Languages A1/A Literature
For discussion on Languages A1/A Literature ONLY.
There is a separate forum for Languages A2, B and Ab Initio and a subforum for A Literature & Language.
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Here are the links to the notes and sample essays for Languages A1 we have on our Files archive. To be able to download files, you have to be a VIP member or a VIP subscriber. Please see the FAQfor information on how to become a VIP or how to buy a VIP subscription. If you want to donate and contribute files to our archive, please see this announcement or this FAQ section. Languages A1 English A1 Exam techniques and essay notes Tips and notes on how to approach essays, commentaries, oral commetaries and presentations Work-specific notes Notes on specific works of English A1 literature Sample essays Sample essays for English A1,…
Last reply by Survival Robot, -
Tough! Okay, maybe not that harsh, but basically: you have to find a topic yourself as this is something you are assessed on. We will happily critique the topics you've found, say whether they're great, rubbish or average and give you plenty of guidance if you ask for it, but we will not give you a topic to write about. It's part of your grade, not ours! Good places to start for searching your OWN topics are sites or books with notes on major themes and characters (e.g. Sparknotes!) which may inspire you. Main themes, characters and symbols are always excellent ways to start thinking about what you want to write about As a hint! You can also find tips on the tips thread.…
Last reply by Schrodinger's CAS, -
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Tips for the A1 Individual Oral Commentary (IOC) 1. Find out how your teacher wants to play it... Okay very technically speaking the rules re: the IOC state that you should be presented with a series of envelopes each containing an extract totally unknown to you from any one of the texts/poems etc. you have studied. However, quite a large percentage of IB schools seem to be into alternative versions of the rules, including some where they will let you choose which texts they'll use and even the odd school where they let you choose your extract. Clearly if your teacher is going to let you select which novel you want to get, you're in with an advantage (and can save yoursel…
Last reply by 239sama, -
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Tips for the A1 Individual Oral Presentation (IOP) Skip to: Marking Criteria 1. Topics can be quite general This isn't like the World Literature papers where your question has to be absolutely dead on target. You can pick from themes, characters, symbols, sections and so on. You're at liberty to make this into something of a discussion topic and you shouldn't fret too much about what title you give to the presentation, provided you can give it a decent introduction and conclusion. Even something as simple as "the theme of Death in Book X" should be fine. Remember the IOP is pretty chilled out (which is why it's often the first thing to be tackled). 2. Use your presenting…
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Here are some tips and suggestions for reading books (for A1 languages ) during IB. Not comprehensive; all suggestions and additions appreciated! 1. Read the books early. If possible don't leave the book reading too late... i.e. preferably before you begin working on it in school, and the first time (more about this later) if possible before the start of the school year/term. This takes some of the load off of you during the school year, when you will have homework and other time-erasing responsibilities. 2. Read the books often. In the simplest terms, more is better. There's no universally accepted 'magic number': you can read the books as many times as you want. But I'd…
Last reply by MariadaPenha, -
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My classmate sent me this for tomorrows exam and I found it to be most helpful, so I wanted to share it with you guys A good way is to discuss the following for both prose and poetry: · The five W’s – What? Who? When? Where? Why? · Ambiguities · Diction · Imagery · Tone · Mood · Structure · Pattern · Voice · Syntax Prose-specific: · Plot · Narrative point of view · Characterization · Chronology (Use of time) · Setting · Paragraphing Poetry-specific: · Layout · Stanzas · Metre · Sound Organization of Time: 30 minutes – Read the passage, over and over again until you feel confident about the passage and have absorbed its contents. Then analysis and structure your commentar…
Last reply by JeffThorsen777, -
Mine was Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys interview with main character ( Antoinette Cosway)
Last reply by pelumi, -
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Hey all, I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask, but I need some help. Next week I will be writing a paper 1 and paper 2 for IB English HL. I'm currently analysing the two plays for my Paper 2: ''Master Harold'' and the boys & Death and the Maiden. I know enough about the characters, context, themes, symbols, motifs, authors, quotes.. etc. but there are a few things that I need help with: - Why did both authors chose for an open ending and what is its purpose? - What are the most important stylistic devices used and what are their purposes? Any help would be appreciated a lot Chaes
Last reply by Chaes, -
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I'm discussing how sticking to expectations from society and the so called 'socially acceptable behaviour' hinders their development... how Lyubov fails because she can't get past the inaction on her part which society expects from her, whereas Nora breaks away from the superficial relationship she has with her husband by doing something that would have been considered outrageous. How appropriate is the title "Conflict Between Socially Acceptable Behaviour and Human Evolution as portrayed in ‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘The Cherry Orchard’"?
