As part of the IB Diploma Programme at BG, English and Danish can be chosen in different subject groups, Group 1 (Language A – Studies of Language and Literature) and Group 2 (Language B – Language Acquisition). In both groups English and Danish are always offered at Higher Level (HL) as well as Standard Level (SL). Group 2 English and Danish are described elsewhere on the website.

Furthermore, if neither Danish nor English is the student’s mother tongue we offer a Self-taught SL course at A level.

In Group 1: Danish is taught as an A language focused on literature. IBO only offers this option. English is also taught as an A language, however, there are two different courses to choose from in this subject:

  • English A Literature
  • English A Language and Literature

The aims of any Group 1 language, whether English, Danish or a Self-taught language, are to:

  1. introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres
  2. develop in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make relevant connections
  3. develop the students’ powers of expression, both in oral and written communication
  4. encourage students to recognize the importance of the contexts in which texts are written and received
  5. encourage, through the study of texts, an appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures, and how these perspectives construct meaning
  6. encourage students to appreciate the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
  7. promote in students an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, language and literature.

Specifics on Danish, English and Self-taught A Literature:

In addition to the Group 1 aims listed above, the specific aims of the Literature course at HL and SL are to:

  • develop in students an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism
  • develop the students’ ability to form independent literary judgments and to support those ideas.

The A Literature courses are split up into four parts that are studied over the two-year course. One part is studied per semester:

  1. In Part 1 different works in translation are read. This means works that have not originally been written in English.
  2. In Part 2 a particularly detailed study of literary works is made.
  3. In Part 3 the focus is on a chosen genre.
  4. In Part 4 literature is freely chosen as options

On completion of the course, HL students will have read 13 works, and SL students will have read 10. The works studied will be chosen by the responsible teachers from either a list of prescribed authors or from a list of works in translation. Whenever possible, students will also have a say in the choice of literature studied.

The final grade given for the A Literature course has five components:

  • Two final written exams, taken at the very end of the course: Paper 1 and Paper 2
  • One Written Assignment written at the end of the first year
  • Two oral components: the Individual Oral Commentary and the Individual Oral Presentation, both done during the course

Specifics on English A Language and Literature

In addition to the general Group 1 aims listed above, the specific aims of the Language and Literature course at SL and at HL are to:

  • develop in students an understanding of how language, culture and context determine the ways in which meaning is constructed in texts
  • encourage students to think critically about the different interactions between text, audience and purpose.

As for the Literature course, the Language and Literature course is split up into four parts that are studied over the two-year course. One part is studied per semester:

  1. In Part 1, Language in cultural context, texts are chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media.
  2. In Part 2, Language and mass communication, texts are chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media.
  3. In Part 3, Literature—texts and contexts, both works written in translation and works originally written in English will be read.
  4. In Part 4, Literature—critical study, work originally written in English will be studied.

The final grade given for the English A Language and Literature course has five components:

  • Two final written exams, taken at the very end of the course: Paper 1 and Paper 2
  • Written Tasks written during the two-year course
  • Two oral components: the Individual Oral Commentary and the Further Oral Activity, both done during the course