It is a requirement of the DP that students study at least one subject from group 2.
Nature of Subject
Group 2 consists of two modern language courses—language ab initio and language B. Language ab initio and language B are language acquisition courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where the language studied is spoken.
Language ab initio course is for beginners (that is, students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen). These courses are only available at standard level.
The language ab initio course is organized into three themes:
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Individual and society
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Leisure and work
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Urban and rural environment
Assessment Outline
Assessment component | Weighting |
External assessment |
75% |
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills Understanding of four written texts. (40 marks) Text-handling exercises. |
30% |
Paper 2 (1 hour): Productive skills |
25% |
Written assignment: Receptive and productive skills |
20% |
Internal assessment (10 minutes): Interactive skills • Part 1: Presentation of a visual stimulus (from a choice of two) by the student. |
25% |
Language B courses are intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied at either higher level or standard level.
The language B course comprises from the core and from the options.
Core
There are three topics in the core.
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Communication and media
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Global issues
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Social relationships
Options
There are five topics in the options.
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Cultural diversity
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Customs and traditions
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Health
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Leisure
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Science and technology
Additionally, at HL students must read two works of literature.
Assessment outline - SL
Assessment Component |
Weighting |
External assessment |
70% |
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills |
25% |
Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes): Written productive skills |
25% |
Written assignment: Receptive and written productive skills |
20% |
Internal assessment |
30% |
Individual oral (8–10 minutes) |
20% |
Interactive oral activity |
10% |