Language and Literature

Group 1 – Language A: English Language and Literature

Swedish Language and Literature

Content and Methodology

Language A: 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.

In view of the international nature of the IB and its commitment to intercultural understanding, the language A: language and literature course does not limit the study of texts to the products of one culture or of the cultures covered by any one language. The study of literature in translation from other cultures is especially important to IB Diploma Programme students because it contributes to a global perspective, thereby promoting an insight into, and understanding of, the different ways in which cultures influence and shape the experiences of life common to all humanity.

Distinction between SL and HL

SL and HL students are taught as one group. HL students will be exposed to more texts than SL students and need to submit two written tasks instead of only one at SL. For the paper 1 exam, HL students compare two texts, whereas SL students write a commentary on only one text. HL grading criteria is more demanding.

Prior Knowledge

It is recommended that students have had experience of writing critical essays about texts. It is required that students have achieved at least a grade B in the Pre-IB year or a 6 in MYP10 if they wish to study a Language A which is not their mother tongue.

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

Content and Methodology

This course is only available to students who have another home-language 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. IHGR cannot guarantee a tutor in each home-language and students are encouraged to find support from contacts they may have outside of school.

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.

· Part 1: Works in translation

· Part 2: Detailed study

· Part 3: Literary genres

· Part 4: The study of prose other than fiction

Distinction between SL and HL

This course is only offered at SL

Prior Knowledge

Students who take these courses 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.