Behind the Scenes of the IB’s Unique Course
Imagine studying literature in your native language, mastering complex texts, and then wondering—who will grade your work? For students enrolled in the School Supported Self Taught (SSST) Mother Tongue Literature course under the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, this question is pivotal. Let’s uncover the grading process for SSST and how it ensures fairness and rigor.
What is SSST Mother Tongue Literature?
School Supported Self Taught Mother Tongue Literature is a course within the IB Diploma Programme that allows students to study literature in their native language. This course supports multilingual education, helping students maintain and develop their mother tongue while pursuing an international education.
The Core Structure
- Student's Role: Students engage in self-directed learning, selecting literary works, creating study plans, and preparing for assessments.
- School's Role: Schools provide support and resources, including access to mentors, study materials, and organizational help.
The Assessment Process
Internal Assessments
Internal assessments form a crucial part of the SSST course. They typically involve an oral component where students present their analysis and understanding of selected texts. These assessments are conducted within the school but are externally moderated to ensure consistency and fairness.
- Oral Commentary: Students prepare and deliver an oral commentary on a piece of literature from their reading list. This tests their analytical skills and their ability to articulate insights in their mother tongue.
- Moderation: While the oral commentary is assessed by a teacher at the student’s school, the recordings and notes are sent to external IB examiners for moderation. This process ensures that grading standards are consistent across all IB schools.
External Assessments
The external assessment is a significant component of the SSST Mother Tongue Literature course. This includes written exams that are graded by IB examiners.
