ENGLISH (CORE)
Code No. 301
2024-25
Background
Students are expected to have acquired a reasonable degree of language proficiency in
English Language by the time they come to class XI, and the course aims, essentially, at
promoting the higher-order language skills.
For a large number of students, the higher secondary stage will be a preparation for the
university, where a fairly high degree of proficiency in English may be required.
Additionally, for another large group, the higher secondary stage may be a preparation
for entry into the professional domain. The Core Course caters to both groups by
promoting the language skills required for academic study as well as the language skills
required for the workplace.
Competencies to be focused on:
The general objectives at this stage are to:
● listen and comprehend live as well as recorded oral presentations on a variety of
topics
● develop greater confidence and proficiency in the use of language skills necessary for
social and academic purpose to participate in group discussions and interviews, by
making short oral presentation on given topics
● perceive the overall meaning and organisation of the text (i.e., correlation of the vital
portions of the text)
● identify the central/main point and supporting details, etc., to build communicative
competence in various lexicons of English
● promote advanced language skills with an aim to develop the skills of reasoning,
drawing inferences, etc. through meaningful activities
● translate texts from mother tongue(s) into English and vice versa
● develop ability and acquire knowledge required in order to engage in independent
reflection and enquiry
● read and comprehend extended texts (prescribed and non-prescribed) in the following
genres: science fiction, drama, poetry, biography, autobiography, travel and sports
literature,etc.
● text-based writing (i.e., writing in response to questions or tasks based on prescribed
or unseen texts), understand and respond to lectures, speeches, etc.
● write expository / argumentative essays, explaining or developing a topic, arguing a
case, etc, write formal/informal letters and applications for different purposes
1
,● make use of contextual clues to infer meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary
● select, compile and collate information for an oral presentation
● produce unified paragraphs with adequate details and support
● use grammatical structures accurately and appropriately
● write items related to the workplace (minutes, memoranda, notices, summaries, reports etc.
● filling up of forms, preparing CV, e-mail messages., making notes from reference
materials, recorded talks etc.
The core course should draw upon the language items suggested for class IX-X and delve
deeper into their usage and functions. Particular attention may, however, be given to the
following areas of grammar:
The use of passive forms in scientific and innovative writings.
Convert one kind of sentence/clause into a different kind of structure as well as other
items to exemplify stylistic variations in different discourses modal auxiliaries- uses based
on semantic considerations.
A. Specific Objectives of Reading
Students are expected to develop the following study skills:
skim for main ideas and scan for details
refer to dictionaries, encyclopedia, thesaurus and academic reference material in
any format
select and extract relevant information, using reading skills of skimming and scanning
understand the writer's purpose and tone
comprehend the difference between the literal and the figurative
differentiate between claims and realities, facts and opinions, form business opinions
on the basis of latest trends available
comprehend technical language as required in computer related fields, arrive at
personal conclusion and logically comment on a given text.
Specifically develop the ability to be original and creative in interpreting opinion,
develop the ability to be logically persuasive in defending one's opinion and making
notes based on a text.
Develop literary skills as enumerated below:
respond to literary texts
appreciate and analyse special features of languages that differentiate literary texts
from non-literary ones, explore and evaluate features of character, plot, setting, etc.
understand and appreciate the oral, mobile and visual elements of drama. Identify
the elements of style such as humour, pathos, satire and irony, etc.
make notes from various resources for the purpose of developing the extracted ideas
into sustained pieces of writing
2
, B. Listening and Speaking
Speaking needs a very strong emphasis and is an important objective leading to
professional competence. Hence, testing of oral skills must be made an important
component of the overall testing pattern. To this end, speaking and listening skills are
overtly built into the material to guide the teachers in actualization of the skills.
Specific Objectives of Listening & Speaking
Students are expected to develop the ability to:
take organized notes on lectures, talks and listening passages
listen to news bulletins and to develop the ability to discuss informally a wide
ranging issues like current national and international affairs, sports, business, etc.
respond in interviews and to participate in formal group discussions.
make enquiries meaningfully and adequately and to respond to enquiries for the
purpose of travelling within the country and abroad.
listen to business news and to be able to extract relevant important information.
to develop public speaking skills.
C. Specific Objectives of Writing
The students will be able to:
write letters to friends, relatives, etc. to write business and official letters.
open accounts in post offices and banks. To fill in railway/airline reservation forms.
draft notices, advertisements and design posters effectively and appropriately
write on various issues to institutions seeking relevant information, lodge
complaints, express gratitude or render apology.
write applications, fill in application forms, prepare a personal bio-data for admission
into colleges, universities, entrance tests and jobs.
write informal reports as part of personal letters on functions, programmes and
activities held in school (morning assembly, annual day, sports day, etc.)
write formal reports for school magazines/events/processes/ or in local newspapers
about events or occasions.
express opinions, facts, arguments in the form of speech or debates, using a
variety of accurate sentence structures
draft papers to be presented in symposia.
take down notes from talks and lectures.
write examination answers according to the requirement of various subjects.
summarise a text.
Note: The creative writing section shall assess the prescribed competencies for writing
skills, irrespective of any word limit.
3
Code No. 301
2024-25
Background
Students are expected to have acquired a reasonable degree of language proficiency in
English Language by the time they come to class XI, and the course aims, essentially, at
promoting the higher-order language skills.
For a large number of students, the higher secondary stage will be a preparation for the
university, where a fairly high degree of proficiency in English may be required.
Additionally, for another large group, the higher secondary stage may be a preparation
for entry into the professional domain. The Core Course caters to both groups by
promoting the language skills required for academic study as well as the language skills
required for the workplace.
Competencies to be focused on:
The general objectives at this stage are to:
● listen and comprehend live as well as recorded oral presentations on a variety of
topics
● develop greater confidence and proficiency in the use of language skills necessary for
social and academic purpose to participate in group discussions and interviews, by
making short oral presentation on given topics
● perceive the overall meaning and organisation of the text (i.e., correlation of the vital
portions of the text)
● identify the central/main point and supporting details, etc., to build communicative
competence in various lexicons of English
● promote advanced language skills with an aim to develop the skills of reasoning,
drawing inferences, etc. through meaningful activities
● translate texts from mother tongue(s) into English and vice versa
● develop ability and acquire knowledge required in order to engage in independent
reflection and enquiry
● read and comprehend extended texts (prescribed and non-prescribed) in the following
genres: science fiction, drama, poetry, biography, autobiography, travel and sports
literature,etc.
● text-based writing (i.e., writing in response to questions or tasks based on prescribed
or unseen texts), understand and respond to lectures, speeches, etc.
● write expository / argumentative essays, explaining or developing a topic, arguing a
case, etc, write formal/informal letters and applications for different purposes
1
,● make use of contextual clues to infer meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary
● select, compile and collate information for an oral presentation
● produce unified paragraphs with adequate details and support
● use grammatical structures accurately and appropriately
● write items related to the workplace (minutes, memoranda, notices, summaries, reports etc.
● filling up of forms, preparing CV, e-mail messages., making notes from reference
materials, recorded talks etc.
The core course should draw upon the language items suggested for class IX-X and delve
deeper into their usage and functions. Particular attention may, however, be given to the
following areas of grammar:
The use of passive forms in scientific and innovative writings.
Convert one kind of sentence/clause into a different kind of structure as well as other
items to exemplify stylistic variations in different discourses modal auxiliaries- uses based
on semantic considerations.
A. Specific Objectives of Reading
Students are expected to develop the following study skills:
skim for main ideas and scan for details
refer to dictionaries, encyclopedia, thesaurus and academic reference material in
any format
select and extract relevant information, using reading skills of skimming and scanning
understand the writer's purpose and tone
comprehend the difference between the literal and the figurative
differentiate between claims and realities, facts and opinions, form business opinions
on the basis of latest trends available
comprehend technical language as required in computer related fields, arrive at
personal conclusion and logically comment on a given text.
Specifically develop the ability to be original and creative in interpreting opinion,
develop the ability to be logically persuasive in defending one's opinion and making
notes based on a text.
Develop literary skills as enumerated below:
respond to literary texts
appreciate and analyse special features of languages that differentiate literary texts
from non-literary ones, explore and evaluate features of character, plot, setting, etc.
understand and appreciate the oral, mobile and visual elements of drama. Identify
the elements of style such as humour, pathos, satire and irony, etc.
make notes from various resources for the purpose of developing the extracted ideas
into sustained pieces of writing
2
, B. Listening and Speaking
Speaking needs a very strong emphasis and is an important objective leading to
professional competence. Hence, testing of oral skills must be made an important
component of the overall testing pattern. To this end, speaking and listening skills are
overtly built into the material to guide the teachers in actualization of the skills.
Specific Objectives of Listening & Speaking
Students are expected to develop the ability to:
take organized notes on lectures, talks and listening passages
listen to news bulletins and to develop the ability to discuss informally a wide
ranging issues like current national and international affairs, sports, business, etc.
respond in interviews and to participate in formal group discussions.
make enquiries meaningfully and adequately and to respond to enquiries for the
purpose of travelling within the country and abroad.
listen to business news and to be able to extract relevant important information.
to develop public speaking skills.
C. Specific Objectives of Writing
The students will be able to:
write letters to friends, relatives, etc. to write business and official letters.
open accounts in post offices and banks. To fill in railway/airline reservation forms.
draft notices, advertisements and design posters effectively and appropriately
write on various issues to institutions seeking relevant information, lodge
complaints, express gratitude or render apology.
write applications, fill in application forms, prepare a personal bio-data for admission
into colleges, universities, entrance tests and jobs.
write informal reports as part of personal letters on functions, programmes and
activities held in school (morning assembly, annual day, sports day, etc.)
write formal reports for school magazines/events/processes/ or in local newspapers
about events or occasions.
express opinions, facts, arguments in the form of speech or debates, using a
variety of accurate sentence structures
draft papers to be presented in symposia.
take down notes from talks and lectures.
write examination answers according to the requirement of various subjects.
summarise a text.
Note: The creative writing section shall assess the prescribed competencies for writing
skills, irrespective of any word limit.
3
