Language Policy

Our aim

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people. The 10 attributes valued by the IB World School all have in common that they underline the importance of being responsible members of local, national and global communities. Being communicators is one these attributes:  

We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.  

Aust-Lofoten has a diverse body of students, also when it comes to linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Language acquisition, everyday use of language and communication skills are crucial in our teaching and learning processes regardless of what subject is taught. We acknowledge that all teachers are language teachers. All teachers have a responsibility in helping our students develop subject vocabulary and terminology. Some of the tools that our IB teachers in all subjects are expected to use are lists of subject specific glossaries and vocabulary lists.

The school integrates a range of projects and events that celebrate the written and oral use of language, as well as visual language. We have what we call the “DKS” (The Cultural School backpack) which gives students the opportunity to view and experience fine arts in many different forms - such as theatre productions, art exhibitions, concerts, visits from authors and lecturers that come to our school to talk about their work and different aspects of literature, etc. The European Day of Languages is celebrated every year with student exhibitions and projects related to language.  

Developing language is crucial to reflect upon and discuss topics related to different subjects and to express one’s thoughts. Language is therefore of great importance to subjects such as TOK. Being able to articulate themselves through a varied and precise vocabulary will help strengthen the students´ confidence to trust and use their independent voices and express critical reflections.  

Our language subjects

At Aust-Lofoten Upper Secondary School we offer a wide range of language courses; Norwegian, English, German, French and Spanish. In the IB DP, we will offer English A Language and Literature and Norwegian B. In addition, we plan to implement more language subjects in our Diploma programme. At our school we highly value the importance of reading literature, because we acknowledge how reading affects our students’ language skills in general.

Support for mother tongues

Being a multicultural school with students who speak a diversity of languages, we feel the responsibility to offer them an opportunity to study their languages. All students are offered school based self-taught mother tongue learning. We will have one designated teacher who has the responsibly to monitor these students. Students will get support and guidance in relation to planning the individual programme adjusted to each student’s need and interest. The students are expected to do most of the work individually while receiving help and support from the teacher.  

Support for learning the language of the host country

All students are strongly advised to take Norwegian as one of their subjects. For foreign students, it is a necessary step to understand and take part in the Norwegian culture and to become a part of the community. Students with another linguistic background than Norwegian are offered Norwegian B both HL and SL. In order to enter Norwegian universities, students are required to have at least Norwegian B HL.

We encourage students to start using the Norwegian language in both the school community and the local community from day one in the IB. CAS-projects will bring students in contact with the locals and the students will be encouraged to communicate in Norwegian in these projects. In addition, we strongly encourage our IB students to take part in spare time activities, such as sports, theatre and voluntary work. At the beginning of the year, we will inform the students about the existing options in our community.

International mindedness

The school participates in several multinational projects. One example is the Erasmus+ project that allows students and teachers from abroad to come to our school and vice versa. We strongly believe that cooperating with schools that represent different linguistic and cultural backgrounds than ours, can strengthen our ability to meet global challenges and foster tolerance and empathy in our students.

Aust-Lofoten Upper Secondary School regards language acquisition as an important part of developing international minded students. Not only will the students be able to travel the world and communicate with local communities, but their knowledge about other cultures will increase as characteristics of the given culture will be an integrated part of the course. Knowledge of other languages and cultures is essential in seeing one´s own culture and background in relation to the world as a whole. In turn this may encourage international and open-mindedness in our students.

Resources

Our school has an extensive library with a wide range of resources available to our students. Every student has their own computer with digital language programs available at any time. Our language teachers use a wide range of resources; online and manual dictionaries, textbooks, interactive programs for language training, internet resources, games, multimedia resources and more. Teams and other internet communication tools allow us to communicate with schools and students in foreign countries.  

This policy is subject to revision on a yearly basis.

Revised 29.01.2024