Objectives of teaching English from Class IX to X as per Curriculum

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

(Code NO. 184)

FOR CLASSES IX & X

BACKGROUND

Traditionally language learning materials beyond the initial stages have been sourced from literature: prose, fiction and poetry. While there is a trend for inclusion of a wider range of contemporary and authentic texts, accessible and culturally appropriate pieces of literature should play a pivotal role at the secondary stage of education. The English class should not be seen as a place merely to read poems and stories in, but an area of activities to develop the learners imagination as a major aim of language study, and to equip the learner with communicative skills to perform various language functions through speech and writing.

OBJECTIVES

The general objectives are:

• to build greater confidence and proficiency in oral and written communication
• to develop the ability and knowledge required in order to engage in independent reflection and inquiry
• to use appropriate English to communicate in various social settings
• equip learners with essential language skills to question and to articulate their point of view
• to build competence in the different registers of English
• to develop sensitivity to, and appreciation of, other varieties of English, Indian English, and the culture they reflect
• to enable the learner to access knowledge and information through reference skills (consulting a dictionary/thesaurus, library, internet, etc.)
• to develop curiosity and creativity through extensive reading
• to facilitate self-learning to enable them to become independent learner
• to review, organize and edit their own work and work done by peers

At the end of this stage learners will be able to do the following:

• give a brief oral description of events/incidents of topical interest
• retell the contents of authentic audio texts (weather reports, public announcements, simple advertisements, short interviews etc.)
• participate in conversations, discussions etc. on topics of mutual interest in non-class room situations
• narrate the story depicted pictorially or in any other non-verbal mode
• respond in writing to business letters, official communications
• read and identify the main points/significant details of texts like scripts of audio-video interviews, discussions, debates, etc.
• write without prior preparation on a given topic and be able to defend or explain the position taken/views expressed in the form of articles, speech or a debate
• write a summary of short lectures on familiar topics by making/taking notes
• write an assessment of different points of view expressed in a discussion/debate
• read poems effectively (with proper rhythm and intonation)
• transcode information from a graph/chart to a description/report and write a dialogue, short story or report