DP French B

19 titles

The new IB French B course: key dates

Milestone	Date
New subject guide released	February 2027
First teaching	August 2027
First assessment	May 2029
Last exams on the current course	November 2028

What's changing?

The exams stay the same: Paper 1, Paper 2 and the individual oral keep their structure and weightings. The update brings a clearer subject guide, more emphasis on critical thinking and concept-based learning, and new teacher support materials.

New-edition coursebooks are written to reflect that guidance, so they're the right choice for any class starting in August 2027 or later. Students sitting exams in 2027 or 2028 continue on the current course.

French B at SL and HL

	French B SL	French B HL
Recommended teaching hours	150	240
Paper 1 writing	One task of 250–400 words, from a choice of three	One task of 450–600 words, from a choice of three
Individual oral stimulus	Visual stimulus	Literary extract
Literature	Not required	Two literary works originally written in French
Entry point	Some prior French	Stronger prior French, aiming for higher proficiency

Which French B book is right for you?

Choose Oxford if you want a concept-based course developed in cooperation with the IB, with online audio for listening practice.
Choose Hachette for a theme-by-theme course from an experienced author team.

Many departments use one as their core text and the other for extra practice.

The five themes your French B course is built on

French B uses five prescribed themes, explored through texts from across the French-speaking world, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Québec, the Caribbean and francophone Africa:

Identities: lifestyles, health and wellbeing, beliefs and values, language and identity
Experiences: leisure, travel, life stories, customs and traditions, migration
Human ingenuity: entertainment, artistic expression, media, technology, scientific innovation
Social organization: relationships, community, education, the world of work, law and order
Sharing the planet: the environment, human rights, equality, globalization, ethics

How IB French B is assessed from 2029

Component	What students do	Weighting
Paper 1	One writing task in a chosen text type	25%
Paper 2: listening	Comprehension of three audio passages	25%
Paper 2: reading	Comprehension of three written texts	25%
Individual oral	Presentation, teacher discussion and conversation on at least one more theme	25%

Listening is a quarter of the final grade, so look for resources with audio, such as the Oxford Course Book's online audio.

Frequently asked questions

When does the new IB French B syllabus start?

The new guide is released in February 2027. First teaching is August 2027, and first exams are in May 2029.

Is the IB French B exam changing?

No. The assessment structure and weightings stay the same. The update focuses on clearer guidance, critical thinking, conceptual understanding and new teacher support.

What's the difference between French B SL and HL?

HL has more teaching hours, longer Paper 1 writing, an individual oral based on a literary extract, and requires the study of two literary works originally written in French.

Which is better: the Oxford or Hachette French B book?

Both are written for the new guide. Oxford's is concept-based, developed in cooperation with the IB and includes online audio. Hachette's offers a theme-based course with exam practice throughout. The right choice depends on your teaching style.