Language and Literature

Group 1: Language and Literature 

Group 1–Language A: English Language & Literature & Swedish Language & Literature

Content and Methodology

Language and Literature comprises four parts—two relate to the study of language and two to the study of literature. 

The study of the texts produced in a language is central to an active engagement with language and culture and, by extension, to how we see and understand the world in which we live. A key aim of the course is to encourage students to question the meaning generated by language and texts, which, it can be argued, is rarely straightforward and unambiguous. Helping students to focus closely on the language of the texts they study and to become aware of the role of each text’s wider context in shaping its meaning is central to the course. 

Students will complete a Learner Portfolio, initially conceived as a journal in which students would reflect on the texts they studied and their possible connections with global issues, this tool will be a selection of each student’s work including tasks that students might develop in their interaction with the texts and in their preparation of the assessed components. It will consist not only of entries where students reflect on the texts studied, but also of activities which students might engage in as they respond critically or creatively to the texts they read.

Distinction between SL and HL 

SL and HL students are often taught as one group but will be split if class sizes increase. HL students need to submit a formal essay and will be exposed to more texts than SL students.  For the paper 1 exam, HL students respond to two texts, whereas SL students write a commentary on only one text. HL grading criteria is more demanding.

Assessment

Internal Assessment (Individual Oral SL):  Students make a formal presentation on an extract from two bodies-of-work (one non-literary and the other, literary) based on a global issue. (30%)

Internal Assessment (Individual Oral HL):  Students make a formal presentation on an extract from two bodies-of-work (one non-literary and the other, literary) based on a global issue. (20%). 1200–1500-word formal essay, following a line of inquiry of their own choice into one of the texts studied. (20%)

Paper 1 (SL/HL): Guided textual analysis on one unseen non-literary text (35%)

Paper 2: Comparative essay based on two works studied during the course (35%SL)

Paper 2: Comparative essay based on two works studied during the course (25% HL)

Prior Knowledge

It is recommended that students have had experience of writing critical essays about texts. For non-native English speakers, a grade A in the Pre-IB year or a 6 in MYP10 is recommended (however, this is not a requirement).

Group 1– Language A: School supported self-taught literature

Content and Methodology

This course is available to students who have another home-language or have studied predominantly in another language other than English or Swedish. Students who take this course must have great self-discipline as they must, in many cases, work for a large part of the course on their own. Students are guided through Part 1 of the course and given guidance in approaching the oral presentations and exams. Students are required to have a tutor in their home-language and so are encouraged to find support from contacts they may have outside of school. The school will assist in making the arrangements regarding tutor support if this proves problematic for students. The tutor is necessary to provide language support in areas that the SSST supervisor may be unable to. 

The IB’s policy of mother-tongue entitlement promotes respect for the literary heritage of the

student’s home language and provides an opportunity for students to continue to develop oral and written skills in their mother tongue. Through the study of a wide range of literature, the language A literature course encourages students to appreciate the artistry of literature and to develop an ability to reflect critically on their reading. Works are studied in their literary and cultural contexts, through close study of individual texts and passages, and by considering a range of critical approaches. The study of works in translation is especially important in introducing students, through literature, to other cultural perspectives. The response to the study of literature is through oral and written communication, thus enabling students to develop and refine their command of language.

Distinction between SL and HL

This course is only offered at SL

Assessment

Individual oral: Students make a formal presentation on an extract from two works (one originally written in your language A and one that has been professionally translated into your language A). (30%)

Paper 1: Students write a guided literary analysis to an unseen text. (35%)

Paper 2: Students write an essay based on at least two works studied. (35%)

Prior Knowledge

Students who take this course will often have varied language profiles and may be multilingual. While it is recommended that students have had experience of writing critical essays about texts, not having done so should not exclude them from studying Language A.