cause de).

Examiner reports note that candidates who only give bare opinions (c'est bien) without reasons, and who avoid the future frames, stay in the lower bands. Adding parce que + a reason and one aller/vouloir/espérer + infinitive sentence reliably lifts the mark.

Sources: Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 Syllabus 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Paper 3 (Speaking) & Paper 4 (Writing) Specimen 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports 2022-2024. Last reviewed 2026-06-02.

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Step-by-step worked examples — Communication and technology

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on communication and technology, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Say what you do online in the present tense
Getting started
Question
Build a French sentence meaning: I use my mobile phone every day to send texts. Choose the right verb, the right noun (with the correct word for 'my'), and add the frequency phrase.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Pick the verb and conjugate it for je. utiliser (to use) is a regular -er verb, so je → j'utilise (the e drops before a vowel: elision).
2. Step 2
  Choose the noun and 'my'. le portable (the mobile) is masculine, so 'my' is mon → mon portable.
3. Step 3
  Add the frequency phrase. tous les jours = every day. It usually sits at the start or end of the sentence.
4. Step 4
  Add the purpose with pour + infinitive. 'to send texts' = pour envoyer des SMS (envoyer stays in the infinitive after pour).
Answer
J'utilise mon portable tous les jours pour envoyer des SMS. (I use my mobile every day to send texts.)
Examiner tip
A complete present-tense sentence with a frequency phrase and pour + infinitive scores far better than J'utilise mon portable. Note mon (not ma) because portable is masculine, and that envoyer stays in the infinitive after pour.
2Express a future plan with aller + infinitive
Getting started
Question
Translate into French: After my exams, I am going to buy a new laptop. Use the near future (aller + infinitive).
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Set the time phrase. 'After my exams' = après mes examens (mes = my, plural).
2. Step 2
  Conjugate aller for je. je → je vais. This is the helper verb for the near future.
3. Step 3
  Add the infinitive. 'to buy' = acheter, left in the infinitive: je vais acheter.
4. Step 4
  Add the noun with its adjective. 'a new laptop' = un nouvel ordinateur portable (nouvel before a masculine noun starting with a vowel) — or simply un nouveau portable.
Answer
Après mes examens, je vais acheter un nouvel ordinateur portable. (After my exams, I am going to buy a new laptop.)
Examiner tip
The near future is the easiest way to talk about plans at this level: aller (conjugated) + an infinitive, never a second conjugated verb. nouveau becomes nouvel before a masculine noun beginning with a vowel sound (nouvel ordinateur) — a neat detail that impresses, though un nouveau portable is also fully correct.
3Give an opinion of social media with a reason
Building confidence
Question
Write a balanced French sentence giving your opinion of social networks (les réseaux sociaux): one advantage and one disadvantage, each with a reason.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Open with an opinion phrase. À mon avis, … (In my opinion, …) or Je pense que … (I think that …).
2. Step 2
  State the advantage + reason with parce que. … ils sont pratiques parce qu'on peut rester en contact avec ses amis (they're handy because you can stay in touch with friends). Note parce qu' before the vowel in on.
3. Step 3
  Add the contrast with mais and a disadvantage. … mais ils peuvent être dangereux à cause du harcèlement en ligne (but they can be dangerous because of online bullying). Use à cause de + a noun.
4. Step 4
  Check agreement. réseaux sociaux is masculine plural, so ils and the adjectives pratiques / dangereux match.
Answer
À mon avis, les réseaux sociaux sont pratiques parce qu'on peut rester en contact avec ses amis, mais ils peuvent être dangereux à cause du harcèlement en ligne. (In my opinion, social networks are handy because you can stay in touch with friends, but they can be dangerous because of online bullying.)
Examiner tip
This earns top opinion marks: an opinion phrase, a justified advantage (parce que + clause), a contrast (mais), and a justified disadvantage (à cause de + noun). The parce que (clause) vs à cause de (noun) contrast shows real control examiners look for.
4Combine a want and a hope about work
Building confidence
Question
Translate: I want to work in IT because I hope to become a programmer. Use vouloir + infinitive and espérer + infinitive.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Conjugate vouloir for je. je → je veux. Add the infinitive: je veux travailler (I want to work).
2. Step 2
  Add the work phrase. 'in IT' = dans l'informatique (l'informatique is feminine, but here it follows dans l').
3. Step 3
  Join with parce que and conjugate espérer. je → j'espère (accent grave on the è). Add the infinitive: j'espère devenir.
4. Step 4
  Add the job. 'a programmer' = programmeur (after devenir, French usually drops the article: devenir programmeur).
Answer
Je veux travailler dans l'informatique parce que j'espère devenir programmeur. (I want to work in IT because I hope to become a programmer.)
Examiner tip
Two future-plan frames in one sentence (vouloir + infinitive, espérer + infinitive) joined by parce que is exactly the complex structure that lifts a Writing answer. Watch the accent shift: infinitive espérer (é) but j'espère (è). After devenir the job noun takes no article (devenir programmeur).
5Adapt a Speaking question-and-answer frame
Stretch
Question
In the Speaking exam the examiner asks: Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire après tes examens ? (What are you going to do after your exams?) Give a strong, extended answer using a plan, a reason and a hope.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Start with the near future. Après mes examens, je vais voyager … (After my exams, I'm going to travel …) — aller + infinitive.
2. Step 2
  Add a second plan with a sequence word. … puis je vais étudier l'informatique (… then I'm going to study IT). puis = then.
3. Step 3
  Justify it with parce que and a hope. … parce que j'espère devenir ingénieur (because I hope to become an engineer).
4. Step 4
  Read it as one fluent sentence, linking the vowels smoothly and silencing final consonants (examens → eg-za-MEN, voyager → vwa-ya-ZHAY).
Answer
Après mes examens, je vais voyager, puis je vais étudier l'informatique parce que j'espère devenir ingénieur. (After my exams, I'm going to travel, then I'm going to study IT because I hope to become an engineer.)
Examiner tip
An extended answer with two plans, a connector (puis), a reason (parce que) and a hope (espérer + infinitive) reaches the top Speaking band for content and range. Never answer such a question with a single short clause — examiners reward development and connectors.

