Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature

Group 1 subjects are literature courses and are designed for students who have experienc e of using the language in an academic context. The choice made for this subject is therefore usually the student’s ‘best’ languag e. Some of our students choose to study two Group 1 subjects, instead of one each of Group 1 and 2.

At AIS we offer the following Group 1 subjects:

• English A: Language & Literature

• Chinese A / Korean A / Vietnamese A: Language & Literature

• Japanese A: Literature

• School-supported Self-taught Language A: Literature (SL only)

English A: Language & Literature

Prerequisite knowledge and prior learning

English should be the student’s first or ‘best’ language as the course is designed for students who have experience of using the language in an academic context.

Course description

The course aims to develop students’ textual analysis and understanding of how meaning is created through language. It also supports future academic study in the subject by developing a high social, aesthetic and cultural literacy, as well as effective communication skills.

Course content

The Language A program aims to promote an appreciation of the wealth and subtleties of language and also lead to an awareness of linguistic structures. It encourages the development of an appreciation of language and literature and knowledge of other cultures and societies.

In the Language part of the course, students study how meaning is created by looking at real-life texts, including newspapers, advertisements and political propaganda. In Literature, students study a range of classic and modern plays, poems and novels from around the world.

At Higher Level, the students will cover six literary works. At Standard Level, students will cover four literary works.

Assessment SL

External assessment 70%

• Paper 1 Textual Analysis: The paper consists of two unseen language texts. Students write an analysis of one of these texts (35%)

• Paper 2 Essay: In response to one of four questions students write an essay based on two literary texts studied (35%)

Internal assessment (30%)

• Individual Oral (30%): Using one non-literary text and one literary text, students will discuss the ways in which a global issue of their choice is presented through the two chosen texts)

Assessment HL

External assessment 80%

• Paper 1 Textual Analysis: students write an analysis of two unseen texts (35%)

• Paper 2 Essay: in response to one of four questions students write an essay based on at least two of the literary texts studied (25%)

• HL Essay: Students submit an essay of 1,200-1,500 words on one non-literary text or a collection of non-literary texts (20%)

Internal assessment 20%

• Individual Oral (20%): Using one non-literary text and one literary text, students will discuss the ways in which a global issue of their choice is presented through the two chosen texts.

Korean A / Vietnamese A: Language & Literature

Prerequisite knowledge and prior learning

Korean or Vietnames e should be the student’s first or ‘best’ language as the course is designed for students who have experience of using the language in an academi c context.

Course description

The Language A program aims to promote an appreci ati on of the wealth and subtleti es of language and also lead to an awarenes s of linguistic structur es . It encour ages the developm ent of an appreci ati on of language and literature and knowledge of other cultures and societies.

In the Language part of the course, students study how meani ng is created by looking at real-life texts, including newspaper s, advertis em ents and propaganda. In Literature, students study a range of classic and modern plays, poems and novels from around the world.

At Higher Level, the students will cover six literary works. At Standar d Level, students will cover four literary works.

Course content

• Same as for English A: Language & Literature

Assessment SL & HL

• Same as for English A: Language & Literature

Chinese A / Japanese A: Literature

Prerequisite knowledge and prior learning

Japanese should be the student’s first or ‘best’ language as these courses are designe d for students who have experience of using the language in an academic context.

Course description

Japanese A literature are aimed at students who intend to pursue literature, or related studies, at university, as well as students whose formal study of literature will not extend beyond this point. The program encourages students to see literary works as products of art and their authors as crafts men whose methods of production can be analysed in a variety of ways, and on a number of levels. This is achieved through the emphasis placed on exploring the means used by different authors to convey their subjects in the works studied.

Course content

Readers, writers and texts: Works are chosen from a variety of literary forms. The study of the works could focus on the relationshi ps between literary texts, readers and writers as well as the nature of literature and its study. This study includes the investigati on of the respons e of readers and the ways in which literary texts gener ate meaning. The focus is on the developm ent of personal and critical respons es to the particular s of literary texts.

Time and space: Works are chosen to reflect a range of historical and/or cultural perspectiv es . Their study focuses on the contexts of literary texts and the variety of ways literary texts might both reflect and shape society at large. The focus is on the consider ati on of personal and cultural perspec tiv es , the develop me nt of broader perspectives, and an awareness of the ways in which context is tied to meaning.

Intertextuality: Connec ti ng texts Works are chosen so as to provide students with an opportunity to extend their study and make fruitful comparis ons. Their study focuses on intertextual relationshi ps between literary texts with possibilities to explore various topics, thematic concerns, generic conventi ons , literary forms or literary traditions that have been introduced throughout the course. The focus is on the developm ent of critical respons e grounded in an unders tandi ng of the complex relationshi ps among literary texts.

Assessment SL

External Assessment 70%

• Paper 1 Guided Literary Analysis: The paper consists of two passages from two different literary forms. Students write an analysis of one of these texts (35%)

• Paper 2 Essay: In respons e to one of four questi ons students write an essay based on two of the texts studied (35%)

Internal assessment 30%

• Individual Oral (30%): Using one text originally written in the language studied, and one work in translation, students discuss the ways in which a global issue of their choice is presented through the two chosen texts.

Assessment HL

External assessment 80%

• Paper 1 Guided Literary Analysis: students write an analysis of two unseen literary forms (35%)

• Paper 2 Essay: in respons e to one of four questions students write an essay based on at least two of the texts studied (25%)

• HL Essay: Students submit an essay of 1,200-1,500 words on one literary text or work studied (20%) Internal Internal assessment 20%

• Individual Oral: Using one text originally written in the language studied, and one work in translati on, students discuss the ways in which a global issue of their choice is presented through the two chosen texts (20%)