David McIntyre, on Requirements:17 May 2013

Hi Catherine, Thanks for your question. Let me try to answer it with some 'discretion'. The Paper 2 examiner does not receive an 'advance notice of works'. Thus, she does not know what the student has studied in class. Whilst I cannot,...

Catherine Bardrick, on Requirements:17 May 2013

Can I ask a question here about requirements?? Is it possible to study 3 texts for Standard and students then decide which 2 they wish to write about in the exam?? or do 2 texts have to be specifically designated??

Andrew Alexander, on ANTM:17 May 2013

Hi, I'd be interested in using this lesson for a WT1 or WT2, but the link to the clip of ANTM cycle 10 episode 13 isn't working - more specifically, the video has been removed from Youtube. Does anyone know of anywhere else this clip...

Dzenana Kurtovic, on Black English & Disney:16 May 2013

the black doll vs. white doll experiment is also a great source here.....

Scott Barber, on WT2 Q1 (Pieta):07 May 2013

I'd advise according to both of your points: 1. A closer reading of the textual features in relation to meaning--how might specific features or codes contribute differently to the construction of meaning by the respective readers? 2. That...

David McIntyre, on Language and power:07 May 2013

Hi again Faith, I have exchanged emails with Brad, and we are both confident that things are working. If you have a similar problem again, you may like to try the search function. I have found that the search function is really quite effective...

David McIntyre, on Language and power:07 May 2013

Hi Faith, The layout should not have changed. That is, nothing has been done to alter the layout. As you know, I am new to the site. I will look into this later today and get back to you. Thanks, David

Faith Edwards, on Language and power:07 May 2013

Hi My comment is not really about this page,but I'm not sure how to ask this question otherwise.It seems that thw format for pages has changed.I found the material on lwnguage of war last week and wanted to use it today.It was not accessible...

Kassie Petrick, on Topics:06 May 2013

Please correct your spelling errors in the above list of links! (Language and communitieis????) Do we not proof our writing?

Dzenana Kurtovic, on Black English & Disney:02 May 2013

this is a great unit, really enjoy it. Linguistics also state that African American English is the correct term and Black English is a politically incorrect term.

David McIntyre, on David Beckham is Posh:24 April 2013

I'm interested in your first utterance, Pauline - 'eheh'. Have you seen this recent article in The Guardian about 'the ten best words the Internet has given English' (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/17/tom-chatfield-top-10-internet-neologisms)...

Pauline Vanderbilt, on David Beckham is Posh:23 April 2013

eheh.. I copied that link a few days ago too. Too hilarious! If only I knew how to download it to clog up my hard drive

David McIntyre, on Guiding questions:23 April 2013

Hi Stacy, Guiding questions are required at both HL and SL. The detail of this can be found in the course study guide. It may be the case that 'some [who] believe' are confusing the Further Oral Activity (FOA) with Paper 1; it is the case...

Sylvia Bates, on Passing the torch:23 April 2013

Dear Brad Heaps of thanks from Metameer- we have been so grateful for the resources and ideas on the site; hope to see you at a workshop soon! Good luck with your new venture(s)!

Stacy Van Beek, on Guiding questions:23 April 2013

Is there a distinction between guiding questions for HL and SL? Some believe that guiding questions are not allowed for HL IOCs.

Danielle Pullar, on Passing the torch:19 April 2013

Our thanks from here in deepest Africa as well, we feel a little disconnected sometimes and your site has been incredibly useful in helping us maintain a feeling consistency with the rest of the IB community, especially for exam preparations....

David McIntyre, on WT2 Q1 (Pieta):19 April 2013

Hi Scott, I have just had a look at this response (for the first time). I don't know the contexts in which this response was written or marked. However, my inclination is to agree with your perspective. You are correct, I think, to suggest...

Scott Barber, on WT2 Q1 (Pieta):18 April 2013

I have a strong feeling that this paper has been marked very generously in Criterion B. Out of 823 words--which is definitely the short end of what is possible--only 368 are really focused on answering the question which is quite specifically...

David McIntyre, on A new author for the website:18 April 2013

Hope you are well Dick. Cheers!

