Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 1
Group 2
Mandarin
Language B SL & ab initio
Handbook
(2012-2014)
Batch Code: 0514
Exam Session: May 2014
Fairview International School ( 004093)
Wangsa Maju Campus
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Prepared by: Lee Fun Nee
Updated: June, 2012
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 2
Contents
Page
A message
Group 2 Aims
Mandarin B SL Scheme of Work
Mandarin B Assessment Objectives
Mandarin B Syllabus Outline
Mandarin B SL Assessment Outline
Mandarin ab initio Scheme of Work
Mandarin ab initio Assessment Objectives
Mandarin ab initio Syllabus Outline
Mandarin ab initio Assessment Outline
Internal Assessment Timeline
List of resources
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Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 3
Philosophy Statement of Teaching and Learning Mandarin at
Fairview International School
At Fairview International School we believe that teaching and learning Mandarin through Diploma
Programme is most effective when teachers, students and parents work together with the following
mission and objectives in context:
Fairview International School aims to be a vibrant centre for educational, personal and social growth in the world providing a rich academic curriculum for children in the local and international community.
Through the use of best practices in teaching and learning, students will become sensitive and caring determined to make a positive difference in the world.
To complement this goal of providing a holistic education for its students in the context of its international community, Fairview International School will focus on supporting educators in the region by consistently opening up opportunities to promote their continuous professional development.
The main emphasis of Mandarin course is on language acquisition as well as elementary and practical
usage. The study of Mandarin entails acquiring the language system and applying it in four active and
interrelated ways: through listening, speaking, reading and writing. These four skills involve
exchanging ideas and effective communication. Effective communication, in turn, involves the
intellectual process of understanding how ideas can best be expressed to the audience concerned.
Understanding ideas, and expressing them clearly and convincingly, demands an awareness of the
cultural characteristics of the audience.
Remember that my door is always open to help you at any stage of your Mandarin learning.
Here to help,
Lee Fun Nee
Mandarin Teacher
Fairview International School
Wangsa Maju Campus
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 4
Group 2 Aims
Group 2 consists of three language courses accommodating the different levels of linguistic proficiency that students have when they begin. There is a single set of group 2 aims, which are common to all the courses, but the assessment objectives are differentiated according to what the students are expected to be to able to demonstrate at the end of each course. The aims of group 2 are to: 1. develop students’ intercultural understanding
2. enable students to understand and use the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes
3. encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures
4. develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
5. develop students’ awareness of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they are familiar
6. provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional language
7. provide the opportunity for enjoyment, creativity and intellectual stimulation through knowledge of an additional language.
Language B aims The aims of the language B course reflect those of group 2 listed above but are to be defined within
the parameters of the language B syllabus. The range of contexts, purposes, language skills and texts
to be taught are listed in “Syllabus content”. The use of appropriate language and the breadth of
intercultural understanding to be demonstrated are also defined within the syllabus content.
Language ab inito aims The aims of the language ab initio course reflect those of group 2 listed above but are to be defined
within the parameters of the language ab initio syllabus. The range of contexts, purposes, language
skills and texts to be taught are listed in “Syllabus content”. The use of appropriate language and the
breadth of intercultural understanding to be demonstrated are also defined within the syllabus
content.
