Welcome to the World of "Identities and Relationships"!

Have you ever thought about how the language you speak helps define who you are? Or how you use words to make friends and connect with your family? In this chapter, we explore the Global Context of Identities and Relationships. This isn't just about learning vocabulary; it’s about using English (our target language) to answer big questions like "Who am I?" and "How do I fit into my community?"

Whether you are just starting out (emergent), getting better (capable), or already very fluent (proficient), these notes will help you understand how to navigate this topic in your MYP Language Acquisition journey.

What is "Identities and Relationships" All About?

In the MYP, this Global Context focuses on several key areas that help us understand ourselves and others. When we study this chapter, we look at:

  • Personal Identity: Your name, your background, and your personality.
  • Health and Well-being: How we take care of our bodies and minds.
  • Human Relationships: Families, friendships, and how we interact with people.
  • Beliefs and Values: What is important to us and what we believe in.
  • Communities: The groups we belong to, like our school, our neighborhood, or our sports teams.

Quick Tip: Think of language as a bridge. On one side is "You," and on the other side is the "World." This chapter helps you build that bridge!

How Your Skills Level Up (Phases 1–6)

The MYP doesn't look at your age; it looks at your proficiency phase. Here is how your goals change as you move up the "depth ladder" in this chapter:

1. Identifying and Recognizing (Phases 1–2: Emergent)

At this level, you focus on the basics. You might identify simple facts about a person's family or recognize basic feelings in a short story.
Example: "My name is Sam. I have one brother. I feel happy."

2. Understanding and Drawing Conclusions (Phases 3–4: Capable)

Now, you start to look deeper. You don't just see the facts; you draw conclusions about why someone feels a certain way or how a relationship works. You can handle unrehearsed (spontaneous) conversations about your hobbies or your school life.
Example: "I think the author values friendship because they spent the whole story helping their neighbor."

3. Analyzing and Global Perspectives (Phases 5–6: Proficient)

At the highest level, you analyse how language is used to create an identity. You look at register and style—how we speak differently to a best friend versus a teacher. You also look at things from a global perspective, considering how identity works in different cultures.
Example: "The use of informal slang in this blog post creates a sense of belonging among teenagers, reflecting a shared digital identity."

The Four Assessment Criteria: A Closer Look

In your exams and tasks, you will be graded on four main areas. In the "Identities and Relationships" chapter, here is what to look out for:

Criterion A: Listening

You will listen to spoken multimodal texts. This could be a video interview of a student talking about their culture or a podcast about mental health.
Look for: Not just the words, but the tone of voice and any images or captions that help explain the person's identity.

Criterion B: Reading

You will read written multimodal texts like blogs, social media profiles, or magazine articles.
Look for: The author’s purpose. Are they trying to introduce themselves? Are they trying to give advice on a relationship? Pay attention to the layout and photos too!

Criterion C: Speaking

This is where you interact. You might have a conversation about your family traditions or give a presentation on what makes a healthy lifestyle.
Remember: Use the right audience and purpose. Talking to a friend is different from talking to a principal!

Criterion D: Writing

You will organize your ideas into texts like emails, journal entries, or short essays.
Key point: You need to use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Instead of just saying "good," try words like "supportive," "loyal," or "inspiring" when describing a relationship.

Key Concepts to Remember

There are four Key Concepts that act as big ideas for your learning:

  1. Communication: How we share our identity with others.
  2. Connections: How our language links us to our heritage and our friends.
  3. Creativity: How we use language in unique ways to express our feelings.
  4. Culture: The traditions and beliefs that shape who we are.

Did you know? In the MYP, you will often work with multimodal texts. This means texts that use more than just words—they use images, sounds, and design to tell a story about who someone is!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't ignore the visuals: In Criteria A and B, the pictures and layout are just as important as the words. They help show the context.
  • Watch your register: Using "text-speak" (like u r instead of you are) is okay for a text message to a friend, but not for a formal letter about identity!
  • Stay on topic: Make sure your response actually talks about identities or relationships. If the question asks about your family, don't spend the whole time talking about the weather!

Quick Review: Chapter Checklist

Before you finish this chapter, make sure you can:

- [ ] Describe your own personal identity in the target language.
- [ ] Identify different types of human relationships (family, friends, mentors).
- [ ] Understand the purpose of a text written about someone's life.
- [ ] Use appropriate conventions (format and style) for different audiences.
- [ ] Connect the topic to the Global Context of "Identities and Relationships."

Note: For other ways to look at the world, check out our chapters on Orientation in Space and Time or Personal and Cultural Expression. Each one helps you use language in a new way!