Dick Pieper, on A new author for the website:18 April 2013

McIntyre....McIntyre....hhhmmmm, I remember a McIntyre!!!! Hi DAVID!!!! That is good!! Great to see you here! Back in a new but familiar environment! So, you are still out there in Asia, and doing this too! Well, good luck with...

Marvin Deahan, on Passing the torch:17 April 2013

Thank you from our school in Warsaw, Brad. The site has been immensely helpful for us here and has helped us survive the first 2 years of this course!

Pep Mac Ruairi, on HIV and taboos:16 April 2013

Very interesting unit! Thanks.

Catherine Wiebusch, on Passing the torch:16 April 2013

Brad, thanks for the host of resources provided on your website. They have been invaluable to our English department as we have tried to find our way with this new course. We will miss your creativity and ideas, but appreciate you passing over...

David McIntyre, on WT1 SL S3 (CK):15 April 2013

Hi Theo, I think you have three questions/observations here. To the extent I am able, let me address each in turn: (i) I think that there is an advantage in being as explicit and precise as possible about the text type a student replicates...

Theo Borgerding, on WT1 SL S3 (CK):14 April 2013

A question about length. This is 644 words for the WT part. Is this too short? We've talked in class about the typical "Opinion Column" being about 700 and the challenges inherent in mimicing too closely the organization and development. Will...

Beth Mwangi, on Speech:01 April 2013

Kindly clarify whether whilst writing a speech as a text type one needs to put opening speech marks ("....") at the beginning and right at the end of it. I've always been of the view that we shouldn't.

Sylvia Bates, on Individual oral commentary:28 March 2013

This year,one of the students told me that the students were telling the others which extract they had had, to help their colleagues prepare. This happened even though I had discussed good practice with them. I was able to make new extracts...

Netty Foley, on Persepolis:20 March 2013

Interesting article in 'The Guardian' http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/mar/19/persepolis-battle-chicago-schools-outcry

David Preece, on Specimen Paper 1s:20 March 2013

I have used the P1 Hybrids as part of a mock exam - I have 2 students that are willing to share their work - what is the best way for me to get it to you? Do you want it scanned, or typed? Cheers David

David Preece, on Benetton is at it again:19 March 2013

you can find it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xZqvpeCgSo&list=PLAE7470EF3A6D2CEA or search for the shorter one

Theo Borgerding, on WT1 SL S3 (CK):18 March 2013

2 things. 1. Is there any advantage in mimicing a columnist or writer who already exists, unless the rationale is involved in looking at that writer's use of the language? 2. Why would it be necessary to focus on the CK ad as text? I can't...

Theo Borgerding, on WT1 SL S2 (Internet):18 March 2013

Pointing to one sentence as choppy and simple seems less useful than identifying that whole paragraph paragraph as choppy sounding, without clear purpose. Further, phrses such as "this argument has been proven different with " and "Thereafter...

Theo Borgerding, on WT1 SL S1 (2pac):18 March 2013

Hmm. Sounds a lot like an analytic essay to me. Aside from the intro and the artificial sounding " many young African Americans explained: they must refuse to become victims of the hardships that 2Pac so poignantly describes in his lyrics",...

Theo Borgerding, on WT1 Tips:18 March 2013

Could you give the rationale for this WT? If it doesn't exist, perhaps one could be created. Without the rationale it is impossible for me to know what the writer was intending to show through this WT. If the student studied body image as portrayed...

Claire Olmez, on Tips:15 March 2013

Thank you - the students are finding it hard to incorporate their ideas on the author's use of language and style, especially when the question seems to be more geared toward Criterion A, without it seeming too superficial. Do you have any...

Theo Borgerding, on Blog:12 March 2013

I think writing a rationale for this example blog would be an excellent excercise for students, but without knowing the course topics or readings it is perhaps too much based on conjecture.

Brad Philpot, on Individual oral commentary:07 March 2013

The ratios of extracts to students are given as minimum requirements. Instead of 7 extracts, I would definitely shoot for 9 (3 extracts per work at HL), if not more. I used to run this with envelopes, numbered passages and a dice to ensure...

Stacy Van Beek, on Individual oral commentary:05 March 2013

How can you have an equal number from each set of Part 3 works when the prescription for a group of 11-15 is "7." You can't divide 7 by 2 or 3 (SL, HL). Is 7 therefore the minimum? So if teaching HL you should have 3 passages from each text...

