Ab initio is Latin for "from the beginning", and that is exactly what this course is. IB French ab initio is a language acquisition course (Group 2) for students who have never studied French, or have only had a very small amount of exposure to it. Over two years, it takes you from the basics to being able to communicate in everyday situations, in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
It's a popular choice for students joining an IB school from another country, or for anyone who wants to start a new language that is spoken on five continents. According to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie's 2026 report, French has 396 million speakers and is the world's 2nd most learned foreign language.
This guide explains how French ab initio works, how it's assessed and how to do well. The facts come from the IB's official course information and subject briefs, written in our own words.
Key Takeaways
- French ab initio is for beginners. If you already have some French, you'll usually take French B instead.
- It is offered at SL only, with 150 recommended teaching hours.
- The course covers five themes and 20 prescribed topics, all of which must be studied.
- Assessment: Paper 1 writing (25%), Paper 2 listening (25%) and reading (25%), and an individual oral (25%).
- An updated course starts in August 2027 (first exams May 2029), with no changes to the assessment.
Is French ab initio Right for You?
The IB designed ab initio for students with no prior experience of the target language, or very limited experience. It isn't a "shortcut" for students who already speak some French. Your school is responsible for placing you on the right course, and it will look at any French you have studied before, including in the MYP.
| Course | Who it is for | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| French ab initio | No previous French, or very little | SL only |
| French B | Some previous experience of French | SL and HL |
| French A | Native or near-native speakers (a Group 1 literature course) | SL and HL |
If you have studied French for a few years and can already hold a basic conversation, read our guide to IB French B instead.
Because ab initio is SL only, it counts as one of your standard level subjects. You'll need to take three (or four) other subjects at HL.
What You Learn
French ab initio develops your receptive skills (understanding what you hear and read), productive skills (speaking and writing) and interactive skills (taking part in conversations). From the very first lessons, you learn French through real-life contexts, not just grammar lists.
You also learn to think about audience, context, purpose, meaning and variation: how French changes depending on who you are talking to and why. For example, you'll learn when to use tu and when to use vous, and how a text message to a friend differs from an email to a teacher.
Each language offered at ab initio also has a language-specific syllabus. It sets out the vocabulary and grammar students are expected to know, so your teacher will cover the core French structures you need for the exams.
The Five Themes and 20 Prescribed Topics
Unlike French B, where topics are only suggestions, ab initio prescribes four topics for each of the five themes. All 20 must be covered over the two years. The IB explains this is because beginners need a structured learning environment.
| Theme | What it explores | Prescribed topics |
|---|---|---|
| Identities | Who we are and how we express it | Personal attributes Personal relationships Eating and drinking Physical well-being |
| Experiences | The events and journeys that shape our lives | Daily routine Leisure Holidays Festivals and celebrations |
| Human ingenuity | How creativity and innovation affect our world | Transport Entertainment Media Technology |
| Social organization | How groups of people organise themselves | Neighbourhood Education The workplace Social issues |
| Sharing the planet | Challenges and opportunities in the modern world | Climate Physical geography The environment Global issues |
The IB also gives example questions to guide each theme, such as "How do I present myself to others?" or "What can I do to help the environment?". The questions are simple, but they push you to use French to share real opinions, not just facts.
A French angle on the topics: festivals and celebrations can mean le 14 juillet or Carnival in Quebec; eating and drinking can mean the French school canteen (la cantine) or West African dishes; and neighbourhood can mean comparing life in a French city with your own.
Assessment Overview
| Component | What it involves | Time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: writing (30 marks) | Two writing tasks of 70–150 words each, each chosen from three options. You choose a suitable text type from those given | 1h | 25% |
| Paper 2: listening (25 marks) | Comprehension exercises on three audio passages | 45m | 25% |
| Paper 2: reading (40 marks) | Comprehension exercises on three written texts | 1h | 25% |
| Individual oral (30 marks) | A presentation on a visual stimulus, a follow-up discussion and a general conversation | Up to 10 min, plus 15 min preparation | 25% |
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are marked by IB examiners. The individual oral is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB.
Paper 1: Writing
In Paper 1 you complete two short writing tasks of 70–150 words each. For each one, you choose one of three questions. Each task gives you a situation, an audience and a purpose, and lists text types you can choose from.
Examples of text types you might practise: - Personal texts: an email, a text message, a postcard, a diary entry or a blog post - Professional texts: a formal email or letter, or a set of instructions - Mass media texts: a poster, an advertisement, a leaflet or a short article
Your writing is judged on three things: your language (vocabulary and grammar), your message (whether you answer every part of the task, with clear and relevant ideas), and your conceptual understanding (whether your text type, register and format suit the audience and purpose).
Tips for Paper 1: - Answer every point in the task. Missing a required detail costs marks, even if your French is accurate. - Show the text type clearly. An email needs a greeting, a subject line and a sign-off. A blog needs a title and date. A poster needs a heading and short sections. - Choose the right register. Use tu with a friend and vous with a teacher, an employer or a stranger, and stay consistent. - Stay within the word range. 70–150 words isn't much, so be precise. Aim for a mix of simple and slightly longer sentences linked with parce que, mais, donc and ensuite.
