IB Language A1 HL Year 2
COURSE INFORMATION
Teachers: Mr. Conor Duffy conord@isb.ac.th; Mr. James Fitzgerald jamesf@isb.ac.th
Course Description:
As a continuation of IHA1 HL Year 1, this course continues to promote an
appreciation of the wealth and subtleties of the language and to lead to an awareness
of linguistic structures. It seeks to facilitate the clear expression of ideas, to aid clear,
precise presentation of argument and to assist in the understanding of both oral and
written discourse. The program encourages the development of an appreciation of
literature and knowledge of the culture of the student’s own society and that of other
societies. In view of the international nature of the International Baccalaureate, the
program does not limit the study of literature to the achievements of one culture.
Through the study of World Literature, which is a central and integral part of the
program, the student may gain a broadened and international perspective of literature
and human thought. Students must be aware that this course is rigorous and time
consuming. Students who take this course must be willing to read and reread each of
the texts to ensure genuine familiarity with them. Critical thinking skills, together
with the ability to analyze and write well about literature, are necessary for success.
Oral presentations and class participation are major components of this course and
students must be willing to prepare diligently for each class period so that they can
contribute to the oral discourse.
Learner Outcomes: Students will
* develop their ability to think critically and independently,
* be able to analyze poems and prose passages in depth,
* be able to recognize and comprehend the central aspects of significant literary
genres and conventions,
* be able to make inferences between literature and real life,
* develop a comprehensive understanding of literary terms and devices,
* significantly develop their vocabulary skills,
* be able to write formal literary essays which are cohesive, concise and lucid,
* develop their oral skills in both impromptu and prepared situations, and
* be able to transfer their improved language and analytical skills to other
subject areas.
Continuous Study
Throughout the year, students will develop their ability to communicate about literature
by being exposed to vocabulary development, literary commentary, comparative essay
writing skills, college essay writing skills, oral presentations, Socratic seminars, journal
writing, quizzes, tests, personal responses and small group and whole class discussions.
For IB assessments, students will complete their World Lit 1 and World Lit 2 Essay, the
Formal Oral Commentary and Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the exam.
Semester 1
Summer Reading: The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood) or Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
Major Skills: Personal Narrative Writing
Unit 1: The poetry of W.B. Yeats and Seamus Heaney
Major Skills: Oral Commentary and Thematic Study
Close Reading, Annotation
Unit 2: Hamlet (William Shakespeare)
Major Skills: Oral Commentary and Thematic Study
Close Reading, Annotation
Unit 3: Waiting for Godot–Review (Samuel Beckett)
Major Skill: Thematic Study
Compare and Contrast Analysis
Unit 4: Formal Oral Commentary (IB Requirement - Dec/Jan)
Unit 5: World Literature 2 Essay (IB Requirement – Dec/Jan)
Semester 2
Unit 6: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Tom Stoppard)
Major Skill: Thematic Study
Compare and Contrast Analysis
Unit 7: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Edward Albee)
Major Skills: Thematic Study
Compare and Contrast Analysis
Unit 8: Buried Child (Sam Shepard)
Major Skills: Thematic Study
Compare and Contrast
Unit 9: IB Final Exam (May)
Paper One (Commentary)
Paper Two (Compare/Contrast Essay)