1. IB English Literature (HL)
Works in Translation
The interactive oral and reflective statement

2. The Interactive Oral
Class discussion in which all students and the teacher participate
Expectation is that every student has an active role in initiating an aspect of discussion
Spontaneous yet informed, broad yet exacting
Interactive = speaking and listening
You may NOT read from a prepared script or give a presentation to the class
Groups of three
The date on which you deliver your interactive oral will be assigned

3. Guiding Questions The questions
Topics to think about and use in the interactive oral
In what ways do time and place matter in this text?
Time period
Setting / location
Characters’ language and actions shaped by the time period?
Anything universal, or it is all localized in time and place?
What was easy/difficult to understand in relation to the social and cultural context?
Major challenges in trying to understand the work
Surprises
What connections did you make between issues in the work and your own culture?
Similarities between the text and your own experiences
How can you explain these similarities?
What aspects of authorial technique are interesting?
Writer’s style
Plot structure, characterization, diction
Literary devices

4. Steps in creating an interactive oral
Read and carefully annotate the novel
Brainstorm topics/conduct preliminary research
Decide among group members the particular cultural and contextual aspects of the text you will explore
Research
Develop a plan for your interactive oral
Rehearse

5. During the interactive orals
Speaking
Listening
Prepare sufficiently and have your materials ready to go so that there is no hesitation
TAKE NOTES during every presentation
Speak clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear without difficulty
Try to constantly make connections between the information and the work you are studying
Link your discussion to the text as much as possible
Ask questions or raise other possible areas of investigation
Come up with one or two questions that can lead to further class discussion
Be an active participant, but do not dominate the discussion; allow everyone to voice their ideas

6. Reflective Statement: Format
The following question must be written at the top of the page.
“How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral?”
Indicate in some way (in the opening sentences) which work you are reflecting on.
Organize your thoughts into paragraphs.
Indicate the exact word count at the bottom of the page (300 – 400 words).
Kept on file until the final essay is submitted for assessment

7. Criterion A: Fulfilling the requirements of the reflective statement To what extent does the student show how his or her understanding of cultural and contextual elements was developed through the interactive oral? Note: The word limit for the reflective statement is 300–400 words. If the word limit is exceeded, 1 mark will be deducted.
Marks
Level descriptor
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 1
Reflection on the interactive oral shows superficial development of the student’s understanding of cultural and contextual elements. 2
Reflection on the interactive oral shows some development of the student’s understanding of cultural and contextual elements. 3
Reflection on the interactive oral shows development of the student’s understanding of cultural and contextual elements.