Hacienda La Puente Unified International Baccalaureate Program Reimagines Language Learning, Develops Intercultural Communication Skills for Students

CITY OF INDUSTRY - From Tagalog to American Sign Language (ASL), Glen A. Wilson High School International Baccalaureate Career Pathway (IBCP) program students explore world languages outside of the traditional curriculum to become career-ready in a globalizing world.

Aiming to nurture global-minded professionals with the intercultural communication skill to succeed in cutting edge careers, the IBCP program requires students to complete 50 hours of study beyond their first language as part of the two-year curriculum. While this requirement is commonly satisfied with school language courses, Wilson IBCP faculty encourages students to extend their linguistic curiosities beyond the classroom by providing the option for students to self-study a language not offered at Wilson.

“Our students learn languages not taught in a formal class through online learning platforms like Duolingo and Drop,” IB World Language Teacher Elizabeth Orth said. “This differs from normal language classes where learners memorize grammar and do worksheets. IBCP students gain knowledge of the language in the first year and apply the language to a project in the second year. This way, students explore language as a communicative tool to be used in their future careers.”

IBCP students also take ownership of their learning by tracking their language learning progress in written reflections, overseen by IBCP Personal and Professional Skills instructor Corbin Blanchard. 

“The students are doing fantastic. Watching them use Duolingo and reading their reflections has been a wonderful way their horizons broaden in real-time,” Blanchard said. “Learning a different language gives our scholars a unique lens to view the world from an intercultural perspective.”

 Content Development by: Glen A. Wilson High School Senior Skylar Fan

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

GAWHS_IBCP 1: International Baccalaureate Career Pathway (IBCP) students write reflections in class to record their language learning progress. Glen A. Wilson High School’s IBCP program helps students foster cognitive, language, social, and cultural skills needed for their future careers.

GAWHS_IBCP 2: Junior and senior International Baccalaureate program students meet and participate in team bonding during an annual fall retreat before the start of the 2023-24 school year.