The English Department Website

 

E nglish A2 

The central aim of the I.B English A2 programme is: 

·        to develop the linguistic skills of highly fluent non-native speakers of English through the study of a wide range of literary and other texts thus ensuring they do not plateau in their language competence. 

The language A2 programme gives students the opportunity, whilst developing their language competence, to appreciate the range of issues generated by the study of language and culture, such as the notion of bilingualism and of the relationship between language and culture. 

The course is structured around 4 units at Higher Level or three at Standard Level. Units are topic or Literature based. Each Literary Unit requires the study of 3 texts linked in some way.

 

Dossier 

During the course, students are required to build up a dossier of their own work and other material which they have found interesting and stimulating. One of the internal assessment activities is based on this.

 

Literary Units 

Literary Unit One

Literary Unit Two

Alan Bennet – Talking Heads

Alan Aycbourn – 3 Plays

Caryl Churchill – Top Girls

Oscar Wilde – The Importance of Being Ernest

Miller – Crucible/Death Salesman

Evelyn Waugh – Decline & Fall

Topic Unit One - Media

 

Visual Images

Students will be able to use the following terms and discuss their significance in shaping our response to ideas:

     -         Anchorage

-         Cropping

-         Selection & Taste

 

Advertising

Students will be able to define and discuss the significance of Stereotyping with examples particularly of the portrayal of women in the media. They will be aware of the distinctive features of language and other techniques used e.g. market segmentataion & USP, the appeal to greed, fear, envy and of techniques to create tenor to provide a persuasive register

 

Magazines & Comics

They will be aware of the way in which different magazines define different aspects of the market & present their product according to their perception of the needs and interests of that target group

 

Censorship

Students will be able to comment on whether they believe there should be censorship of the media, if so whetehr this should relate to Politics, Sexual matters, Swearing or violence on whether they believe there to be a link between T.V Violence & actual violence

 Activities/Outcomes 

1.      Create collages of material on portrayal of women in the media & present these with an analysis of their significance

2.      In writing & group & class discussion, read a series of texts from broadsheet newspapers, Sociology & Media text books & other sources & show to what extend they agree with the ideas presented 

3.      Write & present to the class a guide to the French Media

4.      Complete an externally assessed piece of course work on a topic of their own choice arising form this unit in an agreed format

 

Topic Unit Two – Language/Culture

·        Bilingualism Linguistic minorities

·        Linguistic imperialism

·        Nationalism

·        Translation.

 

1) Assessment Guide 

1.    Exam

Unseen Practical Criticism

2hrs     

25%

2.    Exam

Essay

 

2 hrs

25%

3.    Written Coursework

3 pieces

 

(1,500 words)

20%

4.    Oral

 

·      Individual Analysis

·      Dossier Interview

·      Group Discussion

·      Individual Presentation

30%

 

2) Course Structure - Year One

Unit

Text

Outcomes

Dates

Literary Option 1 -

 

Talking Heads

 

 

 

Topic Option 1 -

Media & Representation

Women in Advertising

Girls’ Magazines

Written Assignment 1

 

Literary Option 1 -

3 Plays

 

 

 

Topic Option 1 -

Media & Behaviour

Censorship & Freedom

 

 

Literary Option 1 -

Top Girls

 

Oral Assignment 1

 

 

Year Two

Unit

Text

Outcomes

Dates

Literary Option 2 -

The Importance of Being Ernest

 

 

 

Topic Option 2 -

Language & Culture

Bilingualism

Written Assignment 2

 

Literary Option 2 -

The Crucible

 

Oral Assignment 2

 

Topic Option 2 -

Language & Culture

English in the World Today

 

 

Individual Oral Analysis

 

 

Oral Assignment 3

 

Literary Option 2 -

Decline & Fall

 

Written Assignment 3

 

Dossier Interview

 

 

Oral Assignment 4

 

 3) Assignment Guide 

N.B. These are possible outcomes and are merely indicative  – they may be amended as the course progresses

All written assignments must be prefaced by a rationale & followed by an analysis. A written record and notes must support all oral assignments

 1) Media & Representation Written Assignment 1

Choose one of the following

1. Write a new advertising campaign to replace one of which you disapprove or for a new product aimed at a specific target audience

OR

2. Write a guide to one aspect of the media to be used by children in the classroom

 2) Literary Option 1 & 2 - Oral Assignments 1& 2

Choose one of the following

1. Lead or play an active part in a group discussion drawing together themes and ideas in the texts studied

OR

2. Take part in a debate adopting a polemical position on one or more of the texts studied

OR

3. Prepare & present a dramatisation of scene(s) from a text studied or on a situation exploring similar themes

 3) Topic Option 2 - Language & Culture - Written Assignment 2

Choose one of the following

1. Translate from another language a poem or piece of complex/poetic  prose commenting on the difficulties and what was lost

OR

2. Write a magazine article on bilingual education.

  4) Literary Option 2 - Written Assignment 3

Choose one of the following

1.    Write a letter from one of the characters

OR

2. Write a short story touching on similar themes to those in the chosen texts but with a different setting & plot

OR

3. Rewrite a scene from one of the texts but in a different genre