What is IB English Language and Literature?

If you’re choosing your IB subjects and love analysing both stories and real-world texts, from Shakespeare plays to political speeches or online media, IB English Language and Literature (Language A: Language and Literature) could be the course for you. But what exactly does it involve, and how does it compare to other English options? Let’s break it down.

Key takeaways

• Dual focus – You’ll study both literary works (novels, plays, poetry) and non-literary texts (media, journalism, blogs, adverts, political writing).

• Real-world relevance – The course explores how language shapes meaning in everyday life, from news headlines to social media posts.

• Choice of study level – Offered at Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL); HL requires studying more texts, more analysis, and an independent essay.

• Mix of assessments – You’ll face unseen analysis, comparative essays, coursework, and an oral assessment, testing a wide range of skills.

• Global outlook – You’ll engage with works from diverse time periods, cultures, and languages, developing cultural awareness.

• Universities value it – The course strengthens critical reading, writing, and communication — skills respected across the humanities and social sciences.

Overview of IB English Language and Literature

IB English Language and Literature (IB Language A: Lang and Lit) is a Group 1 subject in the IB Diploma Programme. Like all Language A courses, it is taught in a language you’re already fluent in.

What makes it different is its dual nature: you study both literature and language in real-world contexts. That means you’ll learn to analyse a wide range of texts, from novels and plays to news articles, speeches, advertising campaigns, and digital media.

• Literary study: You’ll still explore core works of literature, but fewer than in IB English Literature.

• Language study: You’ll investigate how language operates in society — how it persuades, informs, and represents ideas. This includes looking at bias, ideology, and the power of words.

The subject helps you see the connections between creative expression and communication in everyday life.

IB English Literature vs IB English Language and Literature

Many students wonder how the two courses compare. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Structure of the IB English Language and Literature course

The IB English Language and Literature course balances the study of literary works with the analysis of non-literary texts, giving you a broad perspective on how language works in both art and everyday life.

1. Levels of study

• Standard Level (SL): Students study 4 literary works (novels, plays, poetry) alongside a range of non-literary texts such as news articles, advertisements, blogs, and political speeches.

• Higher Level (HL): Students study 6 literary works plus a wider variety of non-literary texts. HL students are expected to go deeper in their analysis and complete an additional HL Essay.

This means HL has a heavier reading and writing load, and the expectation of more independent thinking.

2. Areas of exploration

The course is organised around three guiding themes, known as areas of exploration:

• Readers, writers and texts
  Focuses on how texts are created and interpreted. You’ll explore how meaning is shaped by both the author’s choices and the reader’s perspective.

• Time and space
  Examines how texts are influenced by their cultural, historical, and social contexts. For example, how a speech reflects the politics of its time or how a novel captures the values of its culture.

• Intertextuality: connecting texts
  Encourages you to compare and link different texts. You’ll look for echoes, contrasts, and shared ideas across genres, media, and time periods.

Together, these areas ensure that you don’t just learn about a single text in isolation, but understand how it operates within wider contexts and conversations.

IB English Language and Literature assessments

Your final IB English Language and Literature grade comes from a combination of written exams, coursework, and an oral assessment. Understanding how each component works helps you prepare strategically and play to your strengths.

Paper 1 – Unseen non-literary analysis

Paper 1 tests your ability to analyse unseen non-literary texts — the kind of real-world material you haven’t studied before. This could include news articles, speeches, advertisements, or online media posts.

• At Standard Level (SL): You’ll receive one unseen text and write a detailed analysis in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• At Higher Level (HL): You’ll receive two unseen texts and must analyse both in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

This exam assesses how well you can identify techniques such as tone, register, layout, and persuasive devices, and explain how they shape meaning. Structure is just as important as language. You’ll need to comment on how the text is organised — for example, how a headline works with an image, or how a speech builds momentum. Context matters too: you should think about the text’s purpose, audience, and cultural or social setting.

