IB English Language & Literature HL/SL Online Tutoring
Learn the syllabus, assessment style & exam format with structured guidance.
Study with expert IB DP English Examiners to aim for a perfect 7/7!
Why Riforma is the Top Choice for IB English Tuition – Lang & Lit SL/HL
85%
Of Riforma Students Students got 6+/7 in English language and literature
81%
Improved their English Language and Literature score by 1 point or more
10+
Certified IB DP English Language and Literature Examiners and Tutors
93%
See grade improvements within 2 months
What is IBDP Language & Literature? Why Study it?
The IBDP English Language & Literature course offers an in-depth study of both literary and non-literary texts, emphasizing how language shapes meaning across cultures, contexts, and media. It develops strong critical thinking and communication skills through close analysis of global literature and real-world texts. The course is highly beneficial for careers in journalism, marketing, public relations, and law, where analytical insight and clarity of expression are essential. By exploring how language reflects and constructs power, identity, and society, students gain a deeper understanding of global perspectives, equipping them to excel in academic and professional fields that value interpretation, persuasion, and cultural awareness.
Your performance in the IB English Lang & Lit SL & HL course is a key factor in your university admissions. Learn from certified IB English Examiners who know exactly how to help you score a perfect 7/7. Get expert feedback, exam-focused strategies, and personalized guidance to master essays, analyses, and commentaries with confidence.
IB DP Language & Literature Syllabus: Topics + Overview
The IB DP Language A: Language & Literature course (SL & HL) invites students to explore a diverse range of literary and non-literary texts from different cultures, historical periods and media. HL study requires at least 240 teaching hours, while SL requires at least 150 teaching hours. Students analyse how language, meaning and context interact across literary and non-literary formats, develop critical literacy and effective communication skills. The course is structured around three areas of exploration and engages students with a wide variety of text-types, but the official guidance does not simply stipulate “6 works at HL and 4 works at SL” in its latest form.
Area of Exploration | Applies to SL | Applies to HL | Recommended Teaching Hours (SL) | Recommended Teaching Hours (HL) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Readers, Writers and Texts | Yes | Yes | 50 | 80 | Explores the nature of linguistic and literary communication, focusing on how language, context, and audience shape meaning. |
Time and Space | Yes | Yes | 50 | 80 | Examines how texts reflect, represent, or adapt to different contexts, cultures, and historical periods. |
Intertextuality: Connecting Texts | Yes | Yes | 50 | 80 | Investigates connections between texts from various genres, cultures, and periods to understand how meaning is constructed across works. |
Total Teaching Hours | 150 | 240 | As per IB DP guidelines for SL and HL courses. |
IB DP Language & Literature Exams and Past Papers: Overview
Paper 1
For both SL and HL
35% of SL Final Exam Grade
35% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
Standard Level (SL) – 1 hour 15 minutes
Higher Level (HL) – 2 hours 15 minutes
Format
Guided textual analysis of unseen non-literary texts.
Content
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SL: Students choose one of two unseen texts and write a guided analysis.
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HL: Students analyze both unseen texts in the paper.
Texts may include articles, advertisements, speeches, infographics, or web pages—any genre of non-literary writing.
Example Question
Analyze how language and stylistic features are used in the provided text to convey meaning and influence the audience.
HL Essay
For HL only
20% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
This is a coursework component, not a timed exam.
Students work on the essay over an extended period under teacher supervision.
Format
A formal, written essay based on one literary work or one non-literary body of work studied during the course.
Content
Students develop a line of inquiry (research question or focus) connected to their chosen text, demonstrating interpretation, analysis, and evaluation.
Submission requirement: 1,200 – 1,500 words
The chosen work must not be the same as the one used for the Internal Assessment (Individual Oral).
Example Question –
What does Humbert Humbert’s abjection of the feminine reveal about his own existence?
Paper 2
For both SL and HL
35% of SL Final Exam Grade
25% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
Standard Level (SL) – 1 hour 45 minutes
Higher Level (HL) – 1 hour 45 minutes
Format
Comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course.
Content
Students write an analytical essay comparing and contrasting themes, characters, and stylistic or structural techniques across two studied literary works.
The essay should demonstrate a deep understanding of how authors convey meaning through literary choices.
Example Question
Discuss how two works studied explore the theme of power.
Individual Oral (IO)
For both SL and HL
30% of SL Final Exam Grade
20% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
-
Preparation time: Varies (completed over course time with teacher guidance)
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Oral delivery: 10 minutes per student
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Follow-up discussion: 5 minutes (teacher-led)
Format
A prepared oral response exploring how one literary work and one non-literary body of work each present a common global issue.
Content
Students must:
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Select one literary and one non-literary work studied in class.
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Identify a global issue (e.g., identity, inequality, power, culture).
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Analyze and compare how each text represents this issue using examples and techniques.
Submission requirement: 10-minute oral + 5-minute discussion
Assessment type: Internal assessment, externally moderated.
Example Topic – IO Topic
How oppression fuels rebellion.
Is IB DP Language & Literature Difficult?
The difficulty of IBDP Language & Literature largely depends on each student’s English proficiency, analytical ability, and level of engagement. It can be a demanding course, as students are expected to interpret complex texts, think critically about language and meaning, and express their ideas clearly in both written and oral formats. The course also involves in-depth classroom discussions on intricate themes and global issues, encouraging learners to think deeply, challenge perspectives, and communicate their insights with confidence.
Tips for IB English Success from Riforma’s Expert IB Lang & Lit Tutors
Read Widely and Critically
Engage with diverse literary and non-literary texts to strengthen interpretation skills, broaden perspectives, and understand varied writing styles and cultural contexts.
Develop Strong Analytical Writing
Learn to structure essays effectively, use textual evidence, and express insights with clarity and precision—key skills for Paper 1, Paper 2, and the HL Essay.
Connect Texts to Global Issues
Identify recurring ideas such as power, identity, or culture, and link them to wider world contexts—essential for success in the Individual Oral and written assessments.
Practice Timed Analysis
Regularly practice writing commentaries under exam conditions to improve speed, organization, and analytical depth for unseen texts.
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