Norwegian B

Group Two - Language B

What do we learn in <Norwegian B?

In a Language B course you try to develop your pre-existing understanding of a language. In Norwegian B we don’t learn the basics of Norwegian but rather learn how to overcome some of the challenges you face when speaking and writing in Norwegian. This subject is therefore not meant for native/fluent speakers.

How do we learn?

In Norwegian B we focus on, not only overcoming our difficulties with the Norwegian language, but also with developing important skills that are valued by the IB like critical thinking and analysis. The way we learn these skills is by analysing and debating controversial subjects within Norway and/or internationally, this way we learn about the culture at the same time.

Norwegian B is taught in Norwegian although important information regarding the subject may be communicated in English to facilitate the understanding among the students.

How are we assessed in this subject?

In Norwegian B you have to go do both Internal (assessed by your teacher) and External (assessed by the IB) assessments. The workload and/or difficulty for each differs between higher level and standard level students but the tasks the student must fulfil are still fundamentally the same nonetheless.

Internal assessment (25% of your grade) → Individual Oral Assessment

External assessment (75% of your grade) → Paper 1, Paper 2

What is the workload in this subject?

Higher level students may go through 240 hours of teaching while standard level students may do 150. The extra hours for higher level allows for certain topics to be studied in greater depth compared to standard level as with other subjects within the IB. This also means that the word count and expectancies within Norwegian B increase. HL students tend to have to write longer texts and are expected to show a greater understanding when it comes to their assessments.