English Language & Literature (IB) Syllabus 20212023

1. Programme Overview

The IB English Language & Literature course is designed to develop students abilities to analyse, interpret and produce texts in a variety of modes. It combines the study of literary works with the critical examination of language in everyday contexts, encouraging a reflective, culturally aware approach to communication.

For the 20212023 cycle the course is divided into three main strands:

• Language in Cultural Context investigates how language constructs meaning in social, political and cultural settings.
• Literature Textual Analysis focuses on close reading, thematic exploration and literary criticism.
• Literature Comparative Study requires students to compare two works from different periods, genres, or cultures.

2. Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Analyse how language choices shape meaning and influence audiences.
2. Evaluate literary techniques and their effects on theme, tone, and structure.
3. Synthesize insights from multiple texts to develop original arguments.
4. Communicate ideas fluently and accurately in a range of written and oral formats.
5. Demonstrate cultural awareness and ethical reflection in their analyses.

3. Assessment Overview

The IB assessment model consists of two external examinations (Paper 1 and Paper 2) and two internal assessments (the Individual Oral Commentary and the Written Assignment). Each component is weighted as follows:

• Paper1 Textual Analysis (75minutes): 20% of the final grade. Students analyse an unseen passage (literary or nonliterary) applying appropriate terminology.
• Paper2 Essay (2hours): 30% of the final grade. Candidates choose one of three prescribed questions, each relating to a different area of the syllabus.
• Individual Oral Commentary (IOC): 20% of the final grade. A 10minute commentary on an extract of a work studied in class, followed by a 5minute discussion.
• Written Assignment (WA): 30% of the final grade. A 1200word analytical essay on a literary work not studied in depth, chosen from the prescribed list.

4. External Papers in Detail

4.1 Paper1 Textual Analysis

Students are presented with a passage of up to 1000 words. The passage may be literary (e.g., poetry, prose) or nonliterary (e.g., advertisement, speech). The task is to produce a structured analysis that:

• Identifies the purpose and audience.
• Discusses language, structure and rhetorical techniques.
• Evaluates the effect of these choices on meaning.

Marks are awarded according to four criteria (AD), each worth 5 points. Criterion A focuses on understanding the text, B on analysis, C on evaluation, and D on organization and language.

4.2 Paper2 Essay

Three essay prompts are provided, each linked to a distinct syllabus area:

• PromptA Language in Cultural Context (e.g., media representation, political discourse).
• PromptB Literary Textual Analysis (focus on a prescribed literary work).
• PromptC Comparative Study (compare two works from the prescribed list).

Students must select one prompt and develop a wellstructured essay (12001500 words) that incorporates appropriate literary terminology, critical perspectives, and textual evidence.

5. Internal Assessments

5.1 Individual Oral Commentary (IOC)

The IOC is an oral response to an extract from one of the works studied in class. The preparation time is 20minutes; the commentary itself is 10minutes, followed by a 5minute discussion with the examiner. Success depends on:

• Choosing a focus that allows detailed analysis.
• Demonstrating sound knowledge of the whole work.
• Using relevant terminology fluently.

5.2 Written Assignment (WA)

The WA offers students the chance to explore a literary work not examined in depth in class. It must be a critical essay (1200words) that:

• Poses a clear, arguable research question.
• Engages with at least two different critical perspectives.
• Shows sustained analytical insight.

Students submit a draft for teacher feedback before the final version is assessed externally.

6. Prescribed Works (20212023)

The IB maintains a list of prescribed literary works for both Language & Literature and Literature courses. For Language & Literature, the list is smaller but includes a mix of prose, poetry and drama from different regions and periods. A selection (not exhaustive) includes:

• A Streetcar Named Desire TennesseeWilliams (Drama)
• The Story of an Hour KateChopin (Short story)
• The Great Gatsby F.ScottFitzgerald (Novel)
• The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock T.S.Eliot (Poetry)
• Things Fall Apart ChinuaAchebe (Novel)
• A Small Place JamaicaKincaid (Nonfiction essay)
• The Monkeys Paw W.W.Jacobs (Short story)

Teachers may supplement the prescribed list with contemporary texts that meet the criteria of cultural relevance and linguistic richness, provided they are approved by the IB coordinator.

7. Teaching & Learning Strategies

Effective delivery of the syllabus hinges on a balanced mix of close reading, discourse analysis and creative practice.

7.1 Scaffolding Textual Analysis

Begin with guided annotation sessions that model how to identify rhetorical devices, narrative perspective and structural patterns. Use graphic organizers to help students link observations to interpretive claims.

7.2 Developing Critical Vocabulary

Maintain a running literarylanguage bank on a classroom board. Regularly quiz students on definitions and ask them to incorporate new terms in writing tasks.

7.3 Comparative Study Workshops

Organise paired reading groups where each student focuses on one work while the partner focuses on the other. Afterward, the pair creates a Venn diagram highlighting points of convergence and divergence, which later informs the essay planning stage.

7.4 Oral Skills Practice

Schedule minicommentary drills: students present a 3minute analysis of a short extract, receive peer feedback, and then refine their delivery. This builds confidence for the IOC.

7.5 Integration of Digital Resources

Use platforms such as Edmodo or Google Classroom to share annotated PDFs, video lectures on stylistic devices, and forums for asynchronous discussion of controversial passages.

8. Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

• Time Management in Exams: Encourage timed practice papers. Teach students to allocate minutes to planning, writing and reviewing.
• Balancing Literary and Language Focus: Structure units so that each literary work is paired with a languageincontext case study, highlighting the interplay between text and context.
• Developing Independent Critical Thought: Introduce a range of critical lenses (feminist, postcolonial, new historicism) early, then ask students to apply them in lowstakes assignments.
• Meeting WordCount Requirements: Provide checklists for each assessment criterion, reminding students to stay within the 1200word limit while ensuring depth.

9. Suggested Resources

Below is a curated list of resources that align well with the 20212023 syllabus:

• IBpublished Course Companion (provides detailed criterion rubrics).
• Literature and Its Institutions a collection of scholarly essays useful for comparative study.
• BBC World Service podcasts excellent material for languageinculturalcontext analysis.
• Project Gutenberg free access to many of the prescribed texts.
• Understanding Languages Role in Media a video series by the National Film Board of Canada.

10. Conclusion

The IB English Language & Literature syllabus (20212023) offers a rigorous framework that blends literary appreciation with critical language awareness. Success relies on systematic textual analysis, consistent practice of the assessment formats, and a willingness to engage with diverse cultural perspectives. By aligning teaching strategies with the IBs criteria and leveraging the resources listed above, both teachers and students can navigate the course confidently and achieve the high standards expected of the Diploma Programme.