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Language Acquisition


It is a requirement of the DP that students study at least one subject from group 2.

Nature of Subject
Group 2 consists of two modern language courses—language ab initio and language B. Language ab initio and language B are language acquisition courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where the language studied is spoken.

Language  ab initio course is for beginners (that is, students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen). These courses are only available at standard level.

The language ab initio course is organized into three themes:

  • Individual and society

  • Leisure and work

  • Urban and rural environment



Assessment Outline
Assessment component Weighting

External assessment

 75%

Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills
Understanding of four written texts. (40 marks)
Text-handling exercises.

 30%

Paper 2 (1 hour): Productive skills
Two compulsory writing exercises. (25 marks)
Section A (7 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of two.
Section B (18 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of three.

 25%

Written assignment: Receptive and productive skills
A piece of writing, 200–350 words, demonstrating intercultural understanding and written in the target language. (20 marks)

 20%

Internal assessment (10 minutes): Interactive skills
Individual oral (25 marks)
Three-part oral internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB towards the end of the course.

• Part 1: Presentation of a visual stimulus (from a choice of two) by the student.
• Part 2: Follow-up questions on the visual stimulus.
• Part 3: General conversation including at least two questions on the written assignment.

 25%


Language B courses are intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied at either higher level or standard level.

The language B course comprises from the core and from the options.


Core
There are three topics in the core.

  • Communication and media

  • Global issues

  • Social relationships

Options
There are five topics in the options.

  • Cultural diversity

  • Customs and traditions

  • Health

  • Leisure

  • Science and technology

Additionally, at HL students must read two works of literature.



Assessment outline - SL



Assessment Component

Weighting

External assessment

70%

Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills
Text-handling exercises on five written texts, based on the core.

25%

Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes): Written productive skills
One writing exercise of 250–400 words from a choice of five, based on the options.

25%

Written assignment: Receptive and written productive skills
Creative writing of 300–400 words plus a 150–200 word rationale, based on core.

20%

Internal assessment
Internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB.

30%

Individual oral (8–10 minutes)
Based on the options: 15 minutes’ preparation time and a 10 minute (maximum) presentation and discussion with the teacher.

20%

Interactive oral activity
Based on the core: Three classroom activities assessed by the teacher.

10%







The International School of Azerbaijan

AZ1070 | Yeni Yasamal | Royal Park | Baku Azerbaijan  
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