What grammar do I need for IB French?

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IB French Grammar Guide: Essential Rules and Common Questions

Many students preparing for the IB Diploma often ask, “What grammar do I need for IB French B SL?”

The short answer is that you’ll need a strong grasp of intermediate to early-advanced French structures, roughly at the CEFR B1–B2 level, and the ability to use them accurately and flexibly in both speech and writing.
This requirement makes sense once you understand the course itself: IB French B SL (Standard Level) is the program’s intermediate–upper-intermediate language option, aimed at learners who have already studied French for several years and want to move beyond simple conversations toward confident, independent communication.
Unlike an introductory class, it assumes you can already handle everyday dialogues and gradually trains you to discuss opinions, narrate past events, and comprehend authentic materials such as news articles, podcasts, and interviews.
Grammar isn’t taught in isolation; instead, it is **woven into all four skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—**so every lesson reinforces grammar as a practical tool for real communication.

This guide explains the essential grammar rules, key structures, and common questions to help learners understand what the course involves and how to succeed in all aspects of French B SL—listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

What grammar do I need for IB French?

A common search question is “What grammar do I need for IB French B SL?”
The answer: a solid command of intermediate and early advanced structures, roughly CEFR B1–B2.
You will need to demonstrate not only that you know the rules but also that you can use them accurately and flexibly when speaking or writing.

Here's a Complete IB French Grammar Checklist for IB French B SL

1. Key Verb Tenses

2. Pronouns

  • Direct and indirect object pronouns (le, la, les / lui, leur)
  • Y and En
  • Reflexive pronouns
  • Relative pronouns, including complex forms (qui, que, dont, où, lequel, auquel, duquel, ce qui, ce que, ce dont)

3. Articles and Determiners

  • Definite, indefinite, and partitive articles
  • Demonstratives (ce, cet, cette, ces)
  • Possessive adjectives and pronouns

4. Adjectives and Adverbs

  • Agreement in gender and number
  • Comparative and superlative forms (plus… que, le meilleur, le mieux)
  • Placement of adverbs in sentences

5. Sentence Structure, Negation, and Connectors

  • Common negations (ne…pas, ne…jamais, ne…plus)
  • Question formation (est-ce que, inversion, question words)
  • Complex connectors: parce que, bien que, lorsque, tandis que, alors que, puisque, malgré que
  • Conditional clauses with si:
    • Real: si + présent/futur
    • Unreal present: si + imparfait/conditionnel
    • Past unreal: si + plus-que-parfait/conditionnel passé

6. Prepositions

  • Place: à, en, chez
  • Time: depuis, pendant, il y a
  • Before infinitives: avant de, pour, sans

7. Additional Advanced Grammar

  • Passive voice (être + past participle)
  • Causative constructions (faire + infinitive)
  • Indirect speech (il a dit que…)
  • Past participle agreement with être or with preceding direct objects (j’ai vu les filles que tu as rencontrées)
  • Nominalisation and subordination for more sophisticated sentences

How Is Grammar Tested in the IB French Exam?

Another common query is “How is grammar actually tested in IB French B SL?” It isn’t a stand-alone grammar test. Instead, every component assesses your ability to use grammar accurately in context.

• Paper 1 (Writing): You’ll produce texts—emails, articles, blogs—where correct tenses and agreement are vital.

• Paper 2 (Listening & Reading): Recognising verb forms and structures is key to comprehension.

• Individual Oral: You must speak spontaneously, showing accurate grammar and a range of tenses.

What Level of French Does IB French B SL Equal?

Students often wonder, “What is IB French B SL equivalent to in international levels?”

By the end of the course, successful candidates generally operate between CEFR B1 and low B2. This means you can hold extended conversations on familiar topics, explain your opinions, understand most TV news and films with standard language, and write coherent, structured texts. While not fully advanced, it places you well beyond everyday tourist French and gives a strong foundation for university study or work in a francophone environment.

Quick Study Tips for IB French Grammar Success

• Make a verb-tense review sheet for quick daily practice.

• Write short opinion pieces or past-event narratives to reinforce tenses.

• Use language apps or past IB papers to check accuracy under timed conditions.

With a clear idea of the level you’re aiming for, preparation becomes key. Studying French in a busy classroom can make it hard to focus on grammar or practice speaking, so targeted IB French tutoring helps strengthen skills and build exam confidence.

IB French tutoring with French via Skype, how does it work ?

At French via Skype our IB French tutoring support you so you feel confortable during the oral exam and get the best marks!

‍Your IB French tutor will provide personalised French classes covering all aspects of the French IB curriculum and exams, whether for the IB Diploma at beginner level (Ab Initio), standard (IB SL) and higher level (IB HL) for a range of students of all different abilities.
Our teaching method to prepare for the IB exam is adapted to each student, you will progress effectively, your IB French tutor always make sure to make every lesson lively and interactive!

Our private IB French lessons are delivered online via Skype, Zoom or Teams or on the platform of your choice covering all aspects of IB French curriculum in order to best support you in your objectives.

Our IB French tutoring is personalized, tailored to your specific needs and pace allowing you to achieve your goals more effectively than in the classroom setting.

  • We will design a personalized study plan for you, based on your specific needs and your language level.
  • We offer an effective preparation with tailored learning materials (full range of IB French grammar, ressources and assessments).
  • Our IB French lessons target key areas such as listening, reading, writing and speaking and meticulously work on each IB French grammar point such as French connectors or the subjunctive to ensure that each area meets the requirements required for the IB French exams.
  • For homework, we will assign you work to practice IB French grammar, develop your vocabulary and prepare written and oral comprehension, written and oral production tasks. The homework will then be prepared and reviewed.
  • We offer you great planning flexibility. Our IB French tutor is available all year, during the holidays and after work hours.

At French via Skype, we are happy to support IB French students in their IB French diploma studies to guarantee their success.

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Medical student - Sydney

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Patrick Tan
IB French student - Melbourne

“ I took Laure's classes for my French IB during my last two years at school. She has in-depth knowledge of the specific requirements of the IB French program, and her ability to clarify complex concepts greatly facilitated my understanding of the language but also of the different themes covered in class. She took the time to understand my specific needs which were mainly in grammar to adapt her teaching methods. Thanks to her continued support during our sessions, I was able to gain confidence in my abilities to speak French and I was able to pass the end-of-year exams with flying colors, particularly the oral exam that I dreaded so much. I highly recommend Laure as an IB French tutor. Her professionalism and expertise were essential assets to my success. “

Inga
IB French student - Melbourne

" I started having lessons with Laure in January 2016 as I was having some difficulties at school with my IB French. Our lessons considerably improved my marks and my comprehension of the language. Each lesson, we worked on vocabulary, grammar and we did a lot of exercises too (dictation, writing and comprehension), all of that helped me to achieve some really good marks and i successfully passed my French IB exams at the end of the year! I really enjoyed our lessons and would like to recommend Laure to other students who need support with their French ".

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IB student - Brussels

" Laure has been an exceptional support for my daughter’s IB French. She has been thorough, attentive with quality of learning at the core of her work. My daughter looked forward to every class and enjoyed working with Laure. We delighted to receive higher results than what we were expecting and now my daughter feels confident with her French for the next part of her life! "

Saba Bebawi for her daughter Sia
IB student - Melbourne

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