IB Ab Initio French
IB French ab initio Standard Level (SL) is a demanding course taught over two years. This course is designed for students who have never studied the language or have very limited knowledge. The course provides students with the necessary skills to allow effective communication in every day settings while fostering intercultural awareness. In this course, students learn about the cultural differences amongst French-speaking countries which allows a rich exploration of the language in different contexts. The course is divided into 5 different themes (Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization, Sharing the Planet) and several subthemes.
The Language Acquisition examinations in French ab initio consist of two papers and an internal assessment, all based on the five prescribed main themes (Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization, and Sharing the Planet).
In Paper 1, students must produce two written responses to given prompts, using the appropriate text type and ensuring clarity and accuracy of language. Paper 1 contributes 25% of the final grade.
In Paper 2, students have to show their comprehension skills while listening to audio materials or reading authentic texts. Paper 2 contributes 50% of the final grade. (25% Reading and 25% Listening)
The Internal Assessment is an interactive oral exam where students deliver a presentation and then engage in a conversation based on the themes studied. Throughout the course, French ab initio students learn how to communicate in a variety of settings. The Internal Assessment contributes 25% of the final grade.
Tips
When studying French ab initio, you should immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Reading articles will allow you to enrich your vocabulary and learn about the French-speaking world. Watching videos, listening to podcasts in French daily, and exposing yourself to different accents from the French-speaking world, such as Canadian, Swiss, or Senegalese French, and many more, will allow you to improve your comprehension skills and also familiarize yourself with different accents. Using the RV Questionbank will help you practice and improve these skills to achieve the best possible grade. Practice makes perfect!