IB Italian B is a Group 2 Language Acquisition subject for students learning Italian as an additional language at the B (intermediate to advanced) level. Italian is spoken by approximately 85 million in Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, and Italian diaspora communities. Italian B is popular among students with Italian heritage, those studying in Italian-language IB schools, and students interested in Italian culture, fashion, design, or arts management careers.

IB Italian B is for students with prior experience in the language. The course develops proficiency across all four skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — using authentic contemporary texts. Past papers include reading comprehension (Paper 1) and written production (Paper 2).

Assessment

Exam Format

Paper 1 (SL: 1 hr 30 min / HL: 2 hr)

Reading comprehension on authentic texts. Multiple-choice, gap-fill, and short-answer questions.

Paper 2 (SL: 45 min / HL: 1 hr)

Written production: write one text in an appropriate format (letter, article, blog, speech) on a given topic.

Levels

SL vs HL

SL uses shorter texts in Paper 1 and requires a lower word count in Paper 2. HL uses more complex, longer texts and expects more idiomatic, nuanced written production. HL students must demonstrate a wider active vocabulary and command of complex grammatical structures.

Revision

Study Tips for IB Italian B

✓Read authentic Italian content — news, blogs, social media — to build vocabulary in the five IB themes.
✓Learn the conventions for each text type in Paper 2: letters, emails, articles, speeches, and blog posts all have different formats.
✓For Paper 1, read all questions before reading the text so you know what information to focus on.
✓Revise verb tenses thoroughly — tense accuracy distinguishes SL from HL performance.
✓Build a vocabulary bank organised by the five IB themes rather than alphabetically.
✓Practise the Individual Oral — it counts for 25% (SL) or 20% (HL) of the final grade.

FAQs

Questions, answered.

Language B is for students with prior learning of the language — typically 3–5 years of study. Students should be able to handle authentic texts on the five IB themes.

All IB Language B and ab initio subjects cover the same five prescribed themes: Identities (personal and cultural identity), Experiences (leisure, travel, customs), Human Ingenuity (entertainment, technology, science), Social Organisation (community, education, work), and Sharing the Planet (environment, global issues).

Yes. Our archive includes question papers and mark schemes (including written production marking criteria) for available sessions.

The Individual Oral is an internally assessed speaking component (15 minutes) in which the student discusses a visual stimulus and a literary extract with their teacher. It tests spoken communication, range of vocabulary, and ability to engage with the IB themes.