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 5
Scheme of Work( SOW) 2012- 2014
Subject and Level DP Mandarin B SL
Batch Code & Exam Session 0514 & Exam Session May 2014
Teacher/s Ms Lee Fun Nee
WOK -Perception Emotion Reason Language Ethics Mathematics Natural Sciences Human sciences History The Arts-AOK
Ope
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ind
ed
Ris
k-t
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K
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C
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Cari
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In
qu
irer
s
Ref
lect
ive
T
hin
ker
s
P
rin
cipl
ed
Term Unit titles and subtitles Remarks
Open
-min
ded
Risk
-tak
ers Kn
owled
gea
ble Com
mu
nica
tors Bala
nced
Carin
g In
qu
irers Reflective T
hin
kers P
rincipled
Sem
este
r 1
Unit 1: GLOBAL ISSUES 1.1 Environmental Issues 1.2 Climate Change, Global Warming and Natural Disaster 1.3 World Hunger and Poverty 1.4 Migration (rural–urban, or international) 1.5 International Economy 1.6 Globalisation 1.7 Drugs 1.8 Energy Reserves
Core
Unit 2: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS 2.1 Celebrations, Social and Religious Events 2.2 Etiquette and Protocols 2.3 National Costumes 2.4 Food 2.5 The Arts
Option
Sem
este
r 2
& 3
(1
st h
alf)
Unit 3: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA 3.1 Types of Media 3.2 Sensationalism in Media 3.3 Advertising 3.4 Bias in media
Core
Unit 4: SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS 4.1 Relationships (Friendship, Work, Family) 4.2 Language and identity 4.3 Social structures 4.4 Social Behaviours and Stances 4.5 Nationalism, Patriotism, Fanaticism 4.6 Minorities 4.7 Educational System
Core
Sem
este
r 3
(2n
d h
alf)
Unit 5: LEISURE 5.1 Recreation and Leisure Activities 5.2 Hobbies 5.3 Sports and Games 5.4 Travelling (Ecotourism, Health Tourism and Self-organized Expedition)
Option
Sem
este
r 4
Intensive Revision and Mock Exams
International Mindedness - Cultural Understanding collaboration Communication Environmental Awareness - International Mindedness
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 6
Mandarin B Assessment Objectives There are six assessment objectives for the language B course. Students will be assessed on their ability to: 1. communicate clearly and effectively in a range of situations, demonstrating linguistic competence and intercultural understanding
2. use language appropriate to a range of interpersonal and/or cultural contexts
3. understand and use language to express and respond to a range of ideas with accuracy and fluency
4. organize ideas on a range of topics, in a clear, coherent and convincing manner
5. understand, analyse and respond to a range of written and spoken texts
6. understand and use works of literature written in the target language of study (HL only).
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 7
Mandarin B syllabus outline
Figure 1
Language B syllabus outline
Language B is a language acquisition course developed at two levels—standard level (SL) and higher
level (HL)—for students with some background in the target language. While acquiring a language,
students will explore the culture(s) connected to it. The focus of these courses is language acquisition
and intercultural understanding.
The language B syllabus approaches the learning of language through meaning. Through the study of
the core and the options at SL and HL, plus two literary works at HL, students build the necessary
skills to reach the assessment objectives of the language B course through the expansion of their
receptive, productive and interactive skills.
SL and HL are differentiated by the recommended number of teaching hours, the depth of syllabus
coverage, the study of literature at HL, and the level of difficulty and demands of assessment and
assessment criteria.
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 8
The core—with topics common to both levels—is divided into three areas and is a required area of
study.
• Communication and media
• Global issues
• Social relationships
In addition, at both SL and HL, teachers select two from the following five options.
• Cultural diversity
• Customs and traditions
• Health
• Leisure
• Science and technology
Also, at HL, students read two works of literature.
At SL the minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 and at HL it is 240 hours.
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 9
Mandarin B SL - Assessment outline
First Examinations 2013
Assessment component Weighting
External assessment
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills
Text-handling exercises on four written texts, based on the core.
Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes): Written productive skills
One writing exercise of 300–480 words from a choice of five, based on the
options.
Written assignment: Receptive and written productive skills
Intertextual reading followed by a written exercise of 360–480 words plus
a 120-word rationale, based on the core.
70%
25%
25%
20%
Internal assessment
Internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB.
Individual oral (8–10 minutes)
Based on the options: 15 minutes’ preparation time and a 10-minute
(maximum) presentation and discussion with the teacher.
Interactive oral activity
Based on the core: Three classroom activities assessed by the teacher.
