Choose an IB French tutor who teaches your child’s exact course, French B, French A or ab initio, and who practises the text types, listening and reading skills and the individual oral that the course assesses. Most IB French students take French B, where the oral and writing in text types are where one-to-one help makes the biggest difference. This guide explains the courses, coming changes and how to choose a tutor.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches languages one-to-one at IGCSE, IB and A Level.

Key takeaways

• Confirm the course: French B, French A or ab initio.
• Paper 1 rewards correct text-type conventions.
• The individual oral benefits most from one-to-one practice.
• New Language B and ab initio courses are first assessed in 2029.

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Which IB French course?

IB French B is a language acquisition course for students with prior French, French ab initio is for beginners at SL only, and French A is a language and literature course for proficient speakers.

	French ab initio	French B	French A
Who it’s for	Beginners	Prior learners	Proficient speakers
Levels	SL	SL and HL	SL and HL
Main focus	Basic communication	Communication on themes	Texts and analysis

What does French B assess?

Component	What it tests
Paper 1	Writing in a chosen text type
Paper 2	Listening and reading comprehension
Individual oral	Discussion of a stimulus linked to a theme; at HL, a literary extract

The IB will introduce new Language B and ab initio courses for first teaching in August 2027 and first assessment in May 2029. See the IB’s Language B updates for official details.

Where do students lose marks?

Most marks are lost through wrong text-type conventions in Paper 1, grammar slips in complex sentences and short, hesitant oral answers. Other problems:

• limited vocabulary on themes such as identities or sharing the planet;
• misreading questions in Paper 2;
• at HL, weak discussion of literary works.

Signs your child needs a French tutor

• anxious about the oral;
• writing marked down for format or register;
• limited listening speed;
• strong at IGCSE but finding IB harder.

How to choose an IB French tutor: step by step

1. Confirm the course and level.
2. Share recent Paper 1 writing and oral feedback.
3. Book a trial lesson with a speaking task.
4. Check the tutor teaches text types clearly.
5. Ask about HL literature if relevant.
6. Agree a plan linked to the oral date.

Browse our IB Diploma tutors; we can match a French specialist.

What should a good French tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
Course knowledge	Assessment differs by course
Text-type teaching	Paper 1 marks
Oral practice	Internal assessment
Grammar accuracy	All skills
Theme vocabulary	Listening and reading

What does a good lesson look like?

1. Conversation on a course theme.
2. One grammar point.
3. A Paper 1 writing task in a set text type.
4. Corrections and rewrite.
5. Listening or reading practice.

Common Paper 1 text types

Text type	Key conventions
Blog	Title, date, informal tone, engaging opening
Formal letter	Address, formal greeting and closing
Article	Headline, structured paragraphs
Speech	Address to audience, rhetorical devices

HL literature in French B

At HL, French B students study two literary works and may be asked about them in the individual oral, so they need to discuss characters, themes and extracts confidently in French. A tutor can help students summarise each work, practise linking extracts to themes and rehearse oral discussion.

When should students start?

Start in DP1 if speaking or writing is weak, so there’s time to build before the oral.

How to tell tutoring is working

• writing follows text-type conventions;
• longer, more confident oral answers;
• fewer grammar errors;
• better comprehension scores.

How parents can help

• encourage French films, music and podcasts;
• ask your child to describe their day in French;
• keep a regular lesson slot.

Questions to ask a French tutor

1. Which IB French course have you taught?
2. How do you prepare students for the oral?
3. Are you aware of the 2027 course changes?

How Tutopiya tutoring works

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

• A tutor matched to your child’s course.
• 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

• Wrong text-type format → learn conventions.
• Memorised oral answers → practise spontaneity.
• Ignoring grammar → correct errors consistently.
• Little listening → practise weekly.

Talk to us

For related guides, see an IB Language B tutor and an A Level French tutor. Contact our team to be matched. If you already study with Tutopiya, log in and raise a ticket from your portal dashboard by clicking the + icon in the bottom-right corner.

Summary: confirm your child’s IB French course, then choose a tutor who teaches text types, grammar and oral skills for that course.

Frequently asked questions

Which IB French course should my child take? +

French ab initio is for beginners at SL. French B suits students with prior French, at SL or HL. French A is for students who are proficient enough to study literature and language in French. Your school decides placement.

What does IB French B assess? +

Under the current course, Paper 1 assesses writing in different text types, Paper 2 assesses listening and reading, and the individual oral is internally assessed. HL also studies two literary works.

Is IB French changing? +

Yes. New Language B and ab initio courses start teaching in August 2027, with first assessment in May 2029. Students examined in 2027 and 2028 follow the current courses.

How can a tutor help most? +

With regular speaking practice for the oral, feedback on text-type writing, grammar accuracy and theme vocabulary for listening and reading.

Does Tutopiya offer IB French tutors? +

Yes. Tutopiya offers one-to-one online IB French tutoring for French B, French A and ab initio. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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