Page 8 - THE ORACLE MAGAZINE SUMMER'23 EDITION

A L E X H O U Š T E C K Ý
E N G L I S H B
After a series of French B lessons, I realized that the amount of
French I know can be equated to the 404 error that we often
see on our computer screens. A change needed to be made,
and so, before me, stood two options: English A or English B.
After examining the English A course, it didn't seem to be in
my cards to spend hours analyzing every step of some
character, especially since I never took my IGCSE in literature.
Thus, the decision became quite easy—English B it was. Now,
after about 8 months of classes with Ms. Baranski, I think I'm
ready to tell you all why you should/shouldn’t pick English B as
part of your glorious 6.
Although both English A and English B consider
language, there is one ginormous difference: the focus
of the course. English A is language and literature which
means the course is focused on literature, and at some
point, there is a sliver of a language component snuck in
there. Meanwhile, English B is purely the acquisition of
just language, as simple as that sounds. In practice, this
means that all those PEE paragraphs and literary
analyses that we have been dreading for the past years
are as useless in English B as a glass hammer.
However, what the course does include is learning
about different text types, idiomatic language, creative
writing, and most importantly a consideration of the
world around us and different ethical issues, a feature
that led me to me choosing it. The range of discussions
and considerations that happen in the class is
refreshing and intriguing.
To provide an example, a book that we have read is
“Never let me go” by Kazuo Ishiguro. This particular book
considers the ethical and real-life implications of having
human clones for organ donation. One can just imagine
the range of fascinating conversations the book
sparked within the class.
W H Y D I D I C H O O S E
T O D O E N G L I S H B
A N D W H A T D O E S
T H A T M A K E M E ?
R E A S O N 1 : T H E C U R R I C U L U M
IB is filled with writing, writing, and some more writing.
We have to write scientific reports, consider global issues,
and philosophize about the world. For this, and so much
more, English B is the ideal subject, as its curriculum
covers how to write a wide range of text types, how to be
efficient in doing so, how to include a range of diverse
vocabulary and a myriad of other handy skills.
Finally, although English B is definitely not, as many
people say, an easy 7, the workload is lighter than English
A. Don’t get me wrong; you are still required to complete
around two homework assignments a week and read and
reflect on two rather complex books. Nevertheless, there
is no bundle of books to read in your own time, nor have
we ever had to write an entire essay from scratch as
homework.
English B demands a reasonable level of effort, but
amidst the five other IB subjects, it is a welcome relief to
have a class that doesn't leave you feeling exasperated
after every lesson. Concurrently, as an added bonus, it is a
Higher Level (HL) subject, which allows you to alleviate
some pressure off yourself.
Ultimately, why did I, or why should you choose English B?
Due to the combination of adverse aspects of English A,
and the opportunities and prospects of English B. English
B allows me to practice and develop my writing skills for
numerous different occasions without overwhelming me
with piles of work and stress, and instead teaches me
what it takes to pass this diploma. If you choose English B
for the right reasons and put in the work, it will be one of
the most enjoyable and lively subjects you have in IB.
R E A S O N 2 : T H E U T I L I T Y O F T H E S U B J E C T
R E A S O N 3 : L I G H T E R L O A D
Dedicated to my lovely friends that keep making fun of me
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THE ORACLE MAGAZINE