Entering the DP, we might be overjoyed to have the opportunity to choose our subjects, particularly languages. Even though learning languages in the DP is an exciting experience, we must ensure we are realistic with our choices and keep IB requirements in mind.
Along with having an interest in learning a specific language, it is important to use proper study techniques to get the most out of our classes. Finding the ones that work for you will help minimize your time studying and maximize your knowledge.
In other words, study smart, not hard.
Before discussing the possible study techniques you could try, let’s first look at what the IB expects from different language students by the end of the Diploma Programme.
The IB’s Expectations
Language A (SL and HL)
In Language A courses, students interact with both original and translated texts.
They will be required to use their communication and analytical skills to convey how using various literary elements helps deliver a message. In short, throughout the program, you should aim to develop your interpretation, analytical, and comprehension skills (reading, listening, analyzing, etc.).
On top of that, you need to ensure you can observe and identify links between texts and various cultures and viewpoints.
The final assessments involve a guided analysis of unseen texts (Paper 1), a comparative essay (Paper 2), and an oral response about a global issue (Individual Oral). Furthermore, HL students must write an additional HL Essay on one literary or non-literary text. [ IB Language A Subject Brief ]
Language B (SL and HL)
Language B subjects revolve around five central topics: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet.
Both SL and HL students study all the mentioned topics; however, HL students must have a deeper understanding of the language, such as more advanced vocabulary and grammar. They must be able to convey the aforementioned concepts freely in their chosen language while using correct vocabulary and grammar rules.
Furthermore, HL students are expected to study two literary works written in their chosen language and understand all the ideas present in them.
A strong foundation of grammar and vocabulary is essential for both SL and HL students, as they are required to use their language skills in both familiar and unfamiliar environments. Keep in mind you should also identify parts of your own and other cultures in the material.
In the end, students should complete writing tasks (Paper 1), reading and listening assessments (Paper 2), and an individual oral (Internal Assessment). [ IBO Language B Subject Brief ]
Language A Study Tips
As a first-year IBDP student taking English Literature HL, I was able to experiment with various study techniques to see which ones gave me the best outcomes. Furthermore, I was introduced to Global Issues and how to present them, which helped me develop new ways of preparing for my oral assessments. I’m sharing the tips that have worked for me so far and helped me be prepared for my upcoming assessments.
Keep Track of Global Issues
As mentioned above, one of the final assessments for Language A students is discussing a Global Issue and connecting it to two literary works studied throughout the program.
The Language A courses may be rigorous and filled with numerous assignments and deadlines; however, keeping track of global issues in texts will help you save time in the long run.
I suggest that after finishing a literary work, think of three global issues that are applicable to the text. You can add a couple of examples, quotes, or even page numbers to help jog your memory when returning to your notes. Ensure there are sufficient examples to discuss your chosen issue fully and that the issue is relevant and applicable worldwide. When your Individual Oral rolls around, you will already have multiple issues written down for each text!
Try not to choose a broad topic as your issue. Your topic should have a focus you can follow through your analysis. You can start with a broader issue and narrow it down to specific problems afterward.
Having examples and supportive quotes for each global issue will help you avoid re-reading old texts and make your preparation stress and anxiety-free.
Trace Themes in Works
Another study tip for Language A subjects is to keep track of themes and symbolism in each literary work you study.
Note down the symbols the author uses to convey a message and try to understand the thematic significance of each one. This will help you develop your analytical skills, which are crucial when writing your final comparative and analytical essays.
Practicing this will help you understand not only the message behind the work but also the “so what” factor.
The “so what” factor prompts you to think about why the author wrote what they wrote, making it easier to understand the main meaning of the work.
This will be handy when looking at literary devices and their thematic significance, which is essential for your oral and written assessments.
Take Notes by Hand
Taking notes by hand might seem outdated, considering all the useful tools that exist online. However, your final IB exams, including your comparative and HL Essays, must be written by hand.
You might still think taking notes by hand is unnecessary and that you will be able to write your final exams just fine. In reality, only taking online notes means physically writing long paragraphs, especially for final essays, will be extremely difficult.
Solely taking online notes might also cause you to lose time since you won’t be accustomed to writing fast by hand. Another negative factor of not taking notes by hand is that your handwriting might be illegible, which might cause you to lose some marks.
