Understanding IB French Ab Initio
What Is IBDP Language Ab Initio?
The IBDP offers a wide range of options for learning a new language. Some students, having been practicing their languages for years, may choose to study Language B at Higher Level. This is a great opportunity for students to improve their language skills, perhaps even preparing them for future study at university.
However, the IBDP also provides opportunities for students to try new subjects, including modern languages. These courses are labelled ab initio, Latin for from the beginning, and are designed for students who have had little to no exposure to the target language. This means that even if a student has never studied the language before, they are able to develop a solid understanding of the language to IB level. It should be noted that all language ab initio courses are only offered at Standard Level in the IBDP.
Why Study French Ab Initio at IBDP?
French is a very popular language for IBDP students. Not only is it widely spoken globally, making it appealing for practical reasons, but students often enjoy making cross cultural links to the language. What’s more, the focus that French has on grammar is often beneficial for students looking to improve their own English language skills. In fact, many international schools offer French courses in the lower years, meaning that students often approach the IBDP with some knowledge of the language already.
French ab initio offers students who lack confidence in the language to start from scratch, or develop their skills further to support a strong foundation. As a language acquisition course, it is highly valued by universities, as it showcases important academic skills, and resilience. Overall, French ab initio is a very popular course that will challenge and fascinate students.
What Skills Are Required to Study French Ab Initio?
Like any language acquisition course, French ab initio will require students to engage in consistent consolidation and review of content. No matter your vocabulary starting point, any language acquisition course will require vocabulary and grammar memorization. However, IBDP Language Acquisition courses go beyond this.
Typically, the IB programme divides the skills tested for in courses such as French ab initio into ‘productive’, ‘receptive’ and ‘interactive’. Productive skills will be the student’s ability to produce accurate text in French, conforming to grammatical conventions and making use of challenging vocabulary. Receptive language skills will test a student’s reading and listening comprehension skills, requiring students to parse information and translate simple and complex sentences. Meanwhile, interactive skills measure students’ ability to hold basic conversations in the target language, employing relevant vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Over the course of the French ab initio course, students develop these skills and it leads them to a thorough foundation in their study of French.
Effective Revision Tactics for IB French Ab Initio
All IBDP language acquisition courses require students to employ a variety of revision strategies, and French ab initio is no exception. Students looking to earn a 7 in this rigorous course should first prioritise the fundamentals of the French language, that includes both vocabulary and grammar points.
IB examiners reward precision and accuracy in language use, so ensuring that you have a strong understanding of French verb tenses and conjugations is essential for success. Dividing up the vocabulary lists into sections and learning by rote can be somewhat dull, but it is undeniably effective. Particularly early on in the language acquisition journey, students should pay close attention to details such as subject-verb agreement, gender agreement and accent placement.
When preparing for unit tests or exams, French ab initio students should aim to practice the three main skills consistently. Gaining confidence with using and manipulating the target language is the most helpful revision strategy for students preparing to sit French ab initio tests or exams.
Resources for French Ab Initio Learning
Whether a student is learning French for the first time, or looking to review portions of the ab initio syllabus ahead of a test or exam, there are many resources available online to help practice skills.
For example, reading articles in French daily newspapers such as Le Monde and Le Figaro can give valuable exposure to a high standard of language use. Students should also use activities on TV5Monde, a French broadcasting network. These activities are sorted by language acquisition level, as well as by activity topic.
Another underutilised resource for French ab initio students are programmes such as Quizlet. These allow students to create comprehensive vocabulary lists that will support students as they learn the essential vocabulary needed to support their language learning. It can also help make the task more fun, as students are able to test each other on their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake that students make when embarking on their French ab initio journey is that they underestimate the rigour of the course. While the vocabulary is often simplistic and focused on basic communication (such as in conversations about identity, tourism and routines), it nevertheless requires substantial effort to acquire.
What’s more, any language acquisition course is going to prove challenging. They are designed to test the full range of skills required for language communication and comprehension, so substantial time needs to be invested in the practice in order to grow confident.
The most important advice that a French ab initio student could receive is that time should be spent on learning and practicing the language throughout the course, rather than simply in preparation for tests. No language can be ‘crammed’ adequately ahead of a test or exam.
BartyED’s French Language Ab Initio Support
When learning a language, including French, it is essential to gain adequate exposure to communications in the target language. For IB French ab initio, an invaluable resource are qualified and experienced French tutors at BartyED.
We have extensive experience in supporting students through various IBDP language acquisition courses, including Language B, and ab initio. We prioritise the same skills valued on IBDP exams—accuracy, precision and communication.
If you or your child feel like you would benefit from support for French ab initio in the IBDP, get in touch today via our contact page to find out more about the support we can offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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French ab initio is one of many language acquisition courses offered at IBDP. It is designed for students with very little, or no, previous knowledge of French. While only offered at Standard Level, French ab initio is nevertheless a rigorous and challenging course for students looking to improve their language skills.
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The IB’s French ab initio course tests a variety of essential skills of language acquisition. Students will be tested on their speaking, listening, writing and reading skills in French. This means that French ab initio students need to have a thorough grasp on the fundamentals of the French language.
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French ab initio is a fantastic option for students who are looking to improve their language acquisition skills. Foreign languages are highly sought after by college and university admissions officers, as they demonstrate academic rigour and resilience. Students looking to challenge themselves should consider taking a language ab initio for the IBDP.
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Effective tutoring in French ab initio includes practice in all the required skills necessary for success in the IBDP course. At BartyED, our team of experienced tutors guide students through French language acquisition courses every year, including for French ab initio.