Sara Al-Naimi
Doha · QA
Mathematics · IGCSE
Next slot in 12 min
IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME LANGUAGE B
IB Language B tutors built for Paper 1, Paper 2, and the Individual Oral.
Live 1:1 sessions covering all Language B receptive, productive, and interactive skills, at both SL and HL, with tutors who know the IB assessment criteria inside out.
- Aligned to the IB DP Language B guide and assessment objectives
- Targeted prep for the Individual Oral and Written Tasks
- Tutor matched to your target language and level in under 10 minutes
2,000+
Vetted Tutors
120,000+
Tutoring Hours Delivered
4.7
Trustpilot Rating
10+
Countries Served
IB DP Language B — SL and HL
Five themes. IB Language B assessed across four papers and one oral.
IB DP Language B is structured around five prescribed themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation, and Sharing the Planet. Assessment spans Paper 1 (reading comprehension), Paper 2 (written production), and the Individual Oral at both SL and HL. HL students also complete a Higher Level Essay.
Paper 1 — Text-handling exercises testing reading comprehension across authentic target-language texts.
Paper 2 — Written production tasks requiring students to produce one text from a choice of options.
Individual Oral — 15-minute spoken assessment covering a visual stimulus and a literary or non-literary text at HL.
Higher Level Essay — HL-only 600-word written essay on a literary work studied in the target language.
Five Themes — All assessment draws on Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation, and Sharing the Planet.
IB Diploma Subjects We Cover
Talimat tutors cover the full IB Diploma Programme curriculum, from Group 1 Literature to Group 6 Arts, alongside Language B across all major target languages.
Language B (French)
Language B (Spanish)
Language B (Arabic)
Language B (Mandarin)
Language B (German)
Language B (Japanese)
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Economics
History
Psychology
English A: Language and Literature
Business Management
+ additional IB Diploma subjects available on request.
Free trial · limited slots this weekClaim your free IB Language B trial session before this week's slots fill.
Understanding the IB Diploma Grading System
The IB Diploma uses a 1 to 7 scale per subject, with 7 as the highest grade. The full diploma is scored out of 45, including up to 3 bonus points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.
Top Performers – Grade 7 Award
A grade 7 in Language B requires consistent excellence across Paper 1, Paper 2, the Individual Oral, and, at HL, the Higher Level Essay.
7
Excellent performance throughout95%
6
Very good performance82%
5
Good performance68%
4
Satisfactory performance55%
3
Mediocre performance42%
2
Poor performance28%
1
Very poor performance15%
The grading scale shown applies to the IB Diploma Programme and may differ from Cambridge, Edexcel, or other qualifications. Speak to your Academic Consultant for board-specific guidance.
Our students consistently reach top grades.
7
Our goal for every student.
Personalised preparation from Day 1.
IB Language B tutors available to book tonight.
Matched to your target language and level in under 10 minutes.
Book This Tutor
Daniel Park
Dubai · AE
English · IB / SAT
Next slot at 8:30 PM
Aaliyah Khan
Riyadh · SA
Physics · A-Levels
Next slot in 6 min
Yusuf Hadi
Manama · BH
Arabic · KG–G6
Next slot in 21 min
IB Language B versus self-study: what actually changes
IB Language B is not just about vocabulary and grammar. It demands authentic communicative competence across five prescribed themes, assessed under timed conditions in two external papers and a live oral. A 1:1 tutor changes the preparation quality at every stage.
Paper 1 tests reading comprehension using authentic target-language texts. Students answer text-handling questions that require precise understanding of register, implied meaning, and writer purpose. Without targeted practice on past papers, many students underestimate how much specific vocabulary range and reading speed matter under exam conditions.
Paper 2 requires written production of one text from a range of text types: a blog post, a speech, a letter, a report, or a brochure. Each text type carries its own register and structural conventions. A tutor familiar with IB Language B marking criteria can train students to apply the correct conventions consistently and score well on the Criterion B and Criterion C descriptors.
The Individual Oral is the component that most surprises students. At SL, it involves a 10-minute discussion of a visual stimulus connected to one of the five themes. At HL, students must also discuss an extract from a literary or non-literary text studied in the target language. Practising the oral with a 1:1 tutor who can model examiner prompts and give criterion-referenced feedback is not replicable by any classroom or self-study method.
Key takeaways
- Paper 1 tests reading comprehension across authentic target-language texts under timed conditions
- Paper 2 requires producing a specific text type with correct register and structural conventions
- The Individual Oral at HL includes discussion of a studied literary or non-literary text
- HL students complete a 600-word Higher Level Essay on a work read in the target language
- 1:1 tuition provides criterion-referenced oral and written feedback that classrooms cannot replicate
How Our IB Language B Tutoring Works
Every student starts with a diagnostic session. From there, your tutor builds a plan aligned to your Language B target language, level, and assessment timeline.
10 min
Average Tutor Match Time
From sign-up to first session
Trusted by Gulf IB families
Free Diagnostic Session
Your Academic Consultant runs a free diagnostic to identify strengths and gaps across Paper 1 reading skills, Paper 2 writing conventions, and oral production in your target language.
Tutor Match and Plan
We match you with a vetted Language B tutor who holds a relevant degree and knows the IB assessment criteria. Your personalised study plan is ready before the first paid session.
Live 1:1 Sessions
Sessions run live and 1:1, Monday to Saturday, Gulf Standard Time. Your tutor drills past-paper text-handling questions, practises written text types, and conducts mock Individual Oral assessments.
