Biology editorial review is supported by the
named review panel.
Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.
Key point
Scientific vocabulary is a specialist skill everyone must learn, regardless of first language. Build a glossary, learn word roots, and practise writing terms in context. In exams, short clear sentences with correct terms beat long vague ones.
Many Malaysian students study IGCSE Biology in English while thinking and speaking in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil, or another home language at home. The scientific vocabulary can be challenging, but precise scientific English is a skill that can be systematically built.
Scientific vocabulary is a separate skill
Everyday English fluency does not automatically mean scientific English fluency. Words like "diffusion", "denaturation", "translocation", and "osmoregulation" are specialist terms that native English speakers also have to learn. You are not at a disadvantage: you are all learning the same new vocabulary.
Building your biology vocabulary
Keep a glossary of key terms with their definitions: add to it as you encounter new words
Use the terms in writing: the more you write them in context, the more natural they become
Learn word roots: "photo-" = light, "synthesis" = making, "-lysis" = breaking, "endo-" = inside, "exo-" = outside. This helps you decode unfamiliar terms
Read mark schemes to see exactly which English words and phrases earn marks
Exam language tips
In the exam, you do not need perfect English grammar: you need correct scientific content. Short, clear sentences with accurate terminology are better than long, grammatically complex sentences that are vague.
"Amylase breaks starch into maltose" earns the mark. "The thing in the mouth helps to break down the food we eat into something smaller" does not.
Frequently asked questions
Can I answer in Bahasa Malaysia?
No: IGCSE exams must be answered in English. However, you can study using dual-language notes and translate key concepts as a learning strategy, as long as your written answers use English.