Model Answers — Communication and technology

High-scoring sample answers for communication and technology on the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 paper, with examiner-style notes mapping each response to the mark scheme and assessment objectives.

Question 1
Paper 3 (Speaking) style. Est-ce que tu utilises souvent la technologie ? Pour quoi faire ? (Do you often use technology? What for?) Give a model spoken answer.
Model answer
Oui, j'utilise la technologie tous les jours. (Yes, I use technology every day.) J'utilise mon portable pour envoyer des SMS et pour regarder des vidéos, et j'utilise mon ordinateur pour faire mes devoirs. (I use my mobile to send texts and to watch videos, and I use my computer to do my homework.) À mon avis, c'est très pratique parce qu'on peut trouver des informations rapidement. (In my opinion, it's very handy because you can find information quickly.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It develops the answer well beyond oui: frequency (tous les jours), two devices each with a purpose (pour + infinitive), and an opinion with a reason (parce que). The verbs utiliser, envoyer, regarder and faire are all handled correctly.
Question 2
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Décris les avantages et les inconvénients des réseaux sociaux. (Describe the advantages and disadvantages of social networks.) Give a short model answer.
Model answer
Les réseaux sociaux ont des avantages et des inconvénients. (Social networks have advantages and disadvantages.) Un avantage, c'est qu'on peut rester en contact avec ses amis et sa famille partout dans le monde. (One advantage is that you can stay in touch with friends and family everywhere in the world.) Cependant, il y a aussi des inconvénients : on passe trop de temps devant l'écran et il y a le risque du harcèlement en ligne. (However, there are also disadvantages: you spend too much time in front of the screen and there is the risk of online bullying.) Je pense qu'il faut faire attention. (I think you have to be careful.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. Clear structure (advantage then disadvantage), a high-level connector (cependant — however), correct opinion frame (je pense que), and il faut + infinitive (one must). Accents are correct throughout (réseaux, cependant, harcèlement).
Question 3
Paper 3 (Speaking) style. Tu veux travailler dans la technologie ? Pourquoi ? (Do you want to work in technology? Why?) Give a model answer using future-plan language.
Model answer
Oui, je veux travailler dans l'informatique. (Yes, I want to work in IT.) Après le lycée, je vais étudier à l'université parce que j'espère devenir programmeuse. (After school, I'm going to study at university because I hope to become a programmer — feminine.) Je trouve que la technologie est intéressante et utile, et on peut travailler en ligne, ce qui est pratique. (I find technology interesting and useful, and you can work online, which is handy.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It chains three future/opinion structures — vouloir + infinitive, aller + infinitive, espérer + infinitive — with reasons. Note the feminine job form programmeuse (a female speaker) and the relative phrase ce qui est pratique (which is handy), a mark of range.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Communication and technology

