IB Group 2 subjects

The Group Two of IB Diploma Programme subjects, subtitled second language, refers to the one or more foreign languages that each Diploma candidate is required to study. The second language can be studied at one of five levels (in order of decreasing difficulty): A2 higher level, A2 standard level, B higher level, B standard level, or "ab initio" standard level. The Group Two courses focus on written and spoken communication in the foreign language. A student may opt to take a second Group 1 subject in place of a Group 2.

The languages offered vary by the level they are taught at, but most of the over 80 languages taught as languages A1 are also taught as Group 2 subjects. Latin and classical Greek are taught only as second languages, and not as languages A1.

Language A2

The language A2 corresponds to a near-native level of fluency in the foreign language, and as such concentrates less on studying the actual language and more on the literature and culture of the countries where the language is spoken. The languages A2 are studied through "Cultural Options" and "Literary Options", both of which need to be included by the teacher in the two-year IB course. Study at the A2 level is available in a significantly lower number of languages than at other levels.

Internal Assessment for language A2 consists of two oral components, in the same way as for language A1. The final exams have two papers: Paper 1 is called "Comparative Commentary", and it asks to write a commentary that compares the two previously unseen texts that appear in the exam. Paper 2 is an essay on either a Cultural or a Literary Option. In addition, students produce two "Written Tasks" of 1000-1500 words total to be assessed externally by the IBO.

Language B

Language B is intended for students who have a previous background of a few years in the language, and focuses more on learning to communicate in the language in a written and spoken form. There are no specific syllabi for languages B (unlike most other IB subjects), and the teacher has great freedom in deciding how their students should go about in studying a language B.

Internal Assessment for a language B consists solely of oral presentation to be given to the teacher. The final exam includes several multiple choice tasks, some open questions, a short written task and an essay.

Language ab initio

Language ab initio is intended for students who have no previous background in the language. It focuses on giving the student basic knowledge of both the language in everyday use and the culture of the places where it is spoken. The standard reached by the student after two years is considerably lower than that reached in language B.

Internal Assessment for a language ab initio consists of an oral exam and final exams including several multiple choice tasks, some open questions, and written tasks.