Mastering IB Chinese: A Breeze with Think Smart Tutors

Say goodbye to the overwhelm of IB Chinese. Discover clarity and depth in your studies, far beyond the classroom walls and elevate your grades with our tailored, expert tutoring.

Book Trial IB Chinese Lesson

Think Smart IB Tutors are the most qualified in the industry at offering first rate tutoring to students in international school environments. We specialize in IB and MYP, but can also tutor other international curricula and tests such as SAT or ACT.

Think Smart Tutoring is rated excellent on

Think Smart alumni now attend

Ease Your Way Through IB Chinese with Think Smart

Is IB Chinese feeling tough? Or maybe it's hard to keep up the motivation? Don’t worry, we get it. At Think Smart, we've seen it all with IB students. We’re here to help clear things up and guide you through every part of the IB Chinese course.

Texts and literature

Literary or visual analysis, features, and terms

Essay structure

Revision

Oral Exam preparation & guidance

All the different International Baccalaureate Chinese course variations have the same basis but focus on various topics.

Don’t Stress Over IB Chinese Grades

Did you know? Students who get tutoring usually feel less stressed and do better than those who don't.

It's true - one-on-one tutoring beats just using textbooks and study guides.

With our help, you can boost your IB Chinese grades faster. Many students see at least a 2-point jump in their scores with regular tutoring.

And the best part? You'll start feeling more confident and ready from the very first session!

Book Trial Chinese Lesson

Getting to Know the IB Chinese Syllabus

Here's a quick, easy rundown of what you need to know for the IB Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) both at SL and HL.

IB Chinese Language A: Literature vs. IB Chinese Language B vs IB Chinese ab Initio - What's the Difference?

So, you're thinking about taking an IB language course but can't decide between IB Chinese Language A: Literature, IB Chinese Language B and IB Chinese ab initio? Here's a quick breakdown to help you out:

IB Chinese Language A: Literature: This one's all about diving deep into literature. It's for those who already have a strong grasp of the language, usually native speakers or those who've studied the language for a long time. You'll explore rich texts, understand different cultures through literature, and get to discuss and write a lot about what you read. It's like a deep dive into the world of books and ideas.

IB Chinese Language ab initio: This course is for beginners and focuses more on foundational language skills. Students don't dive into literature like in Language A and B. Instead, they have papers that test their basic language comprehension and expression. The oral assessment in ab initio is typically less complex than in Language B and certainly less literary-focused than in Language A.

Here's a cool thing about Language B: for Higher Level (HL), you get to study two literary works. So, there's a bit of overlap with Language A, but with a focus on using the language more broadly.

Choosing between them depends on where you're at with the language and what you want to get out of the course. If you love literature and analyzing texts, go for Language A. If you want to improve your overall language skills and cultural understanding, Language B is the way to go. And of course, ab initio keeps it straightforward with foundational language learning

Book Trial Lesson

Here’s an overview comparison of their respective syllabi:

IB Chinese Language A: Literature Assessment Overview:

Paper 1 (External Assessment): Literary commentary and analysis on unseen texts. Weighting varies by level.
Paper 2 (External Assessment): Comparative essay on works studied in class. Different weightings for SL and HL.
Individual Oral Commentary (Internal Assessment): Analysis of a literary text studied in class.
Higher Level Essay (HL only): A critical essay on a topic of the student's choice related to the works studied.

IB Chinese Language B Assessment Overview:

Paper 1 (External Assessment): Text handling exercises on four written texts. Weighting is identical for SL and HL.
Paper 2 (External Assessment): Writing tasks in response to prompts, with options including articles, essays, and letters. Weightings differ for SL and HL.
Individual Oral (Internal Assessment): Based on a visual stimulus and prompts related to core topics. In HL, it includes analysis of a literary text.
Listening Comprehension (HL only): Specific to HL, this component assesses students' understanding of spoken language.

IB Chinese Language ab initio Assessment Overview

Paper 1 (External Assessment): Comprises various language exercises focusing on text handling. This paper tests the students' understanding and ability to respond to different types of text in Chinese.
Paper 2 (External Assessment): Involves written production tasks. Students are required to produce short pieces of writing, such as messages, letters, or articles, based on given prompts.
Individual Oral (Internal Assessment): This assessment is conducted internally and recorded for external evaluation. It typically involves a conversation based on a visual stimulus, allowing students to demonstrate their spoken Chinese skills.
Interactive Skills Assessment: Throughout the course, students' interactive skills in Chinese are developed and assessed. This includes both understanding spoken Chinese and participating in spoken exchanges.