This doesn’t mean you should write all your notes by hand, but try to do it occasionally to avoid the issues mentioned above.
Furthermore, this doesn’t apply only to Language A students, but is also a crucial tip to consider for Language B subjects.
Language B Study Tips
Currently, I am taking French B HL which has been an interesting and nerve-racking experience all at once. However, as I familiarized myself with the tasks and realized what was expected of me, I started focusing on activities that would help me succeed in my exams. Some of the tasks I did that helped me complete assessments such as my practice orals and my Paper 1 and 2 exams are outlined below.
Practice your orals
No matter how easy the task might sound, never postpone practicing your orals.
When exam season starts, you’ll realize how truly difficult it is to prepare for them. Most teachers will assign formative oral practices, but if they don’t, take matters into your own hands.
Most Language B subjects, such as French B, require you to discuss a visual stimulus and its global significance. A helpful exercise is to take pictures from your coursebook and make a small oral presentation of them. Ensure you describe the stimulus in detail and discuss its cultural significance.
It’s also helpful to connect the stimulus to your own culture or other cultures and discuss their similarities and differences.
Practicing this multiple times will slowly get you accustomed to doing orals and ultimately prepare you for your final assessment.
Revise Grammar
Although this might sound like a simple step, revising and being confident in your grammar is the key to succeeding in Language B subjects.
It’s quite easy to mess up or forget grammar rules for foreign languages, and without them, there is an extremely slim chance of you completing your assessments well.
I like having a notebook where I write grammar rules, which I carry with me for easy reference.
Another significant factor is memorizing irregular verb conjugations. Yes, it’s time-consuming, but there’s no way around learning them. Some of them (like Aller, Avoir, and Être in French) are unavoidable and are a must for you to know as it affects the quality of your assignments.
If you feel like you’re struggling with grammar, I recommend asking your teacher to review grammar rules with you again or getting a tutor to help.
Using online tools has also been effective for me, as they helped me practice grammar and refine my vocabulary. One of the sources I recommend is Conjuguemos, which provides useful grammar exercises for various languages.
Ab Initio Study Tips
As a true language enthusiast, I also take the Italian Ab Initio course. While the course is relatively easy for me due to my background knowledge of French, I still face some issues. It’s hard getting accustomed to new pronunciations, new grammar rules, etc.
Since we only have around two years to learn the language, it is essential for us to start learning it in-depth from the beginning. Here are some things I did to set myself up for success in this subject.
Use Quizlet
Learning a new language, especially alongside other rigorous IB courses, is not as easy as you think.
Yes, the learning experience is extremely enjoyable.
However, that doesn’t overshadow the amount of work you’ll need to put in to complete the course successfully.
An evident and crucial part of learning a new language is learning new vocabulary. Quizlet is an excellent platform for memorizing vocabulary; it offers flashcards, customized tests, and fun games to help you remember words long-term.
A great feature when studying flashcards is “sorting,” which helps sort out the terms you don’t understand from those you do. This points out the terms you need to work on, ensuring you memorize each word well.
You can also create folders based on your units to make your notes more organized and easily accessible.
Quizlet also has a great algorithm. It offers flashcards created by others on topics you’ve learned, which you can use to study.
Spaced Repetition Method
Spaced repetition is crucial when studying a new language, as it helps retain information long-term. It is often called the most universal learning technique due to its utility.
Given its name, spaced repetition means spacing out your study sessions to test and refine your knowledge.
You might choose to customize your time intervals and study sessions, but some students follow the 2-3-5-7 rule.
This rule means you go over your notes and revise them on days 2 and 3, and then on days 5 and 7. As you may notice, the time intervals between each study session increase, which helps test your knowledge better.
You can completely customize this method by aligning it with your schedule and deciding the length of each study session. However, I recommend not stretching out your study sessions too much. Focus on remembering the terms and sometimes adding new information.
It is known that without practice, you may forget a language quickly. Thus, this method will ensure you retain knowledge for longer periods.
Final Thoughts
Many students overlook the difficulty of IBDP languages, leading them to struggle during their final exams. Following simple tips and taking extra time to understand your material might seem time-consuming now, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Having the experience of learning foreign languages will open up countless opportunities for you in the future and aid you in becoming more global-minded and aware of other cultures. Remember, the learning process might not always be smooth sailing, so don’t be afraid to ask for help and use online resources for extra guidance!