There are TWO courses in Language A (English or Chinese) to choose from:
English Literature or Chinese Literature 

English Language & Literature or Chinese Language & Literature

Both courses are divided into areas of exploration common to both Literature and Language & Literature:

• Readers, Writers and Texts aims to introduce students to the notion and purpose of literature and the ways in which texts can be read, interpreted and responded to.

• Time and Space draws attention to the fact that texts are not isolated entities, but are connected to their  contexts of production and reception.

• Intertextuality focuses on the connections between and among diverse texts, traditions, creators and ideas.

In both courses, the curriculum is varied and balanced.  Students will explore texts from a range of genres, periods and places, as well as authors with different world views according to their gender, race, sexuality, beliefs and any other such component of their identities. Therefore, students will be exposed to the diversity of forms that the human experience can take.

For the Literature course, students specialise and explore a wide variety of literature texts and forms, with a significant focus on works in translation for some assessments. Non-literary texts are supplementary to the course.

For the Language & Literature course, students are expected to read a breadth of non-literary texts, in addition to the literature texts studied, that are linked to the various topics and concepts covered. 

For both courses, the texts, topics and units covered align with the IB-defined concepts of: Communication, Perspective, Transformation, Representation, Identity, Culture and Creativity.

Work in the classroom encompasses a variety of oral, written, creative and analytical activities, designed to encourage students to respond in different ways to the texts, topics and concepts studied. Both courses share the same criteria and assessment expectations.

SL external assessment (3 hours) – 70%

• paper 1: guided textual analysis (1 hour 35 minutes) – 35%

• paper 2: comparative literary essay (1 hour 45 minutes) – 35%

SL internal assessment 

• Individual oral (15 minutes) 30%

HL external assessment (4 hours) – 60%

• paper 1: guided textual analysis (2 hours 15 minutes) – 35%

• paper 2: comparative literary essay (1 hour 45 minutes) – 25%

HL internal assessment – 40%

• individual oral (15 minutes) – 20%

• higher level essay – 20%

The Group 1 courses helps prepare students for a wide range of university studies. Study at HL prepares students for any discipline or career. Communication, journalism, publishing, law, working in radio and television, advertising and teaching are more obvious related careers; however, the courses also develop fundamental conceptual understandings and skills that can be directed into many areas including business, law, accountancy and marketing.

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you are not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Frequently Asked Questions 

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