IB French ab initio is a Group 2 subject in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This language acquisition course is designed for students with no or very limited prior exposure to French. The course explores five core themes—Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation, and Sharing the Planet—through 20 related topics that develop receptive, productive, and interactive language skills in authentic, real-life contexts.
The course is available at Standard Level only (SL, 150 teaching hours), with first assessment in 2025.
Assessment consists of Paper 1 (Writing/productive skills: 1 hour, 25%), Paper 2 (Reading and Listening/receptive skills: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50%), and Internal Assessment consisting of an individual oral examination (12-15 minutes, 25%). Paper 1 requires students to write two short texts of 75-150 words each from a choice of three tasks such as letters, emails, or blog posts. Paper 2 combines reading comprehension of three texts with listening comprehension of three audio passages. The Internal Assessment involves an interactive oral exam where students describe and discuss a visual stimulus related to the course themes.
Develop international-mindedness through the study of languages, cultures, and ideas and issues of global significance
Enable students to communicate in the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes
Encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of a variety of perspectives of people from diverse cultures
