IB English A tutor online
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At a glance
Our IB English A tutors teach English A: Language and Literature and English A: Literature at SL and HL through live 1:1 or small-group online classes. Lessons build close-reading skills for Paper 1, comparative essay planning for Paper 2, preparation for the individual oral and, at HL, support with drafting the HL essay.
IB English A key facts
| IB | IB Diploma Programme English A: Language and Literature, 4 papers/components (official syllabus) |
|---|---|
| IB | IB Diploma Programme English A: Literature (official syllabus) |
| May session series | Exams run from late April to May; results are released in early July. |
| November session series | Exams run in November; results are released in mid-December (16 December for the 2024 and 2025 sessions). |
| Topics covered | 9 syllabus topics, with past-paper practice |
| Lesson format | Live online, 1:1 (60 min) or small group (75 min); first class free |
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Students working confidently in English usually choose between English A: Language and Literature and English A: Literature for their Diploma language course. The first studies literary works alongside non-literary texts such as advertisements, speeches and articles, while the second focuses entirely on literature. Either supports degrees in law, journalism, media, history, English and the wider humanities, and both develop persuasive writing that helps across the Diploma. Both courses were first assessed in 2021 and share three areas of exploration.
At SL, Paper 1 is a guided textual analysis of one text in 1 hour 15 minutes, worth 35%, and Paper 2 is a 1 hour 45 minute comparative essay on two studied works, also worth 35%. The individual oral, 10 minutes of speaking followed by 5 minutes of questions, makes up 30%. HL students analyse two texts in a 2 hour 15 minute Paper 1 worth 35%, sit Paper 2 at 25%, and divide the remainder between the oral and a 1,200–1,500 word HL essay at 20% each.
Students arriving from IGCSE, GCSE or MYP English already know how to comment on language, yet IB work asks for a sustained argument about how meaning is constructed. In Language and Literature, Paper 1 uses non-literary texts, so students must analyse layout, images and audience as carefully as word choice; Literature candidates analyse literary passages instead. The individual oral, built around a global issue, unsettles many students. We rehearse orals under timed conditions and help students keep a useful learner portfolio throughout.
How is IB English A examined?
IB Diploma Programme English A: Language and Literature
Official syllabus from IB| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: guided textual analysisAnalysis of non-literary texts. | 1 hour 15 minutes (SL, one text) / 2 hours 15 minutes (HL, two texts) | – | 35% SL / 35% HL |
| Paper 2: comparative essayComparative essay on two studied works. | 1 hour 45 minutes | – | 35% SL / 25% HL |
| Individual oralExplores a global issue. | 15 minutes (10 minutes + 5 minutes of questions) | – | 30% SL / 20% HL |
| HL essay (HL only)1,200–1,500 words. | – | – | 20% HL |
First assessment 2021. Teaching hours: 150 (SL) / 240 (HL). Areas of exploration: Readers, writers and texts; Time and space; Intertextuality: connecting texts.
IB Diploma Programme English A: Literature
Official syllabus from IBPaper structure: see the official syllabus. Your tutor will walk you through each component in the first class.
First assessment 2021. Same assessment structure, durations and weightings as English A: Language and Literature, except that Paper 1 analyses literary passages rather than non-literary texts.
May session series
Exams run from late April to May; results are released in early July.
November session series
Exams run in November; results are released in mid-December (16 December for the 2024 and 2025 sessions).
Plan your revision with our exam dates guide and where to find official past papers.
What topics are in IB English A?
- 1
Readers, writers and texts
Treating texts as fixed messages rather than discussing how readers construct meaning.
- 2
Time and space
Mentioning context in passing without showing how it shapes the text's meaning.
- 3
Intertextuality: connecting texts
Comparing texts topic by topic without a central argument linking them.
- 4
Learner portfolio
Leaving the portfolio as scattered notes that are of little use when preparing the oral.
