1. INTRODUCTION

Language acquisition

Language acquisition consists of two modern language courses—language ab initio and language B—that are offered in several languages, and a classical languages course that is offered in Latin and Classical Greek. Owing to the nature of language study in the latter, there are specific aims for classical literature that can be found in the Classical languages guide. Language ab initio and language B are language acquisition courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where the language studied is spoken. This process allows the learner to go beyond the confines of the classroom, expanding their awareness of the world and fostering respect for cultural diversity.

The two modern language courses—language ab initio and language B—develop students’ linguistic abilities through the development of receptive, productive, and interactive skills (as defined in the “Syllabus content” section). The classical languages course focuses on the study of the language, literature, and culture of the classical world.

Language B is a language acquisition course designed for students with some previous experience of the target language. In the language B course, students further develop their ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works, as appropriate to the level of the course.

Most language B subjects are available at both SL and HL. A list of languages offered at language B SL and HL is released each year in the Diploma Programme Assessment procedures.

2. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Language B HL

At HL, students are expected to extend the range and complexity of the language they use and understand to communicate. They continue to develop their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, as well as their conceptual understanding of how language works, to construct, analyze and evaluate arguments on a variety of topics relating to course content and the target language culture(s).

Receptive skills: Students understand and evaluate a wide variety of written and spoken authentic personal, professional, and mass media texts; they understand fundamental elements of literary texts such as theme, plot and character. They analyze arguments, distinguishing main points from relevant supporting details and explanations. They use a variety of strategies to deduce meaning.

Productive skills: Students present and develop their ideas and opinions on a variety of topics, both orally and in writing. They construct and support arguments with explanations and examples. They speak and write at length, and with purpose, to meet a wide range of communicative needs: describing, narrating, comparing, explaining, persuading, justifying, evaluating.

Interactive skills: Students initiate, maintain and close oral exchanges, displaying some ability to adjust in style or emphasis. They use a variety of strategies to maintain the flow of conversations and discussions on a variety of topics relating to course content and the culture(s) of the target language. Students are adept in negotiating meaning and fostering communication.

LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AIMS.

The following aims are common to both language B and language ab initio.

Develop international mindedness through the study of languages, cultures, and ideas and issues of global significance.

Enable students to communicate in the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes.

Encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of a variety of perspectives of people from diverse cultures.

Develop students’ understanding of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they are familiar.

Develop students’ awareness of the importance of language in relation to other areas of knowledge.

Provide students, through language learning and the process of inquiry, with opportunities for intellectual engagement and the development of critical- and creative-thinking skills.

Provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional language.

Foster curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong enjoyment of language learning.

3. COMPETENCES / ABILITIES TO DEVELOP (depending on the subject)

They have different abilities in different skills and as some of them have difficulties in other skills, the teacher will reinforce a variety of different activities to help them improve.

●      Receptive skills such as reading and listening.

●      Productive skills such as speaking and writing.

●      Auditory and visual tasks

●      Pronunciation for Spoken Language

●      Grammar and Vocabulary Skills

4. METHODOLOGY

1. Debates: Having debates over global contexts and current affairs help them boost their confidence and improve their speaking along with other students.
2. Lecture: Throughout the year, the students will have different subjects which they need to do some research and have lectures in front of the class. This is productive for them because not only is it rewarding for them but also it boosts their confidence.
3. Workshops: Workshops are given to the students who need more support and work from the teacher to improve their grade. Not to mention that it is given to the student who fails the period or school year.
4. Mocks: It is used by the teacher to prepare and make students ready for the final school exam. In other words, to reinforce the skills and activities needed for them to learn.
5. Projects: Students need to get more information through different resources to learn the subject and get more ideas from the internet. This can help them not take teamwork for granted and enjoy doing projects more.
6. Presentations: Once the information has been gathered by students, it needs to be decoded and understood, presentations are going to help them structure most of the things they talk about, as well as elaborating on these.

5. CONTENT AND CONCEPTS

Prescribed themes

Five prescribed themes are common to the syllabuses of language B and language ab initio; the themes provide relevant contexts for study at all levels of language acquisition in the DP, and opportunities for students to communicate about matters of personal, local, or national, and global interest.

The five prescribed themes are:

Identities

experiences

human ingenuity

social organization

sharing the planet.

The themes allow students to compare the target language and culture(s) to other languages and cultures with which they are familiar. The themes also provide opportunities for students to make connections to other disciplinary areas in the DP. Students and teachers of language B with experience of the Primary Years Program (PYP) or the MYP will recognize that the themes are inspired by the transdisciplinary themes of the PYP and the global contexts of the MYP. In this way, the DP language B course can enhance the continuity of the educational experience of long-standing IB students, while also being suitable for students who are new to the IB.