students to participate in student-led Socratic discussions, short- and long-term group projects and presentations, along with oral commentaries on key passages. Students will continue working all year to refine their writing skills as well, through personal, creative, and analytical assignments.
413 Independent Study: IB Self-Taught Literature SL, Year 1 414 Independent Study: IB Self-Taught Literature SL, Year 2
Where a student’s mother tongue cannot be supported through a traditionally taught literature class, the school supported self-taught (SSST) option is available for language A: literature SL. The SSST option is for motivated students who are seeking a bilingual IB diploma through completion of two literature courses: 1) IB Literature: HL or SL English, and 2) SSST Literature: SL mother tongue. The designation “IB Self-Taught Literature SL” will appear on a student’s WFS transcript, but will not be accompanied by a grade or credit. Students will complete all IB assessment components and will receive an IB certificate upon successful completion of the requirements.
For a Wilmington Friends diploma, upper school students must complete world language study through level three of one language, which must include at least two years of study in the same language. New students entering the upper school with prior world language experience will be asked to take a placement exam to determine the appropriate course assignment. All students considering the full IB Diploma Programme, especially those beginning upper school at level I of a language, will be advised on how to plan for HL or SL language study. In some cases, IB Diploma candidates may have to obtain permission to enroll in six majors in order to fulfill the language requirement (or enroll in independent study during the school year, or undertake independent summer study and pass a challenge exam to advance to the necessary level of language study). In some special circumstances we can offer the ab initio version of a language for IB Diploma candidates. Please note that some high-level languages classes (such as HL year 3) will be offered only when there are qualifying students. The department will make every effort to work with students to maximize their options and opportunities.
510 French 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit, full year
In this immersion course, we pay particular attention to develWORLD LANGUAGES, oping fundamental, everyday skills in listening, reading, writLITERATURES, AND CULTURES ing, and speaking French by using grammar and vocabulary in The ultimate goal of the world language department is a high degree of communicative competence. All pedagogical activities point toward this end. We teach the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. All upper school classes are taught in the total immersion method. Using only the target language, we reinforce the study of grammar and vocabulary The study of world lanthrough open-ended scenariguages is an increasingly os, skits, and dialogues, which important way to nurture might include such real-life the globally conscious situations as travel plans, negotiating purchases, and student. college interviews. We discuss and debate contemporary issues, read target-language newspapers and magazines, view films, and study the literature and culture of many countries in which our target languages are spoken. We enrich the experience with field trips, images, recordings, video clips, documentaries, and video filming. The study of world languages is an increasingly important way to nurture the globally conscious student. Every year, the presence of AFS students at Friends encourages awareness of other cultures. In addition, we actively educate our students about available exchange and home-stay programs, such as Friends School summer study and service-learning trips to France, Spain or Central America/Caribbean, and China. As a member of the School Year Abroad (SYA) program, a national consortium of schools committed to international education, WFS is eager to have our students spend one school year in France, Spain, Italy, or China.
context. Students move rapidly from mechanical understanding to creative use of the language. In addition, the cultures, traditions, and geography of France and the Francophone world are introduced.This course will be offered depending on enrollment numbers.
511 French 2 (9,10,11,12)
1 credit, full year In this course, the main focus is on strengthening communicative skills by expanding the repertoire of verbs, tenses, and vocabulary. There is special emphasis on improving extemporaneous communication. We begin to study the cultures and geography of the Francophone world, and also study Paris in depth. Activities may include listening exercises, paired or small-group work, films, video clips, video filming, readings, authentic advertisements, songs, slideshows, student-created skits, photograph analysis, cultural projects, or cooking.
512 French 3 (10,11,12)
1 credit, full year In this course, students continue to strengthen oral skills and to increase their working vocabulary with an emphasis on idioms and extemporaneous speech. We continue the study of complex grammar and focus on writing skills through various readings, songs, films, video clips, and poems related to the themes. Students continue to study the geography of the French-speaking world and focus on the regions of France. Activities may include oral presentations, skits, video filming, cultural presentations and response to visual or audio stimuli. 5
