IB Group 1 subjects

The Group One of IB Diploma Programme subjects, subtitled language A1, refers to the native language or otherwise best language of the student - thus, language A1. The course focuses on literary analysis of works of literature produced in that language. Most often the language A1 is the student's native language, but for students doing their Diploma Programme in a foreign country where their native language does not have a prominent position it may be difficult to obtain a teacher in their own language. Students who sit two languages A1, or a language A1 and a language A2, are eligible for a bilingual diploma.

The Group 1 syllabus makes allowance for 'self-taught students' - autodidactic Group 1 study. They are responsible for reading all the required texts and doing all the assignments, largely on their own time and effort. All of the work for these students is externally assessed. The World Literature component is still taught by a teacher in the language of instruction of the school. Self-taught Group 1 candidates are common at international schools, but almost nonexistent at governmentally funded schools elsewhere. Self-taught candidates may only do their Group 1 at the standard level.

Internal Assessment consists of an oral presentation on a topic of the student's choice and a final 'oral exam' - a taped oral commentary on a text that the student doesn't know beforehand (it is taken from one of the books studied, though). In addition, students write two (one at Standard Level) World Literature papers on two or three works of translated foreign literature. The final exams have analysis of an unseen passage of text, as well as an essay on a set topic about at least two of the literary works studied. All of these have a different set of books involved, chosen by the teacher from a wide range of authors put forth by the IBO.

Forty-five languages are readily available for examination at both the higher and standard levels. A candidate whose language is not covered may petition for an examination, provided that the language in question has a sufficient amount of written literature and the request is made well in advance of the examination. Examinations given in the past include:

"Text and performance", a pilot subject meant to foster interdisciplinary learning qualifies as both a Group 1 and a Group 6 subject.