Spanish Ab Initio

español

ab initio

the diploma programme

language ab initio

Language ab initio is a language acquisition course designed for students with no prior experience of the target language, or for those students with very limited previous exposure.

ESPAÑOL

español ab initio

language ab initio course

In the language ab initio course, you develop the ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, you also develop conceptual understandings of how language works. The study of language requires careful attention to forms, structures, functions and conceptual understandings of language. Knowledge of vocabulary and grammar—the what of language—is reinforced and extended by understanding the why and how of language: audience, context, purpose, meaning.

language ab initio and the core

Teachers of language acquisition courses plan carefully to provide opportunities for students to draw on their experiences in the core. Examples of how this might happen include:• transferring the critical-thinking process explored in TOK to the development of well-supported arguments in written text types, such as a blog or email • using personal knowledge gained from a CAS experience as a cultural comparison in an individual oral activity or as an example in a written response • developing ideas for CAS activities as a result of themes and topics explored in a language acquisition class.

exemple: links to tok

Language is itself one of the specific ways of knowing that is identified in the TOK course. In addition to this explicit exploration of language, the skills and wider conceptual understandings that students develop in TOK can make an extremely positive contribution to their study of language acquisition. The following discussion questions are examples:

Language acquisition and international-mindedness

International-mindedness is central to the IB philosophy and instrumental in aspiring to a more peaceful world. Language acquisition courses do not have as their only goal the development of language skills, but also fostering intercultural understanding and global engagement. The language acquisition course incorporate ideas and resources that encourage students to view aspects of the language and culture from different (and sometimes differing) perspectives, to make non-judgmental comparisons of language and culture, and to view language and culture in a global context.

Approaches to the teaching and learning of language ab initio

Through the approaches to teaching and learning in language acquisition courses, you develop skills that have relevance across all areas that help you “learn how to learn”.

Approaches to teaching

• based on inquiry
• focused on conceptual understanding
• developed in local and global contexts
• focused on effective teamwork and collaboration
• differentiated to meet the needs of all learners
• informed by assessment (formative and summative)

Approaches to the teaching and learning of language ab initio

Through the approaches to teaching and learning in language acquisition courses, you develop skills that have relevance across all areas that help you “learn how to learn”.

Approaches to learning

• thinking skills
• research skills
• communication skills
• social skills
• self-managment skills

Language acquisition aims

Assessment objectives

prescribed themes

prescribed topics

prescribed topics

prescribed topics

assessment outline

sources

bibliography

• Language Ab Initio guide guide (May 2019), from https://resources.ibo.org/dp/subject-group/Language-ab-initio-first-assessment-2020/resource/11162-46909/?
• Language Ab Initio teacher support material, from https://resources.ibo.org/dp/subject-group/Language-ab-initio-first-assessment-2020/resource/11162-46930/?

D'Angelo González