All girls taking the IB Diploma study English at either Higher or Standard Level. The course is based on literature originally written in English but also includes some literature translated from other languages. The course will introduce you to some exciting and sometimes provocative literature, which will provide the focus for much debate and discussion in class.
The principal features of the study of literature in the IB are:
The range of texts studied. At IB fifteen texts are studied at Higher Level, eleven at Standard Level.
The emphasis is on studying texts in comparison with other texts, seeing how they relate to a particular genre, subject matter, period or area of the world. Some texts will be studied in more detail than others. Students are encouraged to form their own opinions and to review critically the books being read. The course will also help students to develop a greater understanding of the particular features of each of the literary genres.
The international nature of the course is reflected in the World Literature element, where texts are studied in translation. Recent studies have included texts from Norway, Japan and the Arabic world.
The oral element: oral presentations form part of the assessment. Students will complete an individual oral presentation and a final oral commentary, both of which count towards the final mark.
Assessment is as follows:
Written coursework: based on the World Literature texts, worth 20% of final marks.
Oral assessment: two different presentations, based on texts studied, worth 30% of final marks.
Terminal examination: examinations are taken at the end of the Upper Sixth. One focuses on some of the texts studied, and one on unseen texts. The examinations are worth 25% each of final marks.
