ISC Class 11 English Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here

The ISC (Indian School Council) has released the Class 11 English syllabus for the board exam 2026-27. It can be accessed from the official website of the board. A direct link can be found here to download the free PDF. The syllabus provides a detailed outline of the course structure, content, and internal assessment. For English paper the syllabus is divided into Language and Literature parts and includes sections like proposal writing, passage, drama, prose and poetry. The curriculum is designed to enhance writing and comprehension skills, helping students to hold critical understanding of literary works. It will help students to plan and strategize for the board exam. Given below is a detailed syllabus, along with a PDF link to download from the official website. 

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2026-27: Key Highlights 

Students can refer to the table shared below to check essential details for ICSE Class 11 board exams. The syllabus for the ICSE board Class 11 is released in June 2026 on the official website.

ICSE Class 11 English Syllabus 2026-27: Aims

As per ICSE board, each subject is assigned with aims and goals to ensure students get a deep understanding of the subject, along with skills associated with it. For the Class 11 English paper, the aims are divided in English Language and Literature. The aims are shared to develop the ability to: 

(English Language)

• 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 summarizing.

• use the English language for the purpose of study and social and cultural interaction.

• speak and write clearly and to the purpose, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and idiom.

(Prescribed Texts)

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

• 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.

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27: Download PDF 

The subject English 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.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

There will be two papers in English Language:

Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks

Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks

PAPER I: THEORY - 80 Marks

All questions will be compulsory.

The syllabus contains four major questions covering topics like A composition on one of a number of subjects, Directed writing, Proposal Writing based on a given situation, Short-answer questions to test grammar, structure and usage and Comprehension.

Question One

Candidates will be required to select one composition topic from a choice of six. The choice will normally include narrative, descriptive, reflective, argumentative/ persuasive, expository topics and original short story.

The required length of the composition is 400 – 450 words.

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

(a) The quality of the language employed, the range and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence structure, syntax, the correctness of grammatical constructions, punctuation, and spelling.

(b) The degree to which candidates have been successful in organising the content of the composition as a whole and in individual paragraphs.

Question Two

There are two parts to this question and both parts are compulsory.

(a) Directed Writing

The piece of directed writing must be based on the information and all the points provided. The required length is 250-300 words. The range of subjects includes feature article, book review,

blogs, newspaper report, and statement of Purpose. Skills such as amplifying, describing and re-stating are involved. The candidates’ ability in the above skills, including format, will be taken into account as well as their ability to handle language appropriately in the context of the given situation. 

(b) Proposal Writing

Candidates will be required to write a proposal based on a given situation.

The proposal should include 

(i) An Introduction/Heading 

(ii) Objectives 

(iii) List of measures to be taken. A concluding statement is necessary.

The format prescribed by the CISCE must be followed. The candidates will also be marked on linguistic ability.

Question Three

All the items in this question are compulsory and their number and type/ pattern may vary from year to year. They will consist of the transformation of sentences, phrasal verbs, and verbs/tenses, which will test the candidates’ knowledge of the essentials of functional English grammar and structure.

Question Four

A passage of about 700 words will be provided. Questions based on the passage will be as follows:

• Questions that test the candidates’ analytical skills, knowledge of vocabulary, ability to understand the content, infer information and meanings from the text. 

• A question that elicits the main ideas of all or part of the passage, where the candidate will be

required to frame a summary (keeping to a word limit), in a coherent manner. Marks will be

awarded for expression and the candidate’s ability to summarize clearly in complete sentences. Marks will be deducted for linguistic errors.

NOTE: This part must be done in the grid form. The use of abbreviations and contractions will not be accepted.

PAPER II: PROJECT WORK - 20 Marks

In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI and XII, candidates are also required to be assessed in Project Work.

PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI

Project Work in Class XI consists of assessment of candidates in Listening and Speaking Skills which are to be assessed internally, by the school, during English course work and shown in the student’s report and school record.

Candidates are to be assessed in two projects, one on Listening Skills and one on Speaking Skills. Details of assignments for Project Work on Listening and Speaking Skills are given below:

Listening Skills

An unseen passage of about 500 words is to 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

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

Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks): 

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (PRESCRIBED TEXTS)

There will be two papers in Literature in English: Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks and Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks

PAPER I: THEORY – 80 Marks

Candidates will be required to answer questions based on the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry.

Drama and Prose (Short Stories)

Questions set will be central to the text. Candidates will be required to show that they have understood the questions asked and are able to clearly respond in their own words. Questions will test understanding, appreciation and ability to analyse and synthesise.

Poetry

Questions on a poem or a group of poems will be set to test the candidates’ response. The questions will focus on the content, understanding and the personal response of candidates to the entire poem. Candidates’ ability to appreciate content, stylistic and literary features of the poem(s) in question will also be tested.

SYLLABUS TO BE COVERED Class XI

I. DRAMA: Macbeth - William Shakespeare (Acts I & II)

II. PRISM: A Collection of ISC Short Stories (Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd. New Delhi)

1. A Living God – Lafcadio Hearn

2. Advice to Youth – Mark Twain

3. The Paper Menagerie – Ken Liu

4. The Great Automatic Grammatizator – Roald Dahl

5. Thank You, Ma’am – Langston Hughes

III. RHAPSODY: A Collection of ISC Poems

(Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd. New Delhi)

1. Abhisara: The Tryst – Rabindranath Tagore

2. Why I Like the Hospital – Tony Hoagland

3. Sonnet 116 – William Shakespeare

4. Death of a Naturalist – Seamus Heaney

5. Strange Meeting – Wilfred Owen

NOTE: The Class XI Examination is to be conducted on the portion of the syllabus that is prescribed for Class XI

PAPER II: PROJECT WORK - 20 Marks

In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI and XII, candidates are also required to be assessed in Project Work. Project Work consists of assessment of Writing Skills in Classes XI and XII. The objective is to produce original, creative and insightful perspectives on the drama/short stories/poems.

PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI

Project Work in Class XI consists of assessment of Writing Skills (only from the syllabus to be covered in Class XI) which are to be assessed internally by the School.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:

- Explanation of the question that has been framed

- Reason for choosing the text

- Brief explanation of how the candidate intends to interpret the chosen text and literary materials used in the process

• Main Body – organised and well-structured treatment of the question using appropriate sub-headings.

• Conclusion – comprehensive summary of the points made in the main body. 

Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks):

List of suggested assignments for Project Work:

1. Analysis of a theme from any short story/ poem in the syllabus (prescribed texts).

2. Analysis of a character from the drama or any short story/poem in the syllabus (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. Comparing and contrasting two characters/themes from different short stories/poems of the prescribed texts.

To access a PDF version of the syllabus, check out the link shared below.

Check: ISC Class 11 English Syllabus PDF 2026-27

By utilsing the syllabus shared here, Class 11 students can plan study schedules, stay one step ahead for board preparation, and maintain deadline. Teachers can also use the syllabus to plan their lessons to align with the boards guidelines.