MYP language and literature courses equip students with linguistic, analytical and communicative skills that help to develop interdisciplinary understanding. Students develop skills in six domains—listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting—both independently and with others.

MYP language and literature courses include a balanced study of genres and literary texts, including a world literature component. Students’ interactions with texts generate moral, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental insights. Through their studies, students learn how to form opinions, make decisions, and engage in ethical reasoning.

The aims of MYP language and literature are to encourage and enable 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 analysing literary and non-literary texts
• engage with text from different historical periods and a variety of cultures 
• explore and analyse 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 
• apply linguistic and literary concepts and skills in a variety of authentic contexts.

Assessment criteria

Each language and literature objective corresponds to one of four equally weighted assessment criteria. Each criterion has eight possible achievement levels (1–8), divided into four bands with unique descriptors that teachers use to make judgments about students’ work. 

Criterion A: Analysing

Students demonstrate an understanding of the creator’s choices, the relationship between the various components of a text and between texts, and make inferences about audience responses and creators’ purposes. Students use the text to support their own responses and reflect on different perspectives and interpretations. 

Criterion B: Organizing

Students understand and organize their ideas and opinions using a range of appropriate conventions for different forms and purposes of communication. Students recognize the importance of maintaining academic honesty, respecting intellectual property rights and referencing all sources accurately. 

Criterion C: Producing text

Students produce written and spoken text, focusing on the creative process itself and on the understanding of the connection between the creator and his or her audience. Students make choices aimed at producing texts that affect both the creator and the audience. 

Criterion D: Using language

Students develop, organize and express themselves and communicate thoughts, ideas and information. They use accurate and varied language that is appropriate to the context and intention.