IB English A SL Tutoring
One-to-one online preparation for the English A Standard Level syllabus
Paper 2 is the sticking point in IB English A SL: you compare two works without the books in front of you, so quotations and scenes have to come from memory. In 90-minute lessons we build a working quotation bank for each text, and help you narrow the global issue for the Individual Oral until it is small enough to argue.
Quick Answer
English A SL support usually begins with building the Paper 2 quotation bank, and that cannot wait until exam week - two texts take four or five sessions. Individual Oral preparation is planned separately. Lessons are 90 minutes and online, and the first is refundable if it disappoints.
SL
Level
Fully Online
Format
90 min
Lesson length
€82 per 90 min one-to-one lesson
Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund.
See packages and lower per-lesson rates
Experienced in IB
Specialist Team
About IB English A SL Tutoring
Our IB English A SL tutoring programme covers the detailed study of English language and literature. We develop literary analysis, text types, rhetorical techniques and written expression skills.
The course examines literary and non-literary texts from different genres: poetry, novel, drama, article, speech and visual texts. We teach analysis techniques and terminology for each text type.
We provide detailed teaching for Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis) on unseen-text analysis, for Paper 2 (Comparative Essay) on comparative literary essay writing, and for the Individual Oral (IO) on presentation preparation.
Academic essay writing is a core focus. We offer guidance aligned to the IB assessment criteria on forming a thesis, using textual evidence, analysing literary techniques and writing a balanced conclusion.
Individual Oral (IO) preparation carries particular weight. We provide detailed support on choosing the global issue, matching the work and extract, structuring the presentation and practice.
IB assessment experience
Lessons are, wherever possible, planned with teachers who have relevant subject experience and a strong command of the IB assessment criteria. For some subjects we can offer lessons with teachers who have IB Examiner experience; matching is done based on subject, level and teacher availability.
Syllabus Topics
Exam Papers
IB English A SL Tutoring exam structure and focus areas
| Paper | Duration | Weighting | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour | 35% | Guided Textual Analysis, 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour | 35% | Comparative Essay, 1 hour 45 minutes |
| IO | — | 30% | Individual Oral - 15-minute presentation |
Source: the assessment components and weightings on this page follow the IB English A SL subject guide published by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Your school's IB coordinator can access the current session documents. ibo.org
About grade boundaries: According to the grade boundary documents the International Baccalaureate Organization publishes for each exam session, the total percentage needed for a 7 varies by subject, level and session in a band of roughly 55–85%. Your school's IB coordinator can access the relevant May/November Grade descriptors and boundaries document. In our one-to-one lessons we review the student's realistic grade range together using past-session boundaries and mock results.
IA / Written-Task Support
Where do one-to-one lessons provide support on the Internal Assessment and written tasks?
A quotation set for closed-book conditions
You will not have the works in Paper 2. Page-by-page memorisation is not needed, but each work needs a short set of retrievable quotations that can serve more than one question. We build that set the week you finish the work; quotations gathered in the exam month do not stay.
Narrowing the global issue
The issue chosen for the oral is usually too broad, and the talk generalises for fifteen minutes. We narrow it until it attaches to a concrete choice in the extract - then there is still something to say at the end.
Tension between the two extracts
You choose one extract from a work written in English and one in translation. Two extracts approaching the issue from the same angle will not carry the talk; we choose them so there is a real difference between them.
Allocating the works
A work used in the oral cannot be used in Paper 2. At SL the list is short, which makes the split more decisive, not less; we put it in writing in the first session so the work you know best is not spent in the wrong place.
Rehearsal counted back from the recording date
The oral is completed in one recording and your school sets the date. We place the rehearsals by counting back from it. We do not write the presentation for you.
Comparing Preparation Paths
The differences between self-study, group classes and one-to-one support for IB English A SL Tutoring
| Preparation path | Pros | Limitations | Best for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working on your own |
|
| Strong readers who are comfortable writing. |
| School lessons and group courses |
|
| Students meeting the reading list for the first time. |
| One-to-one online lessons with us |
|
| Students who have read the works but write without quotation in the exam. |
Lesson packages
Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund. Split 10 and 20-lesson packages across any subjects you like, with no expiry date.
Study Plan Framework
A typical 4-phase structure for IB English A SL Tutoring in one-to-one lessons; adapted to the student's exam date.
