LANGUAGE A: LANGUAGE & LITERATURE HL/SL

English, Modern Greek, ad hoc any other language

Course Description

Language & Literature is directed towards developing and understanding the constructed nature of meanings generated by language and the function of content in the process. The study of 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. Students are encouraged 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. Language & Literature aims to develop in students skills of textual analysis and the understanding that texts, both literary and non-literary; it can be seen as autonomous yet simultaneously related to culturally determined reading practices.

Language & Literature Aims

• Introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres.
   
• Develop in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make relevant connections.
   
• Develop the students’ powers of expression, both in oral and written communication.
   
• Encourage students to recognize the importance of the contexts in which texts are written and received.
   
• Encourage, through the study of texts, an appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures, and how these perspectives construct meaning.
   
• Encourage students to appreciate the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
   
• Develop in students an understanding of how language, culture and context determine the ways in which meaning is constructed in texts.
   
• Encourage students to think critically about the different interactions between text, audience and purpose. 

Objectives

 There are four assessment objectives at SL and at HL for the language A: language and literature course.

1. Knowledge and understanding

– Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of texts

– Demonstrate an understanding of the use of language, structure, technique and style

– Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various ways in which the reader constructs

meaning and of how context influences this constructed meaning

– Demonstrate an understanding of how different perspectives influence the reading of a text

2. Application and analysis

– Demonstrate an ability to choose a text type appropriate to the purpose required

– Demonstrate an ability to use terminology relevant to the various text types studied

– Demonstrate an ability to analyse the effects of language, structure, technique and style on the reader

– Demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which the production and reception of texts contribute to their meanings

– Demonstrate an ability to substantiate and justify ideas with relevant examples

3. Synthesis and evaluation

– Demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast the formal elements, content and context of texts

– Discuss the different ways in which language and image may be used in a range of texts

– Demonstrate an ability to evaluate conflicting viewpoints within and about a text

– At HL only: Produce a critical response evaluating some aspects of text, context and meaning

4. Selection and use of appropriate presentation and language skills

– Demonstrate an ability to express ideas clearly and with fluency in both written and oral

communication

– Demonstrate an ability to use the oral and written forms of the language, in a range of styles, registers and situations

– Demonstrate an ability to discuss and analyse texts in a focused and logical manner

– At HL only: Demonstrate an ability to write a balanced, comparative analysis

Course Content

Language & Literature is the same at SL and HL, but there are significant quantitative and qualitative differences between the levels. The course comprises four (4) parts-two relate to the study of language and two to the study of literature:

Part 1: Language in Cultural Context

Texts are chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media

Part 2: Language and Mass Communication

Texts are chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media

Part 3: Literature-texts and contexts

Part 4: Literature-critical study

For Parts 1-2 (Language in cultural context, and language and mass communication), Standard Level students cover fewer topics in order to achieve learning outcomes than at HL. For Part 3 (Literature-texts and contexts), students undertake the study of two literary works, one of which is a text in translation. For Part 4 (Literature-critical study), students undertake the study of two works from a prescribed list of authors.

For Parts 1-2 (Language in cultural context, and language and mass communication), Higher Level cover more topics in order to achieve learning outcomes than at SL. For Part 3 (Literature-texts and contexts), students undertake the study of three works, one of which is (are) a text(s) in translation. For Part 4 (Literature-critical study), students undertake the study of three works from a prescribed list of authors.

Assessment

• Paper One: (Comparative) Textual Analysis

Standard Level students must produce an analysis of one unseen text.

Higher level students must produce a comparative analysis of a pair of unseen texts.

• Paper Two: Essay

Standard Level students, in response to one of six questions, must write an essay based on both the literary texts studied in part 3.

Higher Level students, in response to one of six questions, must write an essay based on at least two of the literary texts studied in part 3. 

• Written Tasks

Standard Level students complete three (3) written tasks, one of which is submitted for external assessment.

Higher Level students complete four (4) written tasks, two of which are submitted for external assessment. One of the assessed tasks must be must be a critical response to one of six questions.

• Oral Component

There are two oral activities which are internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO for the Standard & the Higher Level

Individual Oral Commentary: students comment on an extract from a literary text studied in part 4 of the course.

Further Oral Activity: students complete at least two further oral activities, one based on part 1 and one based on part 2 of the course.

Assessment and Examinations

Formative Assessment

Students regularly write essays and commentaries, sit tests and prepare and deliver oral presentations as part of their preparation for both internal and external assessment.

Approaches to Learning in the Language A: Language & Literature course

Through approaches to learning in IB programmes, students develop skills that have relevance across the curriculum. They provide a solid foundation for learning independently and with others. ATL skills help students prepare for, and demonstrate learning through, meaningful assessment.