Language B has three different levels of which you can study. Each course is designed to support and improve the level of a second language that you can speak, write and listen and understand. As the IB explains - "Students who are already able to read, analyse and respond to complex literary and non-literary texts in a given language must be placed in a studies in language and literature course for that language. If a student can already communicate successfully in the language on a range of topics in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts, then a DP studies in language and literature course must be considered the appropriate placement. The language ab initio and language B courses are language acquisition courses—designed to provide students the opportunity to develop in a language in addition to their home/personal/best language(s). They are not designed for students entering the course who already have the ability to communicate confidently and proficiently in that specific language."

Language Ab Initio is a beginners course with students with little to no experience ( for guidance this should be one year or less) of the language. This course starts right from the beginnings of learning a language.

Language B is an additional language-learning course designed for students with some previous learning of that language. It may be studied at either SL or HL. The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and development of language skills. These language skills should be developed through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material. Such material will extend from everyday oral exchanges to literary texts and should be related to the cultures concerned. 

"Language B SL is designed for students with some previous experience in the target language who already have the ability to communicate in the language in familiar contexts. While in the course, they will further develop this ability. Students will explore the conceptual understandings that underlie language acquisition and begin to use higher-level thinking in the development of receptive, productive and interactive skills.

Language B HL is designed for students with previous experience in the target language who have the ability to communicate in that language in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes. As the study of two literary works originally written in the target language is compulsory in language B HL, entering the course with these communication skills would allow the student to begin the study of works of literature originally written in the target language. During the course, students are expected to use higher-order thinking skills in the development of their receptive, productive and interactive skills."

Please see more information regarding Language placement below.