Last reply by C.James, -
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I have an idea for my IOP which is due in about three weeks (or more, I'm not exactly sure). Basically, I would be discussing Imagination vs. Reality and concentrate on Briony because she is the one character that could have the most reference in the books with this theme. My problem is, is this topic good enough for IOP? Or should I do something else but then on the same book seeing as I find it fairly easy (most of my class is doing it on this book). I'm just struggling a little bit. And I mean if I do choose this topic, I still have to figure out how and what to say. Maybe someone has any better ideas for a topic on 'Atonement'? Million thanks
Last reply by sous la pluie, -
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Hi guys, I need to think of a WA topic and since all the other books that we've covered were pretty boring for me (no that I particularly embedded myself in Persepolis) I decided to write it on Persepolis. Does any of you know good essays or critics' reviews on Persepolis that I could use for inspiration? Thanks in advance
Last reply by Tom Hiddleston, -
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Hey I just had a quick thought about the discussion section of the IOP. What is your stance on preparing questions for other people to ask during the interactive part of the IOP? Some people are doing it, some people aren't Let me know what you think
Last reply by Lynxarin, -
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Hi I'm sorry if this is the wrong area, or if this seems too random or menial, but it's something I've been wondering about for the English exams (I'm doing English A1 HL) : I live in the UK and we use 'S' in place of 'Z', 'U' in words like 'colour' and 'labour', etc. The IB co-ordinator at my college told us that we have to cut out the u in 'colour' and use 'z' in words like 'surprise' so it becomes 'surprize', but this is something I and the others in my class are having difficulty with because we can't justify it since we're too used to s and u, if you get what I'm saying. Sorry if this seems like a ramble- I'm tired right now so I'll get to the point: do we Americanis…
Last reply by Matthew Sinclair, -
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hey does anyone know what the term "absurd hero" means? i've tried searching but havent really got a clear idea of it...? This is for any essay on the play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Thx
Last reply by Mattias, -
"And also"
by Guest- 2 replies
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Hei. So I'm writing an essay and have come to a point where I'm about to write, "and also" in the middle of a sentence to compare things. But its wrong, because its equivalent to saying "and" twice. How can I avoid using "and also"?
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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Hi im writing a world litt in swedish class comparing the 2 books "Hamlet" and "The Master and Margarita", i have 2 possible aspects which i want to compare these books in: - The corruption of societies (denmark and soviet russia) - Good and Evil, how can we tell them apart (is hamlet good/evil, is woland good/evil) Are these titles focused enough? Or do i need to focus them more? What should i concentrate on writing about? And above all, how do i structure my world lit papper?
Last reply by Tilia, -
"Literature" and "Language and Literature"?
by Guest B.E.P.- 5 replies
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Today we had a seminar concerning the IB program (for the sophomores). The IB coordinator stated that A1 and A2 classes are cancelled and replaced with "Literature" and "Language and Literature." Can someone please explain to me this? I feel confused.
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Hi fellow IB peeps!! I need to write my WL on Madame Bovary and a Doll's house and I need some ideas on what to write it on... I was thinking along the lines of comparing the importance of unanimate or perifercal objects of both plays... do you know anyway I could go deeper than this or anything related to the importance of objects in both plays??? PS: I know some of you could be thinking that in a Doll's House there might not be a huge focus on objects compared to Madame Bovary but there ARE a few around like the letter of the sweets that Nora. THANKS!!!
