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description: What language development is all about
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# Introduction

**Language development** is one of the four compulsory components of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) core. Learning a language has always been at the **heart of an IB education** and the study of an additional language adds to the **international dimension** of the CP.&#x20;

![](https://1881968194-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MGOgmD_wVYeOPoaux20%2F-MGV5dCd0-lF18FTbEzP%2F-MGV6-FvlwTjsKmezt47%2Fkhadeeja-yasser-FHT0KEOwtyg-unsplash.jpg?alt=media\&token=54741da3-3895-4af7-9f5c-030ae7de8a1f)

| _Image:_ [_Yasser, Khadeeja_](https://unsplash.com/photos/FHT0KEOwtyg)_. Unsplash, 2017._ |
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Furthermore, learning another language and about another culture develops your **communication skills** and improves your **confidence**. It will also give you the chance to explore how language is used in everyday situations, as well as provide you with essential skills to engage both personally and professionally in a globally connected world.

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Put simply, **language development** is your **passport** to many exciting opportunities in the wider world!
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![](https://1881968194-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MGOgmD_wVYeOPoaux20%2F-MGVEUT7Nf972PRiLbA0%2F-MGVFul3uGmhZiVY2kGi%2Fconvertkit-htQznS-Rx7w-unsplash.jpg?alt=media\&token=9afd1e96-0904-4a7c-9498-99216b3dd9d9)

| _Image:_ [_ConvertKit_](https://unsplash.com/photos/htQznS-Rx7w)_. Unsplash, 2020._ |
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The **requirements of the course** are:

* The language chosen **cannot** be your best or strongest language.
* You are expected to devote a **minimum of 50 hours** over the two years of the CP.
* You must maintain and complete a **language portfolio**.
* If you are studying a **Diploma Programmme (DP) group 2 language** you must still complete the language development component.

The presentation below can be used to introduce language development to students and members of staff who are unfamiliar with with this IBCP core element. It can also be used as a further introduction to this student guide. Coordinators and teachers are welcome to use and adapt.

{% embed url="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1n8dMh5EK4qLvL0AfKdSRD2QOnHuVh2AECDn69Fx7u6M/edit?usp=sharing" %}

{% file src="https://1881968194-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MGOgmD_wVYeOPoaux20%2F-MGp45y8yn8VD0OaFdum%2F-MGp4XztJWLyi7EMstsN%2FIntroduction%20to%20CP%20Language%20Development.pptx?alt=media&token=07f5add7-5ebd-4638-8959-b6a97b42ce18" %}
Introduction to CP Language Development (pptx)
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