Language Policy from 2014

Transcription

1 Language Policy from 2014 Katedralskolan s IB Diploma Language Policy presents the school language philosophy, language support and the language courses offered. Diploma Programme (DP) Students at Katedralskolan come from all over the world and together represent many languages. Therefore, at Katedralskolan knowing languages is seen as crucial for understanding yourself, your subjects and also for understanding each other and the world. Philosophy DP at Katedralskolan recognises that language is a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression and social interaction. Across the curriculum, students need to develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying in order to become life-long learners. Through language, students are able to explore and analyse aspects of personal, host and other cultures, thereby promoting the development of personal and international understanding and awareness. Through this process international mindedness is also developed. Students are also enabled to apply skills and knowledge in a variety of real-life contexts. DP at Katedralskolan recognises the importance of the IB Learner Profile in making the acquisition of language crucial to all learning and all teachers must be considered language teachers. Every DP teacher at Katedralskolan shares the responsibility of recognising and supporting language development. Language Support Programme Student welfare team (SWT) Teachers or other members of staff identify students with special needs, educational or other. When a student with special needs is identified a referral is made to the Student Welfare Team. The SWT consists of special needs teachers, counsellors, careers advisers, school nurses, as well as IB DP coordinator and IB DP principal. Their role is to review the information regarding the student s situation and establish an action programme in order to meet the student s needs. The programme is implemented for a specific period of time and its effectiveness is evaluated. 1 (9)

2 Special needs All students starting PDP at Katedralskolan are screened at the beginning of the Autumn term. The process aims to identify students with reading and writing difficulties, for example dyslexia. If reading and writing difficulties are discovered at a later stage these students will also be offered support from the special needs teachers. In addition, the special needs teachers support students improving their study skills and techniques. Special needs evaluation may be a long process. In order to get the support a student needs before and during exams it is important to contact the DP coordinator as soon as possible to ensure the support allowed by the IB Organization for inclusive assessment arrangements. English as an additional language (EAL) Since English is the language of instruction and of exams, it is important that the students have sufficient language skills. Students who are not proficient in English can get additional tutoring through EAL. At present this means additional hour(s) once a week in small groups where students receive language instruction and course work support. The main objectives for EAL are: to strengthen and support language development of the EAL learners; to develop EAL learners reading, speaking, writing and listening; to develop EAL learners language correctness. In order for the EAL learners to fully benefit from the EAL lessons there should be regular liaison between EAL teachers and the rest of the DP teaching staff; hence the students other subjects can be integrated into the lessons. The DP coordinator and DP subject teachers recommend students when and if appropriate. The DP principal decides on the course of action for each student based on the recommendation from the teachers. Mother tongue tuition We acknowledge that the mother tongue plays a very important part in a person s identity and self-esteem. Students who speak a language other than Swedish at home can receive tuition in their mother tongue, which takes place once a week and is provided by the local authorities. 2 (9)

3 Interested parents should contact the school. Lund authority currently offers tuition in 37 different languages (2013). Details about mother tongue tuition can be found on The library The library aims to encourage and engage students in their overall language development by providing an inspiring and wide selection of literature. The library at Katedralskolan offers a selection of fiction in not only Swedish and English but other languages as well, covering course work literature and literature to inspire further reading. The school also has a comprehensive collection of non-fiction in order to meet the students need for resources when completing a variety of assignments within the Diploma Programme. The librarian assists teachers and students in database searches and other digital services needed. For more specialized resources the library has established a close collaboration with Lund library and the Lund University Library. Katedralskolan also collaborate with Lunds skolors skoldatatek, which can provide extra support for special needs education students. Student career adviser The student career adviser will help students with questions concerning entry requirements and applications for universities in Sweden as well as abroad. In order to enter Swedish universities the students will need Swedish A HL or SL. Swedish B HL or SL is not sufficient. There are some alternatives for the students not having Swedish A HL or SL: 1. to complete the TISUS test of Swedish for more information 2. for a student studying Swedish B in the DP who is considered to have sufficient knowledge it is possible to carry through Prövning in Svenska som andraspråk 3 in May after the DP May Exam. The student is expected to, under supervision, study most of the Svenska som andraspråk 3 curriculum by himself/herself as well as doing some tasks during two years and to participate in Nationella Prov. 3. to study Swedish as a second language 1, 2 and 3 (Svenska som andraspråk 1, 2 och 3) at Katedralskolan or at Komvux 4. to study the Swedish national course Swedish 1, 2 and 3 (Svenska 1, 2 och 3) at Komvux after the Diploma Exam. 3 (9)

