Curriculum information of Carey Baptist Grammar School

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PATHWAYS

2024

 
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Group 2 - Language Acquisition (Language B and Language ab initio)

IB Language ab initio

Prerequisite

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Description and Aims

The aims of the Language B ab initio course are to:

  • develop the student's intercultural understanding;
  • enable students to understand and use 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 the different perspectives of people from other cultures;
  • develop student awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge;
  • develop student awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they are familiar;
  • provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional language;
  • provide the opportunity for enjoyment, creativity and intellectual stimulation through knowledge of an additional language.

Curriculum Model Overview

Three areas of study – language, themes and texts – provide the basis of the Language ab initio course. These three fundamental areas, as well as intercultural understanding, are all interrelated and should be studied concurrently.

Areas of Study

  • Receptive skills: the ability to comprehend straightforward written and spoken language.
  • Productive skills: the ability to write and speak the target language effectively.
  • Interactive skills: the ability to understand and respond effectively to written and spoken language. 

Identities

Explore the nature of the self and how we express who we are.

  • personal attributes
  • personal relationships,eating and drinking
  • physical wellbeing

Experiences

Explore and tell the stories of the events, experiences and journeys that shape our lives.

  • daily routine
  • leisure
  • holidays
  • festivals and celebrations

Human ingenuity

Explore the ways in which human creativity and innovation affect our world.

  • transport
  • entertainment
  • media
  • technology

Social organisation

Explore the ways in which groups of people organize themselves, or are organized, through common systems or interests.

  • neighbourhood
  • education
  • the workplace
  • social issues

Sharing the planet

Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and communities in the modern world.

  • climate
  • physical geography
  • the environment
  • global issues

TEXT TYPES

Personal texts

 

Professional texts

 

Mass media texts

 

Blog

Diary

Email

Invitation

Journal

List

Personal letter

Postcard

Social media posting/chat room

Text message

Timetable 

Blog

Brochure

Catalogue

Email

Essay

Formal letter

Interview

Invitation

Literature (short-story, novel,

poem, graphic novel)

Maps/diagrams

Menu

Online forum

Personal statement/CV

Proposal

Questionnaire

Recipe

Report

Set of instructions/guidelines

Supporting letter

Survey

Timetable

Advertisement

Article (newspaper, magazine)

Blog

Brochure

Film

Flyer

Interview

Leaflet

Literature

News report

Newsletter

Opinion column/editorial

Pamphlet

Podcast

Poster

Public commentary (editorial/

readers’ letters)

Radio programme

Review

Social media posting

Speech

Travel guide

TV/drama/music

Web page 

Assessment at a Glance — Standard Level

Type of Assessment Format of Assessment Time
(hours)
Weighting
Final Grade (%)
External     75
Paper 1 
Productive Skills - writing

Based on the five themes. (30 marks)

Two written tasks of 70–150 words each from a choice of three tasks, choosing a text type for each task from among those listed in the examination instructions. 

1 25
Paper 2
Receptive Skills – listening and reading

Receptive skills—separate sections for listening and reading (65 marks) based on the five themes

Listening comprehension - Comprehension exercises on three audio passages (45 minutes) (25 marks)

Reading comprehension - Comprehension exercises on three written texts (1 hour) (40 marks)

.

1h 45min 50
Internal     25
Interactive Oral
Skills

A conversation with the teacher, based on a visual stimulus and at least one additional course theme. (30 marks)

10 min 25