Group 2: Second Language Study
The aims and structures of Second Language Study:
Group 2 consists of a range of language courses accommodating the different levels of linguistic
proficiency that students have already gained when they begin. There is a single set of Group 2 aims,
common to all the courses, but the objectives are differentiated according to what the students are
expected to be able to demonstrate at the end of each course.
• To enable students to understand and use the language they have studied in a range of contexts
and for a variety of purposes
• To enable students to use the language appropriately
• To encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and
appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures
• To develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
• To provide the opportunity for enjoyment, creativity and intellectual stimulation through knowledge
of a language
• To provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through language
• To develop students’ awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with
which they are familiar
Overview
Language A2 HL is for a fluent language user who intends to study the language at this level for
a future career or to meet a Diploma Programme requirement, and who is a native or near-native speaker wishing to study a different language as his or her language A or is a bilingual student (in reading or writing or both)who lives in a country where the target language is spoken or is taught other subjects in the target language
Language A2 SL is for a fluent language user who may not intend continuing study of the
language beyond the Diploma Programme, and who is a native or near-native speaker wishing to study a different language as his or her language A1is an almost bilingual student (in reading or writing or both) who lives in a country where the target language is spoken or is taught other subjects in the target language.
Language B HL is for a language learner who intends to study the language at this level for a
future career, or to meet a Diploma Programme requirement, and who has 4 to 5 years experience of the target language
and is not taught other subjects in the target language or is normally taught outside a country where the language is spoken.
Language B SL is for a language learner who may not intend continuing study of the language beyond the Diploma Programme and who has 2 to 5 years experience of the target language and is not taught other subjects in the target language and is normally taught outside a country where the language is spoken or is a beginner or near-beginner who lives in a country where the language is spoken
Ab Initio is for a beginner who has little or no previous experience of the language or is taught outside the country or countries where the language is spoken and is not taught other IB subjects in the target language
Language Courses
Language A2 Chinese HL/SL
Course Objectives
Chinese A2 aims to develop a variety of linguistic skills through the study of a wide range of texts to:
• enable students to develop powers of expression in both oral and written communication
• provide the opportunity of practising and developing the skills involved in writing and speaking in
a variety of styles and situations
• encourage a personal appreciation of a range of texts and develop an understanding of the
techniques involved in textual study and criticism
• develop the ability to engage in close, detailed and critical examination of text
• promote the use the language for personal growth, development and relationship with the
international community
Course Outline
Chinese A2 is a language and literature course which caters for students whose Chinese has reached a
very high standard. They should be confident to use the Chinese language in literature critiques apart
from being able to communicate in a variety of unfamiliar situations. For the above reasons we encourage
students, who have elected to follow the accelerated Chinese programme since Year 7 or who joined WIS
from a local Chinese school in Year 9 or later, to take this course.
This course also gives candidates the opportunity to reach a high level of competence in a second
language and at the same time appreciate the range of issues generated by the study of language and
culture. This course will enable students to develop their bilingualism.
Chinese A2 consists of the study of language, texts and culture, which are explored through the
framework of cultural and literary options. At higher level students study four options: at least one must be
literary, and at least cultural. At standard level students study three options: at least one must be literary,
and at least one cultural.
The five cultural options are:
• Language and culture
• Media and culture
• Future issues
• Global issues
• Social issues
Each option in literary part consists of the study of three works “chose freely”.
Course Examinations and Assessment
Students are tested by means of a written examination, accounting for 50% of the final mark, involving an
unseen comparative commentary and essay questions based on a topic option that has been studied as
part of the course. Students are also asked to complete two written assignments which are text
productions of a specific text type, related to the text types that have been studied as part of the course -
this is worth 20% of the final mark. Furthermore the remaining 30% of the marks are made up of an oral
commentary on an unseen extract from a previously studied work and an interactive group oral.
