How different is HL Mandarin and SL Mandarin?

[James Huang]

Hi All,

 

I was thinking of rejoining HL mandarin, but am unaware of the difference in levels.

 

Any advice would be helpful

[Kaichitammarah]

Hi James, 

 

HL Mando is basically for if you're fluent in reading, speaking and writing and you want to explore more diverse texts and words (idioms and stuff).

SL is kinda similar just without the diverse texts.

[James Huang]

Thanks for the help. 

[ultimateone]

Mandarin B, right? Well, any B language in general follows the same syllabus, it's just the different language itself.

 

In Language B HL, you're required to read literary texts, whereas in SL that isn't necessary. In HL, you also have to write a second written assignment on one of the literary texts you've read. In SL, there's one written assignment. Of course, there's also the wider range of vocabulary diversity you're exposed to in HL, in which you are expected to utilise in your Paper 2 writing task.

[M&m_Fan99]

HL is pretty tough, or so I have been told.

If you are not some kind of background speaker/have good  Manderine background knowledge it will be very tough.

But that being said some man, who is no Asian background in my school become very good at Chinese, during earlier years (before IB start), and he choosing to do HL Chinese.
I do not know how he is doing (in Chinese).

Peace fofo.

[DuffsterCole]

In HL, you also have to write a second written assignment on one of the literary texts you've read. In SL, there's one written assignment.

 

Hi!

Just wanted to point out that there is only one WA for HL. In HL you do one WA based on a literary text, which is actually somewhat similar to the written task for SL Lang Lit in that its not a critical, but creative response, e.g adding an extra chapter, writing a diary entry.

 

In SL, it's based on "intertextual reading" around the core topics, and it's kinda similar to what you'd do in Paper 2? That's how I think of it at least