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Group 2: Language Acquisition
The goal of the Language Acquisition department is to engage our students in authentic language learning experiences while fostering international mindedness so that they will be able to communicate successfully and with confidence in diverse situations. Students are introduced to French in the IB PYP. In Grade 6, they have the opportunity to be introduced to Mandarin and Spanish, which they will study in addition to French. In Grades 7 and 8, students continue with French and one elective: either Spanish or Mandarin. All 4 language acquisition skills are evaluated: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and students are encouraged to take risks with spontaneous dialogue and using language creatively. Language acquisition is developed in each course through the study of themes that link to the respective cultures. In all Language Acquisition courses, students will consider the influence of their target culture and Indigenous People’s communities on language and international mindedness.
In Grade 9, students choose one of Spanish, French, French Enhanced, or Mandarin. For Grades 11 and 12, students have the option of following the Diploma Programme curriculum in French, Mandarin or Spanish. There is also the opportunity to start Spanish from scratch in IB Spanish ab initio 11, which is accepted as a Standard Level course in the IB programme.
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We will try to meet the language needs of heritage speakers on a case-by-case basis and will determine the most suitable course for each student using guidance from IB. In the Middle Years Programme (MYP), students have the opportunity to study their mother tongue as their language acquisition course if they have not extensively attended a school where their mother tongue was the language of instruction. In the Diploma Programme (DP), students who have the ability to communicate confidently and proficiently in their mother tongue will need to pursue studies of a different language.