Allocating the works
week 1
- Reading your school's list together
- Deciding which work goes to the oral and which to Paper 2
- Drawing up the reading schedule
Quotation sets
weeks 2-8, as each work is finished
- Choosing short, multi-purpose quotations for each work
- Organising scene and character notes for recall
- Placing a quotation inside the sentence
The Individual Oral
3-4 sessions counted back from the recording date
- Narrowing the global issue
- Settling the two extracts
- A full rehearsal with questions, under recording conditions
Paper 1
the 6 weeks before the exam
- Analysing an unseen text around the guiding question
- How reading differs between poetry and prose
- Writing inside the exam timing
Paper 2
the last 4 weeks
- Building an axis of comparison between two works
- Full essays under closed-book conditions
- Full-length past papers under timed conditions
This framework is a sample plan; it is customised for each student based on exam date, target grade and current level.
How One-to-One Lessons Work
The general structure of IB English A SL Tutoring sessions
Paper 2 is practised closed book from the start
The books are not in front of you in the exam, so revision done with them open never rehearses the actual condition. We work without the texts from day one - which is also how the missing quotations surface.
An unseen text in every session
You meet the Paper 1 text for the first time in the exam. Reading prepared analyses does not build the skill; writing on short unfamiliar texts to time does. That is the fixed part of every session.
Quotation sets are not assembled in the exam month
The detail is freshest the week you finish a work. We choose the quotations then and keep them short; left to the exam month, the student has to re-read the book and ends up working with long quotations.
A written progress report every two weeks
We share which works were covered, what stage the oral preparation is at and what comes next, in writing.
IA Grading Tool
Evaluate your Internal Assessment report yourself. IA Grader for all subjects →
Upload Your IA Report
Upload your IA report in PDF or DOCX format and let our AI assess it automatically.
Drag your file here
or click to select (PDF, DOCX - max 10MB)
Don't want to upload a file?
Where Students Struggle
Our experienced IB teachers guide you through overcoming these challenges.
Our Teaching Approach
IB-Focused Methodology
Work with teachers who know the IB assessment criteria inside out.
Where We Start
The first lesson sets the level, and the topic order follows from it.
The IA and the Exam
From the research question to the report, from past papers to mark schemes.
Past-Paper Focused
Real exam questions and mark scheme analysis.
Share before your first lesson
The information below helps the lesson plan focus on the student's real needs from the very first minutes.
- Target IB grade (e.g. 6 or 7) and exam date
- Current level: latest mock grade, predicted grade or weak topics
- School curriculum: the textbook used, IA / EE topic, deadline dates
- Study schedule: lessons per week, available days and time slots
Who Is This Program For?
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Features
- A memorable quotation set for Paper 2
- Writing a comparison with no books in front of you
- A scene and chapter map for each work
- Narrowing the global issue for the Individual Oral
- Staying anchored to the guiding question in Paper 1
- Tidying up the learner portfolio entries
- Your first lesson refunded if it does not meet expectations
Contact us for a lesson plan
Tell us your target grade, where you are now and when you sit the exam, and we will work out the weekly schedule with you.
Quick Info
Tutors who teach this course
- Ezgi Tunç
IB İngilizce A SL Öğretmeni
- Olivia Davies
IB İngilizce A SL Öğretmeni
- Sinan Eren
IB İngilizce A SL Öğretmeni
Our tutors provide mentoring, structure suggestions and feedback during the IA / EE process. IB Courses does not write a student's IA or assignment for them.
Related IB Courses & Support
Other IB support programmes frequently chosen alongside IB English A SL Tutoring
IB English B SL Tutoring
IB English B SL tutoring develops reading, writing, listening and speaking skills with a plan aligned to the IB assessment criteria.
Go to the IB English B SL Tutoring pageIB ProgramExtended EssayIB Extended Essay Tutoring
Get support throughout the Extended Essay process with the research question, structure, source use, academic writing and rubric-focused feedback.
Go to the IB Extended Essay Tutoring pageIB ProgramTOKIB TOK Tutoring
IB TOK support covers the essay, exhibition, knowledge questions and assessment criteria with a focus on academic integrity.
Go to the IB TOK Tutoring pageIB HLEnglish AIB English A HL Tutoring
IB English A HL tutoring works on Language and Literature, essay writing, Paper 1-2 analysis and Individual Oral preparation together.
Go to the IB English A HL Tutoring pageStudent and parent reviews
Let us work out where to start with IB English A SL Tutoring
In a free consultation with our experienced IB teachers, let's decide together on the number of lessons and focus areas that fit your goals.
The consultation is free and non-binding. We do not guarantee a specific IB grade.