Why So Many Capable Students Plateau
In MYP Language tasks, many students feel stuck at the same level — often a 5 or 6 — despite working harder, writing more, and revising longer.
This usually isn’t a knowledge problem.
It’s a task-approach problem.
In the IB Middle Years Programme, language tasks reward precision, not volume. The most common mistakes are subtle, repeatable, and completely fixable once students know what to look for.
Mistake 1: Treating Language Tasks Like Content Tests
One of the biggest errors students make is revising texts instead of revising skills.
They memorise:
- Quotes
- Plot details
- Character summaries
But MYP Language tasks assess:
- Analysis
- Organisation
- Purpose and audience
- Clarity of explanation
Knowing the text helps — but it does not guarantee marks.
Mistake 2: Retelling Instead of Analysing
This is the most frequent reason students lose marks.
Students often:
- Summarise events
- Explain what happens in the text
- Describe characters’ actions
High-level responses focus on:
- Authorial choices
- Effects on the reader
- Purpose behind language and structure
If a paragraph could be removed without changing the argument, it’s probably descriptive.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Assessed Criterion
Not every task assesses everything — but many students try to do everything anyway.
This leads to:
- Overloaded responses
- Weak focus
- Missed opportunities to score highly in the targeted criterion
Strong students always ask:
“Which criterion is this task actually assessing?”
They then shape their response around that — and only that.
Mistake 4: Writing Long Answers Without Clear Structure
Length is not a marking criterion.
Markers look for:
- Clear topic sentences
- One idea per paragraph
- Logical progression of thought
Long, unfocused paragraphs often score lower than short, well-developed ones.
Organisation is one of the easiest areas to improve — and one of the most neglected.
Mistake 5: Overusing Quotes Without Explaining Them
Quotations are evidence — not analysis.
Common problems include:
- Quoting without commentary
- Dropping in long quotations
- Assuming the quote “speaks for itself”
Every quote should be followed by explanation:
- What does it show?
- How does it work?
- Why did the author choose it?
Without explanation, quotes add little value.
Mistake 6: Trying to Sound “Advanced” Instead of Being Clear
Many students believe higher marks come from:
- Complex vocabulary
- Long sentences
- Abstract phrasing
In reality, unclear language often hides weak thinking.
High-level responses are:
- Precise
- Controlled
- Easy to follow
Markers reward clarity far more than sophistication.
Mistake 7: Ignoring Feedback From Previous Tasks
Perhaps the most damaging mistake is not using feedback.
Teachers often repeat the same comments:
- “Develop analysis”
- “Focus on the question”
- “Improve organisation”
Students who improve are the ones who:
- Identify which criterion feedback relates to
- Practise that specific skill
- Apply it deliberately in the next task
This is where structured, question-based practice makes a real difference. Tools like RevisionDojo help students practise MYP-style Language tasks by criterion, apply feedback immediately, and see improvement without rewriting entire essays.
How Strong Students Avoid These Mistakes
High-performing MYP Language students tend to:
- Revise by practising questions, not rereading notes
- Write shorter, more focused responses
- Rewrite paragraphs using feedback
- Think in terms of criteria, not content
Their advantage isn’t talent — it’s approach.
Questions Students and Parents Often Ask
Do these mistakes really affect grades that much?
Yes. Most mid-band responses contain two or three of these issues, which caps marks quickly.
Can students fix these mistakes without tutoring?
Often, yes — once they understand criteria and practise targeted skills consistently.
Should students practise full essays every time?
No. Short, focused practice is usually more effective for fixing specific weaknesses.
How quickly can students improve?
Many students see noticeable improvement within a few tasks once they change how they approach questions.
The Most Important Takeaway
Most MYP Language mistakes aren’t about ability.
They’re about habits.
Change the habits — focus on criteria, clarity, and explanation — and results usually follow faster than students expect.
