Korean
Korean A/A1 is the study of literature and literary criticism in the Korean language. Korean A1 started to be offered to Grade 11 Korean students in 2003; Korean A started to be offered to Grades 9-10 Korean students in 2004. Currently, Korean is taught at every year level in the Secondary School.
Grades 6 – 10 Korean A (IBMYP)
Students in Grades 6-10 Korean A develop the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students develop strategies for reflective, critical, and analytical reading, moving among literature written for young adults, literary classics, and contemporary fiction. They read from a selection of works of varied genres and multiple cultures. Presentations and performances enhance and refine the student’s oral skills and add to the student’s enjoyment of good literature. Using the stages of the writing process, students develop competence, fluency, style, and expressiveness. To ensure greater independence as learners, students reflect and monitor their personal learning and achieve better information resourcing and retrieval skills. Students are expected to develop improved standards of judgment and more mature sensitivity to literary features.
Grades 11 – 12 Korean A1 (IBDP)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Korean A1 course is a two-year programme prescribed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The course focuses on the student building a complementary array of core skills in written and spoken language to present facts, ideas and opinions suitably and effectively. The opportunity to experience a variety of texts in different genres, media, styles and contexts is an important facet, along with the growth in the student's perception and appreciation of the Korean language and its literature, in conjunction with those of other nationalities and cultures.
In the first year, seven major works of literature, chosen from the IBDP-prescribed book list (PBL) and the prescribed world literature list (PWL), are studied, followed by a further eight in the second year. The students are given opportunities to present personal and critical responses to their reading in written and oral formats. They build up good standards of judgment for the evaluation and utilization of information sources and literary works as they enhance their growth as independent, life-long learners. Through reading, strategies for comprehension and analysis of progressively challenging works are cultivated and, via the writing and speaking process, their skills in responding and reflecting personally are developed. Skills in decision-making, problem solving and collaborative development are addressed on an individual and group basis.
Japanese
Japanese A/A1 is offered to Japanese native students. Japanese classes at BISS originally began with only Grade 11 in 2007 and now it is taught at every year level in Secondary School from grades 6-12
Grade 6 – 10 Japanese A (IBMYP)
Students are expected to acquire five skills in Japanese A class; speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing. This program provides the students who live outside Japan the opportunity to practice and develop speaking and writing in a variety of styles including formal Japanese language. They are exposed to a variety of genres including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and newspapers. Students also study koten. waka and haiku to explore Japanese culture. They also have a chance to study world literature, which helps develop deeper understandings of other cultures.
Grade 11, 12 Japanese A1 (IBDP)
IBDP is a two-year curriculum and in Japanese A1 class students study nine Japanese works and four world literature works mainly from IB Prescribed World Literature List. Those works are chosen from a variety of genres, periods, style and contexts. Kokoro (Natsume, souseki), Suna no Onna (Abe, Kobo), Okuno Hosomichi (Matsuo, Basho) and Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare) are some examples of works which are studied in Japanese A1 class. This class introduces students to ways of approaching and studying literature, leading to the development of an understanding and appreciation of the relationships between different works. One of the aims of the Japanese A programme is to develop the power of expression, both in oral and written communication as well as the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of written text. They are also expected to express ideas with clarity, coherence, conciseness, precision and fluency.
Chinese
Our mission is to promote enjoyment of Chinese language learning and understanding of different perspectives, cultures, and practices. Our school is an international school, and students are from different countries. Consequently, through our programs, students will gain a global vision and sensitivity to foreign cultures, in addition to enhanced Chinese language competency, comprehension of Chinese culture, and a lifelong interest in learning Chinese.
The objectives of our Chinese Studies programme are as follows:
· To develop positive attitudes towards the Chinese language and culture
· To acquire knowledge and understanding of Chinese language, society and culture;
· To develop communication skills in Chinese.
Chinese studies is an integral component of the BISS curriculum. It is taught through both Elementary and secondary school section of the school. Chinese Studies Programme at BISS includes both language and culture. The integration of Chinese culture and language studies is a very important goal for our curriculum. The programme offers about 30 language classes with two tracks: Language B and Language A, ranging from Beginner level to Advanced level, Near Native and Langugae A. Chinese Studies Programme has three different IB programmes: PYP, MYPIB and DPIB.
The Chinese Language course is offered to all Elementary School students, from Kindergarden to 5 , there is a beginners/intermediate group and an advanced/near native group. Students are assigned based mainly on grade level, but also on their ability to communicate using the four modes of language in Chinese. we allocate 4 lessons per week to Chinese studies, and there are two groups: a beginners/intermediate group and an advanced/near native group.
PYP Chinese Classes:
Language B Beginner /Intermadite Classes K- Gr5
Language B Advanced/ Nera Native Classes K＿Gr5
The Chinese programme is offered as an elective course to students in Grades 6-12 (Secondary School). Secondary students take either Chinese 6-10/IBMYP, or IBDP Chinese 11-12. In addition to age groupings, students are also assigned based on whether they are native or non-native speakers of the language.
There are four levels of IBMYP Chinese language course:
Language B Fundation Level
Language B Standard Level
Language B Advanced Level
Language A
There are four IBDP Chinese language course:
Mandarin Ab Initio Standard Level
Chinese Language B Standard Level
Chinese Language B High Level
Chinese Language A Standerd Leve
Extra Chinese classes(Chinese Language B class) on Wednesday & Friday
This opportunity to learn Chinese is only for students who are not presently taking Chinese in their normal daily schedule. These classes will be included in reports and transcripts.
In addition to the classroom teaching, other activities are also involved, for example, some guest speakers, experts are invited to Chinese class. Another example is to visit some famous or historical sites to deepen students’ understanding of Chinese culture. (Activity week, visit local Chinese school, daytrip and other international schools in Beijing, etc)
Chinese ASA classes: Chinese H/W Club, Chinese Cultural Club, Chinese Writing Class, Chinese Painting Class, Teach the teacher Chinese class and Chinese Movie Club.
Languages at BISS