Last reply by jimmy.gantley, -
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So my topic for my World Lit. 1 is: How do Oedipus and Meursault respond to their ultimate fates in Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Albert Camus' The Outsider? I'm just a little confused about a bit in Oedipus the King. Does Oedipus gouge out his eyes because of the death of Jocasta? Or, is it because of the realisation of the truth that the prophecy holds? Or is it both? I was just hoping to use this aspect of the play to show how Oedipus responds to his ultimate fate by being self-destructive (to pay a penance). But, if he does this out of some sort of desperation of losing his wife/mother, I'm not sure that it's a valid point. Thanks for any comments or suggestions! Al…
Last reply by Ice Cream is really yummy, -
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Hi there, basically, my oral presentation is at the end of April. I'm doing self taught (German) and I started writing the presentation on 2 books (the perfume and the picture of Dorian Gray) presenting the theme of obsession. However, now a friend of mine, who has studied literature, said, that obsession isn't a good theme to pick (it's hard to define what obsession is...). But I've already written so much on it (I mostly flicked through and picked out every bits that are connected with obsession...) and don't want to start it all over again. What do you think?? are you another self-taught student as well? have you already had your oral? Was it hard...? Thank you so muc…
Last reply by Summer Glau, -
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Hi guys, I'm writing this because of questionable things happening in my Language A literature class. As you might know, Language A HL and SL has separate criteria. For example, maximum descriptor of SL criteria in paper 1 and 2 is 'very good' while HL's maximum is 'excellent'. My class has HL and SL students altogether, and when we had assessment, my teacher give all of us grade accordingly to HL criteria. I'm in SL, and every time when I take paper 1 or 2, I always get 3 to 4 points deducted from my actual SL score. For example, if my paper is actually a score of 19, my teacher gave me 15. Do your literature teachers also same as like this? Or, do you think there'…
Last reply by terribletouw, -
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In December, all the A1 English students (standard or higher level) have to do these oral commentaries where you go into a room (where there is a teacher, of course) and pick randomly from a table an extract from some previously studied literary work. As soon as you open the envelope that contains the extract, you have twenty minutes to read, analyse, and write a plan for an oral commentary on the extract. After your planning time has finished, you have to present your oral commentary to the teacher (and it should be around 12 minutes long). So I'll be doing this next month, and I was wondering if anyone has tips or pointers for preparing for this, or things to keep in mi…
Last reply by Kikkicrazy, -
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hi all, I'm currently doing English HL and need an idea for my world lit paper 1 comparative essay. my texts are perfume, the outsider, a day in the life of Ivan Denisovich and the reader. does anyone have any ideas on possible ideas I can write about?
Last reply by Anmol929, -
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Hi, I'm using " Siddhartha" and " The Outsider" for my WL. I wanna talk bout how both main characters are so detached from the real world and how emotionless they both are but how they go and start changing. like Mersault starts to realize his friends and Siddhartha finally finds himself; but i really don't know how i should phrase it and i could definitely use some help. I had another choice of the relationship between Siddhartha and Kamala contrasting with Mersault and Mary but I'm not sure whther that would be a good topic. If there is any better topic which i can do please suggest. thank you, may all of us survive this 2 year program :-)
Last reply by Ahoo, -
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Okay, so I have to do a paper 2 style essay with the books, 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale. The question is: "For a novel to have lasting value, it must make some social or political statement." To what extent is this assertion true based on two or more works you have studied? I need help; this is our third practice essay for paper 2. On the first two, i've been getting 15/16 out of 25. I just don't know how to answer these questions effectively! Could anyone help with ideas? or tell me a general structure to follow to help me answer this question or any paper 2 question well? Thanks!
Last reply by hellwo, -
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eeeeek I'm getting desperatee noww! We spent so long doing a million texts for our orals in Year 12, of which we could only choose one anyway, and now we've ended up rushing through our texts for our EXAMS anywayyy is anyone doing 1984 and/or The Handmaid's Tale and got some good notes that i could use? I've tried to do some on my own, but English isn't my strongest point so i want to make sure I'm not missing anything out. What i particularly have problems with is comparing two texts which is vital for the exam:( so if anyone has comparison notes as well, that would be completely and utterly great too!
Last reply by Ruan Chun Xian, -
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So I was thinking of doing these IOP ideas for the novel 1984 by George Orwell: - theme of Language (Newspeak) - theme of surveillance I will be using a powerpoint and I will pull up quotes that contain the Newspeak language or the theme of surveillance, but is there anything I can do to make the IOP more interactive or interesting? Give your ideas and thoughts please.