Key Differences:

Literary Focus vs. Language Application: Language A's assessments are heavily focused on literary analysis and interpretation, while Language B emphasizes practical language use, including listening skills at HL.
Oral Components: Both courses include an oral component, but the focus differs. Language A's oral is more about literary analysis, while Language B's oral includes discussion based on a visual stimulus (and literary analysis at HL).
HL Components: Language A HL includes a critical essay, while Language B HL incorporates a listening comprehension section.
The ab initio course and its assessments are designed for students starting from a beginner's level, focusing on building a strong foundation in the language and gradually developing their ability to communicate effectively in Chinese.

Book Trial Lesson

Understanding the Difference: IB Chinese B Standard Level (SL) vs. Higher Level (HL)

Unlike IB Chinese A, aimed at native speakers, IB Chinese B is perfect for students who already have some experience with the language. Here's how SL and HL differ in IB Chinese B:

Teaching Hours: SL students engage in 150 hours of study, while HL students have a more intensive experience with 240 hours.
Level of Proficiency: Both SL and HL students develop their communication skills in Chinese, but HL students are expected to achieve a higher level of proficiency. This includes a deeper understanding of the language and its cultural context.
Additional Challenges for HL: HL students tackle a more comprehensive study, including the analysis of two literary works originally written in Chinese. This not only enhances their language skills but also provides a rich cultural insight.

Whether you're enrolled in SL or HL, the intricacies of IB Chinese can be challenging. But don't worry, with Think Smart Tutors, you get the support you need to navigate through these complexities. Our tutors are adept at breaking down even the most challenging aspects of the IB Chinese books, making your learning journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Book Trial Chinese Lesson

IB Chinese B Exam

What are the 5 themes for the IB Chinese B Exam?

Both IB Chinese B HL and SL exam share the following topics / themes (‘areas tematicas’):

Identities - Explore language, culture, and identity, including the influence of past experiences and travel perspectives.
Experiences - Analyze scientific advancements, cultural expressions, and the impact of personal and global experiences.
Human Ingenuity - Assess how scientific progress, technological innovations, and cultural expressions shape human ingenuity.
Social Organization - Examine the role of language in society, the impact of rules and regulations, and the organization of schools and communities.
Sharing the Planet - Address environmental issues, consider sustainability in daily life, and evaluate challenges brought by globalization.

The three text types used to explore the 5 themes:

Personal: Casual writing like emails, texts, and diary entries.
Professional: Formal communication such as business letters and proposals.
Mass Media: Speeches for wide audiences, like podcasts and web pages.

It can seem tricky to navigate these themes and texts during the IB Chinese exam, but by practicing them with our IB Chinese tutors you can resolve all your IB Chinese language B doubts.

Wondering if you’re prepared enough for the IB Chinese final exams?

When marking your IB exam, three key aspects are considered:

Language: Demonstrate a strong command of the language, including grammar rules, vocabulary variety, and the use of idioms and expressions.
Message: Convey a clear and relevant message, developing arguments logically with supporting examples.
Conceptual Understanding: Show an appropriate tone for the text type, considering the audience, purpose, and context.

Now that we’ve covered the themes in the IB Chinese Language B Exam, Next let’s take a look at the Paper 1 and Paper 2 components of the IB exam.

What is Paper 1 in IB Chinese Language B?

External assessment lasting: 1 hour and 15 minutes for IB Chinese SL & 1.5 hours for HL
25% of overall marks.
Choose one task out of three, each based on a different theme. Tasks may include personal diary entries, essays on environmental issues, or mass media tasks like speeches.
Write approximately 450-600 words expressing opinions and incorporating relevant facts.
Adapt writing style to the required tone, considering formalities.

What is Paper 2 in IB Chinese Language B?

