Best IB English Literature tutors in the UK & online

Unseen poems and prose in Paper 1, a comparison of two works argued from memory in Paper 2, an oral that sets a translated work beside one written in English, and at HL a 1,200–1,500-word essay: English A: Literature teachers and specialists at Lanterna tutor every part online, one-to-one. From £58 an hour on UK time, for students in Kent, Oxford and the rest of the UK.

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English Literature tutors available to IB families across the UK

Literature is a different course from Lang & Lit, so we look for a tutor who teaches it. Share your reading list, including the works in translation, and the part of the course that worries you most.

Julia

Julia

IB graduate

IB English Literature Tutor3 years' IB tutoring45/45 IB graduateDurham University

I’m Julia, an IB graduate with 45 points and an English Literature graduate from Durham University. I achieved 7s in all my subjects and an A in my Extended Essay, and I have been tutoring consistently in Maths HL/SL, English Literature HL, and Biology HL for the past 3 years since I graduated from the IB. My approach as a tutor is to cater my lessons to the student's needs - I like to find the core issues they are struggling with and focus on conceptual understanding, breaking down complex topics, and constructing exam strategies which suit the student's strengths. Beyond teaching, I find it important that my students enjoy learning and feel confident in their skills, so I am a very supportive and encouraging tutor for students finding difficulty managing their time and workload during the course - including giving my own tips from someone who experienced the same thing. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy playing sports such as volleyball and tennis, I am a big reader, and I am aspiring towards a career in journalism!

  • English Literature
  • Maths AA
  • Biology
  • Film
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Anna

Anna

IB specialist

IB English Literature Tutor15+ years' teaching

I am an experienced IB English A, iGCSE, and A-Level tutor with over 15 years of international teaching experience across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. As an IB examiner, mentor, and teacher coach, I have guided both students and educators toward excellence—helping learners achieve top results while supporting teachers in developing effective and inspiring classroom practice. I hold a degree from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK. My professional journey includes mentoring and coaching teachers across Africa and Asia through international development programs that focused on literacy, pedagogy, and educational leadership. Throughout my career, I have taught IB DP and MYP English A, IBA, GCSE, iGCSE, and A-Level English Language and Literature, and have led whole-school initiatives promoting inquiry-based and reflective learning. My tutoring approach is student-centered and highly personalized. I encourage critical thinking, refined writing, and independent exploration, aiming to make each session both stimulating and meaningful. Beyond teaching, I am passionate about literature, theatre, and travel. I have led poetry clubs, reading projects, and cultural trips, and I love connecting with people through stories, ideas, and shared curiosity about the world.

  • English Lang & Lit
  • English Literature
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Flora

Flora

IB graduate

IB English Literature Tutor42/45 IB graduateUniversity of Cambridge

I’m Flora, an IB graduate with 42 points who now studies Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. I achieved 7s in Higher Level English and Psychology, and have been tutoring IB students with Lanterna Education since 2024. My academic background and experience working alongside researchers and psychologists have strengthened my understanding of how people learn best — something I bring into every tutoring session. My approach is student-centred and supportive: I focus on helping students build confidence by breaking down challenging topics into clear, manageable steps. Whether it’s essay structure, exam technique, or understanding complex theories, I tailor my lessons to each student’s needs and goals. I see tutoring not just as teaching content, but as mentoring students through the IB experience. Outside of tutoring, I’m passionate about mental health and youth advocacy — I’ve served as a Deputy Member of Youth Parliament and volunteered with community wellbeing projects. In my free time, I love gardening, learning the harp, and exploring new ideas in psychology.

  • Psychology
  • English Literature
  • Biology
  • Spanish B
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Ayla

Ayla

IB graduate

IB English Literature Tutor44/45 IB graduateLSE

I’m Ayla, an IBDP graduate with 44 points, currently studying Politics and International Relations at the LSE in London. I achieved 7s in HL English Literature and HL Global Politics, and SL Maths AI, SL Spanish B and SL Environmental Systems and Societies. I also achieved an A in both ToK and my EE (in Global Politics). Having just completed the IB myself, I know how challenging it can be, but also how rewarding it feels to make progress and gain confidence along the way. As a tutor I focus on empathy, encouragement, and clarity - I break things down, share strategies that worked for me, and create a space where students feel supported and motivated. More than anything, I want my students to come away from sessions not just knowing more, but also believing more in their own abilities. Outside of tutoring, I love debating in Model UN, ballet and playing tennis.

  • English Literature
  • Global Politics
  • ESS
  • Maths AI
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Anna

Anna

IB specialist

IB English Literature Tutor10+ years' teaching42/45 IB graduate

With over a decade of experience in international education, I’ve supported IB students across English, History, Global Politics, and Theory of Knowledge, both in top-tier schools and as a freelance tutor/coach. I’ve guided hundreds through every stage of the IB journey—from internal assessments to final exams—with an emphasis on personalized learning and deep understanding. Drawing on professional training in pedagogy and counselling, I offer thoughtful, holistic support that blends subject expertise with strategic insight, helping students craft strong written work, sharpen exam technique, and approach learning with confidence and clarity.

  • English Literature
  • History
  • TOK
  • Internal Assessment
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Susi

Susi

IB specialist

IB English Literature Tutor17 years' teaching

I'm Susi, an IB English teacher and examiner currently working at an international school in Spain. I have a joint degree in English and Psychology and I have been teaching and tutoring students for the last 17 years. I help students master challenging material by breaking it into clear, practical steps and guiding them toward strategies that lead to real exam success. I also provide a wealth of study materials, insights, and proven techniques to ensure they feel fully prepared. I offer clever tricks, and exam tips to help students perform their best. I see tutoring as more than just teaching- it’s about mentoring and building confidence. When I’m not tutoring or teaching, you’ll usually find me with a good book, planning my next road trip, watching a movie or football, out walking somewhere or catching up with friends. \

  • English Lang & Lit
  • English Literature
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Two Language A courses

How English A: Literature can lead to a bilingual diploma

A student who completes two Language A courses in different languages, such as English A: Literature and a Literature course in French or German, can earn the IB's bilingual diploma: the IB's language and literature page calls this "one way" of obtaining it. Our guide to the bilingual diploma's rules and benefits covers the other routes.

