Learning that inspires creativity, service and action

Students are strongly encouraged to take the Language & Literature course in their mother tongue language if it is offered by the school.

Throughout the Language & Literature course, students will study a balanced range of genres; developing their listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting skills; learning how to effectively form opinions, make decisions and engage in ethical reasoning.

The Language & Literature course encourages and enables students to:

• use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis and social interaction;
• develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts;
• develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analyzing literary and non-literary texts;
• engage with text from different historical periods and a variety of cultures;
• explore and analyze aspects of personal, host and other cultures through literary and non-literary texts;
• explore language through a variety of media and modes;
• develop a lifelong interest in reading; and
• apply linguistic and literary concepts and skills in a variety of authentic contexts.

The study of additional languages is a central part of the IB philosophy. By learning an additional language, students develop their international-mindedness; gaining an understanding of different cultural perspectives and an ability to communicate successfully in different global contexts.

Language Acquisition: Japanese

Students beginning their MYP studies at FIS may have studied Japanese previously or may have no prior knowledge or experience of the language. Their learning will be tailored accordingly and where possible students will be grouped with peers of a similar level.

The aims of FIS' Japanese Language Acquisition course are to encourage and enable students to:

• gain proficiency in an additional language while supporting maintenance of their mother tongue and cultural heritage;
• develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages;
• develop the communication skills necessary for further language learning, and for study, work and leisure in a range of contexts;
• develop multi-literacy skills through the use of a range of learning tools;
• develop an appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts and to develop critical and creative techniques for comprehension and construction of meaning;
• recognize and use language as a vehicle of thought, reflection, self-expression and learning in other subjects;
• understand the nature of language and the process of language learning;
• gain insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the language is spoken;
• gain an awareness and understanding of the perspectives of people from own and other cultures; and
• develop curiosity, inquiry and a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of, language learning.

Language Acquisition: English

As English is the school’s language of instruction, the primary aim of the English Language Acquisition course is to encourage students whose mother tongue is not English to gain competence in the language, with the goal of balanced bilingualism. English Language Acquisition students at FIS are transitioned to the Language & Literature course when we feel they are ready.

The FIS MYP Mathematics program aims to instill an appreciation and a curiosity for maths in our students. The course promotes inquiry and application, helping students to develop their problem solving skills and gain confidence in their mathematical thinking. As students progress from the MYP to the DP, the emphasis on understanding increases as students work towards developing a strong mathematical knowledge base that will allow them to study a wide range of topics. Through this process students will also work on communicating their ideas in ways that allow others to understand their thinking. As they move through the four branches of the mathematics framework (number, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability), students will begin to transfer their theoretical mathematical knowledge into real-world situations and apply appropriate problem-solving strategies, draw valid conclusions and reflect upon their results.

The FIS MYP Sciences course is structured around interdisciplinary science units that explore concepts, skills and processes from two or more science disciplines. The course provides a balanced selection of biology, chemistry, physics and environmental systems within this integrated framework - meaning students have experience in the key science disciplines in every year of the program.

The FIS Sciences curriculum explores the connections between science and everyday life; offering a way of learning through inquiry that contributes to the development of an analytical and critical way of thinking. Students are encouraged to investigate science by formulating their own questions and finding answers to those questions through research and experimentation. Throughout the Sciences course, FIS students learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, gain good ethical-reasoning skills and further develop their sense of responsibility as members of local and global communities.

The FIS MYP Physical Health Education program aims to empower students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and develop the motivation for making healthy life choices. Providing a balance of physical and health-related knowledge, aesthetic movement, team sports and individual sports; students will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will contribute to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As they explore a variety of Physical Health Education concepts in the program, students will also learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, develop effective collaboration and communication skills, and increase their sense of social responsibility.

MYP Individuals & Societies encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, contemporary, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, psychological, business, technological and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments.

At FIS, Individuals & Societies is taught as an integrated course; incorporating disciplines traditionally studied under the general term “the humanities” (history, geography and economics). Students will study interdisciplinary units that require inquiry from a number of perspectives, bringing together knowledge and conceptual understandings from multiple disciplines within the subject group. The study of Individuals & Societies helps students to appreciate the diversity of human culture, attitudes and beliefs whilst considering local and global contexts. Elements of study within this subject include experimentation and observation, reasoning and argumentation, the use of primary sources, and data that can be used to propose knowledge claims about human existence and behavior. MYP students will begin to explore these knowledge claims by assessing validity, reliability, credibility, certainty, and individual, as well as cultural perspectives.

Learning through The Arts helps us to explore, shape and communicate our sense of identity and individuality. In MYP Arts, students develop through creating, and presenting arts in ways that engage and convey feelings, experiences and ideas. Students are encouraged and enabled to take creative risks and explore ideas in the process as they challenge and enrich their personal identity and build awareness of the aesthetic in a real-world context.

Music

Music in the MYP gives students access to various musical experiences, allowing for the development of thinking skills, intuitive skills, practical abilities, communication and an ability to relate to others. Engagement with existing and emerging music from the local community and around the world allows students to understand the significance of music as a universal aspect of human expression.

Visual Art

Experience in a wide range of visual art activities adds a creative and cultural dimension to student development that will benefit them for the rest of their life. The process of making ideas a reality using the skills and practices of visual art is an integral part of the MYP Arts curriculum.

Drama

In MYP Drama students learn thinking, communicating, problem-solving and team-work skills through the lens of Drama and Theater. Drama is an action packed, lively, participatory subject where students work on their own and with others to create meaning, communicate learning and share ideas through various forms of activities and performance. Through Drama we learn more about ourselves and the world around us by exploring ideas and themes in a communal and challenging learning environment. 
 

MYP Design challenges students to apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems. Students will explore the role of design in both historical and contemporary contexts; developing an awareness of their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action. MYP Design students will become familiar with the design cycle as they analyze problems, develop feasible solutions, create, then test and evaluate their solutions.