Language Program

Language is what makes us human. It is a recourse against the meaningless noise and silence of nature and history. -Octavio Paz

Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary. -Boris Pasternak

Welcome Message & Philosophy

Welcome to the Language and Literature Department at BHS! Our mission is to cultivate a love of language, literature, and communication while empowering students to think critically, write purposefully, and engage meaningfully with the world. We believe that reading and writing are powerful tools for understanding and shaping the world around us. We value inquiry, creativity, and reflection as essential components of a well-rounded education.

Curriculum Overview

Our Language and Literature curriculum spans grades 6 through 12, following the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. We value language as central to developing critical thinking, which is essential for the cultivation of intercultural understanding and for developing students to be internationally minded and responsible members of their local, national and global communities. Inquiry is at the heart of our curriculum; we aim to support students’ understanding by providing them with opportunities to independently and collaboratively investigate, take action and reflect.

The aims of MYP (Middle Years Programme) Language and Literature, Grades 6-10 are to encourage and enable students to:

use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis and social interaction
develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts

develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analysing literary and non-literary texts
engage with text from different historical periods and a variety of cultures
explore and analyse aspects of personal, host and other cultures through literary and non-literary texts
explore language through a variety of media and modes
develop a lifelong interest in reading

apply linguistic and literary concepts and skills in a variety of authentic contexts.

The aims of DP (Diploma Programme) Language and Literature, Grades 11-12 are to encourage and enable students to:

engage with a range of texts, in a variety of media and forms, from different periods, styles, and cultures
develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, presenting and performing
develop skills in interpretation, analysis and evaluation
develop sensitivity to the formal and aesthetic qualities of texts and an appreciation of how they contribute to diverse responses and open up multiple meanings
develop an understanding of relationships between texts and a variety of perspectives, cultural contexts, and local and global issues and an appreciation of how they contribute to diverse responses and open up multiple meanings
develop an understanding of the relationships between studies in language and literature and other disciplines
communicate and collaborate in a confident and creative way
foster a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of language and literature.

Course Offerings

Our Language and Literature Department offers a diverse range of courses that align with the IB’s rigorous academic standards. These courses are designed to foster intellectual growth, encourage diverse perspectives, and strengthen communication skills.

The MYP Language and Literature course aims to develop students’ abilities to analyze, interpret, and create texts across various genres and contexts. It emphasizes critical and creative thinking, communication skills, and an appreciation for the diverse ways language is used to express ideas and construct meaning. Students explore literary and non-literary texts, engaging with different perspectives and developing their own voice through writing and speaking.

In this course, students study a wide range of literary and non-literary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies and critical discourse analysis among others.

For students taking the state-required Regents exam, this course focuses on building strong analytical and writing skills to meet the assessment criteria.

Instructional Approach

Our teaching philosophy in the Language and Literature Department is rooted in inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to explore questions, develop their ideas, and make connections across disciplines. We emphasize active learning strategies that support the development of critical thinking and effective communication.