language-arts-strands

Knowledge and Skills in Language Arts

Language is a complex web of connections, transcending the artificial separations of disciplines. Human language is a natural phenomenon, and language learning is instinctive in childhood. The learning process simultaneously involves learning language (as students listen to and use language with others in their everyday lives), learning about language (as students try to understand how language works), and learning through language (as students use language as a tool to think about, or reflect on a theme, concept or issue).

Language Arts
What do we want students to know?
Metalanguage: using language to learn about language	Using language both as an instrument for thought and social interaction, and for understanding about the nature of language itself: The diversity of functions of language Circumstantial effects/changes (style, audience, purpose) Variety in and between languages and dialects Historical, geographical and societal influences on language Language as a power in society Language as a means of reflection Language as a valuable life skill Language as a system of communication
Transdisciplinary language: learning through language	The language of other disciplines: Language of the arts Language of mathematics Language of science Language of social studies Language of personal, social and physical well-being Language of technology
Literature: language as an art	The body of written works of a language, period or culture considered worthy of aesthetic merit: Variety in literary forms, structure, elements and purposes The importance of literature as a way of understanding ourselves and others Differences and similarities in literature (structure, purpose, cultural influence) Literature as a power to influence and structure thinking.

Language Strands

The major language expectations are arranged into three main strands: oral communication, written communication and visual communication.

Language Strands
Oral communication: listening and speaking
Oral communication enables students to construct meaning through the process of articulating thoughts in a variety of ways. Oral communication encompasses all aspects of listening and speaking: skills that are essential for language development, for learning and for relating to others. In the area of oral communication, students will learn to: listen and respond to a range of texts, and to the ideas and opinions of others improve fluency and accuracy when speaking ask and answer questions; relate and retell; persuade; talk about needs, feelings, ideas or opinions; contribute to discussions in a range of formal and informal situations recognize that oral language needs to be appropriate to the audience and to the purpose communicate orally in more than one language.
Written communication: reading and writing
Reading is constructing meaning from text by making inferences and interpretations. The process of reading is interactive and involves the reader’s purpose for reading, the reader’s prior knowledge and experience, and the text itself. Writing allows us to develop, organize and communicate thoughts, ideas and information in a visible or tangible way. In the area of written communication, students will learn to: read and write for enjoyment, instruction and information recognize and appreciate the variety of literary styles, genres and structures; poetry, plays and stories; creative, informative, instructional, persuasive and reflective text understand and apply a variety of structures, strategies and literary techniques (spelling, grammar, prediction, plot, character, punctuation, voice).
Visual communication: viewing and presenting
Viewing and presenting means interpreting or constructing visuals and multimedia in a variety of situations and for a range of purposes and audiences. They allow students to understand the ways in which images and language interact to convey ideas, values and beliefs. Visual images immediately engage viewers, allowing them instant access to data. Learning to interpret this data and to understand and use different media are invaluable skills. In the area of visual communication, students will learn to: understand, critically analyse and communicate information and ideas through a variety of visual media make informed choices in their personal viewing experiences use appropriate technology for effective presentation and representation.
Language Strands from ‘Primary Years Programme - Making it Happen’, International Baccalaureate Organization 2007