The IB Spanish Internal Oral (IO) is one of the most important assessment components in IB Spanish B SL. It evaluates how well students can speak Spanish fluently, analyse a visual stimulus, and connect it to one of the IB themes such as identity, experiences, human ingenuity, social organisation, or sharing the planet.
This task is not about memorising perfect answers. It’s about showing communication, cultural understanding, and personal engagement with real-world topics. A good example of this activity could be found below.
In this article we are going to talk about the structure, tips, routine and we will describe a photo too.
Structure of the IB Spanish IO (Step by Step)
1. Preparation time (15 minutes)
Students receive a visual stimulus (photo, poster, advert, or image related to an IB theme).
They can take notes and prepare ideas. Careful! Only notes. You cannot write the whole text. It will be bad and the examineer is not going to let you read it.
2. Student presentation (3–4 minutes)
Students describe and analyse the image:
- What can you see?
- Who appears in the image?
- What is happening?
- How does this connect to an IB theme (identity, culture, lifestyle, society)?
- How to conclude the description?
3. Teacher questions (4–5 minutes)
The teacher asks questions related to:
- The image
- The theme
- The student’s personal experience or opinion
4. General conversation (5–6 minutes)
A broader conversation about:
- Topics studied in class
- Cultural issues
- Lifestyle, identity, or social topics
Key Tips to Succeed in the IB Spanish IO
1. Don’t memorise: learn to adapt
Examiners value natural communication. Memorised answers often sound forced.
2. Use simple but accurate language
Clear Spanish is better than complex Spanish with many mistakes.
3. Connect to the IB theme
Always link the image to one IB theme:
- Identity
- Experiences
- Social organisation
- Human ingenuity
- Sharing the planet
4. Express opinions
Use phrases like:
- En mi opinión…
- Creo que…
- Desde mi punto de vista…
5. Practice with visual stimuli
The more images you practise with, the calmer you’ll feel in the real exam.
Visual Stimulus Example (for practice)
Example stimulus idea:
A photo of a group of teenagers using their phones in a café.
How to analyse it (model structure):
- Description:
En la imagen se puede ver un grupo de jóvenes sentados en un café, usando sus móviles. - Theme connection (Identity / Experiences):
Esta imagen está relacionada con el tema de la identidad y la tecnología en la vida diaria de los jóvenes. - Opinion:
Pienso que las redes sociales influyen mucho en la forma en que los jóvenes se comunican hoy en día. - Personal link:
En mi experiencia, uso el móvil para comunicarme con mis amigos, pero también intento limitar su uso.
To see a better example of a proper description, you can see my upcoming post where I described it for a 7!!!
Study With Me Online: IO Practice Routine
30-minute routine:
- 10 min – Describe a visual stimulus
- 10 min – Practice opinions + theme connection
- 10 min – Answer teacher-style questions
This routine works perfectly for IB Spanish B SL students in Singapore, the USA, and international schools worldwide.
Why Online Tutoring Helps with the IB Spanish IO
- Safe space to practise speaking
- Feedback on pronunciation and fluency
- Real exam-style simulations
- Confidence building before the real assessment
FAQ for IB Spanish Internal Oral Assesment
What is the IB Spanish Internal Oral (IO)?
The IO is a speaking exam where students analyse a visual stimulus and discuss IB themes in Spanish.
How long is the IB Spanish IO?
It lasts around 10–15 minutes, including presentation and conversation.
Is the IO difficult?
It can feel challenging, but regular practice with visual stimuli makes it much easier.
How can students prepare for the IB Spanish IO?
By practising with images, rehearsing theme connections, and speaking regularly with a tutor.