LibGuides: IB Language and Literature HL (First Assessment 2026): Course Overview

Nature of the Subject

Allegory of Literature and Reading, panel painted by Jean Mosnier (1600-1656) - Britannica ImageQuest IB Language and Literature is all about exploring how language works and how it connects to who we are and the world around us. You’ll dive into a mix of literary texts (like novels, poems, and plays) and non-literary texts (like ads, speeches, social media posts, and news articles) from different cultures and media.

You’ll look closely at how people use language to express ideas, shape identity, and influence others—and how language itself is shaped by culture. Along the way, you’ll explore big ideas from areas like literary theory, media studies, and sociolinguistics to help you think critically and creatively about what you read and hear.

It’s not just about reading—it’s about questioning, analyzing, and understanding the power of words.

Adapted from: Diploma Programme Language A: Language and Literature Guide (First Examination 2026), p.7.

IB Language A: Language and Literature HL – What You’ll Explore

Your HL course is built around three areas of exploration, each designed to help you think deeply about how texts work, how they connect to the world, and how they speak to each other. You’ll study a mix of literary and non-literary texts, and you’ll build skills that go way beyond the classroom. See the Areas of Exploration page of this guide for more detailed descriptions and related questions to ask when studying texts or works.

Readers, writers and texts

What it's about: This area is all about how texts are created and how we, as readers, respond to them. You’ll learn to look closely at the words on the page—how authors use language, structure, and style to shape meaning. Think characters, settings, tone, and word choice. You’ll become a pro at analyzing how texts communicate.

What you'll study: At least two literary works and a variety of non-literary texts (like ads, speeches, articles, etc.). You’ll spend equal time on both.

Time and space

What it’s about: This area of exploration considers how a text interacts with the context in which it is produced and received. Here, you’ll explore how texts are shaped by the time and place they come from—and how they’re received by readers in different contexts. You’ll dig into the author’s background, historical events, and cultural influences, and think about how those factors impact the meaning of a text.

What you’ll study: Again, at least two literary works and a range of non-literary texts, with equal time spent on each.

Intertextuality: connecting texts

What it’s about: This area focuses on how texts talk to each other. You’ll compare and contrast different works to uncover deeper meanings and surprising connections. Whether it’s shared themes, styles, or cultural influences, you’ll see how texts can echo, challenge, or build on one another.

What you’ll study: You guessed it — two literary works and a mix of non-literary texts, studied side by side.

Text requirements – what you’ll read

To make sure your reading is rich and diverse, here’s what’s expected:

At least two works written originally in the language you’re studying, by authors from the IB Prescribed reading list
At least two works in translation, also from the IB Prescribed reading list
Up to two works of your choice — these can be from the Prescribed reading list or elsewhere, and may be in translation

Your selection of texts must cover:

Three major literary forms (like poetry, drama, and prose)
Three different time periods
Three different places, including at least two continents

Plus, you’ll explore a variety of non-literary texts from different types and genres.

Final thought

This course is designed to stretch your thinking, sharpen your analysis, and help you see the world through the lens of language and literature. You’ll read widely, write deeply, and speak thoughtfully. Look through this guide to find resources to help you do your best!

Adapted from Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), Language A teacher support material

IB Resources - Course at a Glance, Key Terms, Forms and Handouts

Language A: language and literature HL - The Course at a Glance
Details on the implementation of the three areas of study for Language A: Language and Literature HL, the number of texts to be used, and the requirements in relation to those texts. This 'Course at a glance' also includes details on the three external assessments in HL - Paper 1 (guided textual analysis), Paper 2 (comparative essay) and the HL essay - as well as the internal assessment, the individual oral. Teacher Support Material for Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), resources.ibo.org.
Key Terms for Language A: Language and literature HL (First assessment 2026)
Definitions of terms and concepts used in the IB Language A: Language and literature course. Includes definitions for: Areas of exploration; Body of work; Conceptual understanding; Form; Genre; Global issue; Intertextuality; Learner portfolio; Mode; Prescribed reading list; Text; and Work. Adapted from the IB Language and Literature guide (first assessment 2026).
Literary and Non-literary Texts
Charts list which text types must be considered literary, which must be onsidered non-literary, and which text types could be considered literary or non-literary, depending on the specific characteristics of the text being considered for the IB Diploma
Programme Language A courses.

IB handouts and forms

Course Map for the Learner Portfolio
As you read your texts/works throughout the Language and Literature HL course, you can use this tool to keep track of the text types and/or literary forms you have covered and relate them to the global Issues, concepts and areas of exploration to plan your assessment components. Teacher Support Material for Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), resources.ibo.org.

Course Map for the Learner Profile - Example
This Course Map for the Learner Profile has example entries for three non-literary text types (Brochure, Cartoon, and Speech) and one literary form (Song Lyrics). Teacher Support Material for Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), resources.ibo.org.
Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Student outline form
This form can be used to organize a student's ideas for the Individual Oral Internal Assessment: their global issue, the texts being used (literary work, non-literary body of work), and a maximum of ten bullet points in notes for the oral. Teacher Support Material for Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), resources.ibo.org.
Works Studied Form for the Learner Portfolio
This form is to be completed and included as part of the learner portfolio in Language A: language and literature. Students are required to list the works used for the Individual Oral Internal Assessment and the HL Individual Essay, as well as the works they plan to use for the Paper 2 assessment. The form requires signatures from both the student and teacher. Teacher Support Material for Language A: language and literature (first assessment 2026), resources.ibo.org.

Instructor

Thalia Wolff

Room: Frodel B
Frodel Hall

Email: twolff@westsoundacademy.org

Aims

The aims of all subjects in studies in language and literature are to enable you to:

(1) engage with a range of texts, in a variety of media and forms, from different periods, styles, and cultures

(2) develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, presenting and performing

(3) develop skills in interpretation, analysis and evaluation

(4) develop sensitivity to the formal and aesthetic qualities of texts and an appreciation of how they contribute to diverse responses and open up multiple meanings

(5) develop an understanding of relationships between texts and a variety of perspectives, cultural contexts, and local and global issues and an appreciation of how they contribute to diverse responses and open up multiple meanings

(6) develop an understanding of the relationships between studies in language and literature and other disciplines

(7) communicate and collaborate in a confident and creative way

(8) foster a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of language and literature.

Adapted from: Diploma Programme Language A: Language and Literature Guide (First Examination 2026), p.14.