ISC Class 12 Syllabus 2027 Classical Languages

ISC YEAR 2027

INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION

CLASSICAL
LANGUAGES

February 2025
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

Papers in the following Classical Languages will be set on application from schools providing teaching in the
subjects.

ARABIC (837)
CLASSES XI & XII
There will be two papers in the subject:
Paper I - Theory: 3 hours…… 80 Marks
Paper II - Project Work ……. 20 Marks

PAPER I (THEORY): 80 Marks
One paper (3 hours) of 80 Marks containing: (d) Questions, requiring short answers, to test
knowledge of the subject matter of the
(a) Questions on grammar which will include the prescribed books.
following:
(e) Composition, which will consist of reproduction
(i) Articles of descriptive narrative passages from the text
(ii) Suffixed Pronouns into simple Arabic.
(iii) Relative Pronouns The prescribed books will include about 150 pages of
(iv) Sifat wa Mausuf Selections of Prose and Poetry from classical as well
as modern Arabic Literature.
(v) Mudaf wa Mudaf Ilaihi
(vi) Nominal Sentence NOTE: The Class XII - ISC examination paper will
be set on the entire syllabus prescribed for the
(vii) Cases of the Noun
subject.
(viii) Verbs-simple forms
The Class XI examination is to be conducted on the
(b) Unseen translation from English into Arabic portion of this syllabus that is covered during the
consisting of short prose sentences and a academic year.
continuous passage of prose. CISCE has not prescribed bifurcation of the syllabus
(c) Translation from the prescribed books. A choice prescribed for this subject.
of passages will not be given. Candidates will be
required to translate from the prescribed books. For list of Prescribed Textbooks see Appendix I.

ISC Examination Year 2027 1

PAPER II (PROJECT WORK): 20 Marks
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above, candidates are also required to be assessed in Project Work.
Details of the same are given below:
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI
Project Work in Class XI comprises of assessment of 6. Giving a speech on a selected topic
candidates in Listening, Speaking and Writing skills. 7. Reading out, after correcting, a grammatically
These are to be assessed internally by the School, incorrect passage/s of suitable length (150 - 200
during course work and shown in the student’s report words) based on the prescribed grammar
and school record. syllabus.

Candidates are to be assessed in three projects, one Writing Skills (Language/Literature)
each on Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills. Candidates will be required to undertake one written
Details of Projects in Listening, Speaking and assignment of about 200 words on any aspect of
Writing Skills are given below: Language /Literature syllabus covered in Class XI.

Listening Skills List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
An unseen passage of about 500 words or a poem (of
1. Product/process description
appropriate length) may be read aloud, twice, the first
time at normal reading speed and the next time at a 2. Description of an event
slower speed. The passage/poem may be taken from 3. An autobiographical experience
any book, newspaper, magazine, journal and so on 4. Review of a book/serial/play/performance
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. A suitable 5. Summary or paraphrase of a chosen text from the
audio clip may also be used. syllabus
Students may make brief notes during the 6. Selecting any story/poem and writing a summary
readings/playing of the audio clip, followed by of it
answering objective type questions based on the
7. Giving an alternative title to a story or poem and
passage/poem/audio clip, on the paper provided.
justifying the same
Speaking Skills
Students are to be assessed through an individual EVALUATION
presentation, e.g. extempore speaking, declamation, Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks):
recitation, debate, of about three minutes followed by
a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two Assessment Description Marks
or three minutes. Criteria
List of suggested assignments for Project Work: Listening Response to questions 6
Skills (Aural) based on listening
1. Narrating an experience comprehension
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make Speaking Content, Fluency, 6
or operate something Skills (Oral) Vocabulary, Sentence
3. Providing a description structure, Confidence
4. Giving a report level
5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based Writing Skills Process, Content, 8
conversation Presentation, Originality
TOTAL 20

