Grade 9-12 Course Descriptors

Chinese A Language and Literature HL (HS)

Chinese A Language and Literature develops skills of textual analysis. A study of the formal structures of a text is combined with an exploration of the way the use of formal elements and our understanding of their meaning is affected by reading practices that are culturally defined. Teachers will construct the course to reflect the interests and concerns relevant to their students.

The HL course will be based on texts chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media; three literary works, one of which is a work in translation; three literary works chosen from a prescribed book list.

Students will need to complete two 960 – 1200 Chinese characters and 240-360 Chinese characters coursework written tasks for external assessment. For internal assessment students will need to complete one oral commentary and one interactive oral presentation.

Chinese A Language and Literature SL (HS)
Chinese A Language and Literature develops skills of textual analysis. A study of the formal structures of a text is combined with an exploration of the way the use of formal elements and our understanding of their meaning is affected by reading practices that are culturally defined. Teachers will construct the course to reflect the interests and concerns relevant to their students.
The SL course will be based on texts chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media; two literary works, one of which is a work in translation; two literary works chosen from a prescribed book list.
Students will need to complete one 960 – 1200 Chinese characters and rational 240-360 Chinese characters coursework written task for external assessment. For internal assessment students will need to complete one oral commentary and one interactive oral presentation.

Chinese A Literature  HL (HS)
Chinese A Literature develops understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and promotes the ability to form independent literary judgments. It is a flexible course that allows teachers to choose literary works from prescribed book lists and to construct a course that suits the particular needs and interests of their students.
The HL course will be based on a literary study of three works in translation; close study and analysis of three works, each of a different genre and one of which is poetry; literary study of four works of the same literary genre; three works chosen by the teacher.
Students will need to complete a 1200-1500 word written assignment for external assessment. For internal assessment students will need to complete an oral literary commentary and interview and an individual oral presentation. Students interested in studying languages or human sciences at university should take Language A Literature.

中文A文学课程旨在培养学生对各种文学批评技巧的理解力以及独立的文学批判能力。它是一门灵活的课程,允许教师从指定作家名单中选择作家的作品,并根据学生的特殊需要和兴趣安排教学。
中文A文学高级课程分为4个部分,包括3部翻译文学作品;3部体裁不同的精读作品,其中1部必须为诗集或词集;4部体裁相同的文学作品;3部教师自选作品。
学生需要完成一篇1440-1800个汉字的文学论文以及试卷一和试卷二作为校外评估,校内评估需要完成个人口头评论和讨论以及个人口头表达。凡是对文学欣赏有兴趣或者打算在大学中从事人文科学研究的学生都可以选择语言A文学课程。

Chinese A Literature  SL (HS)
Chinese A Literature develops understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and promotes the ability to form independent literary judgments. It is a flexible course that allows teachers to choose literary works from prescribed book lists and to construct a course that suits the particular needs and interests of their students.
The SL course will be based on a literary study of two works in translation; close study and analysis of two works, each of a different genre; literary study of three works of the same literary genre; three works chosen by the teacher.
Students will need to complete a 1200-1500 word written assignment for external assessment. For internal assessment students will need to complete an oral literary commentary and an individual oral presentation. Students interested in studying languages or human sciences at university should take Language A Literature.

中文A文学课程旨在培养学生对各种文学批评技巧的理解力以及独立的文学批判能力。它是一门灵活的课程,允许教师从指定作家名单中选择作家的作品,并根据学生的特殊需要和兴趣安排教学。
中文A文学普通课程分为4个部分,包括2部翻译文学作品;2部体裁不同的精读作品;3部体裁相同的文学作品;3部教师自选作品。
学生需要完成一篇1440-1800个汉字的文学论文以及试卷一和试卷二作为校外评估,校内评估需要完成个人口头评论以及个人口头表达。凡是对文学欣赏有兴趣或者打算在大学中从事人文科学研究的学生都可以选择语言A文学课程。

Chinese ab initio (Mandarin)  SL (HS)
Chinese ab initio (Mandarin) is a language acquisition course for students with little or no experience of the language. It is organized around three themes; individual and society, leisure and work, urban and rural environment. Each theme has a list of topics that provide the students with opportunities to practice and explore the language as well as to develop intercultural competence.
Through the development of receptive, productive and interactive skills, students acquire the ability to respond and interact appropriately in a defined range of everyday situations.
Students must complete a 240-360 Chinese characters written assignment for the external assessment and an individual interview for the internal assessment.

 

Chinese A Y1 (HS)
Students study the Chinese characters’ strokes and radicals , individuals, foods, School life, leisure life , travel, visit friends, shopping, house, disease and cure, health and emergency and the environment. Students study cultures and customs including famous Chinese fairy tales, Chinese festivals, Chinese Zodiac, Chinese calligraphy and painting. Students practice the skills of communication with Chinese in basic topics. They develop a range of vocabulary and sentences structures, make a personnel study plan, and write simple articles in Chinese. Assessment includes dialogues between students and the teacher, group discussions, short plays and text handling.

