IB English - Individual Oral - Refining the Global Issue

Introduction to IB English Skills

Overview of the Session

• Andrew and Dave introduce themselves as IB examiners and teachers, aiming to provide manageable skills for students globally.

• The focus of today's discussion is on refining the global issue, which is considered a challenging task.

Understanding Global Issues

• The first criterion for a global issue is its significance on a wide scale, affecting various segments of the population.

• A global issue must be transnational, meaning it transcends borders and isn't confined to one country.

• The third criterion states that a global issue should have an impact in everyday contexts, observable in local neighborhoods.

Selecting Literary Texts for Analysis

Process of Choosing Texts

• To select literary or non-literary texts, students should list all studied works and consider their connections.

• The IB provides five fields of inquiry: power, imagination, science, politics, and identity. These can help identify relevant themes in chosen texts.

Example Application

• Andrew shares his process starting with "The God of Small Things," focusing on politics, power, and justice as key fields of inquiry.

• He identifies "power" as a central theme due to his interest in abusive power dynamics within the novel's context.

Deepening Analysis Through Questions

Exploring Power Dynamics

• Andrew discusses hierarchies of power depicted in the novel set in India, highlighting social stratification from untouchables to brahmins.

• He reflects on how these power structures affect characters' lives—specifically belonging versus being 'the other.'

Narrowing Down Global Issues

• By examining relationships that defy societal norms (e.g., forbidden romances), he connects personal experiences with broader societal issues.

Exploring Global Issues Through Literary Inquiry

The Process of Narrowing Down a Global Issue

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting with a field of inquiry, focusing on keywords to refine the topic. This methodical approach involves asking questions throughout the process to narrow down options effectively.

• A significant global issue is identified as being connected to literary texts. The next step involves finding a corresponding non-literary text that aligns with this global issue, indicating an interdisciplinary approach.

• The discussion hints at future content, suggesting that further exploration of how to connect literary and non-literary texts will be addressed in subsequent videos.

• Viewers are encouraged to engage with the channel by subscribing and commenting on topics they wish to see discussed in future videos, fostering community interaction.