Languages
Languages and Pathways
At Chatsworth, we encourage and nurture an appreciation and love of literature in its many forms by learning language, about language and through language. We address the needs of our students by incorporating developmentally appropriate expectations within the strands of oral communication, written communication and visual communication. Listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting skills are all focused on within these strands.
While our academic programmes are predominantly delivered in English, we offer French and/or Mandarin for all students in the primary school. Kindergarten 1 and 2 students are introduced to the fundamental skills and knowledge essential for learning Mandarin through inquiry-based activities. From Years 1 to 6, students choose to study either French or Mandarin.
As students move to secondary school for the Middle Years Programme, language classes are scheduled so students have regular opportunities to engage with the target language. There is an opportunity for students to earn the MYP Bilingual Certificate which would set them up for success to be awarded the Bilingual Diploma at the end of the two-year IB Diploma Programme.
IBMYP Language Pathways
IB Middle Years Programme Language and Literature Mother Tongue is offered in Years 7 to 11. The programme develops literacy skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in the target language. It assumes first language competency in the mother tongue language.
As an IB school, all students are required to study two languages: One language from Group 1 (Language and Literature) and one language from Group 2 (Language Acquisition). It is not recommended that students study three languages. Students may study two languages from Group 1. However it is not permitted for a student to study two languages from Group 2.
| MYP Pathways | Languages |
Pathway 1 | Group 1 English Language and Literature |
Pathway 2 | Group 1 Mother Tongue Language and Literature |
Pathway 3 | Group 1 English Language and Literature |
IBDP Language Pathways
There are three language pathways in our IB Diploma Programme.
| DP Pathways | Languages |
Pathway 1 | Group 1 English A Language and Literature |
Bilingual Pathway 1 | Group 1 School-supported self-taught Language A Literature |
Bilingual Pathway 2 | Group 1 English A Language and Literature |
Language Pathways Leading to the Bilingual Diploma
The IB Diploma Programme School-supported Self-taught (SSST) Literature is offered in Years 12 and 13. The two-year course is part of the Language and Literature group and is only offered at a Standard Level. The course focusses on the development of literature skills in the students’ mother tongue. All assessment, both internal and external is completed in the target language and assessed externally. There is the opportunity for a bilingual diploma.
Mother Tongue Language Programme
The Mother Tongue Language Programme at our secondary school runs from MYP1 to DP2 (Years 7 to 13). Framed by the MYP and DP principles and requirements, the mother tongue programme is aligned with progressive objectives, skills and understandings to address students' language and cognitive development. It is an inquiry-based, project-based and concept driven programme that allows the students and external teachers (mother tongue tutors) to decide on the content of the units whilst following the required skills and understandings. The Mother Language Tongue programme aims to:
- develop learners’ critical thinking and creative skills in their mother tongue language
- engage learners with a range of literary and non-literary texts originally written in their mother tongue
- develop learners’ listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting skills in their mother tongue
- develop learners’ curiosity to inquire and research about their mother tongue culture and language
- develop learners’ cultural identity and personal interest in their mother tongue language and culture
- appreciate the cultures, values and traditions of others.
At Chatsworth, we offer a broad range of mother tongue languages that are available in the list of DP School Supported Self-taught Languages (SSST). Our Mother Tongue Language Programme is supported by external mother tongue tutors who are fully trained in IB concepts and assessment. In school, students are timetabled to meet with the Mother Tongue coordinator. The role of the coordinator is to assist the students in the language and literary skills needed for the MYP or DP, and provide support to mother tongue tutors to ensure that the curriculum delivered meets the standards of the school and the IB. Separate fees apply and are payable to the tutors.
Our language programme is balanced, challenging and permeates the respective IB programmes. At Chatsworth, we encourage and nurture an appreciation and love of literature in its many forms by learning language, about language and through language.
