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IBDP Group 2 · Language Acquisition · SL only · For Beginners

IB Ab Initio Language Tutor

IB Ab Initio is designed for students with little or no prior experience of the language. 1-on-1 tutoring from IBO certified examiners builds you from beginner to IB exam-ready across all three components.

4.97 / 5.0 2,400+ reviews · IBO Certified Examiners
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SL Only
Beginner Level
3
Assessment
Components
6+
Languages
Available
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IBO
Examiners
Exam Structure

IB Ab Initio Language Assessment Breakdown

Every mark allocation, command term, and grade boundary — from examiners who’ve sat on the marking committees.

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Paper 1: Productive Skills — Writing
30%

Three written tasks from specified text types linked to the three Ab Initio themes. Each task: 50–100 words. Text types: message, postcard, note, email, form, forum post, blog, social media post, flyer. Assessed on communicative effectiveness, organisation, and language accuracy. 1 hour.

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Paper 2: Receptive Skills — Reading & Listening
50%

Two unseen reading texts + one listening audio, all linked to the three Ab Initio themes. Short-answer comprehension questions testing: specific information, implied meaning, text type conventions, vocabulary in context. 1h45m.

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Individual Oral
20%

15-minute oral divided into three parts: describing a visual stimulus (2 min), responding to examiner questions on the stimulus, and a general conversation on a familiar topic from the themes. Assessed on communicative ability, vocabulary range, and accuracy. Internally assessed, externally moderated.

⚡ Our examiners have marked real IB Ab Initio Language papers — they know exactly what earns full marks vs. partial marks.

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Full Syllabus Coverage

What We Cover in IB Ab Initio Language

Every topic taught by IBO certified examiners who know exactly how marks are awarded.

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Three Ab Initio themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity — 13 specific topic areas

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Topic areas: physical appearance, personal relationships, food and drink, free time, travel, media, science and technology, the natural world

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Text types: message, postcard, note, email, blog, forum post, social media post, form, advertisement, leaflet

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Grammar foundations: present tense of regular and irregular verbs; simple past and future; negation; basic question forms

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Vocabulary building: 1,000–1,500 core words systematically across the three themes

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Reading strategies: scanning for specific information; inferring meaning from context; identifying text type conventions

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Listening strategies: key information extraction from audio; coping with unknown vocabulary

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Writing accuracy: subject–verb agreement; agreement of adjectives; common prepositions; common connectives

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Individual Oral preparation: visual stimulus description techniques; 2-minute monologue structure; question anticipation

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Pronunciation and phonology in the target language — for oral exam confidence

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Cultural content: target-language countries’ customs, celebrations, food, daily routines

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Ab Initio to Language B transition: building toward HL proficiency after the IB for language learners continuing post-IBDP

Our Method

How Our 1-on-1 Sessions Work

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IBO Certified Examiners

Every tutor has marked real IB papers and knows exactly how marks are awarded.

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1-on-1 Personalised

Sessions built around your specific syllabus gaps, predicted grade, and timeline.

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Past Paper Practice

Systematic paper practice with full mark-scheme annotation and command-term coaching.

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Flexible Scheduling

Morning, evening, weekend — book across 20+ time zones.

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Progress Tracking

We track improvements session by session and adjust the plan when needed.

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IA / Portfolio Support

Dedicated support for Internal Assessment from first draft to final submission.

IB Ab Initio Language — Questions Answered

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What is IB Ab Initio and who is it for?
IB Ab Initio is a language acquisition course for students who have little or no prior experience of the target language. It is only available at Standard Level (SL). It is not a ‘lower’ version of Language B — it is a structured beginner-to-intermediate course designed to bring students to B1 proficiency (CEFR) by the end of two years. Students who have studied a language at school for more than two years are generally not eligible.
Which languages are available for IB Ab Initio?
The most commonly offered Ab Initio languages are French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Japanese, and Italian. We offer tutoring in all these languages with IBO certified tutors who have taught and examined at Ab Initio level. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific language.
How is IB Ab Initio different from IB Language B?
Ab Initio is a beginner course (3 themes, simpler text types, lower vocabulary demand), while Language B is for students with prior experience (5 themes, more complex text types, HL literary extension). Ab Initio Paper 1 tasks are 50–100 words vs 250–400 words in Language B SL. The Individual Oral is similar in format but assessed at a lower language proficiency benchmark.
How do I prepare for the Ab Initio Individual Oral?
The oral has three parts: a 2-minute visual stimulus description, examiner follow-up questions on the stimulus, and a conversation on a familiar theme. Prepare by practising describing images systematically (who, what, where, why, your opinion), and by reviewing vocabulary in all 13 topic areas. Our tutors run full mock oral sessions using real exam-style stimuli.
Can I realistically reach exam-ready Ab Initio level in 1–2 years?
Yes — with consistent effort. The Ab Initio syllabus is carefully scoped for beginners, and the exam requirements are calibrated accordingly. Students who attend regular sessions, complete vocabulary review between sessions, and practise the three text types consistently typically reach a solid 5–6 by exam. Our tutors build a personalised progression plan from your starting level.
Does IBZENITH offer Ab Initio tutoring from absolute beginner level?
Yes — we start from zero if needed. Our Ab Initio tutors have experience teaching students with no prior knowledge of the target language and build systematically through vocabulary, grammar foundations, and the three assessment components. We also work with students who have started the course at school but need additional support.
IBO Certified · Free First Session

Ready to raise your IB Ab Initio Language grade?

Book a free 45-minute session with an IBO certified IB Ab Initio Language examiner.