Language Acquisition

Language Acquisition

At YIS, students are able to develop multilingual skills through two programs: Language and Literature and Language Acquisition. Within these two programs, courses are structured in different phases and year levels to take into account the complexity and range of our students’ language profiles. Student placement is planned with consideration of the student’s possible pathways through our IB programs as well as future studies and the world beyond school.

Language and literature courses are designed for students to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, and analysis as well as to develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analyzing literary and non-literary texts. Students who have a social and academic base in Japanese and wish to pursue bilingualism should choose this program.

Language acquisition courses are designed for students to gain competence in an additional language with the long-term goal of multilingualism. These courses use a variety of multimodal text types to develop familiarity with language in a range of social and cultural contexts. Students who wish to gain competence in an additional language in which they have no or limited background studying at school should choose this program. 

At YIS we offer the following courses in the MYP program: Japanese Language and Literature, Japanese Language Acquisition, French Language Acquisition, Spanish Language Acquisition. 
 

The Japanese Language and Literature Program aims to:

• develop communication skills (read, view, write, speak, present) and thinking skills (critical and creative)
• engage with a balance between analytical and creative thinking and communication
• provide students with good examples of a variety of text types that allow insights into different international perspectives
• enable students to learn about and engage with the world through texts
• foster curiosity, inquiry and a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of language in their everyday lives through a variety of media (novels, newspapers, advertisements, TV shows, films, etc)

Japanese Language and Literature Grade 6
Students analyze human relationships through an introduction to literature, actively expressing their ideas through speaking and writing.  Furthermore, students read texts from different contexts, collaboratively evaluating their intent and creatively applying it in their original writing and spoken works. Related to these topics, students develop their academic writing and presentation skills through oral presentations and dramatic performances. Students are encouraged to maintain independent reading throughout the year, develop a lifelong interest and love towards reading.

Japanese Language and Literature Grade 7
Students are encouraged to develop independent ideas in the study of literature and support them through close analysis of textual evidence. Students analyze relationships and conflicts, and the interconnectedness of people, animals, and nature. Students also discuss the importance of peace. A variety of functional language skills are also taught including summarizing, literary analysis, and persuasive writing. Aspects of Japanese history and culture such as kyogen are explored. 

Japanese Language and Literature Grade 8
Students discuss the theme of conflict, research societal problems, and explore possible solutions. Students study literature to reflect on and discuss the relationships among characters and to imagine/read the characters' mind in the story to analyze different perspectives. Students engage in both analytical and creative work, producing a variety of texts such as essays, oral presentations, short stories, and descriptive writing.

The Language Acquisition Program aims to:

• enhance students’ proficiency in an additional language while supporting maintenance of their mother tongue and cultural heritage
• develop students’ communication skills necessary for further language learning, and for study, work and leisure, for a variety of audiences and purposes
• enable students 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 their own and other cultures
• foster curiosity, inquiry and a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of, language learning

Phase 1: The Phase 1 introductory course is appropriate for students with either no background or limited experience with the target language. The course is designed for students to build the confidence and language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) to interact in basic everyday situations using basic language structures, familiar everyday expressions, and basic phrases. For Japanese, students will read and write hiragana, katakana, and 50+ basic kanji. Students will develop a basic understanding of the culture and geography of the countries and people who speak the language. 

Phase 2: The Phase 2 course is appropriate for students with limited experience with the target language. The course is designed to consolidate students’ communicative competence and language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) in a variety of everyday contexts using a variety of basic language structures, frequently used expressions, and a variety of basic transitions. Students learn how to share personal information and discuss topics such as education and learning approaches, shopping and consumption habits, local geography, healthy routines and habits, and future plans. For Japanese, students will read and write hiragana, katakana, and 100+ basic and advanced kanji. Students will have a basic understanding of the cultural practices and beliefs of the peoples who speak the language.

Phase 3: The Phase 3 course is appropriate for students who have a basic foundation in the target language. The course is designed to consolidate students’ communicative competence and language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) and use the language to study various current social and global topics affecting speakers of the language. Students will be able to present and defend their opinions, discuss possible scenarios, and discuss different past experiences and events using a variety of both basic and complex grammatical structures and authentic expressions. For Japanese, students will expand their usage of both basic and advanced kanji. Students will research and be able to make comparisons of the cultural practices and beliefs of the peoples who speak the language.

Phase 4: The Phase 4 course is appropriate for students who have a solid foundation in the target language. The course is designed to consolidate students’ academic communicative competence and language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) and use the language to study various current topics affecting speakers of the language. Students develop their ability to produce clear, detailed personal, professional and mass media texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on personal and social topics, and on some topics of global significance. They will be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including discussions and debates on current topics. For Japanese, students will use kanji effectively in their written expression.