Languages

Languages Group 2 is developed at two levels – Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). Through the study of the core and the options at SL and HL, plus two literary works at HL, students build the necessary skills for the Language Acquisition. We currently offer French, German, English and Spanish to those with previous experience. A further world language such as Japanese or Italian is also on offer as a beginners course at Standard Level only.

Why study Languages at Ryde School?

A qualification in a language will allow access to a wide variety of higher education courses. A language combined with another subject will also allow the student to spend anything from one term to one year abroad as part of the course. Language skills are in demand and relevant to almost any career pathway. Typically, languages are combined with a wide range of other subjects in degree courses, thus widening employment horizons in exciting ways. As well as jobs for specialist linguists, there is great demand for foreign language speaking engineers, scientists, business people, marketing specialists, the leisure and tourism sector to mention just a few. With the changing relationships between Britain and the rest of Europe, knowledge of a foreign language is likely to become even more important to strengthen links beyond our time in the EU.

Modern Foreign Languages Award – As part of IBDP or A Level Plus

Award

Modern Foreign Languages Award, as part of IBDP or a A Level Plus. Language B (Language Acquisition – Group 2) Ab Initio (Language Acquisition – Group 2*) e.g. Italian, Japanese.

Course Content/Structure

Five prescribed themes are common to the syllabuses of Language B. The themes provide relevant contexts for study at all levels of language acquisition in the IBDP, and opportunities for students to communicate about matters of personal, local or national, and global interest.

The five prescribed themes are:

• Identities
• Experiences
• Human ingenuity
• Social organisation
• Sharing the planet

Assessment

External Assessment – 75% (HL & SL)

• Paper 1: Writing – 25%
• Paper 2: Listening & Reading – 50%

Why French?

More than 300 million people speak French on the five continents. French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. French is both a working language and an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and international courts.

Why Spanish?

Spanish is the second most spoken language by native speakers in the world, with more than 400 million Spanish speakers in 21 countries. Spanish can be used as a ‘gateway’ to learn other languages. With an ever increasing presence in the global market, emerging economies in the Americas mean that the chance of work and business opportunities from
Spanish knowledge is increasing.

Why German?

German is spoken by 120 million people. It is Europe’s business and most widely spoken language. As well as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, it is widely spoken across Europe, especially in Eastern Europe. Germany has the world’s third largest economy and is the number one export nation worldwide. German is the second most commonly used scientific language. Germany is the third largest contributor to research and development and offers research fellowships to scientists from abroad.

Language A: Literature School-Supported Self-Taught (SSST)

The Language A: Literature School-Supported Self-Taught (SSST) course, which is available at Standard Level only, can be studied instead of a Language B option and in addition to English A: Language & Literature as part of the IB Diploma. 

This course is designed for self-motivated students who would like to study literature in their native language. Students will work independently and at their own pace, both in allocated periods each week in School, and in their own time at home or in the boarding house. They will also have to arrange to work with an external tutor, who must be a native speaker, with whom they can meet regularly, either individually or with another student, to discuss the chosen literary works and practise analysis, including essay writing. 

If you are interested in exploring the Language A: Literature SSST route as a possibility, then please let the Admissions team know, and they will put you in touch with the IBDP Coordinator to discuss it further.