Paper 2 – Comparative essay

Paper 2 is a comparative essay based on the literary works you’ve studied during the course:

• You’ll choose from several essay questions, each inviting you to explore themes, characters, or stylistic choices.

• Your task is to compare two works from your course, showing how they address the topic in similar or contrasting ways.

This exam tests your ability to connect texts thoughtfully. Strong responses don’t treat the works separately, but weave insights together throughout the essay, highlighting shared themes, key differences, and the significance of those comparisons. You’ll also be expected to show awareness of how historical, cultural, or authorial context influences the works you’re writing about.

HL Essay (HL only)

If you’re taking Higher Level, you’ll complete an independent research essay of 1,200–1,500 words:

• You’ll choose one literary or non-literary work you’ve studied and develop your own research question.

• This allows you to explore a text in much greater depth than in the exam.

The HL Essay rewards independence. It’s your chance to pursue a line of inquiry that genuinely interests you — for example, analysing how a play portrays political power, or how a collection of adverts reflects gender stereotypes. Strong essays often engage with secondary criticism or wider research, showing that you can place your interpretation within broader discussions.

Time management is crucial. You’ll draft, refine, and polish this essay over an extended period, so planning ahead makes a big difference.

Individual Oral (SL and HL)

The Individual Oral (IO) is a 10-minute prepared presentation, followed by 5 minutes of questions from your teacher:

• You’ll pair one literary work from your course with one non-literary body of work (such as speeches, adverts, or news coverage).

• You’ll link both texts to a global issue — for example, identity, gender, politics, or inequality.

This assessment is about making connections. You’ll explore how different kinds of texts tackle the same issue, and what that reveals about language and culture. It’s also a test of clear, confident communication. You’ll need to present your ideas in a structured way and respond thoughtfully to questions.

Preparation is key here: planning your argument carefully and practising your delivery will make your IO more persuasive and engaging.

SL vs HL in IB English Language and Literature

Choosing between Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) depends on how much time you want to commit to English, how it balances with your other IB subjects, and your future study plans.

At Standard Level, you’ll study 4 literary works alongside a range of non-literary texts. This makes the reading load lighter and more manageable if you’re juggling demanding subjects elsewhere in your Diploma. The assessment requirements are also reduced: you won’t have to complete the HL Essay, which saves a significant amount of independent research and writing time. Instead, you’ll focus on Paper 1, Paper 2, and the Individual Oral.

At Higher Level, the expectations are greater. You’ll study 6 literary works in addition to a wider variety of non-literary materials. Examiners expect more detailed and sophisticated analysis, particularly in comparative work. The HL Essay is a major differentiator: this independent, 1,200–1,500 word piece requires strong research skills, critical engagement with scholarship, and the ability to sustain a focused argument over extended writing.

If you’re considering university courses in English, media, journalism, communications, or related humanities subjects, the HL option is strongly recommended. It develops higher-level academic skills and provides better preparation for the kind of analysis expected in degree-level study. Some competitive universities may even prefer or require HL English for entry into certain programmes.

Ultimately, your choice should reflect both your academic goals and your personal interest. HL demands more independent reading, research, and essay writing outside of class time. If you enjoy engaging with texts in depth and are motivated by exploring how language works in both literature and the real world, HL can be highly rewarding. If you want a solid grounding in English without the additional workload, SL offers a strong alternative.

Skills you’ll develop in IB English Language and Literature

So what will you actually get out of this subject? IB English Language and Literature isn’t just about studying texts; it builds a wide range of transferable skills that will serve you well at university and in future careers:

• Critical reading and analysis train you to examine both literary and non-literary texts carefully. You’ll learn to identify how language, structure, and stylistic choices shape meaning, and to question the assumptions behind texts — skills that are valuable in any field where you need to evaluate information.

• Essay writing and argumentation help you develop a clear, persuasive written voice. Whether you’re comparing novels or analysing a newspaper article, you’ll practise structuring logical arguments, supporting your points with evidence, and writing with precision.