ISC Examination Year 2027 2

PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XII
Project Work in Class XII comprises of assessment 5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based
of candidates in three projects, one each on conversation
Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills. 6. Giving a speech on a selected topic
Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed 7. Reading out, after correcting, a grammatically
internally, by the School in Class XII. incorrect passage/s of suitable length (150 - 200
Writing Skills are to be assessed externally by the words) based on the grammar syllabus
Visiting Examiner, appointed locally and prescribed.
approved by CISCE.
Details of assignments for Project Work are given Writing Skills (Literature): to be assessed externally
below: by the Visiting Examiner
Listening Skills (to be internally assessed by the Candidates will be required to undertake one written
subject teacher) assignment of about 250 words on a text/texts
studied in the Literature syllabus.
An unseen passage of about 500 words or a poem (of
appropriate length) may be read aloud, twice, the first List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
time at normal reading speed and the next time at a
slower speed. The passage/poem may be taken from 1. Writing a short story based on a poem.
any book, newspaper, magazine, journal and so on 2. Writing a poem based on a selected text.
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. A suitable 3. Analysing the relevance of a selected text in the
audio clip may also be used. present-day context.
Students may make brief notes during the 4. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or
readings/playing of the audio clip, followed by extension of the chosen text and its impact on the
answering objective type questions based on the plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.
passage/poem/audio clip, on the paper provided.
5. Providing an alternate title to a given text and
Speaking Skills (to be internally assessed by the giving a justification for the same.
subject teacher)
6. Imagining oneself as one of the main characters
Students are to be assessed through an individual of a selected text and describing what one would
presentation, e.g. extempore speaking, declamation, like to change in the text, giving reasons for the
recitation, debate, of about three minutes followed by same.
a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two
7. Analysing the theme of the text and expressing
or three minutes.
one’s opinion on the same.
List of suggested assignments for Project Work: 8. Summarising / paraphrasing of the chosen text.
1. Narrating an experience 9. Preparing a script for dramatization, based on the
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make short story/poem chosen.
or operate something 10. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen
3. Providing a description text.
4. Giving a report

ISC Examination Year 2027 3

EVALUATION **Evaluation by the Visiting Examiner
Marks (out of a total of 20) should be distributed (10 Marks)
as given below: Assessment Criteria and Description Marks
1. Internal Evaluation by Teacher* 1. Title and introduction 1
Listening Skills (Aural) 5 Marks
2. Presentation 3
Speaking Skills (Oral) 5 Marks (Overall formatting: headings/ sub-
2. External Evaluation by the Visiting 10 Marks headings, paragraphing, writing within
the word limit and providing a
Examiner of Writing Skills**
separate title page)
TOTAL 20 Marks 3. Content 5

*Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (10 Marks) (Present an organized and well-
structured complete assignment with
Assessment Description Marks proper introduction, main body and
Criteria conclusion/comments)
Listening Response to questions 5 4. Originality 1
Skills (Aural) based on listening
comprehension TOTAL 10

Speaking Content, Fluency, 5
Skills (Oral) Vocabulary, Sentence
structure, Confidence
TOTAL 10 NOTE: No question paper for Project Work will
be set by CISCE.

ISC Examination Year 2027 4

SANSKRIT (838) & PERSIAN (839)
CLASSES XI & XII
There will be two papers in the subject:
Paper I - Theory: 3 hours…… 80 Marks
Paper II - Project Work ……. 20 Marks

PAPER I (THEORY): 80 Marks
One paper (3 hours) of 80 Marks containing:

(a) Questions on grammar. NOTE: The Class XII - ISC examination paper will
be set on the entire syllabus prescribed for the
(b) Unseen translation from English into the
subject.
language concerned, consisting of short prose
sentences and a continuous passage of prose. The Class XI examination is to be conducted on the
portion of this syllabus that is covered during the
(c) Translation from the prescribed books. A choice
academic year.
of passages will not be given. Candidates will be
required to translate from the prescribed books. CISCE has not prescribed bifurcation of the syllabus
prescribed for this subject.
(d) Questions, requiring short answers, to test
knowledge of the subject matter of the prescribed
books.
For list of Prescribed Textbooks see Appendix I.

ISC Examination Year 2027 5

PAPER II (PROJECT WORK): 20 Marks
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above, candidates are also required to be assessed in Project Work.
Details of the same are given below:
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI

