Overview
This is a language acquisition course for students having little or no experience with the Spanish language. Learning a language is more than acquiring a certain vocabulary and understanding some grammatical rules. It means being able to interact in a new cultural context and hence function in a society different from your own. The ab initio course in Spanish provides students with the opportunity to take up a new language whilst also gaining an appreciation for some of the culture in Spanish-speaking societies.

While providing a solid framework in terms of grammar and vocabulary, the Spanish ab initio course is organised in three main themes:

• Individual and society
• Leisure and work
• Urban and rural environments

The topics developed for each theme provide the students with opportunities to practise and explore the language as well as to develop intercultural competence. Through the development of receptive, productive, and interactive skills, students acquire the ability to communicate and interact appropriately in a defined range of everyday situations.

Aims of the course

At the end of this course candidates should be able to:

• Communicate information and basic ideas clearly and effectively
• Understand and use accurately the most essential spoken and written forms of the Spanish language
• Understand and use a range of vocabulary adequate for everyday situations
• Use a register that is generally appropriate to the situation
• Show an awareness of some elements of Hispanic culture

Syllabus outline

The syllabus covers Language and Cultural Awareness.

Students work on the four primary language skills:

• listening
• speaking
• reading
• writing

Specific contexts of use include:

• the individual
• education and work
• town and services
• food and drink
• leisure and travel
• the environment
• health and emergencies

Assessment outline: Spanish ab initio

This is a two-year course. In May 2012, students will sit two written papers:

• Paper 1 will contain text-handling exercises. The exam is for 90 minutes and worth 40% of the total mark
• Paper 2 contains written tasks, lasts 90 minutes and is worth 30% of the total mark

In addition, students are internally assessed on their Oral abilities. This accounts for 30% of the total mark.

Prior knowledge

The IB specifies that students embarking on this course:

• have little or no previous experience of Spanish
• are in schools where Spanish is not the medium of instruction

Adapted from: Diploma Programme. Guidance for language provision in groups 1 and 2, August 2009. IB Diploma Programme Guide: Language Ab Initio, February 2002. © International Baccalaureate Organization