Last reply by cricketcrazynerd, -
Hello people, So we're a couple of days away from paper 2 of english literature. I have also just found out, that you're meant to compare the dramatic techniques (like sound, light, dramatic irony, how sympathy is created, etc..) a lot, as opposed to anything else. Let's pool our resources regarding the plays in the title? In effect, we are sharing answers, as they are bound to ask about dramatic techniques. What're the links you guys feel exist between Streetcare, death of a salesman and medea? I'll be adding some stuff later too! (As soon as I try to do some revision on the books
Last reply by BJD, -
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Hello! So I was just wondering whether it's decided already what literature books for English Lang and Lit SL are going to be tested in 2018? Thank you so much!
Last reply by Lynxarin, -
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Hi I'm currently working on my WLA2 and decided to do the 2b option, the creative assignment, on the Stranger. I'm trying to capture Mersaults way of thinking/speaking and present it in a monologue (ie play form) at his beheading, but I'm struggling with finding an authentic feel to the things he'd say and how Camus would make him say them. So any ideas on what he would say, how he would say it, lexis, structure, tone, punctuation or anything relevant are welcome! Or just general ideas on how Camus writes. This would be much appreciated!
Last reply by CristinaV, -
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If I got a 5 on both my IOC and IOP, and assuming I ace my exams, is it possible to get a 7 overall?
Last reply by adletaY, -
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So I have just finished my first draft of my world lit 2, and gotten it back from my teacher with a few comments What I did was option B (a creative essay), on The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende my topic was basically focusing on how Ferula, Rosa and Clara, and Blanca influenced Esteban's character throughout the novel However, apparently my teacher thinks that I've basically written out a 1200 word plot summary I can see why she thinks this - my essay follows Esteban's life, which I guess essentially is the novel's story line but I didn't do this intentionally! I basically took 4 or 5 pivotal moments in his life.. and focused on those. but I guess I need to fix t…
Last reply by Tilia, -
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So i thought we could compile some notes for A Doll's House for paper 2 if anyone is interested. Things like themes, motifs, important quotations, useful links, etc.
Last reply by Vvi, -
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I want to write my paper about Nora's struggle to find herself as an individual. I need help forming a thesis and topic sentences. please help! i was thinking for ideas for my body paragraphs something along these line: 1: pet names. Women are less valued. Traditional societal views. 2: facades. The Christmas tree. 3: secrecy. Forced to hid things because torvald might not approve and nora lives in his shaddow. 4: miss linde serves as a realization for nora that she does not need torvald to be happy. 5: self realization/ courage to act on it.
Last reply by Hannah.M, -
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Hellooo Survivors! I've been starting to plan my WL essay, and I've got this. "To what extent is ignorance a factor contributes to the actions of the characters within the two plays of A Doll’s House and Antigone?" What do you guys think about this topic? Will this be sufficient to talk about? Or is there anything to improve on this topic? Any help is appreciated!
Last reply by jeffreychann, -
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So I am working on my HL essay written assignment and I was thinking about working on A Dolls House as my literature piece. Currently im trying to brainstorm a thesis but I have yet not come up with one I want to deal something around the use of money inside the play can someone please help me form a thesis Respond ASAP please
Last reply by AllaTurca, -
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Hi I need some tips on structuring my ioc So for the ioc i know i will be talking about the subject /Characters / setting / narrator / theme/ Imagery / Figurative langaue / Sound / Diction / Structure / tone i know we need a structured commentary , can u think of any that i can say for any poem that im given ?? Robert frost ! so what would be a good intro and in what order can you arrange these items
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
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Hello everybody, yesterday I got my notification for the Individual Oral Presentation. I have until the 6th of May to prepare and I am aiming to deliver a speech on this topic: "A critical examination of how Orwell uses dualities to shape political commentary." Within my IOP, I am aiming to talk about "Shooting an Elephant" and "A Hanging", which have strong themes relating to this topic. I'm confident in the analysis aspect, as I have done similar topics in practice speeches and have scored well in that criteria. I'm fairly confident in my basic oral skills, but what I'm worried about is the breadth of the topic. I am unsure whether the topic is too specifi…
Last reply by terribletouw, -
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I decided that this area is the only one I am strong in, and I am very eager to help people (simply because I have nothing else to do), so I would like to share my Bible (that I wrote) about media literacy analysis with the IBS community. Enjoy ! --> You need to know a little about the news agent that you received your article from. Read some other articles of theirs and see if they are biased or not. This is not very necessary but very very helpful. --> Look at the title. Sometimes that tiny little phrase will structure the half of your analysis, so it is important. It gives you a little glimpse of the context of the article and gives you an idea of what perspectiv…
Last reply by Your Favorite Survivor, -
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I was just wondering since I've been very unsure lately with EE deadline approaching. When you write an English academic essay, do you indent the first pargraph of your essay as well? It's a bit confusing since different languages have different rules
Last reply by Ruan Chun Xian, -
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Hi guys, I understand that when writing a written task for Part 2, we are supposed to explore how language is used in the mass media to sway public opinions. Most of us will take a stance in regards to an issue circulating in the media. However, will the moderator be offended by the position we take and what we say in our written tasks? For example, I argue that the Russian media is one-sided in its portrayal of its recent invasion of Ukraine. I talk about how the Russian media claims that Russia is just defending the freedom of Russian people living in Ukraine and its naval base there, while in reality, they are just using this as an excuse to invade Ukraine and this act…
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
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Also, how important is it to be a native English speaker (depending on which definition you follow) to get a high grade level in either one of the aforementioned?
