Time to Learn German

Theory of knowledge (TOK) is central to the Diploma Program, and the relationship between TOK and Group 2 is of great importance. Learning an additional language involves linguistic and metalinguistic, sociolinguistic, pragmatic and intercultural skills and competencies.

Therefore, teachers are challenged to make links between TOK and Group 2 courses that encourage consideration and reflection upon how these skills and competencies are acquired by the language learner and, equally, imparted by the teacher.

TOK asks four essential questions. What is knowledge? How is it produced? How is it acquired and applied in daily life, and it does so for every main area of human knowledge. It operates within a clear  framework for each Area of Knowledge.

"Students (and teachers) new to TOK will often find it unsettling and frustrating, at least initially. This is as it should be. One of the tasks of TOK is to challenge accepted knowledge and the assumptions it is based on. It forces students to look at knowledge issues at the most fundamental level and this can threaten long held beliefs. It is often frustrating as it does not seem to provide clear black and white answers. In fact a successful TOK lesson will be one where the student emerges with more questions and fewer answers than they began with. Having said this, those who embrace TOK find that the way they think has changed and that they have gained a new level of clarity and understanding in many areas. TOK will raise your awareness of the problems with the foundations of knowledge and with their possible solutions. It is difficult and demanding but the rewards are well worth it." PHILIPPE MATHIEU @ https://osc-ib.com/article/what-earth-tok

Students are assessed in two parts: an externally examined 1,200–1,600 word essay and an internally assessed presentation.