Project Work in Class XI comprises of assessment of 7. Reading out, after correcting, a grammatically
candidates in Listening, Speaking and Writing skills. incorrect passage/s of suitable length (150- 200
These are to be assessed internally by the School, words) based on the prescribed grammar
during course work and shown in the student’s report syllabus.
and school record.
Writing Skills (Language/Literature)
Candidates are to be assessed in three projects, one
each on Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills. Candidates will be required to undertake one written
assignment of about 200 words on any aspect of
Details of Projects in Listening, Speaking and Language /Literature syllabus covered in Class XI.
Writing Skills are given below:
Listening Skills List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
An unseen passage of about 500 words or a poem (of 1. Product/process description
appropriate length) may be read aloud, twice, the first 2. Description of an event
time at normal reading speed and the next time at a 3. An autobiographical experience
slower speed. The passage/poem may be taken from
any book, newspaper, magazine, journal and so on 4. Review of a book/serial/play/performance
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. A suitable 5. Summary or paraphrase of a chosen text from the
audio clip may also be used. syllabus
Students may make brief notes during the 6. Selecting any story/poem and writing a summary
readings/playing of the audio clip, followed by of it
answering objective type questions based on the 7. Giving an alternative title to a story or poem and
passage/poem/audio clip, on the paper provided. justifying the same
Speaking Skills
EVALUATION
Students are to be assessed through an individual
presentation, e.g. extempore speaking, declamation, Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks):
recitation, debate, of about three minutes followed by Assessment Description Marks
a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two Criteria
or three minutes.
Listening Response to questions 6
List of suggested assignments for Project Work: Skills (Aural) based on listening
1. Narrating an experience comprehension
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make Speaking Content, Fluency, 6
or operate something Skills (Oral) Vocabulary, Sentence
3. Providing a description structure, Confidence
4. Giving a report level
5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based Writing Skills Process, Content, 8
conversation Presentation, Originality
6. Giving a speech on a selected topic TOTAL 20

ISC Examination Year 2027 6

PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XII

Project Work in Class XII comprises of assessment 5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based
of candidates in three projects, one each on conversation
Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills.
6. Giving a speech on a selected topic
Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed
7. Reading out, after correcting, a grammatically
internally, by the School in Class XII.
incorrect passage/s of suitable length (150 - 200
Writing Skills are to be assessed externally by the
words) based on the grammar syllabus
Visiting Examiner, appointed locally and
approved by CISCE. prescribed.

Details of assignments for Project Work are given
below: Writing Skills (Literature): to be assessed externally
by the Visiting Examiner
Listening Skills (to be internally assessed by the
subject teacher) Candidates will be required to undertake one written
An unseen passage of about 500 words or a poem (of assignment of about 250 words on a text/texts
appropriate length) may be read aloud, twice, the first studied in the Literature syllabus.
time at normal reading speed and the next time at a
slower speed. The passage/poem may be taken from List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
any book, newspaper, magazine, journal and so on
1. Writing a short story based on a poem.
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. A suitable
audio clip may also be used. 2. Writing a poem based on a selected text.
Students may make brief notes during the 3. Analysing the relevance of a selected text in the
readings/playing of the audio clip, followed by present-day context.
answering objective type questions based on the 4. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or
passage/poem/audio clip, on the paper provided. extension of the chosen text and its impact on the
Speaking Skills (to be internally assessed by the plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.
subject teacher) 5. Providing an alternate title to a given text and
giving a justification for the same.
Students are to be assessed through an individual
presentation, e.g., extempore speaking, declamation, 6. Imagining oneself as one of the main characters
recitation, debate, of about three minutes followed by of a selected text and describing what one would
a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two like to change in the text, giving reasons for the
or three minutes. same.
List of suggested assignments for Project Work: 7. Analysing the theme of the text and expressing
one’s opinion on the same.
1. Narrating an experience
8. Summarising / paraphrasing of the chosen text.
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make
or operate something 9. Preparing a script for dramatization, based on the
short story/poem chosen.
3. Providing a description
10. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen
4. Giving a report text.

ISC Examination Year 2027 7

EVALUATION **Evaluation by the Visiting Examiner
Marks (out of a total of 20) should be distributed (10 Marks)
as given below:
1. Internal Evaluation by Teacher* Assessment Criteria and Description Marks

Listening Skills (Aural) 5 Marks 1. Title and introduction 1
Speaking Skills (Oral) 5 Marks 2. Presentation 3
2. External Evaluation by the Visiting 10 Marks (Overall formatting: headings/ sub-
headings, paragraphing, writing within
Examiner of Writing Skills**
the word limit and providing a
TOTAL 20 Marks separate title page)
3. Content 5
(Present an organized and well-
*Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (10 Marks) structured complete assignment with
Assessment Description Marks proper introduction, main body and
Criteria conclusion/comments)
Listening Response to questions 5 4. Originality 1
Skills (Aural) based on listening
comprehension TOTAL 10

Speaking Content, Fluency, 5
Skills (Oral) Vocabulary, Sentence
structure, Confidence
TOTAL 10 NOTE: No question paper for Project Work will
be set by CISCE.

ISC Examination Year 2027 8