Grade 9 Program of Study 

The Grade 9 English Language and Literature course offers students the chance to read and analyze a wide range of literary and non-literary texts and engage with the many aspects of language and literature in various communities and cultures with a particular emphasis on Japanese authors. Through an examination of writing and communication styles and techniques, students will be encouraged to comment on the significance of any possible contexts, audiences, purpose, and the use of linguistic and literary devices. Lessons learned from their readings will, in turn, help to inform and shape students' own writing. The course alternates between literary texts and non-literary bodies of work in order to help Grade 9 students prepare for the final year of the MYP and, ultimately, the DP Language A courses.

The Grade 9 MYP English Language Acquisition course is designed to develop students' language proficiency in English and enhance communication skills for various contexts, including further language learning and practical applications.  In this course, students foster multiliteracy skills through diverse learning tools and media, promote appreciation for various literary and non-literary English texts while developing critical and creative comprehension techniques, and recognize English as a means for thought, reflection, self-expression, and enhancing literacy across subjects. In Grade 9 , it will have a particular emphasis on developing cultural awareness through Anglophone and Japanese contexts.

This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge of Japanese. Students will engage with materials from different historical periods and a variety of cultures. They will work on identifying and explaining the effects of creator’s choices on an audience. In addition, they will interpret similarities and differences in features within and between genres and texts. Students will master approximately 1000 kanji.

Prerequisites: successful completion of Language and Literature 8 or assessment of proficiency.

This course is designed for students participating in the Japan Experience Program and requires no prior knowledge of the Japanese language. Students will learn basic sentence structures and essential vocabulary to become functional in daily interactions (such as introducing themselves, asking simple questions, ordering food, shopping, asking for directions, using polite greetings, etc.). Beyond language acquisition, the course offers opportunities to explore Japanese culture and traditions (basic etiquette, traditional games, simple calligraphy, seasonal customs and holidays, etc.) through direct experience.

No prerequisites are required.

This course is designed for students with very little or no background in the formal study of Japanese. By the end of this course, students should be able to identify explicit and implicit information (facts, opinions, messages, supporting details) in a limited range of interpersonal and cultural contexts related to themselves, others and their immediate environment. They will learn essential grammar and vocabulary through multimodal texts, and develop communicative skills for everyday situations. In addition, they will develop a basic understanding of segments of the Japanese culture. Students are expected to learn Hiragana and Katakana as well as basic kanji (approximately 200) for reading and writing activities. 

No prerequisites are required, though the skills and complexity of the material taught in class might vary to match the students’ general proficiency level.  Students in this course are phase 1/2. 

This course focuses on developing language skills and cultural understanding through four thematic units. Each unit aims to enhance students' communicative abilities in Japanese while fostering intercultural awareness. The course emphasizes listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with an inquiry-driven approach to learning. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Japanese Language Acquisition Foundation course or assessment of proficiency. Students in this course are phase 2/3. 

This course builds on basic language skills learned in the foundation course. Students will continue to develop key language skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking. By the end of this course, students should be able to identify explicit and some implicit information (facts, opinions, messages, supporting details) in a range of interpersonal and cultural contexts. They will learn to interpret and analyze some conventions and connections in multimodal texts, and to organize information coherently in an appropriate format using a range of simple cohesive devices. Students are expected to master approximately 300 kanji by the end of the course. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Japanese Language Acquisition Foundation course or assessment of proficiency. Students in this course are phase 2/3.  

This course is designed for students to bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced proficiency, further enhancing their communicative competence and conceptual understanding. Students will continue to refine the key language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. By the end of this course, students should be able to identify and evaluate explicit and implicit information (facts, opinions, messages, and supporting details) in various interpersonal and cultural contexts. They will learn to interpret and analyze conventions and connections in a variety of multimodal texts. Furthermore, students will begin to engage with more sophisticated language structures and register, organizing information coherently using a wide range of simple and complex cohesive devices. This course also introduces students to the initial exploration of literary texts. Students are expected to master approximately 500 kanji by the end of the course.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Japanese Acquisition Intermediate course or assessment of proficiency. Students in this course are phase 4. 

