The IB Program?

Question:I'm in 11th grade. I've been taking all IB classes since I was a freshman. The only two classes I didn't take IB were Spanish and Math because I was already ahead in that subject (as a freshman instead of taking Spanish 1 and Algebara I was taking Spanish 2 and Geometry). I decided to wait until my junior year to switch to all IB because I was repeatedly told that IB didn't really start to count until you were a junior. Now that I am a Junior, I switced to IB Pre Cal and IB Spanish 4. The problem is the Spanish class is too advanced for me. I can't speak Spanish fluently but the teacher only speaks in Spanish and the students can only speak in Spanish so I can't stay in there. It would ruin my GPA. This got me thinking though, how many years of IB foreign language do you need to be a canidate for the IB Diploma? For that matter how many years of IB math do you need?

Answers:
My child received her IB diploma and was in IB classes for all four years. I believe the standards for getting your diploma are the same internationally (hence the name International Baccalaureate Program). If I remember correctly, she had to test HL in 3 subjects and SL (standard level) in the rest. She HL in English, History, and Theatre and SL'ed in French (after 4 yrs), Science, and Math (She took the Math Studies course..not calc.). This program is intense!! AND many, many colleges recognize this!! Check out the ibo.org website to see what colleges recognize it. Many colleges also will take the results of an IB exam in place of an AP exam.not to mention give college credits and/or advance placement.

Do not even consider taking the HL Spanish because that is the same language test Spanish speaking students would take.its the equivalent to a Spanish student taking the HL English exam!!

The program is discussed in much more details at the ibo site, but I gave my child's school website below that describes their school's IB course progression. I would definitely talk to your school's IB coordinator for advice!!

Good luck to you. To answer your question about your Spanish class...if you don't understand what is going on, all you'll feel is frustration in there! If you don't think tutoring and/or teacher assistance will help your understanding, I'd ask your IB coordinator for advice. Many of the kids in my child's class did not get their IB diploma, but did get college credit for the tests they did take and pass.

Good luck to you!!

http://schoolweb.psdschools.org/phs/comm...

http://www.ibo.org/

P.S. The IB students took some tests their junior year and the rest their senior year. I'm very sure she took her SL Math and SL French her junior year and took the remainder her senior year. I don't know if that was because the IB coordinator thought taking all the tests at the end of senior year was too stressful or whether that was just the way it was done everywhere. But no matter what, be proud of being able to handle even one IB course.let alone a full course load! It is a lot of work! Good luck to you :o)
It all depends. Regarding math: Math.Studies SL is for students with elementary -or poor- background in math. Mathematics SL (former Math.Methods SL) is for students with a good background in math and may apply some math in their future careers. Mathematics HL is for students who enjoy math, this class is VERY advanced.

There are also different types of IB languages. A1 HL and A1 SL languages are those you speak as you native one. A2 HL and A2 SL are those that are not your native Lang. but you speak fluently. B HL and B SL are languages in which you have some previous experience. AB Initio SL languages are those that you have never learned before.

Suggestion: If you don't have a strong background in Math and Spanish, choose Math.Studies SL and Spanish AB initio SL.

good luck
4 years of a foreign language I believe 3 years of math. Im not sure about math though it may be 4 - 5 but in my school everything is pretty much just 3 years.

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