+IB Diploma Programme: A Look into English A Language and Literature
By Nadia Kathleen T. Manalaysay
English A Language and Literature is one of the subjects in Group 1 that Stella Maris offers for the International Baccalaureate Programme. Those students who aim to study abroad and are required to take IELTS or TOEFL need not do that anymore if they will take this course.
This course explores a variety of literary and non-literary texts that the students examine, study, and dissect for them to learn and understand the difficulties, riches, and distinctions of a language in several circumstances. Through this class, students will be more proficient in the use of the English language. Using the various texts discussed, the course is intended to equip students with a thorough grasp of the English language, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
The students are assessed in English A Language and Literature through four tasks. Paper 1 is a test of two non-literary passages, two different text types, each accompanied by a question analyzed by students. Paper 2 is a test consisting of four general questions wherein students respond to one question in an essay based on two works studied in the course. Individual Oral Commentary is an oral presentation supported by an extract (no more than 40 lines) from one literary work and one non-literary text where students offer a prepared response to the prompt: Examine how the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of two of the texts they have studied. Lastly, HL Essay is an essay of 1200 to 1500 words on one non-literary text, a collection of non-literary texts by one author, or a literary text or work studied in the course.
Students can choose to take HL (Higher Level) or SL (Standard Level) for English A. Both levels will study the same literary and non-literary pieces; however, SL students do fewer assessments than HL students do. For instance, both levels will do Paper 1 exams, which are about two non-literary passages, and two different text types, each accompanied by a question; here SL Students choose only one and write an analysis, whereas, HL Students would have to analyze two. Another reason is SL students get to take Paper 1 and Paper 2 Exams and Individual Oral Commentary; while HL students get to take the tasks stated plus an additional HL Essay task.
Studies in language and literature aim to enable students to engage with a range of texts, in a variety of media and forms, from different periods, styles, and cultures; develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, presenting, and performing; develop skills in interpretation, analysis, and evaluation; develop an understanding of relationships between texts and a variety of perspectives, cultural contexts, and local and global issues and an appreciation of how they contribute to diverse responses and open up multiple meanings; develop an understanding of the relationships between studies in language and literature and other disciplines; communicate and collaborate confidently and creatively; and foster a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of language and literature.
Through English A Language and Literature class, the course aims to nurture a student’s lifetime enthusiasm for language and literature, as well as a respect for the richness of human expression. This engages students in activities such as general class discussions, systematic small group analysis and presentation, oral presentations, debates, and panel discussions. All of these exercises help students improve their critical thinking, analytical skills, and public speaking talents.
