High School Program of Studies

High School Online Program of Studies

World Languages Department

PHILOSOPHY

World Languages learning fosters the general cognitive development of our students and their appreciation of others. It is a lifelong process that contributes to our students becoming open minded, global citizens. World Languages learning at CAC is based on a communicative approach. Students develop speaking, writing, reading and listening skills, as well as intercultural understanding, in order to conduct effective and meaningful communication in authentic contexts evolving from practical to abstract and academic.

IB Language Course Criteria

Ab initio SL: Due to the complicated nature of language exposure/experience for international students; requests for this course will be reviewed case by case. Ab Initio courses are designed for students with either little or no prior experience of the target language. As the IB Course Guide explains:

Because of the inherent difficulty of defining what constitutes “very limited exposure” to a language, it is not possible to list specific conditions such as the number of hours or the nature of previous language instruction; however, it is important to note that any student who is already able to understand and respond to spoken and written language on a range of common topics is not to be placed in language ab initio as this would not provide an appropriate academic challenge, nor is it fair for those students who are genuine beginners of the language. (6)

The course is organized into five thematic areas: identity, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet. Each theme comprises a list of topics that provide students with opportunities to practice and explore the language and to develop intercultural understanding.

Through the development of receptive, productive and interactive skills, students develop the ability to respond and interact appropriately in a defined range of everyday situations.

Please note: Availability for level-specific language courses in the Ab Initio program is highly limited. Students in Level 2 or higher of a language in Grade 10 should register for the Language B option in Grade 11, rather than Ab Initio 1. Individual classes of Ab Initio 1 (fewer than 6 students) may not be offered in the 2023-24 school year.

Language B Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) are language acquisition courses for students with some previous experience of learning the language. While studying the language, students also explore the culture(s) connected with it.

Higher and standard levels are differentiated by the depth of syllabus coverage, the required study of literature at HL, and the level of difficulty and requirements of the assessment tasks and criteria.

The range of purposes and situations for using language in the language B courses extends well beyond those for language ab initio.

The course is organized into five thematic areas: identity, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet. Finally, two works of literature are studied at HL only.

Language B SL is recommended for a language learner who:

has 3 or more years experience in the target language
has not been in a former school in the target language

meets or exceeds the criteria, but is already taking 3 HL subjects

Language B HL is recommended for a language learner who intends to study the language at this level for a future career, or to meet a Diploma Programme requirement, and who:

has 3 or more years experience in the target language
has not been in a former school in the target language

The Language A course introduces students to the analysis of different types of texts. It is the course through which the IB’s policy of mother-tongue entitlement is delivered.

Language A SL is recommended for a fluent language user who:

is a native or near-native speaker
is an almost bilingual student (in reading and writing)

Language A HL is recommended for a fluent language user who intends to study the language at this level for a future career or to meet a Diploma Programme requirement, and who:

is a native or near-native speaker wishing to study a different language as his or her Language A
is a bilingual student (in reading and writing)

School Supported Self-Taught (SSST) Language A: Literature SL gives students whose first language is not English or Arabic the opportunity to study their mother tongue.

SSST Language A SL courses are for students who are:

native or near native speakers wishing to study literature in that language
bilingual students (in reading and writing)
IB Diploma candidates choosing this course as an alternative to a Language B

Note:

Enrollment is pending a placement exam administered by the CAC World Languages Department. The teacher will make confirmation of appropriate placement within the first three weeks of the course.

Enrollment in all language courses is pending an interview with the IB Coordinator to discuss the qualifications and demands of the course. See the section on the International Baccalaureate Program at CAC for further details.

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