Chinese A Y2 (HS)
Students study Chinese characters’ strokes and radicals, Chinese literature, vocabulary and grammar.  Students will enlarge their range of vocabulary and sentences’ structures, make personal study plans and write simple articles in Chinese. They will work on presentations and improve their vocabulary and grammar structures. The course focuses on oral presentations and daily communications. The assessment is based on communication skills, group discussions, a short play and text comprehension.


Chinese Foundation Y1 (HS)
Students study Chinese culture and communication skills. Students will learn Chinese characters, greetings, family members, personal introduction, numbers and dates, countries and languages, occupations and work places, modes of transport and time. In the second year, students will study colors and clothing, weather and holidays, hobbies, daily routine, school subjects, school facilities and making telephone calls. Regular assignments ensure students explore each topic using a combination of reading comprehension, listening practice and daily communications. They will be assessed on reading comprehension, writing production, oral presentation and interactive oral activities.


Chinese Foundation Y2 (HS)
Students acquire language used for everyday social interaction. In the second year, students study the topics of colors and clothing, weather and holidays, hobbies, daily routine, school subjects, school facilities and making telephone calls. Meanwhile they are taught about some Chinese cultures and customs. Students develop a variety of linguistic skills and a basic awareness of the cultures using the language. Regular assignments ensure students explore each topic using a combination of reading comprehension, listening practice and daily communications. The assessment comprises reading comprehension, writing production, oral presentation and interactive oral activities.

German Foundation (HS)
Students further develop communication skills and focus on the grammar and vocabulary related to the unit theme while exploring German culture.  Students talk and write about hobbies, leisure activities, travel, shopping, clothes and stores, education and work, rooms and items in the house as well as household chores. Students explore the culture of German-speaking countries and focus on key language skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting. All units include assessments in each of these skill areas, with a focus on reading, writing, and speaking.
Japanese Foundation (HS)
In this beginners’ course, students study Japanese characters and develop key linguistic skills by focusing on daily conversation and practicing vocabulary and grammar concepts. Students learn to exchange personal information in basic conversations, practice dialogues for inviting and visiting people, learn expressions used for shopping, discuss trips and food, discuss family relationships and learn to give directions and practice expressions used at a clinic or bank. Students focus on the grammar and vocabulary while exploring Japanese culture. Students are assessed through reading, written and oral tasks. 

Korean A Y1 (HS)
Students develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and a personal appreciation of literature. They explore a range of literary works from different periods, genres, styles and contexts. In the first unit, Paper 1 and Commentary, students learn how to analyze literary features, such as style, structural and linguistic elements, in prose and poetry. Students learn how to write and present a literary analysis. The focus of this unit is preparation for the literary commentary. In the second unit, Comparative Analysis, students prepare for the World Literature assignments and Paper 1 of the IB Exam. In this unit, students learn essential strategies for comparing literary works. Students focus on the structure and presentation of essays.

Korean A Y2 (HS)
Students develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and are encouraged to pursue literature for personal enjoyment. They explore a range of literary works from different periods, genres, styles and contexts. In the first unit, Oral Commentary, they practice and develop communication skills involved in writing and speaking in a variety of styles and situations. In the second unit, Writing Analysis of Poetry and Prose, they focus on essential writing strategies and commentary. In the final unit, students review all works and review for the final examination. All units include assessments in writing and speaking, with a focus on analytical essays and the organization of oral presentations.

Spanish Foundation (HS) Y1

This is the first year of a two-year course. In this year, students learn to communicate at a basic level in Spanish. They learn basic conversation skills, discuss their favorite activities and friends, learn about school schedules and classrooms, discuss food, meals, and healthy living, discuss places in the community and leisure activities, talk and write about family celebrations and holidays, discuss household items and chores. Students memorize and practice vocabulary and grammar concepts. Students also explore the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and focusing on key language skills namely reading, writing, and speaking. Click here to link: Course Timeline and Assessment

 

Spanish Foundation (HS) Y2

This is the second of a two-year course. In this year students learn to communicate in everyday situations. They explore school-related activities and they discuss shopping and special events. They then learn about activities and locations in a city. Next they discuss childhood and holiday celebrations. They will then explore current events and emergency situations as well as popular entertainment. The final unit is an in-depth review and preparation for the final exam. In each unit, students memorize and practice vocabulary and grammar concepts related to the unit theme. Within these units, students explore the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and focus on key language skills required for the final examination: reading, writing, and speaking. All units include assessments in each of these skill areas.

Click here to link: Course Timeline and Assessment


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