Group 2: Language Acquisition

Introduction

Language B is for a language learner who has several years of experience of the target language. The focus of the course is on language acquisition and development in the four primary language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The four skills are equally developed through the five course themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization and Sharing the Planet. To supplement the course, students have access to a range of worksheets, authentic newspapers and magazines, films, television programmes, songs, poetry and prose, letters and diagrams in the target language. Information technology is integrated into the course.

The programme aims to:

• Develop international-mindedness and critical/creative-thinking skills 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
• 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
• Foster a lifelong learning of language

By the end of the course, there are three interrelated areas that students are expected to demonstrate ability in. They are “Language”, “Message”, and “Conceptual Understandings”. Students’ ability is measured by the following points:

• Communicate clearly and effectively in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes
• Understand and use language appropriate to a range of interpersonal and/or intercultural contexts and audiences
• Understand and use a wide range of vocabulary in common usage
• Understand and use language to express and respond to a range of ideas with fluency and accuracy
• Identify, organize and present ideas on a range of topics
• Understand, analyse and reflect upon a range of written, audio, visual and audio-visual texts

Assessment

Internal Assessment (25%)

Individual Oral

(15 minutes) 25%

SL: 4-minute presentation about a visual stimulus relating to one of the five themes. 4 minute follow-up discussion with the teacher. 5-minute general discussion which addresses at least one additional theme.

External Examinations (75%)

Paper One: Productive Skills

(SL – 75 minutes | HL – 90 minutes) 25%

Based on the options aspect of the course: 15 minutes preparation time and a 10 minute (maximum) presentation and discussion with the teacher.

Paper Two: Receptive Skills

(SL – 1hr 45 mins | HL – 2 hrs) 50%

Part A: Listening | Comprehension questions based on three audio texts drawn from the five themes. (HL – 1 hour | SL – 45 mins)

Part B: Reading | Comprehension texts based on three written texts drawn from the five themes. (HL & SL – 1 hr)

The following information applies to Spanish ab initio and German ab initio.

Introduction

Language Ab initio is for a beginner who has little or no previous experience of the language. The student must have had no formal instruction in the language nor have lived in a Spanish speaking country. The focus of the course is on language acquisition and development in the four primary language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The four skills are equally developed through the five course themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization and Sharing the Planet.

At the language ab initio level, a student develops receptive, productive and interactive communicative skills. Students learn to communicate in the target language in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

• Receptive: Students understand, both aurally and in writing, simple sentences and some more complex sentences relating to the five prescribed themes and related topics. They understand simple authentic and adapted written and audio texts and related questions in the target language.
• Productive: Students express information fairly accurately, in both writing and in speech, using a range of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. They communicate orally and respond appropriately to most questions on the five prescribed themes and related topics.
• Interactive: Students understand and respond clearly to some information and ideas within the range of the five prescribed themes and related topics. They engage in simple conversations. They use strategies to negotiate meaning and foster communication.

Assessment

Internal Assessment (25%)

Individual Oral

(15 minutes) 25%

SL: 2-minute presentation about a visual stimulus relating to one of the five themes. 4 minute follow-up discussion with the teacher. 5-minute general discussion which addresses at least one additional theme.

External Examinations (75%)

Paper One: Productive Skills

(SL – 1 hr) 25%

Based on the options aspect of the course: 15 minutes preparation time and a 10 minute (maximum) presentation and discussion with the teacher.

Paper Two: Receptive Skills

(SL – 1hr 45 mins) 50%

Part A: Listening | Comprehension questions based on three audio texts drawn from the five themes. ( SL – 45 mins)

Part B: Reading | Comprehension texts based on three written texts drawn from the five themes. (SL – 1 hr)