ab+initio+written+assignment

The formal writing of the written assignment **should not exceed two hours** and **should be conducted in a single session**.

The written assignment is the culmination of **independent research** that the student has carried out **on one of the prescribed topics** of the language ab initio course **in the second year of the programme**. Teachers are encouraged to orient students in selecting an appropriate topic and a suitable title for the assignment, guidance for which can be found in the teacher support material.

The aim of the assignment is for students to **describe the chosen topic** before **identifying differences and/or similarities between their own culture(s) and the target culture(s)**. Lastly, students are required to **reflect on these differences and/or similarities** by responding to a set of guiding questions. The description, comparison and reflection are presented in the target language in one continuous piece of handwritten work under **three separate headings: description, comparison and reflection**.

The research process is student driven and guided by teachers. There is no formal amount of time for the research process other than the stipulation that **it cannot begin in the first year of the programme**. Sources (any text that contributes to the research process) may be generated by the student or the teacher or a combination of both, and can be in any language. Sources from the classroom may be included as part of the research process, as can externally generated sources.

The written assignment **must be handwritten** (unless special authorization has been obtained) in the target language in class under the supervision of the teacher. The title of the written assignment and theme from which it comes (individual and society, leisure and work, urban and rural environment) should be the choice of the student with guidance from the teacher. The **use of a bilingual or monolingual dictionary and reference material is permitted in the classroom**.

Objectives • Develop intercultural understanding by reflecting on differences and similarities between cultures • Describe aspects of the target language culture(s) • Compare aspects of the target language culture(s) with similar aspects in the student’s culture(s) • Develop language competence

The written assignment should take the form of short written responses under three separate headings in the target language: • Section A: **A description** of the chosen topic • Section B: **A comparison of the differences and/or similarities between the chosen topic in the target culture(s) and the student’s culture(s)** • Section C: **A reflection related to the chosen topic** The reflection must include answers to all of the following questions: • **Which aspect of your chosen topic surprised you?** • **Why do you think these cultural similarities/differences exist?** • **What might a person from the target culture(s) find different about your chosen topic in your culture(s)?** Students who fail to write the minimum number of words or who exceed the maximum will be deducted 2 marks from criterion E: language. If the word limit is exceeded, **the assessment will be based on the first 300 words**.

Students **must consult between two and four sources in the target language**. A source is any text linked to the topic that will enable the student to reflect on the culture(s) studied during the course. Sources may originate from the teacher and/or the student. Students **may consult sources in other languages**. The sources brought into the classroom must be clean, unmarked copies. Students can annotate the copies during the undertaking of the written assignment.

The student must submit: –– a coversheet completed by the student and signed by both student and teacher –– a bibliography in standard format with references to all sources in all languages • Quotations can be included but will not be part of the overall word count. • Quotations that are not appropriately referenced will be considered as plagiarism. • Students may annotate the source material once the written assignment begins.

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