Mandarin A2 Course Guide IB 中文考试 指南A2

General information Aims The language A2 courses, at the upper end of the spectrum, are designed for students with an already high level of competence in the target language. Language A2 courses are based firmly on the study of both language and literature. The main focus of these courses is on the reinforcement and refinement of language skills, as distinct from language acquisition. Students will also be given the opportunity to explore the culture(s) of the language, and to make connections between other languages and cultures with which they are familiar. They will thus be able to use the language for purposes and in situations involving sophisticated discussion, argument and debate. The language A2 courses are available at both higher level and standard level.  

Objectives (Higher Level) At the end of the language A2 course higher level candidates are expected to: • communicate clearly, fluently and effectively in a wide range of situations • understand and use accurately the oral and written forms of the language, in a range of stylesand situations • understand and use an extensive range of vocabulary and idiom • select a register and style that are consistently appropriate to the situation • express ideas with clarity and fluency • structure arguments in a focused, coherent and persuasive way, and support them with relevant examples • assimilate and make use of complex written and spoken texts • engage in detailed, critical examination of a wide range of texts in different forms, styles and registers • appreciate the subtleties of technique and style employed by writers and speakers of thelanguage • show sensitivity to the culture(s) related to the language studied.

Objectives (Standard Level) At the end of the language A2 course standard level candidates are expected to: • communicate clearly, fluently and effectively in a wide range of situations • understand and use accurately the oral and written forms of the language, in a range of styles and situations • understand and use a broad range of vocabulary and idiom • select a register and style that are generally appropriate to the situation • express ideas with clarity and fluency • structure arguments in a focused and coherent way, and support them with relevant examples • understand and make use of moderately complex written and spoken texts • engage in critical examination of a wide range of texts in different forms, styles and registers • appreciate some subtleties of technique and style employed by writers and speakers of the language • show sensitivity to the culture(s) related to the language studied

For what students   Language A2 HL is for a fluent language user who intends to study the language at this level for a future career or to meet a Diploma Programme requirement, and who: • is a native or near-native speaker wishing to study a different language as his or her language A1 • is a bilingual student (in reading or writing or both) • lives in a country where the target language is spoken • is taught other subjects in the target language.

For what students   Language A2 SL is for a fluent language user who may not intend continuing study of the language beyond the Diploma Programme, and who: • Is a native or near-native speaker wishing to study a different language as his or her language A1 •Is an almost bilingual student(in reading or writing or both) •Lives in a country where the target language is spoken •Is taught other subjects in the target language.

What are the advantages of A2 Mandarin Course? • Students will study a well balanced and flexible course which is designed to familiarize students with a wide range of topics and enable them to develop a variety of linguistic and analytical skills   •Students will be rewarded the bilingual diploma which is highly respected by the university after they complete the course successfully and will have wider employment opportunities in the future •Students will have the opportunity to study language, texts and culture, and will explore both literal and cultural material

The Course Outline(Higher and Standard)   General information The course includes two areas, written component (70%) and oral component (30%). The written component comprises three parts, Paper 1, comparative commentary (25%), Paper 2, essay (25%) and a written task (20%). In Paper one, it contains four unseen texts(originally written in the target language) that are different in nature and grouped in two pairs. Each pair of texts is thematically linked. A maximum of four optional guiding questions will be provided for standard level students; No guiding questions will be provided for higher level students. In paper two, it consists of ten essay questions, candidates must answer one question. There is no strict word limit as this largely depends on what you are writing with set time. Candidates are expected to demonstrate critical thinking by constructing a relevant, organized and well-supported discussion or argument about a given topic or issue.

Written tasks: Candidates are required to complete two written tasks, the two individual tasks need not be of the same length. The combined length of the two tasks must be between 1200-1800 characters.   The oral component comprises two parts, Individual oral and group oral. The individual oral- this activity is compulsory, and is taped and sent to the IBO for moderation purposes. An interactive oral activity chosen by the teacher-this activity is compulsory, but it is not taped or sent to the IBO for moderation purposes.

Assessment Outline ( Higher and Standard ) External Assessment 70%   Written Paper Component Two written papers are externally set and externally assessed. Paper 1: Comparative commentary 1½ hours(Standard);2hours(Higher) 25% The paper consists of two pairs of unseen texts, each linked by theme. standard level candidates are provided with optional guiding questions. There are not guiding questions for higher level candidates Candidates write one comparative commentary on one of the pairs of texts. Paper 2: Essay 1½ hours(Standard);2hours(Higher) 25% The paper consists of 10 essay questions, two for each of the language and culture, and media and culture options, one for each of the other three cultural options and three on the literary options. Candidates answer one essay question.

Written Tasks 20% Candidates complete two written tasks. One is based on a literary option, the other on a cultural option. The combined maximum word limit for both tasks is 1800 words.

Internal Assessment 30% Oral Component Two oral activities are internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO. Individual oral 15% This activity is based on a text taken from a cultural or literary option studied. Interactive oral activity 15% The mark of one other activity that is based on either a cultural or literary option studied, whichever was not the focus of the individual oral. Interactive oral activity 15% The mark of one other activity that is based on either a cultural or literacy option studied, whichever was not the focus of the individual oral.