4th and 5th Form Studies Guide - Aiglon College

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COMPULSORY SUBJECTSEnglish(english@aiglon.ch) www.aiglon.ch/englishIGCSE and O-level Specifications: Cambridge International Examinations, as below:Why English?As English is the working language of the school, it is a key subject even if students areplanning to specialise in other areas.How is English taught in these forms?Students are allocated to sets according to their ability. Those in higher sets will take both the O Level EnglishLanguage and IGCSE Literature exams, as will set three if their Literature skills are strong enough. Students willbe placed in a pure language set if their language skills need special attention. There is also a set for English asa Second Language for students whose level of English is at Intermediate ESL level. Traditionally, students whotake this qualification in 4th form then take the O-level in the 5th Form.SpecificationsCambridge IGCSE English Literature (0486)Students will study three texts from each of the three genres (Prose, Poetry and Drama) and will be requiredto answer a question on each of them in the examination. Typical of the texts studied are: The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Tempest by William Shakespeare; and a collection of poetry from different ages andacross cultures, called Songs of Ourselves.Cambridge O-level in English Language (1123)Almost all fifth form students will sit this exam. The skills involved provide an excellent backbone to theirstudies in other subjects. In preparation for the exam, students are taught to write creative, narrative anddiscursive essays and to write for a variety of audiences. In addition, they learn comprehension andsummary writing skills.Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)This Specification is normally followed by the Second Language set in the 4th Form. It is the best-known of allESL Specifications and the examination tests, at Intermediate level, English grammar, Composition, ReadingComprehension, Listening and Speaking.International English Language Testing System (IELTS)5th Form non-native English speakers are also prepared for and sit the General Training Module of thisinternationally recognised qualification. This is a good indicator of the level of English and serves as a guide to IBchoices.Aiglon 4th and 5th Form Studies Guide 2013-14 5
Mathematics(maths@aiglon.ch) www.aiglon.ch/mathsGCSE Specification: Edexcel IMA0AO Maths: OCR 6993Why Mathematics?Mathematics at GCSE level forms the foundation for all successful further study in the IB. It builds on work learntin earlier years, providing the mathematical skills needed in further education, employment and everydaylife. It also provides the mathematical skills required in many other subjects. A qualification in mathematics atthis level is an essential prerequisite for most full-time Higher Education courses. There are also many areas ofemployment that see GCSE in mathematics as an important, if not essential, qualification. This course aims toenable students to:• develop their mathematical knowledge and skills in a way which encourages confidence and providessatisfaction and enjoyment;• develop a feel for number, carry out calculations and understand the significance of the answer;• apply mathematics to everyday situations and solve problems;• develop an understanding of mathematical principles;• use mathematics as a means of communication with emphasis on the use of clear expression;• develop an ability to apply mathematics in other subjects, particularly science and technology;• develop the abilities to reason logically, to classify, to generalise and prove;• appreciate pattern and relationships in mathematics;• produce and appreciate imaginative and creative work arising from mathematical ideas;• develop their mathematical abilities by considering problems and conducting individual and cooperativeenquiry and experiment, including work of a practical and investigative kind;• acquire a foundation appropriate to their further study of mathematics and other disciplines.How is Mathematics taught at Aiglon?All students are allocated to sets according to their ability. Higher sets are prepared for the Higher tier papersand lower sets for the Foundation tier papers. Students hoping to continue on to SL and HL IB mathematics willnormally be in sets 1, 2 or 3. The decision about which tier to prepare a student for is not always an easy one.Stronger students take the SL and HL IB courses and weaker ones generally take Maths Studies. Themathematics department has years of experience of making the decision between tiers of entry, and we havedeveloped effective methods for assessing a student's potential. For students who join the school at thebeginning of the 4th Form, this may take us some time. For students who have been at the school in the 3rdForm, we normally have them at the correct level at the beginning of the 4th Form. We take into account all ofthe following:• Students, parents and teachers want the students to achieve a good qualification in mathematics.• There is no difference in certification between a C gained at Higher tier or Foundation tier.• The philosophy behind GCSE mathematics is that we should be allowing students to succeed: thismeans they should ideally be working at a level where they are averaging 65%.• It is important that students are entered for the correct tier. A student who is having success atFoundation tier is more likely to gain a C at this level than at Higher tier.• The decision should be made as early as possible in the 4th Form, to ensure that students areworking at an appropriate level and have the best chance of success.• In all of this we have the best interest of the students at heart: we want them to succeed.SpecificationWe follow the Edexcel GCSE specification at either Higher or Foundation tier. These are assessed by:• Two written papers, one with a calculator and one without, comprising 50% each, taken at the end of the5th Form• For students in the top set who may go on to study IB level we also cover the OCR Additional Mathematiccourse in order to help students prepare for the rigour of IB level mathematics.TextCurrently we use David Raynor’s Revision and Practice text book that is published by Oxford University Press.Aiglon 4th and 5th Form Studies Guide 2013-14 6
Page 1 and 2: AIGLON COLLEGESwitzerlandStudies Gu
Page 3 and 4: THIS GUIDEWelcome to the 4th and 5t
Page 5: Choosing the Optional SubjectsStude
Page 9 and 10: Physical Education (4th Form)(pe@ai
Page 11 and 12: Religious StudiesGCSE Short Course
Page 13 and 14: Chemistrychemistry@aiglon.chwww.aig
Page 15 and 16: Geography(geog@aiglon.ch) www.aiglo
Page 17 and 18: ARTS CHOICESArt(art@aiglon.ch) www.
Page 20 and 21: Music(music@aiglon.ch) www.aiglon.c
Page 22 and 23: LANGUAGES CHOICESGerman(german@aigl
Page 24 and 25: ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONExpeditions(e
Page 26: AIGLON COLLEGESwitzerlandAvenue Cen

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