Introduction
At the heart of every International Baccalaureate (IB) programme — from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the Diploma Programme (DP) — lies a shared foundation known as the IB Learner Profile. It represents the IB’s vision of what it means to be an internationally minded learner: someone who is curious, caring, and committed to making the world a better place.
In the Middle Years Programme (MYP), these ten Learner Profile traits become more than abstract ideals. They guide teaching, learning, and reflection throughout every subject, project, and service activity. This article explores each of the ten traits in depth, showing how the MYP helps students live and grow through them.
What Is the IB Learner Profile?
The IB Learner Profile is a set of ten interconnected attributes that describe the kind of people the IB aims to develop through education. These traits apply to students, teachers, and school communities alike, promoting a shared philosophy of learning with global responsibility.
The ten IB Learner Profile traits are:
- Inquirers
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-minded
- Caring
- Risk-takers
- Balanced
- Reflective
Each trait supports academic growth, social development, and ethical awareness — key outcomes of the MYP framework.
1. Inquirers
MYP students are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek deeper understanding. Through inquiry-based learning, they become active participants rather than passive recipients of knowledge.
Every subject includes inquiry cycles where students plan investigations, test ideas, and reflect on outcomes. This nurtures lifelong curiosity and independence, essential for success in the Diploma Programme and beyond.
2. Knowledgeable
The MYP promotes a balanced study across eight subject groups, helping students develop both breadth and depth of understanding.
However, being knowledgeable in the IB context means more than memorizing facts — it involves connecting concepts across disciplines and applying them to global contexts. For example, students might link environmental science with design and ethics when studying sustainability.
3. Thinkers
Critical thinking is central to the MYP. Students are challenged to analyze complex problems, evaluate evidence, and make reasoned decisions.
In Individuals and Societies or Sciences, for instance, students use data and ethical reasoning to explore contemporary issues. This habit of thoughtful analysis helps them approach problems creatively and with intellectual courage.
4. Communicators
The MYP places strong emphasis on communication — in multiple languages, media, and forms. Students express ideas through writing, debate, design, and digital storytelling.
Language Acquisition and Language and Literature subjects develop linguistic fluency, while group projects foster collaboration and empathy. Effective communication prepares students for success in multicultural academic and professional environments.
5. Principled
Being principled means acting with integrity, honesty, and fairness. In the MYP, this value is cultivated through the Academic Honesty Policy, ethical discussions, and Service as Action projects.
Students learn to take responsibility for their learning, respect others’ work, and reflect on the consequences of their actions — essential traits for responsible global citizenship.
6. Open-minded
MYP students are encouraged to appreciate their own cultures while respecting diverse perspectives. This attribute is developed through Global Contexts, which connect classroom topics to worldwide issues.
For example, a unit on migration might explore cultural identity, inclusion, and social justice, helping students empathize with people from different backgrounds.
7. Caring
The MYP’s emphasis on Service as Action (SaA) makes caring an active practice. Students participate in service projects that address real community needs, from environmental initiatives to local volunteering.
By applying learning to service, students discover that empathy is not just a feeling — it’s a responsibility. They learn that caring contributes directly to creating positive social change.
8. Risk-takers
In the IB context, risk-taking means embracing challenges and stepping beyond comfort zones. MYP students experiment with new ideas, take intellectual risks in projects, and reflect on both successes and failures.
The Personal Project, a cornerstone of the MYP, provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this trait. Whether learning a new skill, designing an invention, or tackling a social issue, students develop confidence and resilience.
9. Balanced
The MYP encourages balance across academic, creative, physical, and emotional development. Students are guided to manage their time, maintain well-being, and appreciate the importance of health, relationships, and personal interests.
Subjects like Physical and Health Education, as well as the arts, reinforce the importance of balance as part of lifelong well-being.
10. Reflective
Reflection is built into every aspect of the MYP. Students regularly assess their learning, identify strengths and areas for growth, and set personal goals.
Through reflection journals, teacher feedback, and portfolio reviews, they learn to think critically about how they learn — a skill that becomes invaluable in the Diploma Programme and higher education.
How the Learner Profile Shapes the MYP Experience
The IB Learner Profile isn’t an extra layer of the curriculum — it is the curriculum’s foundation. Each unit, assessment, and activity is designed to develop one or more of these attributes.
Teachers use the Learner Profile to guide discussions, give feedback, and celebrate student growth. Schools also integrate these values into community events, leadership roles, and service projects, ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom.
Conclusion
The IB Learner Profile defines what it means to be an IB student — thoughtful, compassionate, curious, and reflective. In the Middle Years Programme (MYP), these ten traits are lived daily, shaping young people who are not only academically strong but also globally aware and ethically responsible.
By nurturing these attributes, the MYP helps students grow into lifelong learners who see education not just as a path to success, but as a way to make a meaningful difference in the world.
