Ab initio paper 2

Ab Initio Generic Workshop
Leader: Marc Biefnot
Session 5: Teaching Productive Skills
IBAP Workshops

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
Introductions 2
 Move around the room and
find someone you have not
met yet.
 Find out some more about
them – who are they beyond
their job, what is unique or
interesting about them?
Page 2

Aim of Paper 2: Productive skills
Page 3
N.B.:100 words = 120 Chinese char. = 200 Japanese char.
Current syllabus
1h. 30 – 30%
New syllabus
1h. – 25%
A: Short writing task
(60 words min.)
One task from a choice of
two. /30
A: Short writing task
(50 words min.)
two. /7
B: Extended writing
task (120 words min.)
three. /60
B: Extended writing
task (100 words min.)
three. /18

SOME STRATEGIES TO TEACH
THE PRODUCTIVE SKILLS
Page 4

Some strategies to teach the essays
 Do not assign essays in isolation. Link them to a
unit that you are teaching: thematic or grammatical.
 Essays all have a communicative function:
Clarity of language is important, but so are the
following:
 What? (Content), How? (Format) and For whom?
(Register)
 The idea: Ab Initio Essay = WRITTEN ROLE
PLAY.
Page 5

A Possible Strategy : The Writing Portfolio
 “Allow candidates to see their writing as a continuous work-in-
progress, rather than as a series of more or less successful
end-products. Initiate or continue and further develop the use of
semester-long writing portfolios that promote the
importance of reflexive re-writing. “ Italian S.R. May 04
 This portfolio can take the shape of a weblog or blog.
 Example of a blog used in an IB Language B
class: http://profmarc.blogspot.com/
Page 6

Another Strategy : Collective Correction Session
Page 7

Some advice to the students
 Read questions carefully and understand task:
 Find out which format to use and what level of
language is best suited.
 Make an outline/check list of all the ideas to develop.
 Think of what tenses to use.
 After you have written your draft, check you language
and look for your usual silly little language mistakes
(mostly verb endings, noun genders, agreement of
nouns and adjectives…) and “Anglicisms”.
 Organize your text in paragraphs, use connectors.
Page 8

Sharing Ideas to Teach Paper 2
 Choose one lesson idea/activity related to
Paper 2 to share with others.
 Consider things such as:
What topic of the three themes this covers
What skills can be integrated
What learning activities you would use
Why its works well/tips for success
Any pitfalls
Page 10

WRITER’S BLOCK?
EXAMPLES FOR
THE NEW GUIDE
Page 11
I wish I were
an IB Ab
Initio
student…

Paper 2 examples – New Section A
1-You have invited a few friends to dinner to celebrate your birthday and
you want to prepare a special dish. Write an e-mail to your mother to
ask her for the recipe of a dish she prepared for you before you left
home. In your email:
 remind her of the occasion on which she prepared it for you
 ask her for the recipe
 explain why you want it.
2-While visiting Venice you have lost a personal object (e.g. a piece of
jeweler, your camera, your mobile, etc.). You went to the police station
where you were asked to write a formal report with a description of the
object you have lost. In your report:
 specify its value
 state where you lost it
 explain when you lost it.
Page 12

3-A new shop which you really like has just opened in your town centre.
Write a blog entry telling your friends about the shop. In your entry,
state:
 where it is located
 what it sells
 why you like it so much.
4-You went to a Japanese family's home on Sunday for lunch. Write a
thank-you note to the family to express your gratitude. In your note
state:
 how much you enjoyed the food
 what you liked most about the meal
 a day on which you would like to meet the family again.
Page 13

5-Your pet has been missing for three days now. You
decide to put up a notice in a local supermarket. In
your notice:
 describe your pet’s appearance
 offer a reward to the person who finds it
 give your contact details.
Page 14

Paper 2 examples – New Section B
1-You have become the television critic for the school
paper. Write a review on your favourite TV
programme. Explain why it is a good programme and
tell your readers when it is on. Advise them to watch
it.
2-Your best friend has just moved to another city. You
miss her/him a lot. In a page of your diary, explain
your feelings. Describe your friend and say why
she/he was so special to you and why you miss him /
her.
Page 15

3-A younger friend of yours wants to register on the IB
diploma course, but s/he is not sure this is going to be the
right choice. You want to help her/him. Write a letter to
her/him in which you give him/her advice on the basis of
your school experience and explain the advantages and
disadvantages of the IB Diploma course. Tell him / her why
s /he should enroll.
4-Your Russian friend has the intention of moving to your
town. Write a letter to him/her recommending the best
area to live taking into consideration transport, security,
house prices shopping, sport and leisure facilities
Page 16

5-Your school was closed yesterday. What sort of day
did you have? Where did you go? What was
interesting? With whom did you go? Your teacher has
asked you to prepare a speech about yesterday.
Write the text of your speech.
Page 17

Discussion
 Which topics appeal to you and why?
 Are any relevant to all languages?
 Are any culturally insensitive?
 Which ones need modification?
Page 18

Possible Activity
 Write 2 Section A and 1 Section B Paper 2 tasks
taking into account the following:
 What elements from the guide are covered:
language, the three themes and
intercultural understanding?
 Which classroom activities would you use to
introduce the essay?
 Any tips/pitfalls to share?
Page 19

Ab initio paper 2

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Ab initio paper 2