In the UK the route suits students who grew up with another language, from families who moved here for work to pupils at London's French and German schools that teach the IB, which our London page names. It means two literature courses, each with its own papers and oral, and the English one still counts towards a university's English-language rule, set out school by school on our Lang & Lit page.

Splitting the work

Lessons with an English Literature tutor take care of the English papers and oral, so the time you give your other Language A course isn't squeezed. Tell us both languages at the consultation and we plan around both sets of deadlines.

UK admission

Where Literature and Lang & Lit grades differ for UK universities

Most UK universities whose English rules we checked accept English A: Literature at the same grade as Language & Literature, but Bristol sets a lower bar for Literature at SL. Under Bristol's Profile A, Literature needs a 6 at SL or HL while Lang & Lit needs a 7 at SL or a 6 at HL; under Profile G, Literature needs a 5 at either level and Lang & Lit a 6 at SL or a 5 at HL.

LSE's English-language page lists Literature & Performance next to the two English A courses, on the same terms: any grade at HL, or at least a 6 at SL. Which Bristol profile applies depends on the course, so look it up on the course page before you settle on SL or HL.

The course

Reading for IB Literature, part by part

Literature sets only literary texts, and more of them: nine works at SL and thirteen at HL, some in translation. In Paper 1, SL students choose one of two unseen passages (1 hour 15 minutes) and HL students answer both (2 hours 15 minutes); Paper 2 is a 1 hour 45 minute comparison of two studied works, written without the texts.

The oral runs to 15 minutes, and HL adds the essay.

Where lessons help most

Answers often retell the plot when they should explain a writer's choice and its effect on the reader. Lessons rework paragraphs around that question until the habit sticks.

SL or HL

English A: Literature at SL and HL

The global mean at HL was half a grade below SL in May 2025, a gap worth weighing if your English grade is also your proof of English.

Standard Level

Literature SL

Works studied
9
Paper 1
One passage, chosen from two
Weighting
Paper 1 35% · Paper 2 35% · oral 30%
Mean grade worldwide, May 2025
5.1
Higher Level

Literature HL

Works studied
13
Paper 1
Two passages
Weighting
Paper 1 35% · Paper 2 25% · oral 20% · essay 20%
Mean grade worldwide, May 2025
4.6
Reviews

Reviews from IB students and parents

“I did not have much time to prepare for my English Literature A SL mock exams for my school. My IB predicted grades would have been based on these exams, so it was very important to me. The tutor helped me understand the exam techniques to better score marks and also provided some bullet point notes on language devices which proved to be very useful for my exams. Overall it was a very pleasant experience.”
“Great Service” English A Literature
“I have completed various past papers for Math AA HL and Mr Akintoye and I went through almost all of them and graded them from an examiner perspective. I already had a strong foundation in Math AA HL with an average grade of 6. However my time with Mr Akintoye might have single handedly pushed my grade up to a 7.”
“Lanterna and my Tutoring experience” Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches
Grade 3 to 6
“From the very first session, Miljan sought to break down the subject and to identify any difficulties my daughter had. He was always completely available and on hand to us. His lessons were fun and engaging.”
Shelly D., parent St Andrews College · Class of 2026 · Physics

The leading IB tutoring platform, trusted by 20,000+ IB students

Literature lessons work from the poems, plays and novels your own school has chosen.

Free resources

Reading for Literature students with UK plans

All free IB resources
FAQs

Questions UK families ask about IB Literature tutoring

Can a Literature tutor help my child get ready to read English at Oxford or Cambridge?

Yes, alongside school. The close reading that IB Literature trains, explaining why a writer chose a word or a form, is the skill an English application tests, and a tutor can push it further with unseen passages and written feedback. Cambridge sets English applicants a college admission assessment if they are shortlisted, with no advance registration. The IB offers and interview dates for both universities are on our Oxford page.

We speak another language at home. Can lessons support a bilingual diploma?

They can cover the English side. A Lanterna Literature tutor prepares the English papers and oral, and you can ask at the free consultation whether we also have a tutor for the other Language A course whose hours fit yours. Telling us both languages early helps us plan around two sets of deadlines.

How does a tutor help with the work in translation in the oral?

By treating it as seriously as the English text. The oral pairs an extract from a work first written in English with one you read in translation, and students often say less about the second. Lessons practise discussing the translated extract's choices on their own terms, checking that one global issue genuinely joins both extracts, and answering follow-up questions without notes.

How much help can a tutor give with the HL essay?

Plenty before the writing and none on the draft itself. A tutor can help you choose a text you have something to say about, narrow the line of inquiry to fit 1,200–1,500 words and understand the criteria. Editing or rewriting your draft is not permitted under IB rules; comments on a draft come from your teacher.

Do Literature lessons fit around a UK school week and boarding?

Yes. Sessions take place on UK time after school, in the evening or at weekends, at a regular time agreed with your tutor, which can usually be moved for exeats or trips. Many students add extra hours before the oral and again before the papers, which fall between late April and mid-May 2027.

What does a Literature tutor cost for a UK family?

One-to-one lessons start at £58 an hour, billed in pounds, and the hourly rate drops on larger packages; see our prices.

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