Overview
IB Language ab Initio SL/HL is designed for students beginning a new language, offering a fast-paced, interactive curriculum that focuses on practical communication and real-world application. The course develops foundational listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while exploring the culture and context of the target language. Whether you’re aiming for the IB Diploma or building lifelong language confidence, ab Initio provides an engaging and supportive environment for language acquisition.
Course Content
- Listening: Understand simple audio, announcements, conversations, and everyday interactions.
- Reading: Comprehend short texts, emails, articles, advertisements, and signs.
- Speaking: Engage in conversations, ask/answer questions, express basic opinions and preferences.
- Writing: Write short texts, notes, letters, and basic descriptions for common situations.
- Cultural Exploration: Learn about daily life, traditions, and customs in communities where the language is spoken.
- Functional Language: Communicate in real-world contexts: introductions, shopping, travel, food, and more.
Assessment Structure
| Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Productive Skills (Writing) | 25% | Write responses to prompts in the target language (70 min) |
| Paper 2: Receptive Skills (Reading & Listening) | 50% | Answer questions based on written and audio materials (110 min) |
| Individual Oral Assessment | 25% | Speak about a visual stimulus and engage in a conversation with the teacher (10 min) |
Skills Developed
- Practical communication in daily situations
- Listening and reading comprehension
- Confident basic speaking and pronunciation
- Clear and effective writing for everyday needs
- Increased cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Preparation for advanced language study
Who Should Take IB Language ab Initio?
- IB students with little or no prior experience in the target language
- Learners eager to develop foundational language skills from scratch
- Diploma candidates seeking a flexible, internationally-focused curriculum
- Anyone who wants to broaden horizons and communicate across cultures
Tips for Success
- Practice speaking and listening outside class as much as possible
- Engage with authentic materials—music, news, menus, videos
- Keep a personal vocabulary and phrasebook for review
- Participate actively in lessons; don’t be afraid to make mistakes
- Request regular feedback from your tutor and act on it
Advisor Selection Process
- Top 100 U.S. University Advisors: All tutors are accomplished language learners and experienced teachers from leading universities, with backgrounds in IB, AP, and language instruction.
- Internal Workshop Assessment: Every instructor must pass FenDoDo’s internal workshop and trial teaching evaluation before starting class.
- 1-on-1 Customized Teaching: Lessons are personalized to each student’s needs, pace, and goals—delivered online for convenience and flexibility.
- Personalized Support via FenDoDo Platform: Progress is tracked, and teaching is adapted to ensure every student maximizes results.
Class Process
- Each course includes a dedicated Google Meet link and code for virtual lessons
- Google Classroom is set up for sharing materials, homework, and feedback
- Instructors prepare a custom teaching plan based on student goals before the first lesson
- All lessons are recorded and available for review and practice
- Progress is documented in a Teaching Log after each class
- Homework and tests are tracked in Google Classroom
- FenDoDo collects regular student feedback and evaluates instructors for continuous improvement
