Ab Initio Written Assignment

Ab Initio Written assignment:

Students are required to produce an assignment of 200-350 words. Work which falls significantly beneath the stated word count is unlikely to fully meet the stated requirements of the task and is likely to receive low marks. If the word limit is exceeded, the assessment will be based on the first 350

Weighting: 20%

The written assignment is the culmination of independent research that the student has carried out on one ofthe prescribed topics of the language ab initio course in the final year of the programme. Teachers are encouraged to guide students in selecting an appropriate topic and a suitable title for the assignment, guidance for which can be found in the teacher support material. The aim of the assignment is for students to describe the chosen topic before identifying differences and/or similarities between their own culture(s) and the target culture(s). Lastly, students are required to reflect on these differences and/or similarities by responding to a set of guiding questions. The description, comparison and reflection must be presented in the target language in one continuous piece of word processed work under three separate headings: description, comparison and reflection.

The research process is student driven and guided by teachers. There is no formal amount of time for the research process other than the stipulation that it cannot begin in the first year of the programme. Sources (any text that contributes to the research process and that will enable the student to reflect on the culture(s) studied during the course) may be found by the student or generated by the teacher or a combination of both. Sources from the classroom may be included as part of the research process, as can externally generated sources.

The written assignment is externally assessed and must be the independent work of the student. The written assignment must be word processed in the target language and carried out in a student’s own time with guidance from the teacher as specified in "The role of the teacher" section below. The title of the written assignment and theme from which it comes (individual and society, leisure and work, urban and rural environment) should be the choice of the student with guidance from the teacher.During the language ab initio course, the student will become familiar with the everyday life and culture(s) ofthe country (or countries) in which the language is spoken. The student will thus become aware of the similarities and differences between societies and come to better appreciate the complex web of relationships that define and link us. The student is expected to develop a knowledge and understanding of some aspects of intercultural diversity and similarity. Texts should be used as a means of exploring and reflecting on aspects of both the target language culture(s) and the student’s own culture(s).

Objectives

  • To develop intercultural understanding by reflecting on differences and similarities between cultures
  • To describe aspects of the target language culture(s)
  • To compare aspects of the target language culture(s) with similar aspects in the student’s culture(s)
  • To develop language competence.

Length 200–350 words

Sources 2–4 sources in the target language (additional sources in any language are optional)

Communicativepurposes, description, comparison and reflection

The written assignment should take the form of short written responses set out under three separate headings in the target language: A—description, B—comparison, C—reflection.

  • Section A: A description of the chosen topic in relation to specific aspects of the target culture(s)
  • Section B: A comparison of the differences and/or similarities between the chosen topic in the target culture(s) and the student’s culture(s)
  • Section C: A reflection related to the chosen topic

The reflection must include answers to all of the following questions.

  • Which aspect of your chosen topic surprised you?
  • Why do you think these cultural similarities/differences exist?
  • What might a person from the target culture(s) find different about your chosen topic in yourculture(s)?

If the word limit is exceeded, the assessment will be based on the first 350 words.

Formal guidelines. The student must submit:

  • a word processed piece of writing
  • the sources in the target language
  • a bibliography in standard format with references to all sources in all languages.

• Quotations can be included but will not be part of the overall word count. If used they must be  appropriately referenced. Unacknowledged quotations will be investigated as potential academic misconduct.

The role of the teacher

It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that:

  • the written assignment is completed during the final year of the course and submitted before the date stipulated by the IB guidance is provided to the student in his or her choice of the topic and the source material
  •  a copy of the assessment criteria is provided to the student
  • a copy of the formal requirements below is provided to the student.