The IB English A course is a Literature course which aims to build on and develop the skills acquired during GCSE English Literature. These aims of the English A1 course are to provide a rigorous and challenging study of English literature and its place within World literature. The literature studied will enable students to recognize, appreciate and understand common themes and literary styles and practices that underpin literature across continents and traditions. The nature of the course and the style of teaching will place great emphasis on developing students as independent learners who take an increasing responsibility for their own learning, and the course will strive to develop students as critical thinkers who are adept and confident in promoting their own ideas, but also responding to those of others. English A1 can be studied at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) (see information below for course outlines). A ‘core’ syllabus is followed by both the Standard and Higher Levels, with the Higher Level students covering further material/texts in their additional teaching time.