At Uplands we provide a wide variety of language acquisition options for our students. We actively promote students to select a Language B option (if they are not already selecting a Language A and working towards the bilingual diploma) as we value giving students the opportunity to reach a high degree of competence in a language and explore the culture(s) using the language. For students who are not able to select a Language B, we offer one ab initio subject each year.

Language B

Language B is a language acquisition course developed at two levels—standard level (SL) and higher level (HL)—for students with some background in the target language. While acquiring a language, students will explore the culture(s) connected to it. The focus of these courses is language acquisition and intercultural understanding. The language B syllabus approaches the learning of language through meaning. Through the study of the core and the options at SL and HL, plus two literary works at HL, students build the necessary skills to reach the assessment objectives of the language B course through the expansion of their receptive, productive and interactive skills.

SL and HL are differentiated by the recommended number of teaching hours, the depth of syllabus coverage, the study of literature at HL, and the level of difficulty and demands of assessment and assessment criteria.

The core—with topics common to both levels—is divided into three areas and is a required area of study.

• Communication and media

• Global issues

• Social relationships

In addition, at both SL and HL, teachers select two from the following five options.

• Cultural diversity

• Customs and traditions

• Health

• Leisure

• Science and technology

Also, at HL, students read two works of literature.

Ab Initio

The language Ab initio courses are language learning courses for beginners, designed to be followed over two years by students who have no previous experience of learning the target language. The main focus of the courses is on the acquisition of language required for purposes and situations usual in everyday social interaction. Language Ab Initio courses are only available at standard level. Language Ab initio courses aim to develop a variety of linguistic skills, and a basic awareness of the culture(s) using the language, through the study of a core syllabus and language-specific syllabuses.