Group 1

The Language A1 programme is a pre-university course in literature. It is aimed at students who intend to pursue literature, or related studies, at university, as well as at students whose formal study of literature will not continue beyond this level. The course is designed to hone students, writing and oral communication skills through a study of diverse literary texts as well as encourage a personal appreciation of literature and develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. One of the central objectives of the course is also to broaden the students’ global perspectives through the study of literary works from other cultures and languages. This approach reflects well the holistic vision and international philosophy of the whole Diploma Programme. (Morley, Beverley and Ruhil, 2004: 213) To fulfil the requirements for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, all students must study a Group 1 subject. This is normally the language of the environment to which the student has been exposed from an early age or for an extended period of time. Morley, Beverley and Ruhil (2004: 213) state, In line with a commitment to a truly first-class international education for students from all over the world, the IBO does its utmost to ensure that all students may study their literary and cultural heritage in their own native language. According to Handbook of Procedures for the Diploma Programme (2007) there are forty-four Languages A1 at both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) that are automatically available for study and examination in May 2009. However, if a diploma candidate requires a language A1 that is not prescribed for particular session, a special request must be submitted to IB Cardiff to arrive no later than eighteen months before the written examinations for which the language A1 examination is requested. On the other hand, at schools where there is no teacher available to teach student’s mother tongue, such a student may be allowed to study a particular Language A1, at SL only, as a school supported self-taught subject.