IB DP Language Acquisition

Find everything you need for the new IB Diploma Programme Language Acquisition courses, first taught from August 2027 and first assessed in May 2029. This collection brings together new-edition coursebooks for IB English B, French B, Spanish B and Spanish ab initio from Hachette Learning and Oxford University Press, all written for the updated IB subject guides and available to pre-order now.

The 2027 IB Language Acquisition update: what teachers need to know

The IB has revised its Diploma Programme Language Acquisition courses, with new subject guides for Language B and language ab initio.

New IB Language Acquisition course: key dates

The new IB Language B and ab initio subject guides are released in February 2027. First teaching begins in August 2027, and first assessment is in May 2029. The last exams on the current courses take place in November 2028.

What’s changing in IB Language B and ab initio?

The exams aren’t changing. The assessment model and assessed components stay the same, so your experience with Paper 1, Paper 2 and the individual oral carries straight over. What’s new is how the course is described and supported:

• Clearer subject guides: more accessible guides, with easier navigation between the guide and teacher support material
• Critical thinking: built in across the course, alongside creative thinking
• Concept-based learning: clearer explanations of concepts and conceptual understanding in language acquisition
• IB connections: links to the IB language tenets and approaches to teaching and learning (ATL)
• New teacher support: materials for critical thinking, formative assessment, reflection, listening and reading comprehension, and unit planning
• Three lenses for Language B: students explore language through cultures, communication and perspectives, building sociolinguistic, linguistic and pragmatic skills

Which IB Language Acquisition resources should you buy?

Students starting the Diploma in August 2027 or later should use resources written for the new guides, first assessed in 2029. Students sitting exams in 2027 or 2028 continue on the current courses.

IB Language B vs ab initio: which course fits your students?

IB Language B

Language B is for students with some prior experience of the language and is offered at both SL and HL. It is built on five prescribed themes with optional recommended topics. At SL, the individual oral is based on a visual stimulus. At HL, it is based on a literary extract, and students study two required literary works. This collection includes resources for English B, French B and Spanish B.

IB language ab initio

Ab initio is for beginners with no or very limited prior experience of the language and is offered at SL only. It is built on five prescribed themes with 20 prescribed topics. The individual oral is based on a visual stimulus, and no literature study is required. This collection includes resources for Spanish ab initio.

The five prescribed IB Language Acquisition themes

Language B and ab initio are built on the same five themes, so resources share a common structure across languages:

• Identities: exploring the self and what it means to be human
• Experiences: the events and journeys that shape our lives
• Human ingenuity: how creativity and innovation affect our world
• Social organization: how groups of people organize themselves
• Sharing the planet: the challenges and opportunities facing communities today

How IB Language B is assessed from 2029

The final IB Language B grade is split equally across four components, each worth 25%.

Paper 1: writing (25%)

At SL, students complete one writing task of 250–400 words, chosen from three options. At HL, students complete one writing task of 450–600 words, chosen from three options.

Paper 2: listening (25%)

At both SL and HL, students answer comprehension questions on three audio passages.

Paper 2: reading (25%)

At both SL and HL, students answer comprehension questions on three written texts.

Individual oral (25%)

At SL, students give a presentation on a visual stimulus, followed by a discussion and conversation. At HL, the presentation is based on a literary extract, followed by a discussion and conversation.

Ab initio follows the same four-skill balance, with writing, listening, reading and speaking each worth 25%.

What to look for in a new-guide IB language resource

• The right edition: “First assessment 2029” or “2027 subject guide” on the cover or listing
• Theme-based units: units that map directly to the five prescribed themes, plus the 20 prescribed topics for ab initio
• Listening practice with audio: listening is a quarter of the final grade
• Exam-style practice: for Paper 1 text types, Paper 2 comprehension and the individual oral
• Critical-thinking and concept-based activities: reflecting the new guide’s emphasis
• HL literature support: help with the two required literary works
• Core links: connections to TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay
• Digital options: eBooks and online courses for classroom display and homework

Shop IB Language Acquisition resources by publisher

Hachette Learning (formerly Hodder Education)

French B, Spanish B and Spanish ab initio for the IB Diploma, with Boost eBook options.

Oxford University Press

Oxford Resources for IB DP English B, French B and Spanish B Course Books, concept-based with online audio.

IB Language Acquisition FAQs

When does the new IB Language B syllabus start?

The new IB Language B syllabus starts with first teaching in August 2027. The subject guide is released in February 2027, and first exams are in May 2029.

Is the IB Language B assessment changing?

No, the IB Language B assessment is not changing. Paper 1, Paper 2 and the individual oral keep the same structure and weightings. The update focuses on clearer guidance, critical thinking, conceptual understanding and new teacher support materials.

Is IB language ab initio changing too?

Yes, IB language ab initio has been revised on the same timeline as Language B, with first assessment in 2029. It keeps its five themes and 20 prescribed topics.

What’s the difference between IB Language B and ab initio?

IB Language B is for students with some prior experience of the language and is offered at SL and HL. Ab initio is for beginners and is offered at SL only.

Can students sitting IB language exams in 2027 or 2028 use the new books?

Yes, with care. Students sitting exams in 2027 or 2028 should follow the current guide. Because the assessment structure is unchanged, much of the practice in the new editions is still useful, but the books are written for the course first assessed in 2029.

When will new-edition IB Language Acquisition books ship?

Most new-guide IB Language Acquisition resources publish between February and March 2027 and can be pre-ordered now. Orders ship as soon as stock arrives.