English A: Language and Literature

Mr. Marcus Felsman The importance of English A: Language and Literature

The English A: Language and literature course gives students the chance to appreciate and analyse a range of literature and other media (such as film, advertising and journalism), all originally composed in the target language. This enables students to work with a variety of different texts in order for them to appreciate contextual factors and the appeal of storytelling in its many forms. It also allows them to learn about aspects of many different English speaking cultures, from British to Nigerian. As well as improving their communication skills through a wide variety of written tasks, students also develop their oral presentation skills, learning to speak formally and analytically about literature and participating in dramatic group activities. Finally, for higher level students, there is the opportunity to research and analyse different global issues, such as the environment, racism, drugs and the role of international organisations.

Objectives
In studying English as a second language, already competent English speakers are able to: understand and use the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes appreciate the different perspectives of people from different cultures through the study of texts and through social interaction develop their awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge enjoy the creativity and intellectual stimulation that comes with knowledge of a language

Course outline
Part 1 Cultural Option 1: Media and Culture Students will read three novels not originally written in English for a coursework outcome. Part 2 Literary Option 1 Poetry and prose will be covered in this section for an oral commentary outcome. Part 3 Literary Option 2 The Novel will be read and analysed in order to prepare for the examinations. Part 4 Cultural option 2: Global Issues (higher level only) A variety of issues will be researched and analysed.

Assessment
The overall IB level will be a result of the assessment below, for both Higher and Standard Level: The assessment consists of two oral presentations, written coursework and two written exams at the end of the two year course. The written exams consist of an essay on a topic studied during the course and a comparative text commentary of two unknown texts. They make up 50% of the total mark. The coursework is two written tasks of a creative writing nature and makes up 20% of the total mark. One individual oral exam is internally assessed and externally moderated, while a second interactive oral is internally marked. Together, they make up 30% of the overall mark.