David Preece, on Individual oral commentary:04 March 2013

I have always prepared the correct number of extracts and placed them in an envelope for each student - they pull one at random in front of me. A colleague has argued that it is better to have the students each draw a different extract. Do...

Sajani Kaplingat, on Written task 1: Topic or text?:03 March 2013

I think this answers my question whether the student must have a stimulus material in order to attempt a Written Task 1. It is safe to have one, I think.

Brad Philpot, on EE C1 S1 (Disgrace):03 March 2013

At the school where I taught for several years, students were 'strongly encouraged' to write their extended essay in an HL subject. While this is not an IB requirement, I wonder if other schools are encouraging the same. I'll look around from...

Brad Philpot, on Tips:03 March 2013

Yes, I'm coming from an A2 background. The old Paper 2 and the new Paper 2 are admittedly very different. I think we're all eagerly awaiting official IB samples for Paper 2, which will be published in September.

Claire Olmez, on Tips:27 February 2013

In point 4. you suggest looking at 'previous papers'. Is this a reference to previous A2 papers or A1? Can you clarify, please? Thank you.

Adam Steinberg, on EE C1 S1 (Disgrace):22 February 2013

Phil, it would be great to see something here that was more on an SL level. :-)

Greta Timmers, on Black and white:20 February 2013

'tennent' should be 'tenant', I think (Who is included - Rivers of Blood)

mini pushpakaran, on WT1 SL S1 (2pac):16 February 2013

The sample written task has proved to be very helpful. Thanks a lot.

Brad Philpot, on Sample essays:14 February 2013

Rap lyrics would work very well as a Cat 3 EE. However, I would warn agains a 'lyrics through the ages' approach. It's important to focus on the guiding question of this course: 'What is the effect of this language on its audience?' Notice:...

ANGELA NJOROGE, on Sample essays:12 February 2013

One of my students wants to trace the development of Rap music over the years up to the present for her EE. I guess that would be category 3. Is that appropriate?

ANGELA NJOROGE, on Reading lists:12 February 2013

I have two first year diploma groups for Language A. One group is doing Language and Literature, the other is doing Literature. I would like to use 'Things Fall Apart' as one of the Part 3 works for both groups. Is there a rule against that?

Brad Philpot, on Sample essays:08 February 2013

Hi Tia, This is a good question. Unfortunately I don't have a good sample extended essay on Category 3. Is anyone willing to share one? I checked out the Kim Kardashian Campaign. I'm not sure if one could write 3,000 words on it. However, the...

Tia Martin, on Sample essays:04 February 2013

Hi I have a bunch who want to do C3 EEs- do you have any samples? For eg. one wants to consider Kim Kardassian's publicity campaign. Would that be appropriate and do you have a suggestion on a good angle?

Brad Philpot, on The 'flipped' classroom:10 January 2013

Does anyone want to comment on their experiences with Pamoja (pamojaeducation.com)?

Joanna R, on Direct narration:10 January 2013

Hi Brad. Your lesson on memoirs directed me here. I'm a little confused by your explanation of direct and indirect narration. No other source that I've checked mentions them, and those that do usually use them in the sense of direct/indirect...

Adam Steinberg, on Compare & contrast:27 November 2012

HI! It would be great to include a standard level activity of this type among your skills practice pages, culminating in writing a paragraph. Thanks.

Angela Carter, on Black English & Disney:26 November 2012

Yes, I agree. My students are going to find this fascinating. Thank you, Brad!

Meredith Hughes, on HIV and taboos:26 November 2012

Brilliant! Thank you.

Brad Philpot, on Fewer forms, more uploading:15 November 2012

Good point, Sean. I've marked 20 or so Paper 1s from the same school. After a while you start to hear the teacher's voice and take it into consideration when marking. E-marking presents yet another loss.

Nihan Baranska, on Specimen Paper 1s:14 November 2012

After having a brief look at the two papers it seems that they will be of great use for us. Mock exams are approaching, and this is the kind of material with which I can prepare my students well. I'll try to give you more feedback once we...

Lise Groeneveld, on Coherent writing:14 November 2012

Can you adjust the answer key because when you click the button you only get two answers and if you print the document some of the answers are illegible. Thank you!