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for communication and technology answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0520 sitting.

le portable
Examiner keyword
The mobile phone (masculine). Short for le téléphone portable. 'My mobile' = mon portable.
Example
J'utilise mon portable tous les jours. — I use my mobile every day.
l'ordinateur (m)
Examiner keyword
The computer (masculine). l'ordinateur portable = the laptop. 'A computer' = un ordinateur.
Example
Je fais mes devoirs sur mon ordinateur. — I do my homework on my computer.
l'application / l'appli (f)
Examiner keyword
The app (feminine). l'appli is the everyday short form. 'An app' = une appli.
Example
Je télécharge une nouvelle appli. — I'm downloading a new app.
le réseau social
Examiner keyword
The social network (masculine). Plural: les réseaux sociaux. Note the é and the -x plural.
Example
J'aime les réseaux sociaux. — I like social networks.
télécharger
Examiner keyword
To download (regular -er verb). Keeps an extra e in nous téléchargeons. Two accents aigus.
Example
J'ai téléchargé un film. — I downloaded a film.
aller + infinitive
Examiner keyword
The near future ('going to'). Conjugate aller (je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, ils vont) and add an infinitive.
Example
Je vais acheter un nouveau téléphone. — I am going to buy a new phone.
vouloir + infinitive
Examiner keyword
Expresses a want ('to want to'). je veux, tu veux, il veut, nous voulons, vous voulez, ils veulent + an infinitive.
Example
Je veux travailler dans l'informatique. — I want to work in IT.
espérer + infinitive
Examiner keyword
Expresses a hope ('to hope to'). Note the accent shift: infinitive espérer (é) but j'espère (è) + an infinitive.
Example
J'espère devenir programmeur. — I hope to become a programmer.
parce que (parce qu')
'Because' — followed by a full clause. Becomes parce qu' before a vowel. Contrast with à cause de + noun.
Example
C'est pratique parce qu'on peut parler avec ses amis. — It's handy because you can talk to your friends.
le harcèlement en ligne
Online bullying / cyberbullying (masculine). A key disadvantage to mention. Note the accent grave on è.
Example
Internet peut être dangereux à cause du harcèlement en ligne. — The internet can be dangerous because of online bullying.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Communication and technology

