LEVEL: Standard Level or Higher Level
LENGTH: Two-year course (DP1 & DP2)
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND: A grade of B or higher in Year 10 French
PATHWAYS: University: arts, humanities, commerce, law, teaching, business.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Bilingual dictionary; students may wish to purchase their own copy of the literary works to be studied (HL only).
The Language B Standard Level (SL) and Language B Higher Level (HL) courses are language acquisition courses for students with some previous experience of the target language.
Students develop the ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works. Communication is evidenced through receptive, productive and interactive skills across a range of contexts and purposes that are appropriate to the level of the course.
The language B syllabus is organised into five prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization and sharing the planet. In addition, the study of two literary works is required at Higher Level.
The Language B syllabus is organised into five prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organisation and sharing the planet.
Assessment
| SL | HL |
Internal Assessment | |
| Individual Oral 15 minutes This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. A conversation with the teacher, based on a visual stimulus, followed by discussion based on an additional theme. (30 marks) 25% | Individual Oral 15 minutes This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. A conversation with the teacher, based on an extract from one of the literary works studied in class, followed by discussion based on one or more of the themes from the syllabus. (30 marks) 25% |
External Assessment | |
| Paper 1 Exam | 1 hour 15 minutes Productive skills—writing (30 marks) One writing task of 250–400 words from a choice of three, each from a different theme, choosing a text type from among those listed in the examination instructions. 25% | Paper 1 Exam | 1 hour 30 minutes Productive skills—writing (30 marks) One writing task of 450–600 words from a choice of three, each from a different theme, choosing a text type from among those listed in the examination instructions. 25% |
| Paper 2 Exam | 1 hour 45 minutes Receptive skills—separate sections for listening and reading (65 marks) Listening comprehension (45 minutes) (25 marks) (25%) Reading comprehension (1 hour) (40 marks) (25%) Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all five themes. 50% | Paper 2 Exam | 1 hour 45 minutes Receptive skills—separate sections for listening and reading (65 marks) Listening comprehension (1 hour) (25 marks) (25%) Reading comprehension (1 hour) (40 marks) (25%) Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all five themes. 25% |