Paper 2: Listening and Reading
Paper 2 tests how well you understand French. It has two sections:
- Listening (45 minutes): questions on three audio passages
- Reading (1 hour): questions on three written texts
The texts are drawn from the five themes. Questions test your understanding of the French, not your general knowledge of the topics. Expect question types such as multiple choice, matching, true or false, and short answers in French. No dictionaries are allowed.
Tips for Paper 2: - Learn vocabulary by topic. The 20 prescribed topics are your vocabulary map. - Read questions carefully before the audio starts, and predict the words you might hear. - Listen to slow, clear French regularly. RFI's Journal en français facile is designed for learners. - In reading, look for key words, numbers, dates and negatives (ne… pas, ne… jamais, ne… plus). They often decide the answer.
The Individual Oral
The individual oral is the internal assessment. It takes place in your final year and is conducted entirely in French.
You're shown two visual stimuli, such as photos, each linked to a different theme. You choose one and prepare for 15 minutes under supervision, without a dictionary or class notes. Then:
| Part | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Choose one of two images and plan what to say | 15 min |
| 1: Presentation | Describe the image and connect it to its theme and to French-speaking culture | 1–2 min |
| 2: Follow-up discussion | Your teacher asks questions about the theme of your image | 3–4 min |
| 3: General discussion | A conversation on at least one other theme from the course | 3–4 min |
Your teacher marks the oral against four criteria: language (A), the message of your presentation (B1), the message in your conversation (B2) and interactive skills (C), for a total of 30 marks.
Tips for the oral: - Use a simple structure for describing images: Sur la photo, il y a…, Au premier plan / à l'arrière-plan…, Je pense que…, Cette image me fait penser à …. - Link the image to French-speaking culture. Mention a real comparison: En France, les élèves…, Au Québec, on…. - Give opinions and reasons (à mon avis… parce que…) and ask a question back when it's natural to. That shows interaction. - Practise talking about all 20 topics. Part 3 can move to any other theme, so you need something to say about each one.
What Changes in 2029?
The IB will launch an updated ab initio course in February 2027, for first teaching in August 2027 and first assessment in May 2029. The IB has confirmed that the structure stays the same (five themes, four prescribed topics each) and that there are no changes to the assessment model. Paper 1, Paper 2 and the oral all stay as described above. Only the wording of the top descriptors in two oral criteria (B2 and C) is slightly clarified.
The updates are mainly in teaching: a clearer subject guide, more focus on critical thinking, a new framing around cultures, communication and perspectives, and new teacher support materials.
Tips for Success in IB French ab initio
1. Little and often. Fifteen minutes of French every day works better than a long session once a week. 2. Build topic vocabulary lists. Make one list for each of the 20 topics, with phrases you can actually use. 3. Master the key tenses. By the exam you should be confident with the present tense, the passé composé, the imparfait for simple descriptions, and the near future (je vais + infinitive). 4. Learn the common irregular verbs. Être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, vouloir and devoir come up constantly. 5. Speak from day one. Practise describing photos and answering questions aloud, even if it feels slow at first. 6. Use past papers. Find out why past papers are the ultimate tool for exam preparation, and time yourself. 7. Immerse yourself. Watch French series with subtitles, listen to French music and follow French accounts on topics you enjoy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting adjective and verb agreement (elle est contente, ils sont allés)
- Translating word for word from English or your own language
- Ignoring the text type, or forgetting a greeting and sign-off in a letter or email
- Writing far below or above the 70–150 word range
- Memorising a fixed speech for the oral instead of responding to the image
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take French ab initio if I studied some French before?
It depends on how much. Ab initio is for students with no previous French or very limited exposure. If you have studied French for several years, your school will usually place you in French B. Your school makes the final decision.
Is French ab initio easy?
It is designed for beginners, but it isn't easy. You go from zero to communicating in four skills in two years, so steady, regular practice is essential.
Can I take French ab initio at HL?
No. Language ab initio is only available at SL.
Can I write my Extended Essay in French ab initio?
The IB's Extended Essay guide gives subject guidance for Language B, not ab initio. Check the list of subjects available for your exam session with your EE coordinator before choosing. Our Extended Essay guide explains the options.
Does French ab initio count for university?
Yes. It is a full IB Diploma subject graded 1 to 7. Many students find a new language opens doors to study or work in French-speaking countries.
What changes in French ab initio from 2029?
The updated course is first taught in August 2027 and first assessed in May 2029. The themes, topics and all the assessments stay the same.
Get Support With IB French ab initio
Starting a new language is exciting, and the right support early on makes a big difference. Our experienced IB French tutors can help you build vocabulary, grammar and confidence for every part of the assessment, online wherever you are. To see how your subjects fit together, read our guide to everything you need to know about the IB.