The traps other students keep falling into on communication and technology questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0520 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Using the wrong gender word for 'my' (saying ma portable or ma ordinateur)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy of gender
Why it happens
Because le portable and l'ordinateur start with l' or look neutral, beginners can't see the gender and guess.
How to avoid it
Memorise the gender with the word: le portable and l'ordinateur are masculine → mon portable, mon ordinateur; la tablette and l'appli are feminine → ma tablette, mon appli (mon before a vowel, even for feminine words).
✕Conjugating the second verb after aller / vouloir / espérer (e.g. je veux je travaille)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4, verb structures
Why it happens
English uses 'to' before the second verb, and learners try to make both verbs 'agree' with the subject.
How to avoid it
Only the helper verb changes; the second verb stays in the infinitive: je veux travailler, je vais acheter, j'espère devenir.
✕Giving a bare opinion with no reason (c'est bien, oui)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 3 (Speaking), development of ideas
Why it happens
Beginners answer the literal question without developing it.
How to avoid it
Always add parce que + a reason: not c'est bien but c'est bien parce que c'est pratique et rapide. Aim for opinion + reason + (optional) contrast with mais.
✕Confusing parce que (+ clause) with à cause de (+ noun)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), connectors
Why it happens
Both translate as 'because (of)', so learners use them interchangeably.
How to avoid it
Use parce que before a full clause (parce qu'on passe trop de temps…) and à cause de before a noun (à cause du harcèlement). Remember de + le → du.
✕Dropping accents on tech words (telecharger, reseau, harcelement)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), spelling accuracy
Why it happens
English has no accents and typing devices often omit them, so learners forget they are part of the spelling.
How to avoid it
Treat accents as compulsory: télécharger (two é), réseau (é), harcèlement (è), vidéo (é). Check every accented word in your written answer.
✕Inventing English-looking words (le computer, le mobile phone)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4, vocabulary range
Why it happens
Learners assume technology words are international and reach for the English term.
How to avoid it
Use the correct French: l'ordinateur (computer), le portable (mobile), le mot de passe (password), le courriel/le mail (email). Some loanwords are accepted (le smartphone, le web), but learn the French first.

Past paper style quiz

Get a report showing which sub-topics you've nailed and which ones still need work.

Communication and technology

Learn this Topic

Detailed Notes

Communication and technology in French — vocabulary, opinions and future plans — Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 (2025-2027)

What you’ll learn

Core vocabulary — devices, the internet and social media

Saying what you do online — using the verbs in sentences

Future plans — aller, vouloir and espérer + infinitive

Opinions with reasons — and the good vs the bad

Reusable question and answer frames for Speaking and Writing

How it’s examined

Master this Topic

Step-by-step worked examples — Communication and technology

1Say what you do online in the present tense

2Express a future plan with aller + infinitive

3Give an opinion of social media with a reason

4Combine a want and a hope about work

5Adapt a Speaking question-and-answer frame

Model Answers — Communication and technology

Question 1

Question 3

Key Definitions and Keywords — Communication and technology

le portable

l'ordinateur (m)

l'application / l'appli (f)

télécharger

aller + infinitive

vouloir + infinitive

espérer + infinitive

parce que (parce qu')

le harcèlement en ligne

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Communication and technology

✕Using the wrong gender word for 'my' (saying ma portable or ma ordinateur)

✕Conjugating the second verb after aller / vouloir / espérer (e.g. je veux je travaille)

✕Giving a bare opinion with no reason (c'est bien, oui)

✕Confusing parce que (+ clause) with à cause de (+ noun)

✕Dropping accents on tech words (telecharger, reseau, harcelement)

✕Inventing English-looking words (le computer, le mobile phone)

Past paper style quiz

Communication and technology

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Say what you do online in the present tense

2Express a future plan with aller + infinitive

3Give an opinion of social media with a reason

4Combine a want and a hope about work

5Adapt a Speaking question-and-answer frame

le portable

l'ordinateur (m)

l'application / l'appli (f)

le réseau social

télécharger

aller + infinitive

vouloir + infinitive

espérer + infinitive

parce que (parce qu')

le harcèlement en ligne

✕Using the wrong gender word for 'my' (saying ma portable or ma ordinateur)

✕Conjugating the second verb after aller / vouloir / espérer (e.g. je veux je travaille)

✕Giving a bare opinion with no reason (c'est bien, oui)

✕Confusing parce que (+ clause) with à cause de (+ noun)

✕Dropping accents on tech words (telecharger, reseau, harcelement)

✕Inventing English-looking words (le computer, le mobile phone)

Past paper style quiz