Coordinadora MH

In many secondary syllabuses, there is often a distinction between English Language and English Literature . While English Language is usually taken by the majority of students, English Literature has, in the past, been reserved for students who have a special talent or flair for humanities.  English Literature tutors  normally teach  this  specialized subject.  This subject is not really suitable for everyone to study.

However, the introduction of the International Baccalaureate into Hong Kong  schools has seen this trend change. Now, students who take English A1 (as a Native speaker) or A2 (near Native speaker) face a significant component of Literature.

For A1 students, 75% of the final Diploma mark comes from the study of various Literature texts, while only 25% of the final grade comes from what could be described as the study of English language.  Often students may also choose to take an IELTS exam  if wishing to go overseas.

How has this new emphasis impacted on senior secondary education?  It has certainly shifted the focus back towards reading and studying books, poems and plays.  However, the IB allows much greater flexibility in the type of works which it includes in its study.

Gone are the prescriptive lists of “classics” which were so often used in the more prestigious English Literature or Literature in English courses.  Instead modern texts, translated texts and newly published works are also chosen for study, with a larger amount of choice resting in the hands of schools and individual teachers, making it possible to tailor the reading program to suit the interests of the students.

The emphasis on coursework and internal assessment (similar to the  Liberla Studies Independent Enquiry Study (IES) ) in the IB also means that students have a lot of time to draft and refine their work before it is assessed, rather than the more traditional approach of exams.  Only 25% of the final grade comes from a Literature ‘exam’, with the other marks for Literature being given through coursework and internal assessment.

So how does a parent prepare a child for IB English?  The answer is through the nurturing of a love for reading.  Students who are used to reading and to understanding how ideas and emotions can be expressed through works of Literature will be the students best placed to handle the wide and varied reading programme of the IB. Teenagers today often are less keen on reading, due to the high predominance of screen media in their lives.  However, the IB has signaled that they want reading to be considered much more of a mainstream skill, rather than something separate which is done only to pass an exam.

Parents who are able to help their children see reading in this way will not only be preparing them for tackling the IB Diploma, but will also be starting them on a pathway which will provide entertainment and enjoyment throughout their lives .  This information is also available in Chinese at: ITS研習學校香港 – 英語, 數學導師, IB國際文憑大學預科課程