Languages
General Information
Why learn another language? When we learn a second language we broaden our cultural and intellectual capacity to understand other people and to live in harmony with them. The value of learning a second language has increased in our global community in recent years. A 30-level language course is the minimum acceptable level required by post-secondary institutions.
Harry Ainlay offers four international language programs: French, German, Japanese and Spanish. We also offer the French immersion program. The International Baccalaureate students have choices of French – Second Language, French Language Arts, German and Japanese for their language requirement. Harry Ainlay’s focus on reading comprehension is incorporated as a vital component in all of our programs along with oral and writing activities. Our courses not only teach the languages, but also broaden students’ depth of understanding of other cultures.
Recommended Prerequisites
Students must register in the level which follows their achieved proficiency level at the end of grade 9.
* Generally for students who started FSL in grade 7.
** Generally for students who started FSL in grade 4 or earlier.
*** Students with one or two years of Junior High Spanish should register in Spanish 20.
French
French 10-9Y
Students will continue to develop language skills and knowledge of culture in the following fields of experience: activities, shopping, vacations, fine arts and safety.
French 10 pIB (Harry Ainlay Pre-IB Diploma)
This course is recommended for students with sufficient background (at least 3 years in junior high FSL courses).
Students not meeting these requirements must register in German 10 pIB or Japanese 10 pIB which are offered at a beginner level. French 10 pIB focuses on the development and use of basic grammar for everyday speech, basic skills and emphasis on correctness of simple sentence structures as used in description, in summarization, or in the sharing of information.
French Language Arts 10 pIB (Harry Ainlay Pre-IB Diploma)
This course is designed for immersion students who wish to enroll in the IB program in Grade 11 and requires considerable fluency in all aspects of the French language. One novel, one play and several short stories and poems are the literary components of this course. Prime objectives include oral fluency, additional knowledge of grammar and the student of idiomatic expressions.
French 10-3Y
This course is designed for absolute beginners. Students will engage in various language and cultural experiences that allow them to develop basic communicative competencies in French.
French 20-9Y
Reading and writing skills are increasingly emphasized as the oral language base becomes broader. Oral and written communication advance from highly structured to more unstructured situations. Some of the themes are fashion, social life and outdoor activities.
French 20-IB – Language B – Standard Level
Vocabulary development, grammar and language study, oral and written composition, reading and listening activities taken from authentic French sources will be studied. In discussions, an emphasis will be put on “La Francophonie dans le Monde” as required for IB TOK curriculum links will also be addressed.
French Language Arts 20 IB – Language B – Standard Level
This course emphasizes grammar study, composition and oral presentations. Students will continue their study of literature through plays, novels and other literary genres. TOK curriculum links will also be addressed.
French 30
The aim of this course is to increase reading and writing skills, to build vocabulary and to increase oral and written accuracy through structured exercises and free composition. A supplementary reader is used in class and additional books, magazines and newspapers are made available for the students’ enjoyment. Some themes studied are the world of work, money and the role of the media.
French 30 IB – Language B – Standard Level
In grammar study, students will reach or surpass the oral and write language requirements for IB. Review and expansion of what was previously learned in French 10 pIB and French 20 IB with some new concepts. Continued exposure to authentic French reading and listening material will occur. Four formal oral assessments will be completed and will constitute the IB Oral component which is worth 30% of the overall grade for this IB course.
French Language Arts 30 IB – Language B – Standard Level
This course includes the grammar study, readings and oral component of French 30IB. The study of several novels and/or two plays is the core of this course. Students will also study several smaller literary selections and discussion of the works will become more abstract and philosophical. A greater emphasis will be placed on the precision of vocabulary usage. Four formal oral assessments will be completed and will constitute the IB Oral component which is worth 30% of the overall grade for this IB course.
French 31A
The objective at this level is to advance the development of oral and written French through reading, discussion and composition. The student may read one or two novels. The student also does several oral presentations. The themes discussed are challenges in life, the Francophone world, legends, myths and fairy tales, sciences and technology and an open theme chosen by students and the teacher. If a student is enrolled in Harry Ainlay’s Pre-IB or IB program French Language Ares, 10pIB, 20IB and 30IB are also available. Please see the French Immersion section of this course book for a complete description of those courses.
Japanese
Japanese 10
This course is designed for absolute beginners and aims at basic command of Japanese. Phonetic symbols called Hiragana will be studied and Katakana will be introduced in the second semester. The students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the Japanese culture and people. The modules studied in the course are self, family/friends, school, daily activities, food and shopping.
Japanese 10 pIB* (Harry Ainlay Pre-IB Diploma)
This Pre-IB Diploma course is designed for absolute beginners and aims at a primary command of Japanese. Basic vocabulary and sentence structures are studied through the lexical fields of self, people around us, food, school and shopping. The Hiragana and Katakana writing systems will be introduced.
* Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language in grade 11.
Japanese 20
This course will continue to develop and refine the knowledge, skills and attitudes expected in Japanese 10. Students will be able to use three different writing systems, Hiragana, Katakana and some Kanji for reading and writing. Study of the Japanese people and their culture is continued. The cultural modules are home /community, school life, weather, fashion and shopping, and vacation and travel.
Japanese 20 IB – AB Initio* – Standard Level
This is the first year of the two-year Japanese ab initio course. Students will develop their comprehension and communication skills through a variety of resources and classroom activities. 70 Kanji characters are introduced in addition to new vocabulary and structures. Study of Japanese culture is continued using a variety of resources. TOK curriculum links will also be addressed.
*Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language.
Japanese 30
This is a continuation of Japanese 10 and 20. Sentence structures, vocabulary and knowledge of Kanji characters will be further developed. . Cultural studies remain an important component. The modules are celebrations and traditions, entertainment, communications, the world of work, and arts and literature.
Japanese 30 IB – AB Initio* – Standard Level
This course is the continuation of Japanese 20 IB. Students will further develop their skills through units such as media, world of work, arts and literature, traveling in Japan and environmental issues. 100 Kanji characters, additional vocabulary and sentence structures will be introduced in order to meet the IB curriculum requirements. Students will complete various oral projects throughout the year including a final oral exam which is worth 30% of the overall IB grade. They will also write practice exams to prepare for written examination in May.
*Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language.
German
German 10 pIB* (Harry Ainlay Pre-IB Diploma)
This course is designed for beginners and gives an introduction to contemporary spoken and written German. Students will learn how to express themselves in the areas of: personal information, free-time activities, food and drink, etc. Students will gain an understanding of basic sentence structure and other grammatical aspects. Students will also be exposed to various aspects of culture, history and geography of German-speaking countries.
*Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language in Grade 11.
German 10
Students will learn how to express themselves in a variety of different areas: personal information, free-time activities, schooling, pets, the family, planning activities, etc. Students will gain an understanding of spelling, pronunciation, basic sentence structure and other grammatical aspects. Students will also learn various aspects of culture, history and geography of German- speaking countries.
German 20 IB – AB Initio* – Standard Level
This is the first year of the two-year German IB Ab Initio course. Students will be exposed to a variety of experiences and culture e.g. how one lives, health, the city, daily routines, celebrations, etc. Students will read and write lengthier texts and investigate more complex grammatical aspects. TOK curriculum links will also be addressed.
*Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language.
German 20
Students will continue to learn how to express themselves in a variety of different areas: festivals and celebrations, giving directions, traveling, daily routines, relationships, etc. Although much emphasis is still on spoken German, there will be an increased emphasis on reading comprehension and writing skills. Exposure to cultural aspects, history and geography of German-speaking countries is also continued.
German 30 IB – AB Initio* – Standard Level
This is the second year of the two-year German Ab Initio course. Students will be exposed to a variety of experiences and culture: descriptions and clothing, the German school system, jobs and work, media, literature, etc. Students will continue to refine their language skills, regularly read articles and participate in discussion groups. Students will complete various oral projects throughout the year including a final oral exam which is worth 30% of the overall IB grade. They will also write practice exams to prepare for written examination in May.
*Language B level is available for students with sufficient background in the language
German 30
A refinement of spoken German, as well as reading and writing skills are emphasized. Students will explore some German literature such as fairytales and short stories, which may include some creative writing. Other areas of experience include health, clothing, food and drink, media, the home, etc. Exposure to cultural aspects, history and geography of German-speaking countries is also continued.
Spanish
Spanish is the official language in more than twenty countries and the third most spoken language in the world. Considered one of the easiest languages to learn, it plays an increasingly important role in our global society. Students who choose to study Spanish open the door to exciting opportunities.
Spanish 10
In Spanish 10, students will gain an appreciation of the rich Spanish culture and of the people who speak the language while learning to speak this popular language themselves. This is a task- based course involving the learning of grammar, vocabulary and communication skills which lead to a command of basic spoken Spanish. High-interest activities including projects, games, music, dance and movies are incorporated into the lessons. No previous Spanish is required. However, the desire and willingness to participate are essential.
Spanish 10 pIB (Harry Ainlay Pre-IB Diploma)
This is course recommended for persons with sufficient background (at least 3 years in junior high Spanish courses). Students who do not meet these requirements must register in German 10 pIB or Japanese 10 pIB which are offered at a beginner level. There is a strong focus on grammar use in everyday communication, development of basic reading skills and written composition with an emphasis on sentence structures used in description, summarization and information sharing. Students will also develop fluency of speech in everyday conversational situations.
Spanish 20
This course continues basic oral and written communication in less structured situations, applications of basic skills as well as new vocabulary and grammar concepts in more varied and meaningful situations. Oral work is emphasized as is the development of a solid grammatical base. Themes studied are (a) touring Spain and Latin America and describing activities (b) sports and pastimes (c) weekend outings (d) food and restaurants (e) daily activities and (f) living spaces. We’ll also make some interesting piñates!
Spanish 20 IB – Language B – Standard Level
Grammar, vocabulary exercises, newspapers, magazines and websites will be used to further develop vocabulary. Students will increase their use of the Spanish language through oral and written work. They will explore the Spanish speaking world by studying the culture and history of Spanish speaking nations. This course will prepare students for the intense grammar study and oral examinations that will be required for successful completion of Spanish 30 IB. TOK curriculum links will also be addressed.
Spanish 30
In this course, oral and written communication will become more sophisticated and more spontaneous. Conversational skills will be stressed and a strong desire to communicate in the target language is essential. Ideas will be expressed coherently in such situations as career exploration, professions and the work place. Other themes will be entertainment, leisure activities and customs in the Spanish- speaking world.
Spanish 30 IB – Language B – Standard Level
This course expands upon topics learned in 20 IB and involves grammar study to reach or surpass the oral and written requirements for IB. Students will also access various reading materials including a novel, short stories, newspaper articles, as well as complete oral projects in preparation for the IB Oral internal assessment that accounts for 30% of the final IB grade.