- 5
Non-literary text types (Language and Literature)
Ignoring visual and structural features such as layout, images and typography.
- 6
Paper 1: guided textual analysis
Summarising what the text says instead of analysing how techniques create effects.
- 7
Paper 2: comparative essay
Writing about each work separately and only comparing them in the conclusion.
- 8
Individual oral and global issues
Choosing a global issue too broad to explore in depth through the chosen extracts.
- 9
HL essay (HL)
Selecting a line of inquiry too wide for the word limit, leading to surface-level analysis.
Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp
How do our online English A classes work?
Diagnostic
A short check of what your child already knows against the syllabus.
Topic teaching
Clear explanations on a shared whiteboard, one topic at a time.
Past-paper practice
Exam questions from your board, timed and marked to the mark scheme.
Feedback
What went well, what to fix and what to practise before next class.
How do you get top marks in IB English A?
In Paper 1, treat the guiding question as a starting point but build your own clear thesis.
Embed short quotations and analyse specific word choices rather than copying out long passages.
Plan Paper 2 so that every paragraph compares both works and returns to the key terms of the question.
Know your studied works well enough to recall precise references without the texts in front of you.
Rehearse the individual oral aloud with a timer so the 10-minute talk sounds natural rather than memorised.
Use subject terminology accurately, but always explain the effect rather than simply naming a device.
How much does IB English A tutoring cost?
Prices shown in US dollars
- Recommended
One-to-one
Fully personalised to your child
USD 35 / class
- 60-minute live classes at times you choose
- A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
- Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
- Progress notes for parents
Small group
Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month
USD 10 / class
- 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
- Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
- Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
- Class recordings and notes
Intensive exam prep
12 one-to-one classes a month before exams
USD 32 / class
- Three 60-minute classes a week
- Timed past papers and full mock exams
- Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
- Pack discount of 10% applied
Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ
IB English A FAQs
What is the difference between IB English Lang Lit and Literature?
English A: Language and Literature studies both literary works and non-literary texts, while English A: Literature focuses only on literary works. The assessment structure is very similar, but in Language and Literature Paper 1 analyses non-literary texts, whereas in Literature it analyses literary passages. Students interested in media and communication often prefer Language and Literature, while keen readers of fiction, poetry and drama often prefer Literature.
What is the IB English individual oral?
The individual oral is a 15-minute assessment made up of a 10-minute talk and 5 minutes of questions, in which you examine how a global issue is presented through extracts from texts you have studied. It is worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL. Good preparation involves choosing a focused global issue, selecting rich extracts and rehearsing until your analysis flows naturally.
How do I get a 7 in IB English A?
No approach guarantees a 7 in IB English A, but a clear argument, close analysis of language and accurate written expression across every component give you a strong foundation. Practise Paper 1 regularly with varied texts, plan Paper 2 comparisons around themes, and rehearse the oral aloud. Feedback on complete timed responses is especially useful for spotting recurring weaknesses.
Should I take IB English A at HL or SL?
Take IB English A at HL if you enjoy extensive reading and writing or plan to study a humanities subject at university, but requirements vary, so check each university's published entry requirements. HL adds a second text in Paper 1 and an HL essay of 1,200 to 1,500 words. SL still develops strong analytical writing with a lighter reading load.
What is the IB English HL essay?
The HL essay is a written coursework piece of 1,200 to 1,500 words in which HL students develop a focused line of inquiry about a text studied in the course, and it counts for 20% of the final grade. It rewards a precise question, sustained analysis and careful use of evidence. Starting early and narrowing the inquiry help you manage it well.
How do I write an IB English Paper 1 analysis?
To write a strong Paper 1 analysis, form a clear thesis about how the text creates meaning, then support it with precise quotations and analysis of specific techniques and their effects. Spend the first part of the exam annotating and planning. Organise paragraphs around ideas rather than working line by line, and make sure your conclusion develops the argument instead of repeating it.
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