ISC English Syllabus 2015 (Class XI and XII)

Objectives (English Language)  

• Developing the ability to
• Derive, infer and critically assess information through listening.
• Express oneself by speaking individually, or in a discussion.
•  Read with comprehension drawing information directly or by inference from the text, through an understanding of grammar and structure, vocabulary and idiom.
•  Employ a variety of skills in writing: within a framework, using argument or imagination or note making and summarizing.
•  Use the language (English) for the purpose of study and social and cultural interaction.
• Speak and write clearly and to the purpose, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary and idiom.

Objectives (Prescribed Texts)

     1. To enjoy and appreciate literature through a critical study of selected literary works

     2.  through the study of literature

•  Approach an understanding of humanity
•  Develop an interest in the thought and culture of the peoples of the world
• Develop the power of expression and a sense of aesthetic values

CLASSES XI and XII

There will be two papers as follows:

Paper 1: English Language (3 hours) – 100 marks

Paper 2: Prescribed Textbooks (3 hours) – 100 marks 

Paper 1: English Language (3 hours)

Question One: A composition on one of a number of subjects... 30 Marks

Question Two: Directed writing (an article, a book/film review, speech and report writing or personal profile) based on suggested points ...20 Marks

Question Three: Short-answer questions to test grammar, structure and usage. ...20 Marks

Question Four: Comprehension. ...30 Marks

It is recommended that in Paper 1 about 50 minutes should be spent on Question one, 40 minutes on Question two, 30 minutes on Question three and one hour on Question four.

Question One

Candidates need to select one composition topic from a choice of six. The choice will normally include narrative, descriptive, reflective and discussion topics.

The required length of the composition is 450 – 500 words.

The main criteria by which the compositions will be marked are as follows:

        a)      The quality of the language employed

        b)       The range and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence structure, syntax, the correctness of grammatical constructions, punctuation and spelling.

        c)       The coherence of the content

        d)      How candidates have been successful in organising the content of the composition as a whole and in individual paragraphs.

Question Two

The piece of directed writing will be based on the information and ideas provided. The required length will be about 300 words. The range of subjects will include article writing, book and film review, speech and report writing and personal profile. Skills such as selecting, amplifying, describing, presenting reasoned arguments, re-arranging and re-stating may be involved. The candidates’ ability in the above skills will be taken into account as well as their ability to handle language appropriately in the context of the given situation.

It is emphasized that only one question will be set in the examination paper and that this will be compulsory.

Question Three

All the items in this question are compulsory, and their number may vary from year to year. They will consist of short-answer, open completion items or any other type, which will test the candidates’ knowledge of the essentials of functional English grammar and structure. Only two or three types will be included in any one examination.

Question Four

A passage of about 500 words will be given to answer the questions based on the passage. They will be as follows:

• Questions that test the candidates’ knowledge of vocabulary and their ability to understand the content, infer information and word-meanings from the text.
• A question that elicits the main ideas of whole or part of the passage

 This question consists of two parts:

 (i) In the first part, the candidate will be required to list the main points as directed, in point form. In this part, marks will be awarded for content.

(ii) In the second part of the question, the candidate will be required to frame these points in a summary, in a coherent manner. In this part, marks will be awarded for expression and the candidate’s ability to express the points clearly in complete sentences. Marks will be deducted for linguistic errors.

Use of abbreviations will not be accepted.

All questions are compulsory.

Paper 2: Prescribed Texts (3 hours)

Candidates will be required to answer five questions as follows:

One textual question (compulsory) on the Shakespeare play/alternative prescribed play together with four other questions on at least three texts, which may include the Shakespeare play/alternative play.

Question 1 compulsory...20 Marks, four other questions, each carrying 20 Marks

(Note: Candidates are reminded that infringement of the rubric will certainly invite penalty during the marking of answer scripts.)

The textual question, which will be set on the Shakespeare play/alternative play, will contain three short passages and candidates will be required to answer questions set on two of the passages. These Questions may require candidates to explain words and phrases, to rewrite passages in modern English, or to relate an extract to the work as a whole.

The rest of the questions on the Shakespeare play/alternative play and on the other prescribed texts will require essay-type answers and will be set on the episodes, the plot or plots, themes or ideas, characters, relationship and other prominent literary qualities of the texts prescribed.

For list of Prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix I.

NOTE:

In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI & XII, candidates at Class XI ONLY are also required to be internally assessed in listening and speaking skills as given below:

Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed internally, by the School, during English course work in Class XI and shown in the students’ report and school record.

Types of Assessment

a) Listening Skills

A passage of about 350 words is read aloud, twice, the first time at normal reading speed (about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a slower speed. Students may make brief notes during the readings. They then answer objective type questions based on the passage on the paper provided

b) Speaking Skills

Students are to be assessed through an individual presentation of about three minutes followed by a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two or three minutes.

Some of the themes to be addressed in the assessment are – narrating an experience, giving directions or instructions on how to make or operate something, providing a description, giving a report or expressing an opinion

Candidates are to be graded as follows, jointly for Listening and Speaking Skills:

Grade                                                           Remark         

             

            A                                                                     Very

B                                                                      Good

C                                                                      Satisfactory

D                                                                      Need Improvement

E                                                                      Poor
 

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