Why Study Classical Languages in the IB? A Complete Overview
Historical or classical languages are critical to the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore ancient languages such as Latin and Classical Greek.
Beyond linguistic benefits, this learning enriches one’s cultural understanding, develops analytical thinking, and deepens insights about societies from history.
This article will argue in detail the structure, advantages derived, and importance of studying historical languages within the IB Diploma Course to students who might be considering the same choice.
What Are Classical Languages in the IB?
The IBDP refers to ancient languages rich in heritage, like Latin and Classical Greek. Indeed, both these languages have contributed to the form and structure of most modern languages.
Studying historical languages develops ancient standpoints that engage students in questioning and reflecting; hence, the process becomes pertinent to the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the core of IB.
In this respect, the course’s main objective is to develop students’ awareness and appreciation of the diversity of perspectives maintained by ancient societies.
This objective fits perfectly with TOK since it encourages students to explore how ancient civilizations conceptualized the world and how those conceptualizations square with contemporary perspectives.
Rather, by examining texts in Latin or Classical Greek, the student discusses the values, practices, and presuppositions of the ancient world and thus develops a critical awareness of knowledge itself.
While mastering grammar, syntax, and vocabulary form a foundation, it’s ultimately a means to read and interpret classical literature. In this way, they get the opportunity to present ideas from the past that invite critical evaluation through a modern lens at understanding the ancient world through the mind of a modern thinker.
The Importance of Classical Languages
Studying historical languages in the IB isn’t just about acquiring an old-fashioned skill. Latin and Classical Greek provide access to some of the world’s most profound and impactful texts, from philosophy to early science, that have shaped our worldviews and values.
Engaging with these original texts opens a window into history, helping students appreciate ancient civilisations’ contributions to modern society.
Learning these languages is also helpful in building up the analytical faculties required during critical thinking. This is not rote learning but an insight into identifying patterns, analysing linguistic structures, and thinking independently, which is helpful in today’s fast-moving world.
Structure of the IB Classical Languages Course
This course is designed to be challenging and accessible for SL and HL students. It is divided into three main areas: language skills, literary analysis, and cultural knowledge.
-
Standard Level (SL) vs. Higher Level (HL)
In the IB Diploma Programme, students can study historical languages at either Standard Level (SL) or higher level (HL). Accordingly, the IB recommends 240 teaching hours for HL and 150 for SL. Thus, HL students are allowed significantly more scope to explore both content and analysis.
Critical Components of the Classical Languages Curriculum
Speaking about the curriculum includes three main types of syllabus content, two of which are determined by the IB and one chosen by each school to enhance students’ understanding of Latin or Classical Greek:
-
Core Prescribed Texts
The first content type is the core prescribed texts. These are extended excerpts that allow students to familiarize themselves with an author’s unique style and thematic focus.
It enables students to delve more deeply into the concerns and intricacies of specific classical literature and, through that, understand the languages in their most authentic form of literature.
2. Prescribed Companion Texts
The other content of the set companion texts consists of shorter passages that extend students’ knowledge and familiarize them with various styles of linguistic expression, text types, and literary genres.
This type encourages students to approach historical languages from the perspective of different literatures and to appreciate the subtlety of a variety of classic authors and genres. Companion texts complement core texts by broadening classical studies’ cultural and linguistic contexts.
3. Ongoing Language Development
The third aspect is the continuous language development, in which the school identifies and focuses on certain linguistic proficiency and acquaintance with historical languages.
These non-literary texts will help the students master Latin or Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary and further enrich their knowledge about the context of classical works and cultural backgrounds.
On the other hand, the classical or historical languages course in the IB program is divided into three key components:
-
Meaning, Form, and Language
This component explores how morphology, syntax, and diction create meaning. Students explore these elements linguistically and from the literary perspective by examining how tone, diction, and style determine meaning and effect. This area is evaluated at SL for 70 hours and at HL for 120 hours.
-
Text, Author, and Audience
This area provides an overview of several ways in which ancient texts can be related to their authors and audiences, both ancient and modern. Students study methods by which ancient works convey ideas and emotions, like how audiences come to play their role in meaning construction.
They should compare texts and authors, drawing on literary forms, genres, and ideas. SL students study this area for 50 hours, whereas HL students study it for 80 hours.
-
Time, Space, and Culture
The last component examines the dynamic relationships between time and culture in the areas of classical studies. Students will view historical and cultural contexts that influence the production and reception of texts to come to a subtle understanding of historical languages. This area is covered in 30 hours at SL and 40 hours at HL.
Benefits of Studying Classical Languages in the IB
Following are the key benefits that will make either Latin or Classical Greek a top-notch option in the IB:
- Provides students with an understanding of the foundational cultures of the Western world, including critical significant developments in philosophical, political, and literary ideas.
- Develop analytical skills and the ability to interpret nuanced information.
- Prepares students well for further studies in law, literature, history, and other disciplines that require critical analysis and logical reasoning.
- Improve memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent preparation for higher education.
Conclusion
In short, the study of classical languages within the IBDP is purposeful and challenging, in exposing students who want to take a leap into the past to reveal the wisdom of the ages.
It is not an intellectual exercise but an adventure of learning about humanness from its roots. Whether you are interested in historical or modern languages, you can explore the 10 benefits of learning a second language with BINUS SCHOOL Simprug. Ultimately, studying Classical Languages cultivates principled, inquisitive, and internationally minded individuals hallmarks of the IB Learner Profile.
References
https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/programmes/dp/pdfs/classical-language-sl-hl-en.pdf
