The study of a foreign or classical language is a compulsory part of the IB programme at either Higher or Standard Level . Both levels give the opportunity to increase competence in the written and spoken language , and also to develop knowledge of the culture and civilisation of the target-language country through reading both literary and non-literary texts , and working with native language assistants in weekly conversation lessons .

The extensive range of languages offered enables students for whom English is not their mother tongue the opportunity to continue to develop their first language by pursuing a native speaker programme . This is a specific objective of the IB .

There are three distinct courses offered to reflect each student ’ s existing knowledge of the language and to provide them with an academically stretching programme . The school places students in the appropriate course based on the following criteria :

Language A : Literature or Language & Literature ( SL or HL ) is for a fluent language user . Students who complete this course will receive a Bilingual

Diploma as they will also study English A . This course is for a student who : l is a native or near-native speaker ; they will be bilingual in reading and / or writing l and / or : has lived and been taught outside the country where the language is spoken .

Language B ( SL or HL ) is for a language learner who : l has learned the target language for two or more years , eg to ( I ) GCSE or equivalent l and / or : has lived and been taught outside the country where the language is spoken l is not fluent in the language .

Ab initio ( SL only ) is for a beginner who : l has little or no previous experience of the language .

The following modern language courses are normally offered and taught as part of the Sixth Form curriculum . However , their provision is subject to the condition that five or more pupils opt to take that course . Sometimes SL and HL sets may be combined .

14 THE IB AT SEVENOAKS | GROUP TWO