Language Courses and Levels
Students are required to select at least one language from Group 1. They are also required to select a different second language from either Group 1 or Group 2. Students also have the option of studying a third language (from either Group) as an elective instead of a Group 6 subject.
Group 1
Group 1 courses are suitable for students who have experience of using the language in an academic context. Group 1 courses are designed to support future academic study by developing high levels of language competence and communication skills as well as social, aesthetic and cultural literacy. Literature plays a central role in the courses and each course highlights a different perspective in the study of texts.
Taught courses in Language A are available in Chinese, English and Spanish at both HL and SL.
Native speakers of other languages will take Language A – Literature at the SL level as a “School-supported Self‑taught” language. Limited tutoring will be available for most of the self‑taught languages, but we cannot guarantee this. The Self-taught course is normally completed during the first year.
A proficient bilingual student may study two Language A subjects rather than a second language chosen from the Group 2 options.
Language A – Literature: the focus is directed towards developing an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and promoting the ability to form independent literary judgments. This is a pure literature course.
Language A – Language and Literature: looks more openly at critical literacy and is directed towards understanding the nature of meaning generated by language. In addition, language and literature allows the exploration of a wide variety of non-literary texts.
Group 2
Group 2 courses provide students with the opportunity to acquire or develop an additional language (or languages) and to promote an understanding of other cultures through the study of language.
Language Ab Initio and Language B are language acquisition courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural competence that will enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where the language studied is spoken.
- Language B is for students who have a reasonable background in the language, but who are not native speakers and who do not yet have the fluency of Language A speakers. Chinese, English, Spanish and French are offered as Language B at both HL and SL. Students will normally have studied the language previously for 3-5 years.
- The Ab Initio course is designed for students who have little or no experience of the language and is available at SL only. It is offered in French, Mandarin and Spanish.
During Orientation Week the Language Department will assist you in determining the appropriate level for you to be taking your language subjects. It is important however to think carefully about which language choices might be best for you, before coming to the College.
This page was last updated on June 21, 2011.
