Spanish ab initio for the IB Diploma Second Edition (NYP Due March 2027

Spanish ab initio for the IB Diploma, Second Edition is the coursebook for teaching and learning IB Diploma Programme Spanish ab initio, the beginners’ Spanish course, written for the new IB language ab initio guide with first teaching in August 2027 and first exams in May 2029. Published by Hachette Learning (formerly Hodder Education) and written by Rafael Mendoza. Available in print and as a Boost eBook. 

Why teachers choose it

Ready for the new course from day one.
Published in February 2027, it arrives in time to plan your two-year course before first teaching in August, without rebuilding your scheme of work over the summer.

All 20 prescribed topics, already mapped.
Ab initio requires every prescribed topic to be covered. The book is organized around the five IB themes and their topics, so you can be confident nothing is missed. 

Built for true beginners.
Language is introduced step by step, so you can take students with no prior Spanish to exam-ready in two years, and support mixed-ability groups along the way.

Assessment practice from the start.
Tasks reflect every ab initio component, so you can build exam skills gradually across both years rather than in a final-term rush.

Print or digital, your choice.
The Boost eBook gives you flexible access for classroom display, remote learning and students who prefer to work on screen.

Why students benefit

Start from zero with confidence.
Clear progression takes students from first words to writing, speaking and understanding Spanish across everyday and global topics.

Learn Spanish you’ll actually use.
Topics such as daily routine, food, travel, technology and the environment build practical Spanish for real conversations, trips and future study.

Know what the exam looks like.
Students practise the writing tasks, reading and listening comprehension, and the individual oral, so nothing on exam day is unfamiliar.

Grammar and vocabulary in context. [confirm]
New structures and vocabulary are taught within each topic and practised straight away, which makes them easier to remember.

Discover the Spanish-speaking world.
Authentic texts from Spain and Latin America build cultural awareness alongside language skills. 

The five themes and 20 prescribed topics 

• Identities: personal attributes, personal relationships, eating and drinking, physical wellbeing
• Experiences: daily routine, leisure, holidays, festivals and celebrations
• Human ingenuity: transport, entertainment, media, technology
• Social organization: neighbourhood, education, the workplace, social issues
• Sharing the planet: climate, physical geography, the environment, global issues

Exam preparation at a glance

Product details

Frequently asked questions

Is this book for the new IB Spanish ab initio syllabus?
Yes. It’s published in February 2027 for the revised language ab initio course, with first teaching in August 2027 and first exams in May 2029. 

Is it suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Spanish ab initio is designed for students with no prior Spanish, or very little, and the book is built for that starting point.

Does it cover all 20 prescribed topics?
It’s organized around the five IB themes and their prescribed topics. 

What’s the difference between Spanish ab initio and Spanish B?
Ab initio is for beginners and is offered at SL only. Spanish B is for students who already have some experience of Spanish and is available at SL and HL.

Is there a digital version?
Yes, a Boost eBook with two years of access is available.

Can I use it for students sitting exams in 2027 or 2028?
Those students follow the current guide. The themes, topics and assessment structure are largely unchanged, so much of the practice still applies, but the book is written for the course first assessed in 2029.

When will it ship?
This is a pre-order. Publication is scheduled for 25 February 2027, and orders ship as soon as stock is available.