Group 2: Language AcquisitionSL AvailableHL Available

IB English B

Language acquisition course developing advanced English communication skills.

IB English B is designed for students with prior English learning experience who want to develop advanced proficiency. The course focuses on language skills across five themes while developing intercultural understanding and the ability to communicate in various contexts. The current course was first assessed in 2020; a revised course is first assessed in 2029.

SL & HL
Levels offered
90 min
One-to-one lessons
$95
Lowest rate per lesson
Max 6
IB group programs
Prices and optionsRequest a tutor
Whiteboard in an IB English B HL lesson: key vocabulary defined — tone, viewpoint, connotation, motif and context — beside reading comprehension, guidance on structuring a spoken or written response, and a four-step teaching outline.
From a live online one-to-one IB English B HL lesson at the TestPrep Group
Course Introduction

Why English B Matters

Your grade in IB English B counts toward the 45-point Diploma, and many university courses ask for a particular grade in the subject, often at Higher Level.

Develops advanced English proficiency
Prepares for international education and careers
Builds intercultural communication skills
Valuable for non-native English speakers
Whiteboard in an IB English B SL lesson: vocabulary building through word families and collocations, reading comprehension by skimming and close reading, organising speaking and writing, and a six-step lesson outline from warm-up to homework.
Standard Level
SL Overview

SL focuses on receptive and productive skills through 5 themes with 150 hours of instruction.

Higher Level
HL Overview

HL adds the study of two literary works originally written in the target language and more complex language use, with 240 hours of instruction.

Career Pathways

International BusinessTranslationTourismDiplomacyNGO WorkInternational EducationMedia

English B syllabus topics

The topics of the subject guide. Lessons follow your school's order and level.

Unit 1
Identities
  • Lifestyles
  • Health and well-being
  • Beliefs and values
  • Subcultures
  • Language and identity
Unit 2
Experiences
  • Leisure activities
  • Holidays and travel
  • Life stories
  • Rites of passage
  • Customs and traditions
  • Migration
Unit 3
Human Ingenuity
  • Entertainment
  • Artistic expressions
  • Communication and media
  • Technology
  • Scientific innovation
Unit 4
Social Organization
  • Social relationships
  • Community
  • Social engagement
  • Education
  • The working world
  • Law and order
Unit 5
Sharing the Planet
  • The environment
  • Human rights
  • Peace and conflict
  • Equality
  • Globalization
  • Ethics
  • Urban and rural environment

How lessons approach English B

Understanding the concepts, and answering the papers the way the markscheme rewards.

Conceptual Understanding
Deep mastery of core concepts
  • Immerse yourself in English media daily
  • Practice all four skills equally
  • Build vocabulary around the five themes
  • Study text types and their conventions
Exam-Specific Techniques
Targeted preparation for IB assessments
  • Practice writing all text types
  • Develop strategies for listening comprehension
  • Master IO structure and timing
  • Learn to analyze visual stimuli effectively

Past papers and markschemes

IB English B past papers, used in lessons alongside the questions from your own school.

How marks are won in English B

1
Know the conventions of all text types
2
Practice timed writing extensively
3
Build sophisticated vocabulary for each theme
4
Prepare visual analysis frameworks for IO
5
Review criteria descriptors for each assessment

IB English B: lessons, prices and how to start

One-to-one lessons are 90 minutes, live online. Prices are set per program, so they are the same for every IB Diploma subject.

IB English B one-to-one tutoring packages
Single lesson$100Per lesson: $100Buy a lesson
10 lessons$970Per lesson: $97Buy package
20 lessonsLowest rate$1,900Per lesson: $95Buy package

Group options

IB group teaching runs as three programs, priced by the number of subjects you take, in groups of at most 6:

IA, EE and TOK supervision is one-to-one, from $100 for a single lesson.

How do you start?

Request a free consultation: it is a conversation about your goals and timeline, not a lesson or a test. There is no separate diagnostic test for IB Diploma, because no single test stands in for a school syllabus. The first lesson does the assessment: your tutor works through your recent marked work and past-paper questions from your own specification, and reads where you stand. It is a normal paid lesson, not a free trial, and it teaches as it assesses.

Request a free consultation

Refunds

Not satisfied after your first private lesson? Full (100%) refund. No score is guaranteed. Full terms.

Every IB Diploma priceAll IB Diploma subjects

IB English B — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IB English B SL and HL?
Standard Level: SL focuses on receptive and productive skills through 5 themes with 150 hours of instruction. Higher Level: HL adds the study of two literary works originally written in the target language and more complex language use, with 240 hours of instruction. The choice matters for university admission as much as for workload — many courses require the subject at HL specifically.
How is IB English B assessed?
Externally assessed: Paper 1 (SL: 25% / HL: 25%), Paper 2 (SL: 50% / HL: 50%). Internally assessed: Individual Oral (SL: 25% / HL: 25%). The internal assessment is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB, and because it is completed over months rather than in an exam hall it is the component students most often leave too late.
What topics does IB English B cover?
The syllabus covers 5 topics: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization and Sharing the Planet. Lessons follow your school's order, so tutoring supports your class rather than running alongside it.
Does IB English B count for university credit?
May fulfill language proficiency requirements. Recognition varies by university and usually applies to Higher Level only, so check the policy of each institution you are applying to.
Where does IB English B lead?
It is commonly taken by students heading towards International Business, Translation, Tourism, Diplomacy and 3 more. If your intended degree lists the subject as a requirement, taking it at Higher Level is usually what admissions expects.