LANGUAGES 8, 9, & 10

FRENCH 8, FRENCH 9, FRENCH 10

Through comprehensible input and interactive storytelling in French, students will acquire the language necessary to communicate in a variety of meaningful, real-life situations.  Authentic communication using high-frequency vocabulary is emphasized.  Listening and reading skills are a focus for this course and, as students progress, speaking and writing will  further develop their communicative competence. Appreciation for the cultures of the Francophone world will also be developed through stories, music, film, and other engaging activities.  

Note: There is a course fee of $25. The fee covers the workbook for this course.

INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGES 9 & INTRO 11

JAPANESE, MANDARIN, SPANISH 

For students who have minimal or no background in the language. Courses are open to students in Grades 9 – 12. These are courses that aim to develop  students’ communicative ability (both spoken and written) to an appropriate beginning level.  Students will learn to communicate in the respective language in basic social situations, to meet and greet friends, to talk about their family, school life, the environment, food, sports and leisure activities.  Student assessment will be based on reading and writing, as well as listening comprehension and oral communicative competence.  Students will be introduced to various aspects of the country’s culture and geography.

Note 1: Introductory Japanese students will master reading and writing of the hiragana script.  Katakana and kanji will be introduced.

Note 2: Introductory Mandarin students will master Chinese pinyin romanticization and will learn to write 200 simplified characters and to use them in basic sentences.

Note 3: Grade 9 introductory language students will take the grade appropriate course in their first year and the grade 11 language course in their second year. Grade 10 and 11 students will take the Introductory Spanish, Mandarin or Japanese class.

Note 4:  A student who starts an introductory language in Grade 11 and 12 may use this course as part of an IB Diploma programme.  The IB name for this course is Language B ab initio and is offered at the Standard Level only.  Please see the teacher for more information.

Note 5: There is a course fee of $25 for Spanish 9 and $20 for Intro Spanish 11. The fee covers the workbook for this course.

LANGUAGES 11

FRENCH, JAPANESE, MANDARIN, SPANISH, FARSI (NEW)

Students will have opportunities to communicate both orally and in writing.  They will use the language to discuss preferences, describe their relations with others, and express their opinions.  Learning will be personalized and relevant.  Aspects of current culture will be studied through literature, the arts and other topics of interest such as sports, history, the environment etc. These programs emphasize authentic communication. The four language skills: understanding, speaking, reading and writing continue to be developed.

Note: There is a course fee of $25 for French and Spanish 11. The fee covers the workbook for this course.

LANGUAGES 12

FRENCH, JAPANESE, MANDARIN, SPANISH

These courses are for advanced level students who wish to continue to develop and refine their communication skills.  Activities will be increasingly based on written communication and topics will depend upon the interests of the students.  They could include love and relationships, career plans, multiculturalism, etc.  Students will have opportunities to explore some literature and the arts as well as career options related to second language study.  Cultural topics may include music, festivals, political issues, the environment and other topics of current interest.

Note: There is a course fee of $25 for Spanish 12. The fee covers the workbook for this course.

I.B. WORLD LANGUAGES

GRADE 10 – PDP

Language 10 Pre-Diploma courses (Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin)  are offered to selected students.  These courses are designed for Pre-IB students.

The core content will be the same as the Language 11  courses, but many of the topics will be extended and additional topics will be presented.  Although the workload is comparable to that of a regular class, the quality of work submitted will be higher. Language 10 Pre-Diploma is a course for motivated, talented, independent, mature students who enjoy reading, writing and discussing in the target language.

Note: There is a course fee of $25 for French and Spanish 10 PDP. The fee covers the workbook for this course.

GRADE 11

IB FRENCH 11 SL

IB JAPANESE 11 SL

IB SPANISH 11 SL

IB MANDARIN 11 SL

The main focus of the IB World Languages programme is on language acquisition and the development of the four primary skills – understanding, speaking, reading and writing.  Students have the opportunity to reach a high degree of competence in the language and to explore the culture using the language.  Topics will include practical and social concerns as well as more abstract, expressive and intellectual aspects of the culture and language.  Authentic materials are used whenever possible.

This is the first year of a two-year course leading to either an IB World Language Standard or

Higher Level Certificate for enrichment or as part of the Diploma programme.

GRADE 12

IB FRENCH 12 SL OR HL

IB JAPANESE 12 SL OR HL

IB MANDARIN 12 SL OR HL

IB SPANISH 12 SL OR HL

Recommended:  It is advisable for students to have prior experience in the target language (2-5 years SL and 4-years HL) and the recommendation of the language teacher.

Expectations and Evaluation: Students write the IB exams in May of their Grade 12 year in text handling and written production.   Internal assessment is continuous and based on oral work , the best piece of work from the year and a formal interview.

This is the second year of a two-year course leading to either an IB Modern Language standard or

Higher Level Certificate for enrichment or as part of the Diploma programme.

Credits:  HL courses add additional credits towards graduation.  A final result of 5 or better may be awarded first year credit at university.

Note 1:  IB Japanese HL –  min. of 600 kanji (reading and writing)
SL –  min. of 400 kanji (reading and writing)

Note 2: IB Mandarin Examination papers are produced in traditional and simplified characters.  Candidates can answer in either form.

Note 3: See IB fee schedule for Grade 12 examinations.

Note 4: Ab Initio (beginners)  Please see Introductory Languages.

Note 5: A “Beginners” (abinitio) Language Course for IB may be taken in Grades 11 and 12 only.

IB courses may be taken singly or as part of the IB Diploma.  See the WVSS IB website for more information.

FEE: see IB fee schedule.