IB English Language and Literature Topics

As an IB Language A: Language and Literature student, it can sometimes be difficult to find clear and structured information about the course content. 

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) offers this course in different languages, and students can take it at either Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). While SL and HL students explore similar concepts, HL students engage in deeper analysis, study additional texts, and examine more complex linguistic and literary techniques. 

This course focuses not only on literature but also on the role of language in different contexts.

In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of all the key components of the IB Language A: Language and Literature course, helping you understand exactly what you need to study and where to find the best revision resources to prepare effectively.

IB English Language A: Language and Literature

The IB English Language A: Language and Literature courses falls under Group 1 of the IB Diploma Programme, which focuses on Studies in Language and Literature. There are three different courses in this category:

• Language A: Literature 

• Language A: Language and Literature 

• Literature and Performance

Unlike traditional literature courses, the Language A: Language and Literature course does not focus solely on literary texts. Instead, it explores both literary and non-literary works, examining how language is used in different contexts, media, and cultures. 

Schools select texts and materials from an approved IB framework, ensuring a broad and diverse range of sources, including novels, plays, poetry, media texts, and speeches.

Here is an outline of the key areas of study:

Part 1: Readers, Writers, and Texts

Focus: Examining how language, audience, and purpose influence texts. Students explore how meaning is shaped through linguistic and stylistic choices, as well as how readers interpret texts differently based on cultural and personal contexts.

• SL: 50 hours of teaching content required

• HL: 80 hours of teaching content required

Part 2: Time and Space

Focus: Investigating how historical, social, and cultural contexts influence texts and shape meaning. This section encourages students to explore literature and media in relation to the time and place in which they were created.

• SL: 50 hours of teaching content required

• HL: 80 hours of teaching content required

Part 3: Intertextuality – Connecting Texts

Focus: Exploring relationships between different texts by identifying recurring themes, influences, and shared perspectives across various forms of media and literature.

• SL: 50 hours of teaching content required

• HL: 80 hours of teaching content required

Part 4: Global Issues and Communication (HL only)

Focus: HL students explore global issues in greater depth, examining how language and literature reflect or challenge real-world concerns such as identity, power, and technology.

• Additional 20 hours of teaching content

What is covered in the IB English Language A: Language and Literature Paper 1 exam?

In Paper 1, students are given two unseen non-literary texts and must choose one to analyse in detail. The focus is on how the writer uses language, structure, and stylistic choices to create meaning.

What to Expect

• The two passages will be from different text types, such as advertisements, opinion pieces, speeches, or social media extracts

• The passage could be a complete text or an excerpt from a longer work

• Each passage comes with a guiding question, which highlights an important structural or stylistic feature for analysis

Text Types

The unseen texts in Paper 1 will always fall into one of these non-literary categories:

• Articles & Essays: opinion pieces, news reports, feature articles

• Advertisements & Visual Texts: print or digital media campaigns

• Speeches & Interviews: political, historical, or motivational speeches

• Social Media & Blogs: online posts, commentary, or web-based articles

Standard Level (SL): Students receive two unseen texts and must write a commentary on one. 

Higher Level (HL): Students receive two unseen texts and have to write a commentary on one or compare both. 

What is covered in the IB English Language A: Language and Literature Paper 2 exam?

In Paper 2, students must write a comparative essay, analysing two literary works they have studied during the course. The exam assesses their ability to construct a well-developed argument, compare key themes, and evaluate how writers use language, structure, and style to create meaning.

What to Expect

• Students are given four general essay questions, which are broad enough to apply to multiple texts and themes

• They must choose one question and write a comparative essay using two literary works from their IB-prescribed reading list

• The exam is taken without access to the studied texts, meaning students must remember key themes, characters, and literary techniques

Text Types

Students select two literary works from their course reading list, which may include:

• Novels: classic or contemporary fiction

• Plays: tragedies, comedies, or modern drama

• Poetry Collections: works from a single poet or multiple poets

• Short Stories: thematic collections or works from a single author

Exam weightings and timings for IB English Language A: Language and Literature

By understanding these topics and the exam structure, you can approach your IB Language A: Language and Literature studies with confidence. Having a clear sense of what will be covered in the exam ensures that the final assessments won’t feel overwhelming.

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