Modern Foreign Languages

 

What levels are on offer?

Students are able to take a new language (Ab Initio) at Standard Level or can carry on with a language studied at GCSE (Language B) at Standard Level or Higher Level. The languages offered will be French, German and Spanish.

 

How do I decide which to choose?

Ab Initio - this is aimed at students who have not studied that particular language before or who have learnt very little of it.

Language B - Standard Level- this is aimed at students who studied this language at GCSE but who do not intend to study it beyond the IB.

Language B - Higher Level- this is aimed at students who intend to study the language at university and possibly use the language in a future career.

What will I need?

For Ab Initio no previous knowledge of the language is required. You cannot study a language at Ab Initio if you studied it at GCSE.

For Language B Standard Level you will be required to have at least a Grade C at GCSE in the language you wish to study.

For Language B Higher Level you are required to have sat higher papers at GCSE in the language you wish to study.

What will I study?

Ab Initio
  • The individual
  • Work and education
  • City and its services
  • Food and drink
  • Travel and leisure
  • The environment
  • Health and emergency situations
Language B Standard and Higher Levels

You study the same topics but higher level students study them in greater detail.

  • Family and personal relationships
  • Introduction to France/ Germany/ Spain and French/ German/ Spanish culture
  • Media, Environment, Science and technology, Health, fitness and health problems, Education, World of work, Crime and related issues, Transport, Leisure, Global issues and globalization, Immigration, racism and integration, France/ Germany/ Spain and the EU, Politics and political institutions, and French literature

How will I be assessed?

Ab Initio

External Assessment: Written Component – 70%

There will be two written papers externally set and assessed and they will be taken at the end of the course.

Paper 1 - Text Handling (1.5 hrs) 40%
Paper 2 - Written Production (1.5 hrs) 30%

Internal Assessment: Oral Component - 30%

You will undertake two oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO: an individual Oral (15%) and an Interactive Oral Activity (15%).

Language B - Standard Level

External Assessment: Written Component - 70%

Paper 1 - Text Handling (1.5 hrs) 40%
Paper 2 - Written Production (1.5 hrs)- 30%

Internal Assessment: Oral Component - 30%

You will undertake two oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO: an individual Oral - based on a stimulus chosen by the candidate (15%) and an Interactive Oral Activity (15%).

 

Language B - Higher Level

External Assessment: Written Component - 70%

Paper 1 - Text Handling (1.5 hrs) 40%
Paper 2 - Written Production (1.5 hrs) 30%

Internal Assessment: Oral Component - 30%
You will undertake two oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO: an individual Oral - based on a stimulus chosen by the candidate (15%) and an Interactive Oral Activity (15%)