ENGLISH (CORE) (CODE NO. 301)
FOR CLASSES XI & XII
BACKGROUND
Students are expected to have acquired a reasonable degree
of language proficiency in English by the time they come to class XI, and the
course will aim, 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. But for another large group, the higher
secondary stage may be a preparation for entry into the world of work. The Core
Course should cater to both the groups by promoting the language skills
required for academic study as well as the language skills required for the
workplace.
OBJECTIVES
The general objectives are:
- to listen and comprehend live as well as record
in writing oral presentations on variety of topics
- to develop greater confidence and proficiency in
the use of language skills necessary for social and academic purposes
- to participate in group discussions, interviews
by making short oral presentation on given topics
- to perceive the overall meaning and organisation
of the text (i.e., the relationships of the different “chunks” in the text to
each other
- to identify the central/main point and
supporting details, etc., t build communicative competence in various registers
of English
- to promote advanced language skills with an aim
to develop the skills of reasoning, drawing inferences, etc. through meaningful
activities
- to translate texts from mother tongue(s) into
English and vice versa
- to develop ability and knowledge required in
order to engage in independent reflection and enquiry
At the end of this stage learners will be able to do the
following:
- 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
- write items related to the workplace (minutes,
memoranda, notices, summaries, reports etc.)
- filling up of forms, preparing a CV, e-mail
messages, making notes from reference materials, recorded talks etc.