Start your IB English (SL / HL) journey the right way with a free level assessment and one-on-one consultation. Study with expert tutors on a fully personalised plan.
IB English is a subject in the studies in language and literature group of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, offered at Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). It is often taken as a course that studies literary and non-literary texts together; students analyse, interpret and compare texts of different types. SL and HL share the same core skills; HL studies more texts and includes an additional essay specific to HL.
Diploma candidates must take at least one subject from the studies in language and literature group, and in international schools that subject is often English. The course develops critical reading, comparative analysis and academic English writing. A strong English grade is concrete evidence of both language proficiency and analytical thinking on an application file.
Every lesson is taught by expert tutors who know the IB English (SL / HL) format inside out and focus on exam strategy.
After your level assessment, we build a personal roadmap around your strengths and weak spots.
Lessons run online and one-on-one on days and times that suit you — no clashes with school.
It starts with a free assessment and consultation — you begin knowing the plan, timeline and goal.
A short call and assessment to clarify your current level, your goal and your exam date.
We build a topic-by-topic weekly study plan and match you with the right tutor.
Start one-on-one lessons with your tutor and track progress with regular practice tests.
IB English assessment is made up of external exam papers, an oral Internal Assessment and an HL-specific essay:
Guided analysis of an unseen text · different scope at SL and HL
Comparative essay based on the studied works
Oral analysis of two texts through a global issue · Internal Assessment
HL only · individual essay based on a studied text
IB English is graded on a 1–7 scale, where 7 is the highest. The subject grade combines the Paper 1 and Paper 2 external exams, the Individual Oral Internal Assessment and, at HL, the HL Essay as well. Grades from six subjects, plus extra points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, make up the total diploma score out of 45. A 6 or 7 is considered strong, and English-intensive or overseas programs often expect a high grade in this subject.
IB English is taught across the two-year Diploma Programme, and exams are held twice a year, in the May and November sessions. Because analysis and writing skills develop over time, reading texts regularly and practising writing is the most effective approach. One-on-one lessons are especially useful for analysing unseen texts, structuring the comparative essay and preparing the Individual Oral. Working through past papers before the exam strengthens writing fluency and time management.
Analysis of literary and non-literary texts
Global issues and comparative study
Individual Oral preparation
HL Essay guidance
Paper 1: guided textual analysis
Paper 2: comparative essay
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