Language Acquisition
Language Acquisition is organized into six phases that differentiate the learners progress. The phases do not correspond to particular age groups or MYP year levels. Students do not necessarily begin in phase one – they can begin at the appropriate phase, depending on their prior experiences, and may exit from any phase on the continuum.
At CAIS, language acquisition phases are often grouped together:
Phase 1-2 is the beginner level which introduces learners to the language and empowers them to develop their understanding as well as speaking and writing abilities on a variety of subject related to them. Students interact in a limited range of familiar situations, using language related to interpersonal and cultural contexts and develop an awareness that language changes according to purpose and audience.
Phase 3-4 is the intermediate level of language acquisition where students will systematize structures they are familiar with and acquire new sets of knowledge in order to reinforce their confidence when expressing ideas on a broad range of topics.
Phase 5-6 is the last stage of language acquisition during which students are invited to analyze authentic artifacts in order to express organized and detailed opinions on an extensive range of issues of global significance. The study of diverse documents enables students to explore language variations, discover idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs. Each new learning experience expands the student's mastery of the English language, getting one step closer to native-like aptitude.
MYP, Language Acquisition courses are assessed following 4 criteria:
A: Comprehending spoken and visual text
B: Comprehending written and visual text
C: Communicating in response to spoken and/or written and/or visual text
D: Using language in spoken and/or written form
CAIS can offer the following MYP Language Acquisition courses: Chinese, English, French and Spanish.