ISC Class 11th English Syllabus 2025-26: Download FREE PDF

May 28, 2025, 14:27 IST

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26: Download the ISC Class 11 English Syllabus for the academic session 2025-26 here. Check out the complete revised syllabus to know the list of topics and exam pattern prescribed by CICSE for ISC Class 11 English.

ISC Class 11th English Syllabus 2025-26
ISC Class 11th English Syllabus 2025-26

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26; The ISC Class 11 Syllabus has been released by the ISC Board. Students can directly get the Class 11 English syllabus in this article. Students can check and download their ISC Class 11 English syllabus and complete curriculum here. The CISCE board for ISC students have set a single compulsory parameter in terms of subject choice, and that is, students must have English in their subject, irrespective of the stream they have opted for. 

A wide range of important skills is covered in the curriculum, including writing within a framework using argument, imagination, or summarising, as well as speaking up either alone or in a group setting.  There are two components to the ISC class 11 English paper for 2024–2025: theory and project work. Read the full article to know the complete syllabus. 

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26: Key Highlights

The subject 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. There will be two papers in the English Language. 

Paper I: Theory (3 hours)

80 Marks

Paper II: Project Work 

20 Marks

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26: Aims

To develop 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 summarising.
  • Use the English language for study and social and cultural interaction. Speak and write clearly and to the point, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary and idiom. 

Aims

  • To enjoy and appreciate literature through a critical study of selected literary works. 
  • Through the study of literature: an approach to understanding 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

There will be two papers in English Language:

  • Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks
  • Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks

ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2024-25

PAPER I: THEORY - 80 Marks

Question One:

A composition on one of a number of subjects.

Question Two:

(a) Directed writing.

(b) Proposal Writing based on a given situation.

Question Three

Short-answer questions to test grammar, structure and usage

Question Four

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, discursive 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 sections and paragraphs.

Question Two

There are two parts in 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, speech writing, 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

(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, and 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 summarise clearly in complete sentences. Marks will be deducted for linguistic errors.

NOTE: This part must be done in the grid form. 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)

Project Work in Class XI consists of assessment of candidates in Listening and Speaking Skills, which are to be assessed internally, by the school. Check out the assessment details below for more understanding: 

Assessment Criteria 

Description

Marks

Listening Skills (Aural)

Response to questions based on listening comprehension 

10

Speaking Skills (Oral)

Content 

Fluency 

Vocabulary 

Sentence Structure 

Confidence 

2

2

2

2

2

Total

20

Literature In English (Prescribed Texts) 

There will be two papers in Literature in English:

Paper I: Theory (3 hours)

80 Marks

Paper II: Project Work 

20 Marks

PAPER I: THEORY – 80 Marks

I. Drama: The Tempest - 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 ONLY 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 an 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:

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.

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 the 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.

Click the following link to download the above-mentioned material in PDF format:

Download ISC Class 11 English Syllabus 2024-25 FREE PDF Download

Get a PDF download of the latest ISC Class 11 English curriculum here. The article consists of class 11 syllabus weightage, course overview and project work. Students can access the direct link to the PDF to download and check the latest update regarding the ISC Class 11 English syllabus.

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Akshita Jolly
Akshita Jolly

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Akshita Jolly is a multimedia professional specialising in education, entertainment, fashion, health, and lifestyle news. Holding a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, she has contributed to renowned media organisations, including the Press Trust of India. She currently serves as Executive – Editorial at Jagran New Media, where she writes, edits, and manages content for the School and News sections of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. She also creates engaging and informative videos for the Jagran Josh YouTube platform, helping to make educational content more accessible and dynamic. Her work has contributed to reaching over 10 million monthly users, reflecting both the impact and scale of her content. For inquiries, she can be reached at akshitajolly@jagrannewmedia.com.
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