Mock Exams and Feedback
Your tutor scores your written and oral practice against the official IB Language B criteria, gives written feedback, and adjusts your study plan based on where grade points are being lost.
Real Outcomes From Our IB Students
Figures drawn from verified Talimat platform data and student records.
120,000+
Tutoring hours delivered across IB and international programmes
Across all subjects and levels
2,000+
Vetted tutors available across IB Diploma subjects and languages
Each holding a relevant degree
4.7/5
Average Trustpilot rating from verified student and parent reviews
Based on verified reviews
10+
Countries where Talimat students are currently enrolled and studying
Gulf region and beyond
Student Reviews
What IB Language B Students Say
Hear directly from students who prepared their Individual Oral and written papers with a Talimat Language B tutor.
Book Your Free Trial“My tutor spent three sessions going through the Individual Oral format with me, using past visual stimuli and asking the same kinds of follow-up questions the examiner would. I went into the exam feeling genuinely prepared rather than just hoping for the best.”
Nour Al-Rashidi
Dubai, UAE
1 / 3
IB LANGUAGE B LEVELS
SL versus HL: Which IB Language B Level Is Right?
Understanding the differences between SL and HL helps students and parents choose the right preparation pathway from Day 1.
/ib-tutors/language-b-sl
Standard Level (SL)
SL students sit Paper 1 and Paper 2, plus a 10-minute Individual Oral based on a visual stimulus. Assessed across 4 criteria: Language, Message, Conceptual Understanding, and Communication.
Explore SL Tutoring/ib-tutors/language-b-hlHigher Level (HL)
HL adds a Higher Level Essay (600 words on a literary or non-literary work) and extends the Individual Oral to include discussion of a studied text. HL carries greater assessment weight across all criteria.
Explore HL Tutoring/ib-tutors/language-b-oralIndividual Oral Prep
Targeted preparation for the Individual Oral, covering visual stimulus analysis, spoken register, and examiner-style questioning for both SL and HL.
Book Oral PrepPopular IB Languages
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know about IB Language B tutoring
Answers to the questions students and parents ask most before booking their first session.
What is the difference between IB Language B SL and HL?
SL students complete Paper 1, Paper 2, and a 10-minute Individual Oral. HL students complete the same components plus a Higher Level Essay of 600 words on a literary or non-literary work studied in the target language. HL also extends the Individual Oral to include discussion of that text.
Which languages are available for IB Language B tutoring?
Talimat tutors cover the most commonly examined Language B target languages, including French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, German, Japanese, and Italian. If your language is not listed, contact us and we will find the right match.
How is the Individual Oral assessed at HL?
The HL Individual Oral lasts 15 minutes. Students present a visual stimulus connected to one of the five prescribed themes, then discuss an extract from a literary or non-literary text studied during the course. Examiners assess Language, Message, Conceptual Understanding, and Communication.
How many past papers should I practise before my IB Language B exams?
There is no fixed number, but Talimat tutors typically work through a minimum of 6 to 8 past Paper 1 and Paper 2 sets, timed under exam conditions, before the final exam session. The Individual Oral is practised across multiple mock sessions.
Can a tutor help with the IB Language B Higher Level Essay?
Yes. The HL Essay requires a clearly structured 600-word argument drawing on evidence from a literary or non-literary work. Tutors help students choose a focused topic, draft and refine their argument, and ensure the essay meets the IB Language B assessment criteria.
Does Language B count towards the IB Diploma bonus points?
Language B itself does not contribute to the 3 bonus points available from TOK and the Extended Essay. However, a strong Language B grade contributes directly to the 42-point subject total, making it an important component of the overall diploma score.
How quickly can I be matched with an IB Language B tutor?
Talimat matches students with a vetted Language B tutor in under 10 minutes. Your Academic Consultant is assigned from day one to ensure the match is right for your target language, level, and exam timeline.
Is IB Language B recognised by universities in the UAE, UK, and the US?
Yes. IB Diploma Language B is recognised by universities worldwide, including those in the UAE, UK, and the US. Many universities consider Language B grades as evidence of foreign language proficiency for both admissions and credit transfer purposes.
Reviewed by
Last reviewed
Dr Isabelle Fontaine
IB Language B Senior Examiner, MA Applied Linguistics, PGCE Modern Languages
Dr Fontaine has over 14 years of experience teaching and examining IB Diploma Programme Language B, with a focus on French and Spanish at both SL and HL. She has served as a senior examiner for the Individual Oral and Paper 2 components, trained IB Language B teachers at workshops in the UAE and the UK, and contributed to internal moderation processes for the Higher Level Essay. Her academic background in Applied Linguistics informs her approach to developing communicative competence and register awareness in examination candidates. She reviews content on this page to ensure accuracy against the current IB DP Language B guide.
Try a Free IB Language B Session Today
Book a free 1:1 trial session with a vetted Language B tutor. No payment required, no commitment, and your Academic Consultant is on hand from day one.
What You Will Get in Your Free Trial
No payment required. No enrolment deposit. Cancel anytime. Your first session is completely free.
- Diagnostic review of your Language B level and gaps
- Introduction to Paper 1 and Paper 2 exam techniques
- Live practice in your target language with a vetted tutor
- Personalised study plan before your first paid session
Limited Time Offer
Sign up after your free trial and receive a personalised IB Language B study plan covering all components, at no extra cost.