• Oral communication skills are strengthened through classroom discussion and the Individual Oral assessment. You’ll learn how to present complex ideas clearly, respond to questions thoughtfully, and build confidence in speaking to an audience.

• The course also encourages discussion and collaboration. You’ll practise engaging with different viewpoints, challenging interpretations respectfully, and refining your own analysis in response to others’ perspectives.

• Global awareness is another key outcome. By studying texts from different cultures and genres, you’ll develop cultural literacy and a deeper understanding of how language reflects and shapes human experiences across the world.

• Finally, the course develops time management and independent research skills. Balancing literary study, non-literary analysis, and the demands of exams and coursework over two years will strengthen your ability to organise your learning, plan ahead, and work independently.

Tips for success in IB English Language and Literature

From my experience as an English teacher, I would recommend the following strategies for success:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IB English Language and Literature easier than IB English Literature?

Neither course is objectively easier — it really depends on your strengths and interests.

IB English Literature demands close, sustained engagement with a larger number of literary works. If you enjoy analysing novels, plays, and poetry in depth, this course may suit you. However, if you find poetry challenging or struggle with abstract, metaphorical language, Literature could feel tougher.

IB English Language and Literature, by contrast, requires you to balance the analysis of both literary and non-literary texts. This means switching between traditional close reading and more applied analysis of media, adverts, or political writing. If you find it difficult to adapt your analytical style across different text types, this can be challenging.

Success in either subject depends on your personal skills. Students who love traditional literature and close textual study often thrive in Literature. Those interested in media, culture, and how language operates in society may excel in Language and Literature.

What types of non-literary texts do you study in IB Lang and Lit?

The non-literary element of IB Language and Literature is broad and dynamic, giving you exposure to real-world texts alongside literature.

You might study newspaper articles and opinion pieces, analysing bias, tone, and rhetoric. Adverts and marketing campaigns are common, where you explore how language and visuals persuade an audience. Political speeches provide opportunities to look at power, ideology, and persuasive strategies. Blogs, social media posts, and online content reflect how digital communication is shaping modern language use.

Visual and multimodal texts also feature. For example, you could study film stills, graphic novels, or campaign posters, combining language analysis with visual literacy.

The specific non-literary texts vary depending on your teacher and school, but all are chosen to develop your ability to apply linguistic and literary tools beyond traditional works of fiction. This makes the course especially relevant in today’s media-saturated world.

How many works do you study at SL vs HL?

At Standard Level (SL), you study 4 literary works over the two years, alongside a wide range of non-literary texts. 

At Higher Level (HL), the number of literary works increases to 6, in addition to an expanded study of non-literary materials. 

Both SL and HL reading lists must include works from different time periods, genres, and world regions, including at least some works in translation. This ensures you engage with a truly global spread of literature.

The additional two works at HL give you more material to draw on for comparative analysis and provide richer preparation if you are considering studying English, media, or humanities subjects at university.

Final thoughts

IB English Language and Literature offers a unique combination of literary study and real-world text analysis. You’ll explore how writers craft meaning in novels, plays, and poetry, while also examining how language operates in journalism, advertising, speeches, and digital media.

The course is assessed through a mix of unseen analysis (Paper 1), comparative essays (Paper 2), independent research (HL Essay for Higher Level), and oral presentation skills (Individual Oral). This variety ensures you develop confidence across different forms of communication and analysis.

If you’re curious about how language shapes both stories and society, this course can be deeply rewarding. The skills you gain — from critical reading and persuasive writing to articulate discussion and media literacy — will serve you well beyond the IB, whether you pursue humanities, social sciences, or professional fields like communications, journalism, or law.

Ready to excel in IB English Language and Literature? Save My Exams offers resources designed specifically for IB students. Our expert notes, practice questions, and examiner insights will help you build confidence and achieve your best possible results.

How to Revise for IB English Language and Literature

IB English Language and Literature Topics