What's changed?
Previously in Alps Connect we used generic mappings for the IB language options in Studies in language and literature and in Language acquisition. These appeared as:
- IB Cert HL/SL Language A: Language & Literature
- IB Cert HL/SL Language A: Literature
- IB Cert HL/SL Language B Option 1 and 2
On Tuesday 21 April 2026, we released specific subject mappings for the IB Language A and B options, which can be used in both subject mapping and in gradepoint uploads.
Please note, the generic subject mappings are still available to use in Alps Connect and this update will not impact any previously imported data. Your data will remain mapped against these generic subjects and your value-added will not have changed. You can re-map language subjects and re-publish historical gradepoints should you wish the new subject extensions to appear in your Connect analysis.
What this means
- Students taking multiple Language A or B subjects can now be tracked separately according to the language studied. You can now import multiple Language A and B grades for students taking two or more languages in each category (e.g. a student taking both Language A French and Language A English), or map students in a cohort across three or more different languages.
- Different languages can now be analysed independently. If your students take Language A or B in different languages (e.g. English, French, Mandarin), each language will now appear separately across Connect.
- You can now view separate value-added scores and analysis by language. This includes distinct Alps grades, scores and value added measures in the analysis zones, providing more in-depth insights.
Please note that all languages within the same category, eg language and literature A at Higher Level will share the same value-added thermometers. This is because the national data we receive does not distinguish between languages.
IB Language A
You are able to select from the following Language A subjects when mapping in Connect. These languages were selected as they constitute the highest number of entries across schools and colleges using Alps.
| IB Language Option | Alps Subject Mapping |
| Arabic A | IB Cert HL/SL - Arabic A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Arabic A Literature |
Chinese A - Mandarin | IB Cert HL/SL - Chinese (Mandarin) A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Chinese (Mandarin) A Literature |
English A | IB Cert HL/SL - English A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - English A Literature |
French A | IB Cert HL/SL - French A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - French A Literature |
German A | IB Cert HL/SL - German A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - German A Literature |
Italian A | IB Cert HL/SL - Italian A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Italian A Literature |
Japanese A | IB Cert HL/SL - Japanese A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Japanese A Literature |
Portuguese A | IB Cert HL/SL - Portuguese A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Portuguese A Literature |
Russian A | IB Cert HL/SL - Russian A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Russian A Literature |
Spanish A | IB Cert HL/SL - Spanish A Language & Literature IB Cert HL/SL - Spanish A Literature |
IB Language B
Schools will be able to select from the following Language B subjects when mapping in Connect. These languages were selected as they constitute the highest number of entries across schools and colleges using Alps.
IB Language B | Alps Subject Mapping |
Chinese B - Mandarin | IB Cert HL/SL - Chinese (Mandarin) B |
English B | IB Cert HL/SL - English B |
| French B | IB Cert HL/SL - French B |
| German B | IB Cert HL/SL - German B |
| Italian B | IB Cert HL/SL - Italian B |
| Japanese B | IB Cert HL/SL - Japanese B |
| Portuguese B | IB Cert HL/SL - Portuguese B |
Russian B | IB Cert HL/SL - Russian B |
Spanish B | IB Cert HL/SL - Spanish B |
Changing Subject Mappings
If you wish to update your existing Alps Connect data with the new subject mappings, you will need to export your data from Connect or your MIS, then reimport using Overwrite & Replace and amending the subject mappings. Please see our support articles below:
- Editing Teaching Data
- Editing Grades