DP English Language and Literature at GESS (HL and SL)

At GESS, English Language and Literature is a dynamic and contemporary course that develops students’ analytical, interpretative, and communication skills. By exploring diverse texts—ranging from literature to media and digital communications—students gain a deeper understanding of how literary texts comment on society and what they reveal about the human condition, how global issues are presented in texts, and language shapes meaning.

Prerequisites: 

💠 Why Study English Language and Literature at GESS?

👉 Interdisciplinary Exploration – The course balances the study of literary works and non-literary texts, encouraging students to analyse language in different cultural, historical, and global contexts.
👉 Critical Thinking & Analysis – Students develop advanced analytical skills through in-depth examination of contemporary Bodies of Work (BOWs) analyzing rhetoric, storytelling, bias, and audience impact, preparing them for university-level studies.
👉 Global Perspectives – The curriculum explores diverse voices, perspectives, and genres, fostering international-mindedness and cultural appreciation.
👉 Real-World Application – Our Language and Literature teachers have prepared courses for students to engage with media, journalism, advertisements, photography, etc., helping them to gain practical communication and argumentation skills.


💠 Course Structure: Key Areas of Study

1️⃣ Readers, Writers, and Texts – Focuses on how texts are constructed and interpreted, analyzing authorial choices, audience engagement, and textual purpose. Students explore a range of literary and non-literary texts to understand how meaning is shaped by language, form, and structure.

2️⃣ Time and Space – Examines how historical, cultural, and social contexts influence the production and reception of texts. Students consider how texts reflect or challenge societal values and how their meaning can change over time based on different perspectives.

3️⃣ Intertextuality: Connecting Texts – Investigates how texts relate to one another, exploring shared themes, styles, and influences. This area encourages students to analyse texts in relation to literary traditions, cultural movements, and contemporary issues.


💠 Assessment

🔸 Internal Assessment (IA) – Individual Oral (IO): A spoken analysis connecting two studied texts to a global issue.


🔸 Examinations:
Paper 1 (SL & HL) – Unseen analysis of one text (SL) / two texts (HL), assessing textual interpretation and analysis.
Paper 2 (SL & HL) – Comparative essay on two studied literary works, evaluating authorial choices such as themes, techniques, etc. in response to an unseen prompt.

HL Essay (HL Only) – A 1,200–1,500-word critical essay on a studied work, focusing on authorial choices and deeper meaning.


💠 Choosing Between HL and SL in IB English Language and Literature

🔹 Higher Level (HL): HL students study more texts (6 literary works), explore advanced critical theory, and complete an additional HL Essay. In their P1 textual analysis, they have to analyse both the given unseen texts.
🔹 Standard Level (SL): SL students focus on key analytical skills and core text studies (4 literary works), providing a strong foundation in textual interpretation. In their P1 textual analysis, SL students have a choice between two texts. 

Students should consider the following factors when deciding between Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL):