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ISC is a prominent examination board in India, known for its comprehensive syllabus, particularly in English. The syllabus covers essential aspects of grammar that are important for students' advancement in both language and literature. English, being a primary language, demands a high level of proficiency, and this is reflected in the difficulty level of the question papers. Therefore, students preparing for the Class 12 ISC English examination need to thoroughly understand the syllabus, question paper pattern, and the allocation of marks for each section.
Integrating two subjects into a study routine can help students complete the preparation timely. ISC Class 12 English can be clubbed with Accountancy using the ISC Class 12 Accounts Syllabus.
Download free PDFs Class 12 English Syllabus for the 2024-25 session.
2024-25 Latest Syllabus
CISCE has designed its English Language curriculum to develop listening abilities for the students so that they can easily understand and evaluate information effectively. The curriculum of English also focuses on enhancing speaking skills and encouraging students to express themselves confidently, whether individually or in group discussions.
The literature curriculum is designed to enjoy and appreciate literature through a critical study of selected literary works. The language curriculum emphasizes the development of reading comprehension by teaching students to grasp information directly from texts or infer it through understanding grammar, structure, vocabulary, and context. Lastly, it aims to refine writing skills by teaching students to employ various techniques such as argumentation, imagination, and summarization within specific frameworks.
The subject of English is compulsory for ISC class 12. This paper has two components, English Language and Literature in English. Each of these components will consist of a Theory Paper of 80 Marks and Project Work of 20 Marks.
Paper 1: English Language
Paper 2: Literature in English
English Language: Marks Distribution
There will be two papers in English Language:
Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks
Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks
Literature In English (Prescribed Texts): Marks Distribution
There will be two papers in Literature in English:
Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks
Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks
The ISC English Language Theory Paper will consist of four questions from the topics mentioned below:
ISC Syllabus Class 12 English Language Paper 2025
Listening Skills (to be internally assessed by the subject teacher)
An unseen passage of about 500 words may be read aloud, twice, the first time at normal reading speed (about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a slower speed. The passage may be taken from any novel, newspaper, magazine article, journal, and so on but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. Students may make brief notes during the readings followed by answering objective-type questions based on the passage, on the paper provided.
Speaking Skills (to be internally assessed by the subject teacher)
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 which may be addressed are:
1. Narrating an experience
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make
or operate something
3. Providing a description
4. Giving a report
5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based conversation
Writing Skills (to be externally assessed by the Visiting Examiner)
A piece of written work of about 500 words must be produced.
List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
1. The text of a brochure
2. A product description
3. A process description (e.g. instruction to operate
a device, a recipe, a scientific experiment)
4. Description of a sporting event
5. An autobiographical experience
6. Review of a television serial
Candidates will be required to answer questions based on the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry
Macbeth is a tragedy that tells the story of a Scottish man Macbeth, three witches tell him that he will be king of Scotland, His wife encourages him and he kills the king and takes the throne.
1. Atithi / Guest – Rabindranath Tagore: In this story, a young boy named Tarapada runs away from home and becomes a wanderer and then he meets a family who treats him with kindness.
2. The Cookie Lady – Philip K. Dick: This story revolves around a young boy who visits an old lady, Mrs. Drew for her cookies, this visit of him turns scary as Mrs. Drew’s true intentions come to light.
3. There Will Come Soft Rains – Ray Bradbury: This is a fictional story where the author mentions how automated machines continue to work despite the absence of humans.
4. Indigo – Satyajit Ray: It is a horror story about an indigo planter, Sir Hamilton who helps a Bengali engineer.
5. The Medicine Bag – Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve: Martin receives a medicine bag from his grandfather which symbolises his Native American culture.
1. Telephone Conversation – Wole Soyinka: This Poem captures a conversation between a black man and a white landlady over the phone.
2. Tithonus – Alfred, Lord Tennyson: It reflects the Greek myth of Tithonus, who was granted eternal life.
3. Beethoven – Shane Koyczan: This poem pays tribute to the music composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
4. Small Towns and the River – Mamang Dai: This poem explores the life and culture of small towns along a river in Arunachal Pradesh.
5. Death be not Proud – John Donne: The author tries to personify Death, and its power, along with the nature of the soul.
Project Work in Class XII consists of an assessment of Writing Skills which are to be assessed internally by the subject teacher and externally by the Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved by CISCE.
Candidates will be required to undertake one written assignment of 1000-1500 words, which should be structured as given below:
A. The written assignment must be given a title in the form of a question which should allow the candidate to explore the drama or the chosen short stories/poems in depth.
B. The written assignment must follow the structure given below:
Introduction
Main Body – organized and well-structured treatment of the question using appropriate sub-headings.
Conclusion – a comprehensive summary of the points made in the main body.
Note: The text/texts analyzed in the Class XI Project Work must not be repeated in Class XII.
List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
1. Analysis of a theme from any short story/poem in the prescribed texts.
2. Analysis of a character from the drama or any short story/poem in the prescribed texts.
3. Background – historical, cultural, literary context and relevance of the writer/poet chosen.
4. Summary/paraphrase of the chosen text.
5. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen text.
6. Identifying with a character in the chosen text and presenting his/her personal perspective.
7. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or extension of the chosen text and its impact on the plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.
8. A script for dramatization, based on the short story/poem chosen.
9. Writing a short story based on a poem.
10. Comparing and contrasting two characters/themes from different short stories/poems of the prescribed texts.
To get more detailed information about ISC CompulsoryEnglish Paper Syllabus 2024-2025 download the pdf provided above.