An IB English individual oral tutor helps your child choose a focused global issue, analyse how two extracts present it, structure a 10-minute talk and practise answering the teacher’s questions confidently. The individual oral is worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL, and many students find speaking analytically for 10 minutes harder than writing. This guide explains how the IO works, where students lose marks and how a tutor helps.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches IB English one-to-one.

Key takeaways

• The IO is 15 minutes: about 10 speaking, 5 questions.
• It’s worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
• A focused global issue makes the whole oral stronger.
• Practise aloud, with questions, several times before the real oral.

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What is the individual oral?

The IB English A individual oral is an internally assessed oral in which students examine how a global issue is presented in extracts from two works studied, through the authors’ choices of content and style. It applies to both Language and Literature and Literature. The IB Diploma Programme sets the criteria; your school schedules the oral.

	Language and Literature	Literature
Works	One literary, one non-literary	One in original language, one in translation
Length	15 minutes	15 minutes
Weighting	SL 30%, HL 20%	SL 30%, HL 20%

Where do students lose marks?

Most lost marks come from a vague global issue, too much summary of the works and not enough analysis of authorial choices, or a talk that treats the two extracts separately instead of comparing them. Other common problems:

• running out of material before 10 minutes, or overrunning;
• reading from a script;
• weak answers to teacher questions;
• not referring beyond the extract to the whole work.

Choosing a global issue

A strong global issue is specific, significant across contexts and clearly present in both extracts. “Identity” is too broad; “how social class limits personal freedom” is more focused.

Weak	Stronger
Gender	The pressure on women to conform to domestic roles
Power	How those in power manipulate language to control others
Technology	How social media shapes self-image among young people

How to structure the oral: step by step

1. Introduce the global issue and both works.
2. Analyse the first extract: content and stylistic choices.
3. Connect it to the whole first work.
4. Analyse the second extract in the same way.
5. Compare how both present the issue.
6. Conclude with a clear insight.

What should a good IO tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
IO criteria knowledge	Shapes the talk
Analysis skills	Authorial choices earn marks
Timed practice	Exactly 10 minutes
Question practice	Last 5 minutes count
Respect for rules	Work must be the student’s

Browse our IB English tutors or IB English Literature tutors in Dubai.

What does a good IO lesson look like?

1. Review of the chosen global issue.
2. Annotation of one extract together.
3. A timed run of part of the talk.
4. Practice teacher questions.
5. Feedback against the criteria.

Answering teacher questions

Teacher questions usually ask students to develop a point, explain a choice or connect to the wider work. Students should pause, answer directly and use evidence. A tutor can ask realistic questions so the real ones don’t come as a surprise.

When should students start preparing?

Start as soon as the school confirms the IO date and the works, ideally several weeks ahead, so there’s time to practise the full talk at least three times.

How to tell preparation is working

• the talk fits 10 minutes without a script;
• analysis focuses on choices, not plot;
• comparison runs throughout;
• answers to questions are confident.

How parents can help

• let your child rehearse the oral to you;
• time practice runs;
• encourage rest the night before.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. Have you prepared students for the IB English IO?
2. How do you help choose a global issue?
3. How many practice runs will we do?

Making notes for the oral

Students may bring a brief outline into the oral, so practise speaking from short bullet points rather than full sentences. Check your school’s guidance on how many points are allowed. Speaking from notes sounds more natural and lets students respond to their own ideas as they go.

A two-week preparation plan

Days	Focus
1–3	Finalise global issue and extracts
4–7	Annotate extracts and draft outline
8–10	Two timed practice runs with feedback
11–13	Practice with teacher-style questions
14	Light review and rest

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online IB English tutoring.

• A tutor matched to Language and Literature or Literature.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our IB tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Broad global issue → narrow it.
• Summarising → analyse choices.
• Separate halves → compare throughout.
• Reading a script → practise from notes.

Talk to us

For broader advice, see choosing an IB English tutor and IB internal assessment tutoring. Or contact our team.

Summary: prepare the IB English IO with a focused global issue, analysis of authorial choices, a comparative structure and timed practice with questions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IB English individual oral? +

The individual oral (IO) is an internal assessment in IB English A where students explore how a global issue is presented in an extract from one work and an extract from another. It lasts 15 minutes: about 10 minutes speaking and 5 minutes of teacher questions.

How much is the IO worth? +

The IO is worth 30% of the final grade at SL and 20% at HL, in both Language and Literature and Literature.

Which works can be used? +

In Language and Literature, one literary and one non-literary body of work. In Literature, one work originally written in the language studied and one work in translation. Check your school's guidance.

Can a tutor help with the IO? +

Yes. A tutor can help students choose a strong global issue, analyse extracts, structure the talk and practise answering questions. The oral must still be the student's own.

Does Tutopiya offer IB English tutors? +

Yes. Tutopiya offers one-to-one online IB English tutoring, including individual oral preparation. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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