Sean Kenny, on P1 SL S3 (finca):14 November 2012

When I was on an IB training in Hong KOng the idea was floated by the trainer that one of the choices in Paper 1 (at SL at least) would be an image text (stand alone) or at least an image with very little written accompaniment. Have you any...

Sean Kenny, on Fewer forms, more uploading:14 November 2012

When I marked TOK in the past (resigned 2 years ago because of the strain on my eyes from marking essays on line) we got all the wesays from one school and were told to identify the 'teacher voice' so as to distinguish the 'student voice 'and...

Brad Philpot, on HIV and taboos:11 November 2012

Thanks, Neil. I realize they're rather inappropriate for students in many parts of the world. So I encourage everyone to use a little professional judgement before showing these images to students.

Neil Allen, on HIV and taboos:09 November 2012

These resources are amazing (and, of course, outrageous!). Keep up the good work, Brad.

Neil Allen, on Black English & Disney:09 November 2012

This is a great unit, Brad. Cheers.

Emma Collins, on Sequence:09 November 2012

The IB states that "Texts should be selected to cover at least two literary genres, two periods and, where appropriate, two places as defined in the PLA for the language A". I see that in the example above - that the time period difference...

Catherine Bardrick, on Benetton is at it again:08 November 2012

tried to watch the video link and it said "this video is private" - so is it unavailable on the website?

Brad Philpot, on P1 HL S2 (chocolate):08 November 2012

Unfortunately I can't supply marking notes, as the IB holds the copyright to those. The wording of the instructions has been altered slightly to match the new language and literature specimen papers. I know many are aware that this 'Chocolate'...

Marvin Deahan, on Specimen Paper 1s:07 November 2012

Just what I was hoping for! Thank you

Wendy Frew, on P1 HL S2 (chocolate):06 November 2012

It would be useful to have marking notes for the samples so that we can see what the examiners are expecting and wanting to see rather than just their reactions to what the students have produced. As well the exam question is worded differently...

Beth Young, on Persepolis:06 November 2012

Excellent. Thanks Brad. Will wait to hear more about this. Can use all the assistance I can get with this new text.

Pauline Vanderbilt, on Gender & occupations:27 October 2012

I do too - another exercise I did: I gave each student two cards, a pink and blue ... and then I showed them pictures of victorian boys in dresses, Japanese Ladyboy bands, African female runner accused of being a man etc ... and then read out...

Glenda Price, on WT1 SL S3 (CK):05 September 2012

Thank you for this! I posted a question on the OCC forum asking if it was OK for students to mimic columnists etc and never received an answer - now I know that it is OK.

Marvin Deahan, on Persepolis:05 September 2012

I'm very happy and relieved to hear you're working on materials for this text, Brad, as I'm planning to study it after Christmas with my Year 13s, and am finding the prospect of teaching a graphic novel both exciting and daunting!

Liliane Perroton, on P1 SL S1 (Saif Ali Khan):05 September 2012

Dear Brad, This is excellent and very helpful. With my students, though, we've been working on the analysis of visual texts for paper 1. Do you have any sample paper with examiner's comments for a visual text (SL)? Thanks a lot.

Judy Monast, on WT1 SL S3 (CK):30 August 2012

This is a very useful and approachable example of a written task, particularly for SL students. I have been using Jean Kilbourne's videos for years and it was interesting to pair it up with Maureen Dowd's "perceived" response.

Judy Monast, on Gender & occupations:30 August 2012

Love the opening riddle. I use it frequently in my classes as well.

Srimathy Kannan, on Writing rationales:19 August 2012

I find these short activities for students helpful; firstly in clarifying, for me, the requirement of the course, and then for showing me how to get the idea across to the students. Thank you.

Simon Mitchell, on The girl playwrights:25 May 2012

The closest male equivalent I can think of is Edward Bond. Don't know about the Diploma, but his plays have certainly been taught at A Level.

Brad Philpot, on The girl playwrights:23 February 2012

Hi Debra, Arial Dorfmann's 'Death and the Maiden' is on the PLT, which is very popular. It deals with rape, murder and incarceration - all of the fun stuff that students like (and there's a great film version starring Ben Kingsly). There...