IB English A: Internal Oral Guidance (2025)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)offers a variety of assessments for students. This includes Internal Assessments (IAs), which are pieces of coursework marked by students’ teachers. The Internal Assessment (IA) component of the IB English A: Language and Literature course takes the form of an Individual Oral known as the IB English IO, which is a presentation and conversation between the student and their teacher. But what exactly does this entail, and how can you prepare effectively?

This guide will walk you through the structure, assessment criteria, and best strategies for success. Additionally, we will highlight any recent syllabus updates and explain how they affect students taking the exam from May 2025 onwards.

What is the IB English A Individual Oral (IO)?

The Individual Oral is an internally assessed 10-minute presentation, followed by a 5-minute discussion with your teacher. It is based on the following prompt:

Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of two of the texts that you have studied.

Your response must be supported by one non-literary text and one literary work, both selected from your IB syllabus. The key focus is to present a well-supported argument on how the global issue is explored in these texts. It is crucial to use appropriate literary terminology to achieve a higher score in the 'Language' category.

Recent Syllabus Updates (2023-2025)

The IB curriculum has remained largely consistent in its approach to the Individual Oral. However, recent refinements aim to:

• Emphasise critical engagement: Students must focus on both content and stylistic choices in their chosen texts.
• Clarify extract selection: IB guidelines stress the importance of selecting extracts that represent the text’s broader themes.
• Strengthen student autonomy: Students are encouraged to select a unique global issue rather than relying on generic themes.

These updates ensure that students develop a more nuanced and independent interpretation of their chosen global issue.

Choosing a Global Issue for Your IB English IO

The global issue which you choose to discuss should follow these guidelines:

• It has significance on a wide/large scale (e.g., affects multiple societies or regions).
• It is transnational (crosses national borders in its impact or relevance).
• Its impact is felt in everyday local contexts (can be observed in daily life or specific case studies).

Common Global Issues Explored in IB English A IO

The topics below can act as a starting point when choosing a theme and focus area for your selected global issue. Bear in mind, however, that your selected issue should be a specific and focused issue within these themes and focus areas.

1. Culture, identity and community

Students could focus on the way in which texts explore aspects of family, class, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender and sexuality, and the way these impact on individuals and societies. Exploring various aspects of identity and culture within the context of the community is crucial, as it allows for a deeper understanding of how these texts reflect on issues such as migration, colonialism, and nationalism. They might also focus on issues concerning migration, colonialism and nationalism. If a student chooses to look at gender, they would need to choose a more specific issue within gender, such as how gender bias manifests in different contexts.

2. Beliefs, values and education

Students might focus on the way in which texts explore the beliefs and values nurtured in particular societies and the ways they shape individuals, communities and educational systems. They might also explore the tensions that arise when there are conflicts of beliefs and values, and ethics.

3. Politics, power and justice

Students might focus on the ways in which texts explore aspects of rights and responsibilities, the workings and structures of governments and institutions. They might also investigate hierarchies of power, the distribution of wealth and resources, the limits of justice and the law, equality and inequality, human rights and peace and conflict.

4. Art, creativity and the imagination

Students might focus on the ways in which texts explore aspects of aesthetic inspiration, creation, craft, and beauty. They might also focus on the shaping and challenging of perceptions through art, and the function, value and effects of art in society.

5. Science, technology and the environment

Students might focus on the ways in which texts explore the relationship between humans and the environment and the implications of technology and media for society. They might also consider the idea of scientific development and progress.

Choosing a Text for Your IB English IO

Choosing a text is a crucial step in preparing for the IB English Individual Oral (IO). The text should be a literary work or a non-literary body of work that you have studied, and the global issue should be a theme that is significant, transcends national boundaries, and resonates with daily life. This selection will form the foundation of your presentation, so it’s essential to choose wisely.

