Language A English


Overview

Our Courses

In Grades 6-10 we align our curriculum with the philosophy of the Middle Years Program (MYP). At the end of Grade 10, students have the opportunity to take English Literature as one of their subjects in the GCSE exam, which is recognized by the Bavarian government as “Mittlere Reife”. In our Diploma Program (DP) courses in Grades 11 and 12, students can study International Baccalaureate (IB) Language A: Literature or IB Language A: Language and Literature. In both DP classes we seek to further develop the students’ language competence and foster an appreciation of literature.

Our Philosophy

Resulting from the multitudinous new forms of multi-media and communication technologies English is a dynamic and evolving field of study. English enables us to make meaning of the world around us and to reflect on texts, language and people whilst also engaging our inner imaginations. Developing student skills in the following core English learning areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and presenting are our priority. We provide supportive classroom environments where co-operative learning, critical thinking, reflection and negotiation are central. Appropriately challenging and extending students with a wide reading programme, and a variety of appropriate technology are central to our purpose. We seek to promote life-long learners who are inquiring, reflective communicators and thinkers.

English Clinic

The English Clinic is staffed by a member of the English department and is designed for students in Grades 6 – 12 who feel they would benefit from extra assistance with their English.  Students from all courses are welcome to attend the clinic anytime between 16:00 and 17:00 for as long as they feel they need and can bring along their English class and homework including essay drafts, oral presentations/commentaries and reading assignments.

More information is available from Mrs Beatty kbeatty@mis-munich.de

 

 Schedule until End of School - English Clinic Room – SrS 205
April 18
April 23
May 2
May 7
May 15
May 23
May 29
June 6
June 11 
June 19 
June 25 
 

Grades 9 and 10

Students are required to take four years of English in the Senior School. The courses are offered in two year sequences. Students take English Language and Literature in Grades 9 and 10. 

English Language and Literature

This two-year language and literature course encourages students to develop their ability to communicate accurately and effectively and to understand and respond imaginatively and persuasively to a variety of texts. Through the study of selected classic and contemporary novels, plays, poetry, and non-fiction texts students develop a critical and original approach to interpreting and analyzing writing and literature. Independent and individualised reading and writing programmes are important elements in this course.

Oral expression is also emphasised as students are required to articulately express their thinking about texts for a variety of audiences using appropriate language. Through a carefully planned integrated approach to the following four areas of the English curriculum – texts, contextual understanding, linguistic structures/features and learning strategies - this course prepares students for the GCSE English Literature examination and all Diploma Programme English course options.

Students requiring extra support in developing their English will be placed in mainstream English classes that are assigned additional teacher support and they may be assessed on Language B criteria. These students may be recommended to move into English B in grades 11 & 12.

Grades 11 and 12

Students undertake IBDP English Language A1, A2 or B at Higher or Standard Levels in grades 11 and 12.

 

IB English A1 (Higher Level) – Final exams 2012

Intended for native speakers of English and equivalent, this two year course encourages a personal appreciation of literature and develops an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. The fifteen literary works are taken from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication, especially in oral presentations, oral and written commentaries, and essays. In the first year students read eight works including world literature, and begin assessment with an oral presentation and two world literature essays. In the second year students read four “detailed study” works including poetry and a Shakespearean drama, and four works studied as a genre. Students complete assessment with the oral commentary and the examination. The course is intensive and places an emphasis on technique, style, and the writer’s craft.

IB English A: Literature (Higher Level) – First exams 2013

Intended for native speakers of English and equivalent, this two year course encourages a personal appreciation of literature and develops an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. The thirteen literary works are taken from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication, especially in oral presentations, oral and written commentaries, and essays. In the first year students read six works including world literature, and begin assessment with an oral presentation and a world literature essay. In the second year students read three “detailed study” works and four works studied as a genre. Students complete assessment with the oral commentary and the examination. The course is intensive and places an emphasis on technique, style, and the writer’s craft.

IB Language A: Language and Literature (Higher Level) – First exams 2013

Intended for native and near-native speakers with a high level of competence in English, this two year course encourages students to understand and use English in a range of literary and non-literary contexts and for a variety of purposes. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication through individual commentary and interactive oral activities, comparative written commentaries, essays, and written tasks with a wide range of styles and purposes. The heart of the course is the detailed, critical examination of six works of literature and of readings on two cultural units: language in cultural context and language and mass communication.

IB English A1 (Standard Level) – Final exams 2012

Intended for native speakers of English and equivalent, this two year course encourages a personal appreciation of literature and a basic understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. The eleven literary works are taken from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication, especially in oral presentations, oral and written commentaries, and essays. In the first year students read six works including world literature, and begin assessment with an oral presentation and one world literature essay. In the second year students read two “detailed study” works including poetry and a Shakespearean drama, and three works studied as a genre. Students complete assessment with the oral commentary and the examination. The main differences to the Higher Level course are that fewer works are covered (there is only one world Lit. Paper) and less time is available for the study of technique, style, and the writer’s craft.

IB Language A: Literature (Standard Level) – First exams 2013

Intended for native speakers of English and equivalent, this two year course encourages a personal appreciation of literature and a basic understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. The ten literary works are taken from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication, especially in oral presentations, oral and written commentaries, and essays. In the first year students read six works including world literature, and begin assessment with an oral presentation and one world literature essay. In the second year students read two “detailed study” works and three works studied as a genre. Students complete assessment with the oral commentary and the examination. The main differences to the Higher Level course are that fewer works are covered (there is only one world Lit. Paper) and less time is available for the study of technique, style, and the writer’s craft.

IB Language A: Language and Literature (Standard Level) – First exams 2013

Intended for native and near-native speakers with a high level of competence in English, this two year course encourages students to understand and use English in a range of literary and non-literary contexts and for a variety of purposes. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication through individual commentary and interactive oral activities, written commentaries, essays, and written tasks with a wide range of styles and purposes. The heart of the course is the detailed, critical examination of four works of literature and of readings on two cultural units: language in cultural context and language and mass communication.

IB English A2 (Higher Level) - Final exams 2012

Intended for near-native speakers with a high level of competence in English, this two year course encourages students to understand and use English in a range of literary and non-literary contexts and for a variety of purposes. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication through individual and interactive oral activities, comparative written commentaries, essays, and written tasks with a wide range of styles and purposes. The heart of the course is the detailed, critical examination of six works of literature and of readings on two cultural units – language and media.

IB English A2 (Standard Level) – Final Exams 2012

Intended for non-native speakers with a high level of competence in English, this two year course encourages students to understand and use English in a range of literary and non-literary contexts and for a variety of purposes. Students develop their powers of expression in oral and written communication through individual and interactive oral activities, comparative written commentaries, essays, and written tasks with a wide range of styles and purposes. The heart of the course is the critical examination of six works of literature and of readings on a cultural option. The main differences from the Higher Level course are that fewer units are studied and that more attention is given to developing language skills.
 

 

Contact

Kate Beatty Kate Beatty
Head of Department

 

“Language is power, life and the instrument of culture, the instrument of domination and liberation” Angela Carter