Last reply by adletaY, -
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Hey everyone, I was wondering if any of you had ANY notes for "A View from the Bridge" and "A Streetcar Named Desire". I have a few notes on each of the plays, but I was hoping some of you would have notes too, notes comparing the 2 plays possibly? Best of luck everyone.
Last reply by Maryam AF, -
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My IOP is starting from next week, and I still don't know what i'm going to do. I know my teacher emphasized creativity and the depth of knowledge. The books that we read were : [list] [*]Flannery O'Connor's short stories [*]Leo Tolstoy's Walk in the Light [*]Pyeong Yang by Guy somebody [*]Peace Child by Don Richardson [/list]PLEASE HELP ME.......
Last reply by Tilia, -
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Hi. I've been trying to work on my World Lit essay, but i keep getting stuck. I think my topic is slightly ambiguous and i was wondering, could anyone please help me narrow it down a bit more? The two plays im working on are, Ghost's by Henrik Ibsen, and School for Wives by Moliere. currently my essay topic is something like this: A study of the female characters in Henrik Ibsen's Ghost's and Moliere's School for wives in order to reflect the role of women in their contemporary societies. The problem is that in School for wives, on one hand he shows the general side of women, while the main female character is completely opposite due to the way she was raised to be comp…
Last reply by Cynthia, -
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Are there maybe any other A1 German course takers who could help me with my world lit 2? I have decided to do a detailed study, either on Katz and Maus from Günther Grass, Der Vorleser from Schlink or Der Tod und das Mädchen from Ariel Dorfmann. Do any of you have recommendations or experiences on any of the books? Thanks a lot!
Last reply by Eastcoast93, -
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What is this??? I know that it should be some creative task where you can make a movie, act or do anything you like, as long as it is an interpretation of a book from Part 4 books... The description is too broad and during the years in the IB i got used to rules and syllabuses, not "be creative"... i mean how is my teacher going to asses it? mabye anyone has a syllabus of A1 language where i can find assessment criteria, etc.??? P.S. I'm doing this presentation based on Victor Pelevin's book "Buddha's Little Finger" (or "Chapaev i Pustota" originally)
Last reply by BIO-AQUA, -
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hey guys! i really need help. i have my IOP in two days and dont know where to start from. The literature we are suppose to use include: 1.carol ann duffy poems 2.master harold and the boys - its a play any suggestions? please help! thanks
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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Hi all, My school will offer A1 in these languages next year. I am recruting and hiring for literature and language instructors and would like to be able to provide them with as much guidance as possible when they are putting together their syllabi, currciulum, and book lists. If anyone has a program for any of these languages/literatures that they would like to share with a new international school, please share All suggestions are welcome. I have already download all I can on this topic from the OCC. Thank you kindly in advance for your help. We are thrilled to be able to develop our IB program in this way.
Last reply by IB Andy, -
Hi, anyone knows what are the criteria for the A1 orals, specifically arabic.... or is it for all languages in general ?? i want to make sure cuz our orals deadlines are approaching... thanx
Last reply by __inthemaking,
