Language A
Language A is a student’s mother tongue, or a language that the student speaks and understands as a native. At TISA we offer English and Russian at Language A level. We teach the DP course, Language and Literature. The study of texts, both literary and non-literary, provides a focus for developing an understanding of how language works to create meanings. All texts may be understood according to their form, content, purpose and audience, and through the social, historical, cultural and workplace contexts that produce and value them. Responding to, and producing, texts, promotes an understanding of how language sustains or challenges ways of thinking and being.
Language A: Language and Literature: comprises four parts—two relate to the study of language and two to the study of literature. A key aim of the Language and Literature course is to encourage students to question the meaning generated by language and texts, which, it can be argued, is rarely straightforward. 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.
The Language and Literature course aims to develop in students skills of textual analysis and the understanding that texts (both literary and non-literary) can be seen as autonomous yet simultaneously related to culturally determined reading practices. The course is designed to reflects the interests and concerns that are relevant to students while developing transferable skills.
Syllabus Content
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
SL: Two texts, one is is a text in translation, one written in the language A studied (from the list of Language A authors) or chosen freely.
HL: Three texts, one of which is a text in translation and one from the list of Language A authors. The other may be chosen freely.
Part 4: Literature — Critical Study
SL: Two texts chosen from the list of Language A authors
HL: Three texts chosen from the list of Language A authors
Standard Level Assessment
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Paper 1: Textual Analysis (1 hour 30 minutes) |
25% | ||
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Paper 2: Essay (1 hour 30 minutes) |
25% | ||
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Written task |
20% | ||
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Individual Oral Commentary |
15% | ||
Further Oral Activity The mark of one further oral activity is submitted for final assessment. (assessed by the teacher) |
15% | ||
