Dear Students,
The IB French ab initio course is organized around five prescribed themes. These themes provide meaningful contexts through which you will learn French while developing intercultural understanding. Rather than studying grammar in isolation, you will use the language to explore real-life topics that are personally, locally, nationally, and globally relevant.
These themes will help you develop the four language skills:
- Listening (Réception orale)
- Reading (Réception écrite)
- Speaking (Production et interaction orales)
- Writing (Production écrite)
Throughout the course, you are expected to understand and discuss these themes in French and make comparisons between French-speaking cultures and your own culture.
1. IDENTITIES (Identités)
Guiding Principle
Explore the nature of the self and how we express who we are.
This theme focuses on personal identity, lifestyle, relationships, and well-being.
Recommended Topics
A. Personal Characteristics
In this section, you will learn how to describe yourself and others.
Examples:
- Name
- Age
- Nationality
- Physical appearance
- Personality traits
- Languages spoken
Useful questions:
- Who am I?
- How would I describe myself?
- What makes me unique?
B. Personal Relationships
You will explore relationships with:
- Family members
- Friends
- Teachers
- Community members
Useful questions:
- Who are the important people in my life?
- What makes a good friendship?
- How do family relationships vary across cultures?
C. Food and Drink
You will discuss:
- Eating habits
- Healthy and unhealthy foods
- Traditional foods
- Restaurant experiences
Useful questions:
- What do I eat every day?
- How does food reflect culture?
- What are healthy eating habits?
D. Physical Well-being
You will examine:
- Exercise
- Sports
- Mental health
- Healthy lifestyles
Useful questions:
- How do I stay healthy?
- Why is exercise important?
- What is a balanced lifestyle?
Conceptual Questions
How do I present myself to others?
You will learn how:
- Language expresses identity
- Clothing, appearance, and behaviour communicate who we are
How do I express my identity?
Examples:
- Social media
- Hobbies
- Personal interests
- Values and beliefs
How do I achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle?
You will discuss:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Rest
- Mental well-being
2. EXPERIENCES (Expériences)
Guiding Principle
Explore and tell the stories of events, experiences, and journeys that shape our lives.
You will learn to talk about past, present, and future experiences.
Recommended Topics
A. Daily Routines
You will discuss:
- School routines
- Home routines
- Weekend activities
Questions:
- What do I do every day?
- How does routine affect my life?
B. Leisure Activities
Examples:
- Sports
- Music
- Reading
- Gaming
- Social activities
Questions:
- What do I do in my free time?
- Why are hobbies important?
C. Holidays and Travel
You will learn to:
- Describe trips
- Plan vacations
- Compare destinations
Questions:
- Why do people travel?
- What can we learn through travel?
D. Festivals and Celebrations
Examples:
- National holidays
- Religious celebrations
- Cultural festivals
- Family traditions
Questions:
- Why do people celebrate?
- How do celebrations differ across cultures?
Conceptual Questions
How does travel broaden our horizons?
Travel helps us:
- Discover new cultures
- Learn new perspectives
- Become more open-minded
How would my life be different in another culture?
You will compare:
- Education systems
- Family life
- Traditions
- Daily routines
What challenges do teenagers face?
Examples:
- Academic pressure
- Social media
- Peer influence
- Mental health concerns
How are customs and traditions similar or different across cultures?
You will compare:
- Festivals
- Family customs
- Social practices
3. HUMAN INGENUITY (Ingéniosité humaine)
Guiding Principle
Explore how human creativity and innovation influence our world.
You will investigate inventions, technology, media, and entertainment.
Recommended Topics
A. Transport
Examples:
- Cars
- Trains
- Bicycles
- Air travel
- Public transportation
Questions:
- How has transport changed our lives?
- What are sustainable transport options?
B. Entertainment
Examples:
- Movies
- Music
- Television
- Video games
- Literature
Questions:
- How does entertainment reflect culture?
- What can we learn from films and music?
C. Media
Examples:
- Newspapers
- Television
- Social media
- Online news
Questions:
- How do media influence opinions?
- How reliable is information online?
D. Technology
Examples:
- Smartphones
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet
- Digital communication
Questions:
- How does technology affect daily life?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology?
Conceptual Questions
What effects do science and technology have on my life?
You will explore:
- Communication
- Education
- Health
- Transportation
How do I use media in my daily life?
You will discuss:
- Social media habits
- News consumption
- Online communication
What can I learn about a culture through entertainment?
You will analyze:
- Films
- Songs
- Television programs
- Literature
4. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION (Organisation sociale)
Guiding Principle
Explore how groups of people organize themselves around systems and shared interests.
You will investigate society, education, work, and community life.
Recommended Topics
A. Neighbourhood
You will discuss:
- Local communities
- Public services
- Community life
Questions:
- What makes a good neighbourhood?
- How can communities improve?
B. Education
You will compare:
- School systems
- Subjects
- Learning styles
Questions:
- Why is education important?
- How do schools differ across countries?
C. Workplace
You will explore:
- Careers
- Jobs
- Future ambitions
Questions:
- What career would I like?
- What skills are needed in the workplace?
D. Social Issues
Examples:
- Poverty
- Inequality
- Discrimination
- Homelessness
Questions:
- What social problems exist in society?
- How can they be addressed?
Conceptual Questions
What is my role in society?
You will reflect on:
- Responsibilities
- Citizenship
- Community participation
Why do societies need rules and regulations?
You will explore:
- Laws
- School rules
- Social expectations
What career choices are available to me?
You will discuss:
- Future professions
- Skills
- Career pathways
5. SHARING THE PLANET (Partage de la planète)
Guiding Principle
Explore the challenges and opportunities facing individuals and communities in the modern world.
This theme focuses on environmental and global issues.
Recommended Topics
A. Climate
Examples:
- Climate change
- Extreme weather
- Global warming
Questions:
- How is climate changing?
- What causes climate change?
B. Physical Geography
You will study:
- Mountains
- Rivers
- Oceans
- Landscapes
Questions:
- How does geography affect people’s lives?
C. Environment
Examples:
- Pollution
- Recycling
- Conservation
- Renewable energy
Questions:
- How can we protect the environment?
- Why is sustainability important?
D. Global Issues
Examples:
- Poverty
- Hunger
- Migration
- Human rights
Questions:
- What global challenges exist today?
- How can international cooperation help?
Conceptual Questions
What can I do to protect the environment?
You can discuss:
- Recycling
- Saving energy
- Reducing waste
- Sustainable lifestyles
How does my environment influence the life I lead?
Examples:
- Climate
- Geography
- Resources
- Community
What can I do to create a better world?
You will reflect on:
- Responsible citizenship
- Environmental action
- Volunteering
- Respect for diversity
- Global awareness
Why these themes matter for the IB Exam
All Paper 1 (Writing), Paper 2 (Listening and Reading), and the Individual Oral Assessment are based on these five themes.
You should be able to:
- Describe
- Narrate experiences
- Express opinions
- Compare cultures
- Explain advantages and disadvantages
- Discuss global issues
- Justify viewpoints
As a successful DP 2 student, you should be comfortable discussing all five themes using a variety of tenses (present, passé composé, imparfait, futur proche, futur simple) and a wide range of vocabulary related to these topics.
