IB Group 2 subjects
Encyclopedia
The Group 2 subjects of the IB Diploma Programme
consist of the nearly 80 additional languages
offered and may be studied at the following levels: A2 (SL or HL), B (SL or HL), or ab initio (SL only). Latin
and Classical Greek are also offered and may be taken at SL or HL. To earn an IB Diploma, a candidate must study an additional language, though a second Language A1
may be taken in lieu of studying that language as a Group 2 subject.
in the foreign language
, and as such concentrates less on studying the actual language and more on the literature
and culture
of the countries where the language is spoken.
Curriculum
The Languages A2 are studied through Cultural Options and Literary Options, both of which must be included by the teacher
in the two-year IB course. Study at the A2 level is available in a significantly lower number of languages than at other levels.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — for Language A2 consists of two oral components, in the same way as for language A1
.
External Assessment —for Language A2 consists of paper 1, the Comparative Commentary, where the students write a commentary that compares the two previously unseen texts that appear in the exam. Paper 2 is an essay on either a Cultural or a Literary Option. In addition, students produce two Written Tasks of 1000 – 1500 words total to be assessed externally by the IB examiners.
Curriculum
Students study a variety of topics such as the environment, famous people, current and historical events, immigration, music, art, cuisine, fashion, film, etc… to develop their skills in listening, reading, writing, speaking and cultural interaction. Types of texts studied include: news stories, short stories, brochures, advertisements, poems, informal and formal letters, excerpts from plays, editorials, debates, reviews and interviews.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — (30% of total grade) for a Language B consists of the average of two oral presentations, one of which is to be given to the teacher, recorded and sent out for moderation. The other is an interactive oral activity and can be individual or group.
External Assessment — (70% of total grade) for Language B includes paper 1, consisting of 3–4 reading comprehension texts and paper 2, consisting of a 250-word (SL) or 400-word (HL) written response, in the form of a journal entry, formal or informal letter, newspaper or magazine article or brochure.
For the oral and written components of the assessments, students receive marks based on their level of competency in use of language, cultural interaction and message.
For reading comprehension, students receive a grade based on a markscheme (answer key) for questions that are multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false/justify, matching and extended response.
SL subject. Such a course focuses on giving the student basic knowledge of both the language in everyday use and the culture of the places where it is spoken. The standard reached by the student after two years is considerably lower than that reached in language B.
Curriculum
For students to achieve communicative competence in a variety of situations, the following core topics are explored in the Language ab initio course: the individual, education and work, town and services, food and drink, leisure and travel, the environment, health and emergencies.
The language skills that are taught and assessed are: listening, reading, writing, speaking and cultural awareness.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — (30% of total grade) for a Language ab initio consists of the average of two oral presentations, one of which is to be given to the teacher, recorded and sent out for moderation. The other is an interactive oral activity and can be individual or group.
External Assessment — (70% of total grade) for Language ab initio includes paper 1, consisting of 3–4 reading comprehension texts and paper 2, consisting of one short writing task and one extended-response writing task.
For the oral and written components of the assessments, students receive marks based on their level of competency in use of language, presentation and communication skills.
For reading comprehension, students receive a grade based on a markscheme (answer key) for questions that are multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false/justify, matching and extended response.
Availability
Spanish ab initio and Mandarin ab initio are offered online to students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme .
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
consist of the nearly 80 additional languages
Foreign language
A foreign language is a language indigenous to another country. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her...
offered and may be studied at the following levels: A2 (SL or HL), B (SL or HL), or ab initio (SL only). Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Classical Greek are also offered and may be taken at SL or HL. To earn an IB Diploma, a candidate must study an additional language, though a second Language A1
IB Group 1 subjects
The Group 1 subjects of the IB Diploma Programme refer to the student's "Language A1," which is the student's native language or otherwise best language, taken at either Standard Level or Higher Level . The course focuses on developing oral and written communication skills and performing literary...
may be taken in lieu of studying that language as a Group 2 subject.