Selecting a Text

When selecting a text, consider the following factors:

• Relevance: Ensure the text is directly relevant to the global issue you have chosen. This relevance will help you draw clear connections in your analysis.
• Depth: Choose a text that offers a rich ground for exploring the global issue. Texts with multiple layers of meaning and complex themes will provide more material for your discussion.
• Complexity: Opt for a text that is complex enough to allow for in-depth analysis and interpretation. This complexity will enable you to demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and the global issue.
• Interest: Select a text and global issue that genuinely interest you. Your enthusiasm will come through in your presentation and make your analysis more engaging.

It is also important to consider the type of text you are choosing. Literary texts can include novels, poems, plays, and short stories, while non-literary texts can include articles, speeches, and documentaries. Each type of text offers different opportunities for analysis and can highlight various aspects of the global issue.

Connecting the Text to a Global Issue

Once you have selected a text, the next step is to connect it to a global issue. This involves identifying the themes and ideas in the text that relate to the global issue. Consider the following questions:

• How does the text present the global issue? Look for specific passages or elements in the text that directly address the global issue.
• What perspectives on the global issue does the text offer? Analyze how different characters, narrators, or elements of the text view the global issue.
• How does the text challenge or reinforce common assumptions about the global issue? Consider whether the text supports or questions prevailing views on the global issue.

By connecting the text to a global issue, you can demonstrate your understanding of both the text and the global issue. This connection will allow you to explore and analyze the global issue in a nuanced and insightful manner.

Using the Text to Demonstrate Your Understanding

Overall, students should use the chosen extract to demonstrate their understanding of how the specific text ties to the author's broader work and how the author's choices shape their perspectives on the global issue. To absolutely nail the IO, here are some top tips:

• Narrow down your focus: Expert IB English tutors have said that the extracts are intended to assist students in focusing their responses and exploring more precise issues, such as style, specific devices, and other distinct techniques used by authors to present the global issue.
• Discuss broader context: If the extract is a part of a set of broader literary work, students must discuss relevant aspects of the broader work. Similarly, the extract is a standalone non-literary text, students should discuss relevant aspects of the author's broader body of work.

💡 For instance, in the case of a photograph, students should refer to other photographs by the same photographer.

• Define authorship: If identifying the single author of a non-literary text is impossible, students should broaden their discussion of the global issue by using a broader definition of authorship. In the case of an article, students could refer to other articles by the same author or to the general editorial line of the medium in which the article was published. In such cases, students should clearly define their understanding of authorship.

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB Study Notes and IB Practice Questions, developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

How is the IB English A IO assessed and what are the assessment criteria?

The IB English A IO is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. There are 40 marks available for the entire IO, forming 30% of SL students’ grades and 20% of HL students’ grades.

So what criteria are you assessed upon? Here are the four assessment criteria, each worth 10 marks out of the total 40:

1. Criterion A: Knowledge, understanding and interpretation: You should demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of the extracts and the works/texts and a persuasive interpretation of their implications in relation to the global issue. References to the extracts and to the works/texts should be well-chosen and effectively support the candidate’s ideas.
2. Criterion B: Analysis and evaluation:Analysis and evaluation of the extracts and their works/texts should be relevant and insightful. There should be a thorough and nuanced understanding of how authorial choices are used to present the global issue.
3. Criterion C: Focus and organization:The oral should maintain a clear and sustained focus on the task; treatment of the extracts and works/texts is well-balanced. The development of ideas should be logical and convincing; ideas should be connected in a cogent manner.
4. Criterion D: Language:The language should be clear, accurate and varied; occasional errors do not hinder communication. Vocabulary and syntax should be varied and create effect. Elements of style (for example, register, tone and rhetorical devices) should be appropriate to the task and enhance the oral.

Source: IBDP Subject Brief

Conclusion

The IB English A Internal Oral is a critical component of the IB Diploma, demanding deep analysis and effective communication skills. Students must exhibit their ability to critically examine literature and articulate their insights coherently. If you're not confident about your performance, don't worry - you can leverage IB tutoring for targeted assistance to strengthen your preparation. If you want to check out Tips on IB English Literature IA or the IB Exam Schedule 2025, visit our other articles. Good luck with your IB English A IO!