Your Guide to the IB Language B Syllabus Changes
Your expert guide to the IB Language B syllabus and assessment. Learn the five key themes and get a clear breakdown of requirements for Paper 1, Paper 2, and the Oral IA.
Your Guide to the IB Language B Syllabus Changes
If you are starting or are in the middle of your IB Language B course, you might have heard about some big changes. The IB updated the syllabus back in 2020, shifting the focus from learning grammar rules to actually using a language to understand and discuss big ideas. The focus is on authentic communication and intercultural understanding. Let’s break down exactly what that means for you and your exams.
The Foundation: The 5 Prescribed Themes
Forget arbitrary vocabulary lists. Everything you study in Language B now revolves around five core themes. Your teacher will cover these at equal length, and they will be the foundation for all your assessments. Think of them as big conversations that the IB wants you to be able to have in your target language.
- Identities: Explore the nature of the self and what it is to be human. (e.g., lifestyles, health, beliefs, values)
- Experiences: Explore and tell the stories of the events and journeys that shape our lives. (e.g., leisure activities, holidays, migration)
- Human Ingenuity: Explore the ways in which human creativity and innovation affect our world. (e.g., technology, scientific innovation, artistic expression)
- Social Organisation: Explore the ways in which groups of people organize themselves. (e.g., community, social engagement, education, the workplace)
- Sharing the Planet: Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and communities in the modern world. (e.g., the environment, human rights, globalisation)
Breaking Down Your Assessments
How does the IB test you on this? The new assessment model is designed to test different skills across three main components. Here's the snapshot:
| Assessment Component | Weighting | Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Writing | 25% | Written expression, understanding of text types, thematic relevance. |
| Paper 2: Listening & Reading | 50% | Receptive skills; comprehension of audio and written texts. |
| Internal Assessment: Individual Oral | 25% | Spoken production, analysis, and conversational skills. |
Paper 1: The Writing Exam (25%)
This is your chance to show off your writing skills. You’ll be given three prompts, each linked to a different theme, and you choose one to respond to.
- Standard Level (SL): Write 250-400 words.
- Higher Level (HL): Write 450-600 words.
They aren't just looking for perfect grammar. The examiners want to see that you can choose the correct text type (like an email, a blog post, or a formal letter), maintain the right tone, and develop your ideas clearly and relevantly to the theme.
Paper 2: Listening and Reading (50%)
This is the biggest component of your final grade, and for many, the listening part is the trickiest element. This paper is split into two halves:
- Listening Comprehension: You will listen to three audio passages and answer questions on them. This tests your ability to understand spoken language in different contexts.
- Reading Comprehension: You will read three written passages and answer corresponding comprehension questions.
The good news? All the information you need to answer the questions is right there in the passages. You don’t need any outside knowledge. The key is practice and learning to identify exactly what the question is asking for.
The Internal Assessment: Individual Oral (25%)
The oral exam might seem intimidating, but it's really just a structured conversation to show you can speak spontaneously. It’s marked by your teacher and moderated by an IB examiner. Here’s how it works:
- Preparation (20 mins): You're given a visual stimulus (a photo or cartoon) with a caption linked to one of the five themes. You'll have time to prepare a short presentation. HL students might get an extract from one of their literary works instead.
- Presentation (3-4 mins): You present your analysis of the visual stimulus (or literary extract for HL), connecting it to the theme and the culture(s) of the target language.
- Follow-up Q&A (~4-5 mins): Your teacher will ask you questions directly related to your presentation.
- General Discussion (~5-6 mins): The conversation broadens to at least one other prescribed theme, allowing you to discuss connections and show the breadth of your knowledge.
The whole oral lasts between 12-15 minutes. The goal is to have a flowing, natural conversation where you express and justify your ideas with fluency and accuracy.