IB English: Criterion A: Building Understanding

Summary

In this video, Andrew and Dave emphasize the critical role of understanding in IB English. They discuss how understanding forms the foundation of academic success across all subjects, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and empathy. They break down how understanding is central to key assessments like Paper 1, Paper 2, the Individual Oral, and the Higher Level Essay. Tips for improving understanding include asking questions, engaging deeply with texts, being skeptical, exploring multiple interpretations, and connecting ideas to real-world issues. The duo encourages students to consistently enhance their understanding, both in class and through responsible use of AI.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Understanding is the foundational skill of IB English — everything else builds on it.
• 🎯 Every IB assessment (Paper 1, Paper 2, IO, HL Essay) fundamentally evaluates your understanding first.
• 🧠 Understanding makes you a deeper thinker, a better learner, and more appealing professionally and academically.
• 🌍 Understanding connects literature to global issues, empathy, and the human condition — it's more than just academic.
• ❓ Asking high-quality questions and annotating actively are key habits to build real understanding.
• 📚 Study literary forms and text types — drama, prose, poetry — and how construction shapes meaning.
• 🔍 Be a critical skeptic — don’t accept texts at face value; interrogate values, biases, and implications.
• 🔄 Seek multiple interpretations — there is rarely just one correct reading in literary analysis.
• 📖 Read deeply and closely, not passively or skim-reading online — strive for layered meaning.
• ✍️ Writing regularly (journal, learner portfolio, notes) strengthens and clarifies your understanding.
• 🌐 Connect your learning to real-world issues — especially global issues emphasized in IB English.
• 🤖 Use AI as a thinking partner, not as a replacement — it should enhance, not substitute, your analysis.
• 🗓️ Treat every single class as practice — don’t wait until test day to develop or show your understanding.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video by Andrew and Dave?

The video focuses on the importance of 'understanding' as a foundational concept in IB English and how it underpins success in all areas of the course.

Why do Andrew and Dave describe understanding as the 'foundation' of IB English?

They compare understanding to the foundation of a house—essential for building deeper knowledge, critical thinking, and strong analytical skills in the subject.

How does understanding relate to critical thinking?

Understanding promotes critical thinking, which helps students analyze texts thoughtfully, question assumptions, and form independent interpretations—skills valued by employers and universities alike.

In what ways does understanding extend beyond English class?

Understanding is a transferable skill that applies across disciplines such as history, economics, and geography, fostering curiosity, empathy, and a deeper connection to the human experience.

How is understanding assessed in IB English Paper 1?

In Paper 1, students are evaluated on their understanding of different literary forms and text types, focusing on close reading and interpretation of unseen texts.

What role does understanding play in Paper 2 and the Individual Oral?

For Paper 2, understanding is shown through comparative analysis of two texts, while in the Individual Oral, it is demonstrated by connecting chosen texts to a global issue with depth and insight.

How can students improve their understanding of texts according to the video?

Students can enhance understanding by asking questions, annotating texts, studying literary forms, being skeptical readers, exploring multiple interpretations, and actively engaging in class discussions.

Why do the speakers emphasize reading and writing as key practices for understanding?

They stress that deep reading (not just digital skimming) and regular writing—such as in a learner portfolio or writer’s notebook—help develop comprehension and analytical depth over time.

How should students use AI in relation to understanding, according to Andrew and Dave?

They advise students to use AI responsibly as a tool to enhance thinking, not replace it—emphasizing that engagement and critical evaluation are key to genuine understanding.

What final advice do Andrew and Dave give students about showcasing understanding?

They remind students not to wait until exams to demonstrate understanding; instead, they should actively build and display their comprehension in everyday class activities throughout the year.

What attitude do the speakers encourage students to adopt toward daily learning?

They encourage treating every class as an opportunity to grow understanding, stay curious, and continuously connect learning to the wider world and human condition.