Spanish Language Ab Initio
Ab Initio Spanish is a Standard Level Course
The term ‘ab initio’ means ‘from the beginning’ and therefore a prerequisite to this course is that the student does not have prior knowledge of Spanish and has certainly not undergone any formal training in the language. However, knowledge of a few well-known greeting/ phrases etc. will not prevent the student from taking this course.
The aims of this course are:
to develop the ability to use the language effectively for purposes of practical communication in a wide range of topic areas.
to form a sound base of skills, language and culture where the language is spoken.
to improve the students’ fluency in the four skill areas in order that they can perform the required tasks at Ab Initio level after two years of study.
Learning a foreign language means being able to interact in a new cultural context that will enable us to function in a society different from our own. It not only expends our possibilities for work, entertainment or travel, but it expands our awareness of the world as we know it today.
The study of a modern language entails acquiring a language system and applying it in four active ways: through listening, speaking, reading and writing. These four skills involve exchanging ideas and effective communication.
The main focus of the Spanish ab initio course is therefore the acquisition of the language required for purposes and situations usual in everyday social interaction. The course aims to develop a variety of linguistic skills and a basic awareness of Spanish culture.
Study centres upon the following themes:
- the individual ( personal information, appearance and personality, house and home)
- education and work (school, future ambitions)
- the city and its services (shopping and public services)
- food and drink (shopping, eating out, food and diet)
- leisure and travel (hobbies, local entertainments, holidays, tourist information, accommodation)
- the environment ( weather, physical geography, threats to the planet)
- health and emergency situations (healthy lifestyle, warnings, accidents)
Assessment
| External Assessment |
Individual Oral
15%
Paper 1
Text Handling and Directed Writing
1 hour 30 minutes
40%
Paper 2
Writing
1 hour 30 minutes
30%
|
| Internal Assessment |
Oral Component
15%
Interactive oral |
Textbooks and Resources
IB Spanish Ab Initio by Gaby Ganeser – 2-Year Standard Level Course Materials IB Curriculum Aligned Published by Teaching Point
Espanol de Primero by Isabel Alonso de Sudea and Cathy Hill
Listos 3 Rojo by Michael Calvert
ER Easy Readers in Spanish
Career Options
Carreer options available to students who study this course include the following:
- Tourism
- International Relations
- Teaching
- Bilingual Secretarial Work
- Journalism
- International Business