4 Rules and Recommendations In December/January the students at PDP and in MYP5 choose their subjects for IB DP. The students can change their subject choices through May, but they can change levels within their courses until December in IB DP 1. The students are required to select one Language A (Studies in Language and Literature) as well as one Language B (Language Acquistition) or to select two Languages A (Studies in Language and Literature). Students also have the option of studying a third language (from either group) as an elective instead of a group 6 subject. It should be noted that new language groups will be started only if there are a sufficient number of students. Considering students language experience and proficiency, the teachers, the IB DP career adviser and the IB DP coordinator will advise the students in their language choices. In cases when students choose between two mother tongues or students progress in the target language is not satisfactory, the students should follow the recommendations of their teachers and IB DP coordinator. According to IBO regulations, students taking two Languages A may not study the same works in these courses. Teachers should aim to alternate the selection of works from one group to another. Language Programmes in the PDP Engelska 5 (English 5) is for a student who has 6 or more years experience subscribes to the aims and objectives of the National Swedish Curriculum for Engelska 5 as well as the criteria for national Swedish grades aims to enable the students to understand information and express ideas confidently and creatively in speech and writing for lifelong learning aims to increase the student s confidence in his/her own ability to think and learn aims to enable the student to broaden and deepen his/her knowledge of language and literature 4 (9)

5 Svenska 1 (Swedish 1) is for a fluent language user subscribes to the aims and objectives of the National Swedish Curriculum for Svenska 1 as well as the criteria for national Swedish grades aims to enable the students to understand information and express ideas confidently and creatively in speech and writing for lifelong learning aims to increase the student s confidence in his/her own ability to think and learn aims to enable the student to broaden and deepen his/her knowledge of language and literature aims to be the basis for the Diploma subjects Swedish A Literature and Swedish A Language and Literature Nybörjarsvenska (Swedish foundation) is for a student with no or very little previous experience of Swedish aims to help the student acquire Swedish useful in everyday social situations and to develop a basic awareness of Swedish culture Svenska som andraspråk 1 (Swedish as a second language 1) The course descriptions of Swedish as a second language 1, 2 and 3 and their assessment criteria are published by The National Agency for Education on Svenska som andraspråk för grundskolan (Swedish as a second language for the comprehensive school) is for a student with some basic knowledge who wants to strengthen his/her Swedish language in order to be able to study Swedish B during the DP aims to enable the student to write different types of texts, to read and understand literature as well as newspaper articles, to express himself/herself orally in discussions 5 (9)

6 and inform within different areas the language of instruction is Swedish needed preknowledge: - basic word and grammar knowledge of the Swedish language - being able to participate in everyday conversations - being able to write basic texts Additional language programmes in the PDP Katedralskolan also offers Swedish national courses on different levels in among others the following modern languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish and Chinese. The language of instruction is mainly Swedish. For more information on the national courses see Language Programmes in the IB DP Studies in Language and Literature The prescribed book list and the prescribed list of works in translation steer the content in both A HL/SL and A school supported self-taught. The selection of literature is alternated so that students taking double A languages do not study the same works in both languages. Languages A: Literature SL/HL or Language and Literature SL/HL English, Swedish is for a fluent language user studying in his/her most competent language In Literature students will: study literary texts and demonstrate literary analytical skills 6 (9)

7 In Language and Literature students will: study in his/her (second) most competent language Students will: develop critical literacy through the study of both literary and non-literary texts Language A: Literature/ school supported self-taught/sl is for a fluent language user: studying in his/her most competent language whose particular language is not English or Swedish Students will: study literary texts and demonstrate literary analytical skills A tutor is assigned to organise reading, tasks and assignments, as well as deadlines and Internal Assessment. Meetings will take place on a regular basis. Language Acquisition Language B/HL English, Swedish is for a language learner who has 4 to 5 years experience of the language Students will: learn to communicate clearly and effectively in a wide range of situations, from everyday exchanges to literary texts develop an awareness of the culture of the country/countries where the language is spoken Provided there is a group of students, French, German and Spanish will also be offered. Language B/SL English, Swedish Spanish Pamoja online course Mandarin Pamoja online course 7 (9)

8 is for a language learner who has 2 to 5 years experience of the language Students will: learn to communicate effectively in a number of situations develop an awareness of the culture of the country/countries where the language is spoken Provided there is a group of students, French and German will also be offered. Language ab initio SL Mandarin, Spanish - Pamoja online course is for a beginner who has little or no previous experience of the language Students will acquire a language that is useful in everyday social interaction develop a variety of language skills develop a basic awareness of the culture in target language countries Mandarin ab initio SL and Spanish ab initio SL are online courses in cooperation with Pamoja Education. Pamoja Education s language teachers and the student s classmates are situated all over the world. The student will be having contact with the teacher via Skype, etc. Studying an online course requires good computer skills. The course requires good self-discipline in the form of self-studies around five hours per week and of course the student will get teacher support. Katedralskolan has a site-based language ab initio coordinator who is the link between the student, the parents and Pamoja education s administration and teachers. 8 (9)

9 This Language Policy is a working document which guides the students in their choices of languages and levels. Furthermore, this policy gives guidance for students to acquire sufficient skills to advance. Each term there are individual talks when the subject teacher discusses with the student his/her academic progress. This is followed by a development talk conducted by the mentor to address the student s whole school situation. The Language Policy will be revised annually. In addition, reflective meetings will take place at least once a year. 9 (9)