External assessment lasting: 1 hour and 45 minutes for IB Chinese SL & 2 hours for IB Chinese HL
50% of overall marks.
Demonstrate receptive skills by comprehending 3 audio passages.
Showcase reading skills by understanding 3 written passages.
Multiple-choice questions, antonyms/synonyms, true/false statements, etc.
Questions are based on course themes and exam texts.

Still not sure how to prepare? Our IB Chinese tutors can give you lots of tips and tricks for both IB Chinese Paper 1 and Paper 2.

What is the Individual Oral IB Chinese Mandarin Exam for Language B?

An interactive oral exam
Accounts for 25% of final marks
Lasts 12-15 minutes
Conducted by your teacher, recorded and externally moderated

For IB Chinese SL Exam Oral you'll present using a visual stimulus, such as a prescribed theme-based photo. Choose from two pictures. Prepare 10 bullet points within 15 minutes. Showcase fluent spoken Mandarin and interactive conversation skills.

For IB Chinese HL Exam Oral your presentation shifts from a visual stimulus to a talk about an extract from one of the two studied literary works (maximum 300 words). Prepare for 20 minutes and create around 10 bullet points, focusing on key ideas rather than complete paragraphs.

Get started with tutoring earlier to increase your chances of success.

Book Trial Lesson

What about getting into University? We've Got You Covered

Here at Think Smart, we're more than just tutors; we're IB graduates ourselves. We totally get the stress and pressure you're under. But guess what? We're here to turn that anxiety into excitement about what's ahead.

Let's talk about getting into university. It's tough out there, and it's only getting tougher. That's where having an IB tutor can really make a difference. It's like having an insider guide to help you navigate the tricky bits.

Starting early with tutoring can save you a lot of headaches later. It's all about staying ahead, not playing catch-up. And you know what? We're growing to meet this increasing need for tutors. But spots fill up fast, so don't wait too long to find your perfect match.

And hey, whether you prefer learning online or love the traditional face-to-face sessions, we've got flexible options to fit your schedule. Plus, our long-term plans are super affordable. We're here to help you every step of the way, all the way to university and beyond!

Book trial lesson

What our students and parents are saying on Google (4.9)

"Great learning experience. For 3 years now I have received tutoring from them. They are able to help me with many academic subjects and throughout the years have definitely improved my potential as a student. Definitely worth a try for students struggling at school!"

Hank
"My son was struggling with mathematics up until David (our tutor) came to our aid. I will recommend your services and certainly use them for my other son. Thank you."

Mrs. Dijkstra
"We tried many tutors recommended to us at school but none of them were able to help our daughter. Thankfully, Think Smart was able to help our daughter improve her knowledge and understanding in Maths SL."

Mr. Lambert
"My son needed tutoring for IB Physics HL. Think Smart provided a very good and well prepared tutor and organized contacts, lessons and payments in a very professional way. I would definitely recommend this great tutoring agency to any IB student who needs some support!"

P. Montaguti Garutti
"Tutoring has been of great help for our son. Thanks a lot!"

Mrs. de Groot

Master every IB subject with our expert tutors

IB Math

Navigate abstract concepts and problem-solving with precision, exploring the language of numbers and patterns.

Read more
IB Physics

Unravel the universe's mysteries through experimentation and theory, mastering the laws governing matter, energy, and forces.

Read More
IB Chemistry

Explore the composition and transformations of matter, diving deep into the microscopic realm of substances.

Read More
IB Biology

Investigate life's intricacies, from cells to ecosystems, unraveling evolution, genetics, and the interplay of organisms and environment.

Read more
IB History

Journey through time and space, dissecting the past to understand the present and human endeavors' course.

Read More
IB Economics

Decode market dynamics, policies, and human behavior, exploring production, distribution, and consumption in a globalized world.

Read more
IB English

Analyze literature's richness, exploring diverse voices and narratives that shape our understanding of the human experience.

Read more
IB Spanish

Immerse in Spanish language and culture, mastering communication and exploring Spanish-speaking communities' heritage.

Read more
IB French

Dive into Francophone culture and language, mastering expression and discovering the diversity of French-speaking societies.

Read More
IB Chinese

Unlock one of the world's oldest languages, delving into characters, tones, and cultural nuances to connect with a rich heritage.

Read more
IB Visual Arts

Express creativity through various mediums, exploring concepts and techniques reflecting the human experience.

Read more