Becoming an online IB English A tutor means working with students on some of the most demanding analytical writing in secondary education. IB English A asks students to analyse unseen texts, compare literary works in a timed essay, deliver a structured individual oral on a global issue, and, at HL, write an independent essay. If you teach IB English, hold a literature degree, or scored a 7 in English A yourself, this guide covers how the two English A courses differ and what families expect. It also covers how to support the oral and HL essay within IB rules, and how to apply to Tutopiya.

Key takeaways

• IB English is a smaller but steady part of Tutopiya’s requests, mainly from Singapore.
• English A: Literature studies literary works. English A: Language and Literature adds non-literary texts.
• Paper 1 (guided analysis of unseen texts) and Paper 2 (comparative essay) are where most students need help.
• Tutors support the individual oral and HL essay by guiding and giving feedback. The work stays the student’s.
• You set your starting rate and keep 100% of it. Tutopiya’s commission is added on top.

Is there demand for online IB English tutors?

Yes, though it’s smaller than for IGCSE English, and it’s honest to say so. Recent IB English requests on Tutopiya came mainly from Singapore, for both English A: Literature and English A: Language and Literature. By comparison, Cambridge IGCSE English Language drew 41 trial requests between March and early June 2026. Most IB English tutors also list IGCSE English to fill their week.

Browse all IB subjects on the IB DP tutor jobs hub. For IGCSE demand, see the Cambridge IGCSE English Language tutor jobs page.

IB English A: Literature vs Language and Literature

	English A: Literature	English A: Language and Literature
Texts studied	Literary works (prose, poetry, drama, works in translation)	Literary works plus non-literary texts (ads, speeches, articles, images)
Paper 1	Guided literary analysis of unseen literary extracts	Guided textual analysis of unseen non-literary texts
Paper 2	Comparative essay on two studied works	Comparative essay on two studied literary works
Individual oral	Global issue explored through two works	Global issue explored through a literary work and a body of non-literary work
HL essay	Independent essay on a studied work	Independent essay on a studied text or body of work

Both courses are offered at SL and HL. HL students sit a longer Paper 1 with two texts and write the HL essay. The IB describes the Diploma Programme on ibo.org, and the student’s school has the full subject guide.

Where IB English students need the most help

• Paper 1 analysis. Moving beyond spotting features to explaining how they shape meaning, with a clear line of argument.
• Paper 2 comparison. Building a comparative thesis and integrating both works throughout, not one after the other.
• The individual oral. Choosing focused extracts, linking them to a global issue, and speaking for the full time without a script.
• The HL essay. Narrowing a line of inquiry and sustaining an argument.
• Writing under time pressure, with evidence.

Who makes a good IB English tutor?

Background	Fit	What strengthens your profile
IB English A teacher	Excellent	Courses and levels taught; students’ scores
IB examiner or moderator	Excellent	Mention it clearly
A Level or IGCSE Literature teacher	Strong, after IB preparation	Learn the assessment components and criteria
Literature postgraduate or lecturer	Good	Teach at IB depth, not university depth
IB alumnus with a 7 in English A	Welcome	Your own scores

How to become an online IB English tutor: step by step

1. Choose your course or courses and levels, and read the assessment criteria closely.
2. Practise Paper 1 with recent unseen texts, and write a model Paper 2 plan.
3. Learn the academic-integrity rules for the oral and HL essay, so you know where guidance ends.
4. Create your Tutopiya profile. It takes about 15 minutes over 10 stages. List the exact course and level, plus any IGCSE English you teach.
5. Record an intro video analysing a short unseen extract in two minutes.
6. Choose a plan: Essential (SGD 10/month), Professional (SGD 20 for 3 months) or Professional Annual (SGD 90/year).
7. Get approved (usually within 24 hours) and open Singapore evening slots.

What makes a great online IB English tutor

Great IB English tutors teach students to argue about texts, not describe them. In a trial, take an unseen Paper 1 extract, ask the student for one sentence on what the text is doing, and build a thesis from it together. For the oral, run a timed practice and give feedback on structure and focus, not content to memorise.

To broaden your profile, read our guides to becoming an online IGCSE English tutor and tutoring IGCSE English Literature online.

A sample 1-hour IB English trial lesson

Every Tutopiya trial lesson is one hour and unpaid, so make every minute show the family what regular lessons with you would be like. Here’s a structure that works:

1. Minutes 0–5: Goals. Course, SL or HL, year, and the next assessment (Paper 1, Paper 2, oral or essay).
2. Minutes 5–20: Unseen text. Read a short extract and ask what the text is doing.
3. Minutes 20–35: Build a thesis. Turn that idea into a Paper 1 line of argument with evidence.
4. Minutes 35–45: Oral or Paper 2. A two-minute timed oral opening, or a comparative thesis.
5. Minutes 45–60: Plan. Outline preparation for the next assessment. Leave time for the parent’s questions.

Keep your camera on, write clearly, and send a short summary to the student afterwards.

How tutoring with Tutopiya works

Tutopiya provides 1-on-1 online tutoring for Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE, IB and International A Level students. Tutors set their starting hourly rate and keep all of it, because Tutopiya’s 40–50% commission is added on top and paid by the student. Later rate changes are requested through Tutopiya, which approves them at its discretion. You add free slots, Tutopiya converts time zones and matches students to you, and you’re paid on the 15th of each month for the previous month’s lessons. Trial lessons are unpaid. Every plan includes Microsoft Teams, past papers, learning resources, AI tools and free teacher training. See the Tutopiya Become a Tutor page.

Common mistakes new IB English tutors make

• Confusing the two courses. Literature and Language and Literature have different Paper 1s.
• Writing the oral script. Help with structure and practice; the oral must be the student’s own.
• Feature-spotting. Push students towards argument and effect.
• Sequential Paper 2 essays. Teach integrated comparison.
• Listing only IB. Adding IGCSE English widens your demand.

Talk to us

Apply via the IB DP tutor jobs hub. Questions? Contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between IB English A Literature and Language and Literature? +

Both are IB Studies in Language and Literature courses. English A: Literature studies literary works only. English A: Language and Literature also studies non-literary texts such as advertisements, speeches and articles. Paper 1 analyses unseen texts and Paper 2 is a comparative essay on studied works.

Can tutors help with the IB English individual oral and HL essay? +

Yes, within IB academic-integrity rules. Tutors can help students understand the criteria, choose extracts and global issues, practise speaking, and get feedback on structure. The oral and the essay must be the student's own work, so tutors guide rather than write.

Is there demand for IB English tutors on Tutopiya? +

IB English is a smaller share of Tutopiya's requests than IGCSE English, with recent requests mainly from Singapore for both Literature and Language and Literature. Tutors who list IB English alongside IGCSE English Language or Literature are matched with more students.

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