IB: International Baccalaureate in Germany for international students

Education in Germany is one of the most popular in the education market today. The country of medieval castles and mineral springs has the third highest number of foreign students in the world, over 400,000. The problem is that German universities combine old university traditions with the latest technological achievements in a harmonious way. With a German diploma, can find work in Germany itself as well as in the UK and the USA.

The diploma program includes:

• Six compulsory subjects.
• Extended essays (scientific papers) of up to 4,000 words.
• The compulsory subject is Theory of Knowledge (a comprehensive course in various disciplines and skills for the practical application of theoretical knowledge in life).
• Each diploma student is encouraged to spend 150 hours developing creative skills, fitness (sports) and philanthropic activities (environment, charity).

Each subject is graded on a 7-point scale, with 7 being the highest mark. An excellent essay (dissertation) and a project on theory of knowledge earn an additional three points.

45 points is the maximum grade a student can earn during the diploma program.

To receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must earn at least 24 points.

However, although students have earned some points, there are still some points that may cause them to be denied a diploma. These are non-participation in creative, sport and spiritual development programs (CAS), plagiarism of others' ideas, incomplete thesis.

On the other hand, despite the fact that students may fail in any subject, there are still certain conditions that allow them to obtain the diploma: successfully passing an exam in their native language and knowledge of a foreign language, as well as meeting other additional requirements The program entitles candidates to a bilingual diploma education.

The student has the right not to study all the compulsory subjects and may refuse to participate in some compulsory school activities, not to attend the Theory of Knowledge course or not to write an essay. In this case, the student will not receive a diploma, but he will receive a certificate containing his successful grades in each of the subjects studied. Such a certificate is nothing more than a statement that the student paid for the exams and an extract of the results of these exams. The certificate is issued to all students at the end of the course.

Jamie Perfect

Director of the International School of Bremen

Why do parents value primary and secondary schools in Germany so much?

German primary and secondary schools offer a balanced education that prioritizes critical thinking, discipline, cultural understanding, and practical skills. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, offered by many international schools including ISB, is highly esteemed worldwide.

Each student chooses to study six subjects (each subject in groups 1-5 below) and an additional sixth subject from groups 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6.

He must study at least three subjects in the Advanced Placement (HL) program and the remaining three subjects will be studied by him within the framework of the high school standards. cannot study more than 5 subjects in HL without special permission from the IB School Coordinator.

Advanced subjects require 240 hours of study per course. Subjects in the standard curriculum receive 150 hours of lessons during the course.

1. Group 1: Language A1: usually the student's first language (80 different languages are available).
2. Group 2: Second language: a foreign language other than the first language (advanced or standard) studied from Group A1. The learning of a second language is divided into three groups according to the level of knowledge of the language: A2, B and ab initio (from the Latin "from the beginning").

• A2 - a second language in which the student is a native speaker.
• B - a second language that the student has studied for two years.
• ab initio - the student has never studied the language.

The choice of learning each language in Groups 1 and 2 is up to the student.

3. Group 3: Human and Social: Humanities, philosophy, economics, business and management, psychology, anthropology, law, peace and conflict management, information technology, geography, history.

4 Group 4: Experimental Sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, environmental technology.

5. Group 5: Mathematics: standard mathematics, intermediate mathematics, advanced mathematics, advanced mathematics. Computer technology and programming can only be an additional sixth subject and are not part of the mathematics curriculum.

6. Group 6: Creative and additional subjects: painting, graphics, ceramics, music, dance, drama. The suggested subjects in this group may be substituted by the student for any other subject in groups 2, 3, 4 or computer technology in group 5.

Originally founded in response to the lack of flexibility in the school systems available at the time, the IB (International Baccalaureate) Organization has grown to become one of the most respected international programs recognized in over 100 countries around the world. Many major universities in the UK and North America value prospective students with an IB Diploma. In an article in the Daily Telegraph, John Claugthon, the retiring principal of King Edward's School, articulates some of the reasons why schools around the world choose to offer the IB Diploma. He points to the breadth of the program as one of the main motivations: "IB schools believe that the old system of a narrowly specialized world will no longer work."

Many best schools and colleges in Germany with IB , and a growing number are revising their admissions criteria to attract more IB graduates. Among other examples, Claugthon mentions King's College London and notes that 20 percent of the university's new undergraduates are IB students. If looking for an education that inspires and challenges but also requires effort, then an IB school is the ideal choice. Education experts around the world agree on the many benefits of studying abroad. The choice of country will depend on personal preference, but any destination will allow students to experience new cultures, meet international friends, create more independence and confidence, develop new language skills, promote social networks and increase future career opportunities.

As one of the founders of the European Union, Germany is literally and figuratively located right in the center of Europe. It is one of the largest economies in the world and one of the most important industrialized countries. It is a secure, politically and economically stable country. Germany is open to the world, multicultural, a great place to live, its economy is growing at a solid rate and the job market is in good shape. There are many reasons why Germany is the second most popular tourist destination in Europe after Spain, attracting more than 60 million visitors each year.

With around 120 million native speakers, German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and one of the most important languages in the world. German is also spoken in Austria and Switzerland.

German culture is more than just a great classic of philosophy and literature. The country boasts a vibrant cultural and artistic scene. Around 126,000 theater performances and 9,000 concerts are held in Germany every year, attended by around 35 million people. There is plenty to choose from, as the country has some 820 theaters, concert halls and opera houses - the Stuttgart State Opera, Hamburg State Opera and Frankfurt Opera are among the most prestigious in the world.

In schools for IB in Germany, students choose six subjects (one from each group of subjects) - three advanced courses and three standard courses.

• Language and Literature (usually the student's native language),
• Foreign Languages (English, French, Spanish, German),
• Humanities (history, geography, psychology, economics, business and management, world politics),
• Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy),
• Mathematics,
• Additional courses (visual arts, music, drama or one of the subjects in the foreign language, humanities or science groups).

At the advanced level, it is recommended to study courses in which the student is performing well and which he needs to enter the university. Standard level subjects help to balance the curriculum and should also be listed at the time of admission.

• The IB structure necessarily includes courses designed to provide the child with useful skills, unique experiences, and the development of new interests. This component of the program is highly valued by college admissions committees.
• Theory of Knowledge - Provides an understanding of how knowledge gained by the child in school, in interaction with others, from the Internet and other media is relevant to the world, and how it can be critically evaluated.
• Thesis - Students conduct a two-year study of one of their chosen subjects. For example, in history, the student may choose a political event or battle; in economics, the efficiency of a company with which he is familiar; in biology, an ecosystem or an organism within that ecosystem. The results of the study are compiled in a large 4,000-word paper.
• Creativity, sports, social work - help students develop interests outside of school. Once a week, students do art or photography for a varsity game or a single sport. Students volunteer for charity activities, help people in need or teach foreign languages to each other.

The year-long Pre-IB program was developed especially for school-age children who need to be prepared in subjects at the age of 15. His curriculum contains the same subjects as IB, but is divided into modules so that children can try all subjects and choose the right combination in IB. The academic year consists of 5 modules, each lasting 7 weeks. At the end of each module, students take subject-specific exams and progress reports are sent to parents.

• Pre-IB subjects.
• English — 8 hours per week.
• World Literature — 2 hours per week.
• Humanities — 4 hours per week.
• Natural Sciences — 4 hours per week.
• Mathematics — 4 hours per week.
• Art — 2 hours per week.