30%
20%
10%
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 10
Scheme of Work( SOW) 2012- 2014
Subject and Level DP Mandarin ab initio
Batch Code & Exam Session 0514 & Exam Session May 2014
Teacher/s Ms Lee Fun Nee
WOK -Perception Emotion Reason Language Ethics Mathematics Natural Sciences Human sciences History The Arts-AOK
Ope
n-m
ind
ed
Ris
k-t
ak
ers
K
now
led
gea
ble
C
omm
un
icato
rs B
ala
nce
d
Cari
ng
In
qu
irer
s
Ref
lect
ive
T
hin
ker
s
Pri
nci
pled
Term Unit titles and subtitles Remarks
Open
-min
ded
Risk
-tak
ers Kn
owled
gea
ble Com
mu
nica
tors Bala
nced
Carin
g In
qu
irers Reflective T
hin
kers P
rincipled
Sem
este
r 1
Unit 1: INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
1.1 Personal details, appearance and character
1.2 Food and drink
1.3 Education
1.4 Daily routines
1.5 Relationships
1.6 Physical health
1.7 Shopping
Core
Sem
este
r 2
Unit 2: LEISURE AND WORK
2.1 Entertainment
2.2 Holidays
2.3 Sport
2.4 Employment
2.5 Media
2.6 Technology
2.7 Transport
Core
Sem
este
r 3
Unit 3: URBAN AND RURAL ENVIRONMENT
3.1 Neighbourhood
3.2 Town and services
3.3 Physical geography
3.4 Environmental concerns
3.5 Global issues
3.6 Weather
Core
Sem
este
r 4
Intensive Revision and Mock Exams
International Mindedness - Cultural Understanding collaboration Communication Environmental Awareness - International Mindedness
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 11
Mandarin ab initio Assessment Objectives
There are five assessment objectives for the language ab initio course. Students will be assessed on their ability to:
1. demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the intercultural elements related to the prescribed topics
2. communicate clearly and effectively in a range of situations
3. understand and use accurately the basic structures of the language
4. understand and use an appropriate range of vocabulary
5. use a register and a format that are appropriate to the situation.
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 12
Mandarin ab initio Syllabus outline
Figure 2
Language ab initio syllabus outline
Three areas of study—language, texts and themes—provide the basis of the two-year language ab initio course. These three fundamental areas are interconnected and should be studied concurrently. Interactive, productive and receptive skills are developed through study in these three areas and are of equal importance.
The language ab initio course is displayed above in a diagram with intercultural understanding at its heart to demonstrate both its importance and its interrelatedness within the areas of language, texts and themes. Intercultural understanding is defined as an ability to demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and/or similarity between the target culture(s) and the student’s own. The student develops a greater awareness of his or her own culture(s) through learning about another. Intercultural understanding provides both the link between the three areas of the course and the lens through which they should be addressed.
The course is available at SL only; the minimum prescribed number of hours is 150.
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 13
Mandarin ab initio - Assessment outline
First Examinations 2013
Assessment component Weighting
External assessment
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): Receptive skills
Understanding of four written texts. (40 marks)
Text-handling exercises.
Paper 2 (1 hour): Productive skills
Two compulsory writing exercises. (25 marks)
Section A (7 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of two.
Section B (18 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of three.
Written assignment (2 hours): Receptive and productive skills
A piece of writing, 240–360 words, in the target language carried out in class
under teacher supervision. (20 marks)
75%
30%
25%
20%
Internal assessment (10 minutes): Interactive skills
Individual oral (25 marks)
Three-part oral internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by
the IB towards the end of the course.
Part 1: Presentation of a visual stimulus (from a choice of two) by the
student
Part 2: Follow-up questions on the visual stimulus
Part 3: General conversation including at least two questions on the
written assignment
25%
Fairview International School, IBDP Grp 2: Mandarin Handbook Page 14
Internal Assessment Timeline
Group 2 Written assignment Individual oral
Mandarin B SL 1st half of Semester 3 2nd half of Semester 3
Mandarin ab initio 1st half of Semester 3 2nd half of Semester 3
List of Resources Fairview International School provides textbooks and references below in the library:
DP Mandarin B and ab initio reference book Other Mandarin books, newspaper and internet Chinese Made Easy Textbook 1 – 5 (Simplified Characters), Yamin Ma Chinese Made Easy Workbook 1- 5 (Simplified Characters), Yamin Ma Global Chinese Language And Culture Center: www.huayuworld.org BBC Real Chinese: www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese http://www.eywedu.org/
Reference
IB Diploma Programme (2011) Language ab initio guide First examinations 2013. Cardiff: International
Baccalaureate Organization
IB Diploma Programme (2011) Language B guide First examinations 2013. Cardiff: International
Baccalaureate Organization