French B is one of the most popular language courses in the IB Diploma Programme. It is a language acquisition course (Group 2) for students who already have some French and want to become confident, independent users of the language, in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
French is also a language with real reach. According to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie's 2026 report La langue française dans le monde, French has 396 million speakers, making it the world's 4th most spoken language. It is the 2nd most learned foreign language, with nearly 170 million learners, and 65% of French speakers live in Africa. Studying French B gives you a language used on five continents, in international organisations and in universities around the world.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the current French B course, from choosing SL or HL to every part of the assessment. It also explains what changes when the new Language B course arrives for first assessment in 2029. The course facts come from the IB's Language B guide (first assessment 2020) and the IB's official subject briefs, written in our own words.
Key Takeaways
- French B is for students with some previous French. Complete beginners take French ab initio, and native speakers usually take French A.
- It is offered at SL (150 hours) and HL (240 hours). HL students also study two literary works originally written in French.
- The course is built around five themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization and sharing the planet.
- Assessment: Paper 1 writing (25%), Paper 2 listening and reading (50%) and an individual oral (25%). No dictionaries are allowed.
- An updated Language B course starts with first assessment in 2029, but the IB has confirmed no changes to the assessment model.
Which IB French Course Should You Take?
The IB offers French in three different ways, and choosing the right one matters. Taking a course that is too easy or too hard for your current level is one of the most common mistakes students make with languages.
| Course | Who it is for | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| French ab initio | Students with no previous French, or very little | SL only |
| French B | Students with some previous experience of French | SL and HL |
| French A (Literature, or Language and Literature) | Native or near-native speakers. A literature course in Group 1, not a language-learning course | SL and HL |
The IB guide gives useful placement guidance, based on a 2016 benchmarking study against the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It suggests students already at about A2 or B1 can comfortably take French B SL, and students already at about B1 or B2 can comfortably take French B HL. Your school will make the final decision, often using your MYP results or a placement test.
If you're a complete beginner, read our guide to IB French ab initio.
What Is the Difference Between French B SL and HL?
At both levels, you learn to describe situations, tell stories, make comparisons, explain problems and give and support your opinions in French. The differences are in depth, complexity and literature.
| French B SL | French B HL | |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching hours | 150 | 240 |
| Literature | Not required | Two literary works originally written in French are required |
| Language expectations | Understand straightforward arguments Write and speak on topics of interest | Analyse arguments and literary texts Use a wider and more complex range of language |
| Paper 1 | 250–400 words, 1 hour 15 minutes | 450–600 words, 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Paper 2 listening | 45 minutes | 1 hour |
| Individual oral stimulus | A visual image | An extract from one of your literary works |
HL suits students who are already comfortable in French, enjoy reading, and may want to use French at university or in their career. SL is a strong choice if French is a supporting language for you and you want to build solid, practical fluency.
The Five Themes
Every Language B course, including French, is organised around five prescribed themes. All five must be covered equally. The IB also suggests recommended topics for each theme, but these are not prescribed, so your teacher can choose topics that suit the class and the French-speaking world.
| Theme | What it explores | Recommended topics |
|---|---|---|
| Identities | The nature of the self and what it means to be human | Lifestyles Health and well-being Beliefs and values Subcultures Language and identity |
| Experiences | The events, experiences and journeys that shape our lives | Leisure activities Holidays and travel Life stories Rites of passage Customs and traditions Migration |
| Human ingenuity | How human creativity and innovation affect our world | Entertainment Artistic expressions Communication and media Technology Scientific innovation |
| Social organization | How groups of people organise themselves, or are organised | Social relationships Community Social engagement Education The working world Law and order |
| Sharing the planet | The challenges and opportunities facing individuals and communities in the modern world | The environment Human rights Peace and conflict Equality Globalization Ethics Urban and rural environment |
The best French B students link every theme to francophone cultures, not just France. Think of language and identity in Quebec, French in West and North Africa, the bande dessinée tradition in Belgium, or multilingualism in Switzerland. These examples make your writing and your oral far more convincing.
Texts and Text Types
The course uses three broad categories of texts. You'll read and listen to them throughout the course, and you'll write some of them in Paper 1.
| Personal texts | Professional texts | Mass media texts |
|---|---|---|
Blog Diary Email Personal letter Social media posting | Blog Email Essay Formal letter Proposal Questionnaire Report Set of instructions Survey | Advertisement Article Blog Brochure Film Interview Leaflet News report Opinion column Podcast Poster Review Speech Travel guide Web page |
The course also develops your understanding of audience, context, purpose, meaning and variation. These five ideas sit behind every choice you make in French: whether to write tu or vous, how formal your letter should be, or which connectors persuade best in a speech.
Assessment Overview
Standard Level (SL)
| Component | What it involves | Time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: writing (30 marks) | One writing task of 250–400 words from a choice of three, each on a different theme. You choose the text type from the options given | 1h 15m | 25% |
| Paper 2: listening (25 marks) | Comprehension questions on three audio passages | 45m | 25% |
| Paper 2: reading (40 marks) | Comprehension questions on three written texts | 1h | 25% |
| Individual oral (30 marks) | A presentation on a visual stimulus, a follow-up discussion and a general conversation | 12–15 min, plus 15 min preparation | 25% |
Higher Level (HL)
| Component | What it involves | Time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: writing (30 marks) | One writing task of 450–600 words from a choice of three, each on a different theme. The tasks demand more complex language and higher-order thinking | 1h 30m | 25% |
| Paper 2: listening (25 marks) | Comprehension questions on three audio passages | 1h | 25% |
| Paper 2: reading (40 marks) | Comprehension questions on three written texts | 1h | 25% |
| Individual oral (30 marks) | A presentation on an extract from one of your two literary works, a follow-up discussion and a general conversation | 12–15 min, plus 20 min preparation | 25% |
Dictionaries and reference materials are not allowed in Paper 1 or Paper 2.
Paper 1: Writing
In Paper 1, you choose one of three tasks. Each task sets out a scenario with an audience, a context and a purpose, and offers a choice of text types. For example, you might be asked to write to a local council, for a school magazine or for a blog. Your job is to choose the most appropriate text type and write it convincingly in French.
Paper 1 is marked against three criteria:
| Criterion | What examiners look at | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A: Language | How varied and appropriate your vocabulary is, how varied your grammar is, and how accurate your French is | 12 |
| B: Message | How relevant your ideas are to the task, how well you develop them, and how clearly they are organised | 12 |
| C: Conceptual understanding | Whether you chose a suitable text type, used the right register and tone, and followed the conventions of that text type | 6 |
| Total | 30 |
One rule catches many students out. The IB notes that a response that ignores the context, purpose and audience can score zero for criteria B and C, even if the French itself is excellent. Answer the task you were set, not the one you prepared for.
French Text Type Conventions
The IB guide doesn't list conventions for each language, but examiners expect you to know them. Here are a few that matter in French:
| Text type | Conventions to show |
|---|---|
| Formal letter (lettre formelle) | Your details and the recipient's Place and date (Paris, le 6 octobre 2026) Objet : Madame, Monsieur, A formal closing such as Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées vous throughout |
| Informal email or letter | Cher Paul / Chère Léa, tu A friendly closing such as Bises, À bientôt or Amicalement |
| Article | A headline (titre), a short introduction (chapeau), subheadings (intertitres) and a byline |
| Blog post | A title, date, personal tone and a question or call to readers at the end |
| Speech (discours) | A greeting (Mesdames et Messieurs, chers camarades), rhetorical questions, direct address, and a closing (Je vous remercie de votre attention) |
| Report or proposal | A title, a clear purpose, headings, neutral register and recommendations |
Paper 2: Listening and Reading
Paper 2 tests your understanding of six authentic texts: three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all five themes. It doesn't test factual knowledge of the topics, only your understanding of the French. All questions are in French, and all answers must be in French.
Question types typically include multiple choice, true or false with justification, matching, gap-fills and short answers.
Expect regional variety. The IB expects students to have heard a range of accents, so the audio may include speakers from Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland, West Africa or the Caribbean as well as France. If you only ever listen to Parisian French, Paper 2 listening will feel harder than it needs to.
How to prepare: - Listen to French podcasts, radio and news from different regions every week. RFI's Journal en français facile is a good place to start. - Read French news sites and magazines on topics linked to the five themes. - When you practise past papers, look at why an answer is right. Many marks are lost by copying too much or too little from the text.
The Individual Oral
The individual oral is the internal assessment for French B. It takes place in your final year, is conducted entirely in French, and is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB. It is audio recorded, and it cannot be rehearsed, although you can and should practise the format.
SL: The Visual Stimulus
You're shown two images, each linked to a different theme and labelled in French. You haven't seen them before. You choose one and have 15 minutes to prepare, making up to 10 bullet-point notes. The images may be a photo, a poster, an illustration or an advertisement.
| Part | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Presentation | You describe the image, link it to its theme and to French-speaking culture(s), and give your opinions | 3–4 min |
| 2: Follow-up discussion | Your teacher asks questions about the theme and your presentation | 4–5 min |
| 3: General discussion | A conversation on at least one additional theme from the course | 5–6 min |
HL: The Literary Extract
You're shown two extracts of up to about 300 words, one from each of the literary works you studied. You choose one and have 20 minutes to prepare. In your presentation, you summarise the extract, briefly place it in the work as a whole, and give your opinions on its characters, events, ideas and themes. Most of your presentation must focus on the extract itself, not the whole book. The follow-up discussion explores the extract, and the general conversation uses one or more of the course themes as a starting point.
How the Oral Is Marked
| Criterion | What it looks at | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A: Language | Vocabulary, grammar, accuracy, pronunciation and intonation | 12 |
| B1: Message (stimulus or extract) | How well your presentation engages with the image or extract and, at SL, links it to French-speaking culture(s) | 6 |
| B2: Message (conversation) | How relevant, developed and thorough your answers are | 6 |
| C: Interactive skills | How well you understand, keep the conversation going and contribute ideas of your own | 6 |
| Total | 30 |
Rules to Know
- Your notes are for reference only. Reading them aloud as a speech is not allowed.
- No phones, dictionaries or class notes in the preparation room.
- Pre-learned presentations on generic topics that don't focus on the actual image or extract will not score high marks.
- Examiners stop listening after 15 minutes.
HL Literature: The Two Literary Works
HL students must study two complete literary works originally written in French. These can be prose fiction, non-fiction, poetry or drama. The IB is clear that works in translation and simplified "easy reader" versions don't count.
The aim is not literary criticism, which belongs in French A. Instead, the works are a stimulus for discussion: you should understand their themes, plot and characters well enough to talk about them confidently in your oral.
Your teacher chooses the works. Examples of the kind of works schools use include Le Petit Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry), L'Étranger (Albert Camus), Kiffe kiffe demain (Faïza Guène) and No et moi (Delphine de Vigan). These are only examples; the IB doesn't prescribe any texts.
Tip: for each work, build a one-page French summary of the plot, main characters, key themes and three or four memorable passages. Practise talking about short extracts aloud, because that's exactly what the oral asks you to do.
Writing Your Extended Essay in French
French B is a popular subject for the Extended Essay. Under the IB's guide for essays first assessed in 2027, a Language B essay can focus on one of three areas, or a combination of them:
| Area | What it involves | Example idea |
|---|---|---|
| Literary analysis | An aspect of a literary work or works originally written in French | How the narrator's voice shapes our view of the suburbs in a named French novel |
| Language use | The development, structure or use of French itself, linked to its cultural context or a specific text | How Quebec French is represented in the lyrics of a named artist |
| Culture | A sociocultural issue specific to the French-speaking world, studied through its effect on the language or through a concrete cultural artefact | What a named French advertising campaign reveals about attitudes to food |
Key rules: - All texts must be originally written or spoken in French. Translations aren't acceptable sources. - You can't write a French B essay if you study French A. - Cultural topics must be specific to French-speaking culture. Broad issues that apply to many cultures, or global trends like social media slang, aren't specific enough. - Most of your sources should be in French, and your essay must use an academic register.
French is also one of the three languages (with English and Spanish) in which an interdisciplinary EE can currently be written.
What Changes in 2029?
The IB has published an updated Language B course. It will be launched in February 2027 for first teaching in August 2027, with first assessment in May 2029. Students taking exams in 2027 and 2028 follow the current course described above.
The good news: according to the IB, there are no changes to the assessment model. Paper 1, Paper 2 and the individual oral all stay the same. What changes is mainly how the course is described and taught:
| Current course (first assessed 2020) | Updated course (first assessment 2029) | |
|---|---|---|
| Themes | Five prescribed themes | The same five themes |
| Paper 1 and Paper 2 | As described in this guide | No change |
| Individual oral | As described in this guide | Same format The wording of the top descriptors for criteria B2 and C is slightly revised for clarity |
| Course framing | Five concepts: audience, context, purpose, meaning and variation | Adds three lenses (cultures, communication and perspectives) and names three skill areas: sociolinguistic, linguistic and pragmatic |
| Teaching | Current guide and materials | A clearer guide, more emphasis on critical thinking, and new teacher support materials |
| HL literature | Two works originally written in French | Same |
In short, if you start the Diploma in 2027 or later, everything in this guide about the exams will still apply.
Common Grammar Problems in IB French
These are the errors our tutors see most often in Paper 1 and the oral. Fixing them is one of the fastest ways to move up a markband in Criterion A.
- Passé composé vs imparfait: use the imparfait for background, description and habits (il faisait beau, j'allais souvent…) and the passé composé for completed events (soudain, j'ai vu…).
- The subjunctive: after il faut que, bien que, pour que, avant que and expressions of emotion or doubt (je doute qu'il soit…). A few accurate subjunctives show complex structures.
- Agreement: adjectives with nouns, and past participles with ĂŞtre (elles sont parties) or a preceding direct object (les lettres que j'ai Ă©crites).
- Register: pick tu or vous and stay consistent. Switching halfway through a formal letter costs you in Criterion C.
- False friends (faux amis): actuellement means "currently", a librairie is a bookshop, and assister Ă means "to attend".
- Connectors: go beyond et and mais. Use cependant, en revanche, d'ailleurs, par conséquent and non seulement… mais aussi to organise your ideas.
- HL reading: learn to recognise the passé simple (il fut, elle prit). It is common in literary texts, even though you don't need to use it yourself.
Tips for Success in IB French B
1. Immerse yourself every week. Use French podcasts, series, music and news from across the francophone world. 2. Build vocabulary by theme. Keep a list for each of the five themes, with useful phrases, not just single words. 3. Learn the text type conventions. Knowing them is an easy way to secure marks in Criterion C. 4. Practise speaking without a script. Describe random photos aloud for three minutes, then answer questions about them. 5. Time your past papers. Paper 1 at SL gives you 1 hour 15 minutes, including planning and checking. See why past papers are the ultimate tool for exam preparation. 6. Use command terms. Paper 2 questions use IB command terms. Our complete guide to IB command terms explains what each one asks for. 7. HL: know your two works inside out. Re-read key scenes and practise summarising extracts aloud.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking a level that doesn't match your starting French
- Writing a generic, memorised Paper 1 answer that ignores the audience and purpose
- Mixing tu and vous, or ignoring the conventions of the text type
- Reading notes aloud in the oral, or giving a pre-learned presentation
- Only listening to one French accent before Paper 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IB French B hard?
It depends on your starting level. If your French matches the course level, French B is very manageable with regular practice. The challenge is breadth: you need to write, speak, listen and read well, so you can't rely on one strength.
Can I use a dictionary in IB French B exams?
No. Dictionaries and other reference materials aren't allowed in Paper 1 or Paper 2, or in the preparation room for the oral.
What level of French is French B HL?
The IB's guidance suggests students starting French B HL are usually around CEFR B1 to B2. Strong HL students often reach a high level of fluency by the end of the course.
Is IB French B the same as a DELF or DALF certificate?
No. IB French B is part of the IB Diploma and is graded 1 to 7. DELF and DALF are separate qualifications from France's education ministry. Some students take both, and the skills overlap a lot.
Can I take French B if I have a French-speaking parent?
It depends on your actual level. If you are fluent and literate in French, your school will usually place you in French A. If you understand French but rarely read or write it, French B may be right. Your school decides.
What changes in IB French B from 2029?
The updated course is first taught in August 2027 and first assessed in May 2029. The five themes and all the assessments stay the same. The main changes are a clearer guide, a stronger focus on critical thinking, and a new framing around cultures, communication and perspectives.
Get Support With IB French B
Whether you need help with your writing, Paper 2 practice or preparing for the oral, our experienced IB French tutors can help, online wherever you are. To see how French B fits into your diploma, read our guide to everything you need to know about the IB and how your IB score is calculated.