Language B Chinese, French and Spanish
Course Objectives
Chinese, French and Spanish are all offered in both Group 2 and Group 6. Language B is a foreign
language programme for students with previous experience in the chosen language.
Students intending to study Chinese A2 in Group 2 are also eligible and encouraged to study French or
Spanish Language B – i.e. as a foreign language – in Group 6.
Language B HL/SL aims to:
• Enable students to understand and use the language in a range of contexts and for a variety
of purposes
• Enable students to use the language appropriately
• Encourage an awareness and appreciation of the different perspectives of peoples from other
cultures
• Develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
• Provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure
• Develop students’ awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with
which they are familiar.
Course Outline
Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the culture and civilisation of the relevant country, the broadening of
students’ vocabulary and the building of a solid knowledge of grammatical structures. The focus is on
interaction between the student and speakers and writers of the foreign language, so it is important that
there is a will on the part of the student to participate actively in lessons. Students will have the
opportunity to read literary and non-literary texts, watch and discuss foreign language broadcasts,
bulletins and films and work with the language assistants.
Higher Level students explore topics in greater depth than Standard Level students. They are also
required to tackle more demanding tasks and write at greater length in their written examinations. At
Higher Level, students will also study at least one literary text.
Course Examinations and Assessment
At both levels the written examinations make up 70% of the marks. There are two written examination
papers: one involves comprehension exercises and language manipulation exercises along with a short
piece of written production; the other paper requires students to write an essay chosen from a list in a
range of registers.
The oral component, which makes up the remaining 30% of the marks is assessed during the second
year of the course and at both levels candidates are required to participate in group discussion as well as
undergo individual oral exams to express their knowledge and opinions of topics which they have
researched. It is thus essential to develop a fair degree of oral fluency and candidates will be expected to
make plans to spend a significant part of their holiday time in the relevant country.
Language ab initio: Chinese, French and Spanish
Course Objectives
The standard required of a candidate after a two year ab initio course is much the same as is required of
a good GCSE candidate. The nature of the language taught and the range of grammar and vocabulary
required is also similar to the requirements of GCSE. An ab initio IB course in the language should thus
enable students to gain a working knowledge of the language to help them survive in transactional
situations abroad and prepare them for greater use of the language in a social or working context in the
future.
Language Ab initio aims to:
• Enable students to understand and use the language in a range of contexts and for a variety
of purposes
• Enable students to use the language appropriately
• Encourage an awareness and appreciation of the different perspectives of peoples from other
cultures
• Develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
• Provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure
• Develop students’ awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with
which they are familiar.
Course Outline
The ab initio course is as demanding in its own way as the Language B Standard and Higher Level
courses. However, we would advise a student gaining a grade D at GCSE in one of the other languages
to consider trying a new language at this level in Group 2.
This course would also be suitable for very talented linguists who wish, in addition to studying their
Language B at Standard or Higher Level in Group 2, to expand or complement their repertoire of
languages through picking up an ab initio option in Group 6.
This course would also be suitable for that category of learners intending to study Chinese A2 in Group 2
who wish to study a foreign language.
Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the culture and civilisation of the relevant country, building students’
vocabulary as well as a solid knowledge of grammatical structures. The focus is on interaction between
the student and speakers and writers of the foreign language, so it is important that there is a will on the
part of the student to participate actively in lessons. Students will have the opportunity to read texts,
watch and listen to audiovisual materials, such as film, extracts of TV and radio programmes and speak
with the foreign language assistants.
Course Examinations and Assessment
At Ab Initio Level, written examinations make up 70% of the marks. There are two written examination
papers: one involves reading comprehension and text handling while the other paper focuses on
students’ written expression.
The oral component, which makes up the remaining 30% of the marks is assessed during the second
year of the course and at both levels candidates are required to participate in group discussion as well as
undergo individual oral exams to express their knowledge and opinions of topics which they have
researched. It is thus essential to develop a fair degree of oral fluency and candidates will be expected to
make plans to spend a significant part of their holiday time in the relevant country.