Language A2 SL and HL
The Language A2 corresponds to a near-native level of fluencyFluency
Fluency is the property of a person or of a system that delivers information quickly and with expertise.-Speech:...
in the foreign language
Foreign language
A foreign language is a language indigenous to another country. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her...
, and as such concentrates less on studying the actual language and more on the literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
of the countries where the language is spoken.
Curriculum
The Languages A2 are studied through Cultural Options and Literary Options, both of which must be included by the teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in the two-year IB course. Study at the A2 level is available in a significantly lower number of languages than at other levels.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — for Language A2 consists of two oral components, in the same way as for language A1
IB Group 1 subjects
The Group 1 subjects of the IB Diploma Programme refer to the student's "Language A1," which is the student's native language or otherwise best language, taken at either Standard Level or Higher Level . The course focuses on developing oral and written communication skills and performing literary...
.
External Assessment —for Language A2 consists of paper 1, the Comparative Commentary, where the students write a commentary that compares the two previously unseen texts that appear in the exam. Paper 2 is an essay on either a Cultural or a Literary Option. In addition, students produce two Written Tasks of 1000 – 1500 words total to be assessed externally by the IB examiners.
Language B SL and HL
Language B is intended for students who have a previous background of 2–3 years in the language, and focuses more on learning to communicate in the language in written and spoken form.Curriculum
Students study a variety of topics such as the environment, famous people, current and historical events, immigration, music, art, cuisine, fashion, film, etc… to develop their skills in listening, reading, writing, speaking and cultural interaction. Types of texts studied include: news stories, short stories, brochures, advertisements, poems, informal and formal letters, excerpts from plays, editorials, debates, reviews and interviews.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — (30% of total grade) for a Language B consists of the average of two oral presentations, one of which is to be given to the teacher, recorded and sent out for moderation. The other is an interactive oral activity and can be individual or group.
External Assessment — (70% of total grade) for Language B includes paper 1, consisting of 3–4 reading comprehension texts and paper 2, consisting of a 250-word (SL) or 400-word (HL) written response, in the form of a journal entry, formal or informal letter, newspaper or magazine article or brochure.
For the oral and written components of the assessments, students receive marks based on their level of competency in use of language, cultural interaction and message.
For reading comprehension, students receive a grade based on a markscheme (answer key) for questions that are multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false/justify, matching and extended response.
Language ab initio SL
If a student has no previous background in a given language, then that student may study that language as an ab initioAb initio
ab initio is a Latin term used in English, meaning from the beginning.ab initio may also refer to:* Ab Initio , a leading ETL Tool Software Company in the field of Data Warehousing.* ab initio quantum chemistry methods...
SL subject. Such a course focuses on giving the student basic knowledge of both the language in everyday use and the culture of the places where it is spoken. The standard reached by the student after two years is considerably lower than that reached in language B.
Curriculum
For students to achieve communicative competence in a variety of situations, the following core topics are explored in the Language ab initio course: the individual, education and work, town and services, food and drink, leisure and travel, the environment, health and emergencies.
The language skills that are taught and assessed are: listening, reading, writing, speaking and cultural awareness.
Assessment
Internal Assessment — (30% of total grade) for a Language ab initio consists of the average of two oral presentations, one of which is to be given to the teacher, recorded and sent out for moderation. The other is an interactive oral activity and can be individual or group.
External Assessment — (70% of total grade) for Language ab initio includes paper 1, consisting of 3–4 reading comprehension texts and paper 2, consisting of one short writing task and one extended-response writing task.
For the oral and written components of the assessments, students receive marks based on their level of competency in use of language, presentation and communication skills.
For reading comprehension, students receive a grade based on a markscheme (answer key) for questions that are multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false/justify, matching and extended response.
Availability
Spanish ab initio and Mandarin ab initio are offered online to students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme .