Spanish B is one of the most widely taken language courses in the IB Diploma Programme. It is a language acquisition course (Group 2) for students who already have some Spanish and want to become confident, independent users of the language, in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Spanish is also a language with enormous reach. According to the Instituto Cervantes' 2025 yearbook, more than 500 million people speak Spanish natively, the number of potential speakers is well over 630 million, and around 24.6 million people are learning it as a foreign language. Spanish is spoken across Spain, Latin America, Equatorial Guinea and large communities in the United States, which makes it one of the most useful languages you can study for university and work.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the current Spanish B course, from choosing SL or HL to every part of the assessment. It also explains the updated Language B course, first assessed in 2029. The course facts come from the IB's Language B guide (first assessment 2020) and the IB's official subject briefs and updates, written in our own words.
Key Takeaways
- Spanish B is for students with some previous Spanish. Complete beginners take Spanish ab initio, and native speakers usually take Spanish A.
- It is offered at SL (150 hours) and HL (240 hours). HL students also study two literary works originally written in Spanish.
- 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 Spanish Course Should You Take?
The IB offers Spanish 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish ab initio | Students with no previous Spanish, or very little | SL only |
| Spanish B | Students with some previous experience of Spanish | SL and HL |
| Spanish 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 Spanish B SL, and students already at about B1 or B2 can comfortably take Spanish 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 Spanish ab initio.
What Is the Difference Between Spanish 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 Spanish. The differences are in depth, complexity and literature.
| Spanish B SL | Spanish B HL | |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching hours | 150 | 240 |
| Literature | Not required | Two literary works originally written in Spanish 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 Spanish, enjoy reading, and may want to use Spanish at university or in their career. SL is a strong choice if Spanish is a supporting language for you and you want to build solid, practical fluency.
The Five Themes
Every Language B course, including Spanish, 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 Spanish-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 Spanish B students link every theme to the whole Spanish-speaking world, not just Spain. Think of indigenous languages such as Quechua and GuaranĂ alongside Spanish, the DĂa de Muertos in Mexico, migration from Latin America to Spain and the United States, Spanglish, or Latin American music and cinema. Specific, well-chosen 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 Spanish: whether to use tĂş or usted, 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.
In recent exam sessions, the IB has scheduled Spanish language exams on their own dates, separate from most other languages. Always check the Spanish row of your exam timetable.
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 Spanish.
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 Spanish 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 Spanish itself is excellent. Answer the task you were set, not the one you prepared for.
Spanish 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 Spanish:
| Text type | Conventions to show |
|---|---|
| Formal letter (carta formal) | Place and date (Madrid, 6 de octubre de 2026) Asunto: Estimado/a señor/a: (with a colon, not a comma) usted throughout A formal closing such as Atentamente or Le saluda atentamente |
| Informal email or letter | Querido Pablo / Querida LucĂa: tĂş A friendly closing such as Un abrazo, Besos or Hasta pronto |
| Article | A headline (titular), a short lead (entradilla), subheadings and a byline |
| Blog post | A title, date, personal tone and a question or call to readers at the end |
| Speech (discurso) | A greeting (Buenos dĂas a todos, Estimados compañeros), rhetorical questions, direct address, and a closing (Muchas gracias por su atenciĂłn) |
| 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 Spanish. All questions are in Spanish, and all answers must be in Spanish.
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 Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, the Caribbean or Spain. You'll hear differences in pronunciation (for example, the Castilian z and c, or the Argentine ll and y) and in grammar, such as vosotros in Spain and vos in parts of Latin America. If you only listen to one variety of Spanish, Paper 2 listening will feel harder than it needs to.
How to prepare: - Listen to Spanish podcasts, radio and news from different countries every week. - Read news sites and magazines from Spain and Latin America 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 Spanish B. It takes place in your final year, is conducted entirely in Spanish, 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 Spanish. 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 Spanish-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 Spanish-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 Spanish. 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 Spanish 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 Como agua para chocolate (Laura Esquivel), CrĂłnica de una muerte anunciada (Gabriel GarcĂa Márquez), La casa de Bernarda Alba (Federico GarcĂa Lorca) and RĂ©quiem por un campesino español (RamĂłn J. Sender). These are only examples; the IB doesn't prescribe any texts.
Tip: for each work, build a one-page Spanish 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 Spanish
Spanish 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 Spanish | How magical realism shapes the portrayal of family in a named Latin American novel |
| Language use | The development, structure or use of Spanish itself, linked to its cultural context or a specific text | How voseo is used in the lyrics of a named Argentine artist |
| Culture | A sociocultural issue specific to the Spanish-speaking world, studied through its effect on the language or through a concrete cultural artefact | What a named Mexican film reveals about attitudes to migration |
Key rules: - All texts must be originally written or spoken in Spanish. Translations aren't acceptable sources. - You can't write a Spanish B essay if you study Spanish A. - Cultural topics must be specific to Spanish-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 Spanish, and your essay must use an academic register.
Spanish is also one of the three languages (with English and French) 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 Spanish | 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 Spanish
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.
- Ser vs estar: ser for identity, origin and characteristics (es mexicana, es inteligente); estar for location, states and results (está en Lima, está cansado). Watch adjectives that change meaning: es aburrido (boring) vs está aburrido (bored).
- Preterite vs imperfect: use the imperfect for background, description and habits (hacĂa sol, siempre Ăbamos…) and the preterite for completed events (de repente, vi…).
- The subjunctive: after es importante que, ojalá, para que, aunque (for hypotheses), expressions of emotion or doubt, and cuando + future meaning (cuando tenga tiempo). A few accurate subjunctives show complex structures.
- Por vs para: para for purpose and destination (estudio para aprender); por for cause, means and duration (por la lluvia, por teléfono).
- Accents (tildes): they change meaning. Compare él and el, sà and si, está and esta, habló and hablo. Missing accents count as errors.
- Register: pick tĂş or usted and stay consistent. Switching halfway through a formal letter costs you in Criterion C.
- False friends (falsos amigos): embarazada means "pregnant", actualmente means "currently", Ă©xito means "success", and librerĂa is a bookshop.
- Connectors: go beyond y and pero. Use sin embargo, por lo tanto, además, en cambio and no solo… sino también to organise your ideas.
Tips for Success in IB Spanish B
1. Immerse yourself every week. Use podcasts, series, music and news from across the Spanish-speaking 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 Spanish
- Writing a generic, memorised Paper 1 answer that ignores the audience and purpose
- Mixing tĂş and usted, or ignoring the conventions of the text type
- Leaving out accents, or confusing ser and estar
- Reading notes aloud in the oral, or giving a pre-learned presentation
- Only listening to one variety of Spanish before Paper 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IB Spanish B hard?
It depends on your starting level. If your Spanish matches the course level, Spanish 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 Spanish 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.
Should I learn Spanish from Spain or Latin American Spanish?
Either is fine. Any standard variety of Spanish is acceptable, as long as you use it consistently. What matters is that you can understand a range of accents in Paper 2.
What level of Spanish is Spanish B HL?
The IB's guidance suggests students starting Spanish 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 Spanish B the same as a DELE certificate?
No. IB Spanish B is part of the IB Diploma and is graded 1 to 7. The DELE is a separate qualification awarded by the Instituto Cervantes. Some students take both, and the skills overlap a lot.
Can I take Spanish B if I have a Spanish-speaking parent?
It depends on your actual level. If you are fluent and literate in Spanish, your school will usually place you in Spanish A. If you understand Spanish but rarely read or write it, Spanish B may be right. Your school decides.
What changes in IB Spanish 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 Spanish B
Whether you need help with your writing, Paper 2 practice or preparing for the oral, our experienced IB Spanish tutors can help, online wherever you are. To see how Spanish B fits into your diploma, read our guide to everything you need to know about the IB and how your IB score is calculated.