This course is designed to provide students with training to further refine their Japanese language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. By the end of this course, students should be able to identify and evaluate explicit and implicit information (facts, opinions, messages, supporting details) in a wide range of interpersonal and cultural contexts. They include topics of personal, academic and global significance, moving toward more abstract and global topics. They  will develop the ability to critically interpret and analyze conventions and connections effectively in multimodal texts and to organize information effectively and coherently in an appropriate format using a wide range of complex cohesive devices. In addition, they will learn to express personal responses to literature. Students are expected to master approximately 600 kanji by the end of the course.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Japanese Language Intermediate course or assessment of proficiency. Students in this course are phase 4/5. 

The Spanish Foundation course introduces beginners and students with some prior exposure to the Spanish language to basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students use simple words, expressions, and structures to communicate in common everyday situations. Students also use simple texts to reinforce their reading, listening and writing skills. 

No prerequisites are required, though the skills and complexity of the material taught in class might vary to match the students’ general proficiency level. Students in this course are phase 1/2. 

This course builds on basic language skills learned in the foundation course. It focuses on the combination of knowledge, skills, independent critical and creative thought and international-mindedness. The goal is to inspire students to be life-long learners who are caring, reflective, principled, knowledgeable and confident to communicate in more than one language. Students will continue applying and developing communication skills learned in level foundation courses by using the four modalities of: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will also have an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of cultural aspects of the second language they are studying by doing readings, projects, and activities that will help them achieve cultural competence.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish Acquisition Foundation course or assessment of proficiency. Students in this course are phase 3/4. 

This course is designed for academically motivated students who demonstrate strong oral and written proficiency in their home language and wish to pursue literary study aligned with IB MYP Language & Literature standards. The course supports advanced language development, literary analysis, and cultural identity while ensuring continuity with IB assessment practices and expectations. Students work through a year-long, individualized syllabus delivered online by a qualified tutor from MIH Unlimited. Students also meet regularly with the Heritage Language Coordinator to monitor progress, provide guidance, and ensure standards are met.

Parents are responsible for the course fees associated with this program.

Studying mathematics is a fundamental part of a balanced education: understanding mathematics can help make sense of the world around us, exploring it can give both the thrill of exploration and the rewards of discovery, and engaging in mathematics can give insightful reflections. The MYP4-5 mathematics programme will take you on a journey of knowing, understanding, investigating and communicating mathematics. This course is designed to take you on this wondrous journey and to help your analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills that contribute to strengthening your logical, abstract and critical thinking. All these skills are necessary to participate successfully in an ever-changing world.

Studying mathematics is a fundamental part of a balanced education: understanding mathematics can help make sense of the world around us, exploring it can give both the thrill of exploration and the rewards of discovery, and engaging in mathematics can give insightful reflections. The MYP4-5 mathematics programme will take you on a journey of knowing, understanding, investigating and communicating mathematics. The Extended course gives students a deeper look into each unit of study and contains one extra unit of study that goes beyond the usual Grade 9 content. This course is designed to take you on this wondrous journey and to help your analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills that contribute to strengthening your logical, abstract and critical thinking. All these skills are necessary to participate successfully in an ever-changing world.

Physical and Health Education focuses on helping students find a passion to be active and live a healthy lifestyle. With a conceptually based program, all students can find success in all sports and activities. A focus on transferable skills, concepts, strategies and tactics will be used in a variety of different sports and activities during each unit to help students grasp the Key Concepts and apply them effectively in any situation. Students will also build their confidence, resilience, interpersonal skills and develop their wellness and wellbeing. Students will learn how to take care of themselves physically in our Sports Science unit, control their movements in a Dance unit and learn how to make healthy relationship choices in our Health unit. 

Physical and Health Education focuses on helping students find a passion to be active and live a healthy lifestyle. Students will explore Lifestyle and Leisure Sports, engaging in activities such as golf, disc golf, badminton and pickleball among others—sports that encourage lifelong participation and social connection. They will learn small-sided target related games to build physical literacy and skills. Students will build cultural dances that focus on developing knowledge of themselves and their identity while building a fusion performance with others to perform in front of an authentic audience. A focus on Fitness for life and Well-being will allow students to experience activities like yoga, Pilates, and rhythmic movement, promoting both physical and mental wellness.