MYP Languages

INTRODUCTION: LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (FRENCH, SPANISH, ITALIAN)

The study of additional languages in the MYP provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture, and to realize that there are diverse ways of living, viewing and behaving in the world.

MYP language acquisition is a compulsory component of the MYP in every year of the programme.

Learning to communicate in a variety of ways is fundamental to students’ identity affirmation.The ability to communicate in a variety of modes, in more than one language, is essential to the concept of an international education.

AIMS

To encourage students to gain competence in a modern language other than their mother tongue and to enable the student to become a critical and competent communicator. The aims of the teaching and study of modern foreign languages are to:

gain proficiency in an additional language while supporting maintenance of their mother tongue and cultural heritage
develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages
develop the student’s communication skills necessary for further language learning, for for study, work and leisure in a range of authentic contexts and for a variety of audiences and purposes
enable the student to develop multi-literacy skills through the use of a range of learning tools, such as multimedia, in the various modes of communication
enable the student to develop an appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts and to develop critical and creative techniques for comprehension and construction of meaning
enable the student to recognize and use language as a vehicle of thought, reflection and self-expression and learning in other subjects and as a tool for enhancing literacy
enable the student to understand the nature of language and the process of language learning, which comprises the integration of linguistic, cultural and social components offer insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the language is spoken
encourage an awareness and understanding of the perspectives of people from own and other cultures, leading to the involvement and action in own and other communities foster curiosity, a lifelong interest and enjoyment in language learning.