At a glance
- Group
- Group 2: Language acquisition
- Paper 1
- Writing, 25%
- Paper 2
- Listening 25% plus reading 25%
- Individual Oral
- 25%, internally assessed
- Themes
- Identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, sharing the planet
How English B is assessed
From the current Language B guide (first assessment 2020).
| Component | SL | HL | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: writing | 1 h 15 min, one task, 250 to 400 words | 1 h 30 min, one task, 450 to 600 words | 25% |
| Paper 2: listening | 45 min, three audio passages | 1 h, three audio passages | 25% |
| Paper 2: reading | 1 h, three written texts | 1 h, three written texts | 25% |
| Individual Oral | Visual stimulus linked to a theme | Extract from a literary work studied | 25% |
In Paper 1 students choose one of three tasks and pick a suitable text type (for example a blog, an email, a speech or an article).
Who takes English B, and why the level matters
English B is for students who are still developing English, not for those who already read and write it at a first-language standard. In Gulf schools it is common for students to take Arabic in Group 1 and English B in Group 2, while students with strong English take English A. The school decides placement, and the IB expects the course to challenge the student.
HL English B is a serious language course: higher word counts, more complex texts, and two literary works originally written in English. Many universities accept HL English B grades as evidence of English proficiency, but rules vary by university and country, so check each one directly.
Where English B marks go
- Wrong text type in Paper 1. A formal letter written like an email, or a blog without a title and reader address, loses marks on conceptual understanding however good the English is.
- Word count drift. Going far under or over the range usually means either thin development or loss of control.
- Paper 2 listening. Many students have little listening practice under exam conditions; it is a quarter of the grade.
- Reading questions answered from memory. Answers must come from the text, often with exact words; paraphrasing where a quotation is asked loses the mark.
- A memorised oral. Examiners look for genuine interaction, so students who rehearse a script struggle in the conversation part.
How one-to-one English B lessons work
A tutor who teaches English B divides lessons between three things: speaking practice on the five themes, guided writing in the text types the IB lists, and timed listening and reading tasks. In one-to-one lessons the student speaks for most of the hour, which is the part most classrooms cannot give them.
Writing is drafted, corrected line by line on the shared whiteboard, and redrafted, so the student sees exactly which errors recur. Before the oral, the tutor runs mock orals with unfamiliar photographs (SL) or extracts (HL) and the follow-up conversation, timed as in the real assessment.
A new Language B guide is coming
A revised Language B guide is planned for first assessment in 2029. Published summaries say the three-part model of writing, listening and reading, and an oral stays substantially the same. Students sitting exams in 2027 and 2028 use the current guide.
Common questions
Should my child take English A or English B?
English A is for students who read and write English at a first-language standard; English B is for students still developing it. Schools place students based on their level. If your child is on the borderline, ask the school's Diploma coordinator.
Is HL English B enough for university English requirements?
Many universities accept a set grade in HL English B, but requirements differ by university and country. Check each university's English language page.
What happens in the English B oral?
The student prepares with a stimulus (a photograph at SL, a literary extract at HL), presents, then holds a conversation with the teacher on the stimulus and at least one further theme. It is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB.
How can my child improve listening?
Short daily listening on the five themes (podcasts, news clips, interviews) plus weekly timed practice with past-paper audio. Tutors can run the timed sessions and go through every lost mark.
What does an English B tutor cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson, the same rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is free.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.