Aims :
- To appreciate the language as an effective means of communication.
- To acquire knowledge of the elements of the language.
- To develop an interest in the language.
- To understand the language when spoken at normal conversational speed.
- To understand the basic structural patterns of the language, vocabulary and constructions.
Indian Languages for Classes IX And X
Papers will be set in the following languages –
- Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Khasi, Lepcha, Marathi, Malayalam, Mizo, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Tangkhul, Telugu, Urdu or any other language of an Indian community approved by the Council.
- There will be one paper of three hours duration carrying 80 marks and Internal Assessment of 20 marks.
The paper will be divided into two sections, Section A and Section B –
- Section A: Language 40 marks
- Section B: Prescribed Texts 40 marks
Candidates will be required to attempt all questions from Section A. They are to attempt four questions from Section B, which must include one question from each of the two prescribed textbooks and two other questions.
Section A : Language – 40 Marks
This section will consist of four questions, all of which will be compulsory.
- Composition (15 Marks ): Candidates will be required to write one composition, in the language, which may include short explanations, directions, descriptions or narratives. There will be a choice of subjects, which will be varied and may be suggested by language or other stimuli such as pictures and objects.
- Letter (7 Marks) : Candidates will be required to write a letter from a choice of two subjects. Suggestions may be given. The layout of the letter with address, introduction, conclusion, etc., will form part of the assessment.
- Comprehension (10 Marks) : An unseen passage of about 250 words will be given in the language. Questions on the passage will be set for answers in the language, designed to test the candidates’ understanding of the content of the passage.
- Grammar (8 Marks) : This will consist of tests in the use of language vocabulary, syntax and idioms, synthesis in sentence construction, formation of sentences in the language correctly embodying given words or forms. The question will not require any knowledge of grammatical terms.
Section B : Prescribed Texts – 40 Marks
The question paper will consist of structured and short answer questions. Candidates will be required to answer four questions, choosing at least one question from each of the two prescribed textbooks. All questions will be set in the language and candidates will be required to answer in the language.
The questions set will be designed to test the candidates’ understanding of the subject matter of the prescribed books.
Note : For list of Prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix – I.
The Class X – ICSE examination paper will be set on the entire syllabus prescribed for the subject. The Class IX internal examination is to be conducted on the portion of this syllabus that is covered during the academic year. The Council has not prescribed bifurcation of the syllabus prescribed for this subject.
Internal Assessment
Language and Literature –
Class IX: Two or three assignments of reasonable length/duration of which two should be written assignments – one from the language and one from the literature component of the syllabus.
Class X: Two or three assignments of reasonable length/duration of which two should be written assignments – one from the language and one from the literature component of the syllabus.
Suggested Assignments
Language –
For Class IX
- Creative Writing : Students are to write short compositions (approximately 300 to 400 words each), the stimuli being: i) a piece of recorded music; ii) a recorded series of sound; iii) a picture/photograph; iv) an opening sentence or phrase; v) a newspaper/magazine clipping or report; one piece of factual writing which should be informative or argumentative; one piece of expressive writing which is descriptive and imaginative; preparation of film/book review.
- Aural : Listening to a conversation/talk/reading of a short passage and then writing down the relevant or main points in the specified number of words and answering the given questions.
For Class X
- Oral : Prepared speech/declamation; impromptu speech/debate/discussion; report/interview; elocution; role-play / general conversation on selected topics.
- Creative Writing:Students are to write short compositions (approximately 300 to 400 words each), the stimuli being: i) a piece of recorded music; ii) a recorded series of sound; iii) a picture/photograph; iv) an opening sentence or phrase; v) a newspaper/magazine clipping or report; one piece of factual writing which should be informative or argumentative; one piece of expressive writing which is descriptive and imaginative; preparation of film/book review.
Literature (Prescribed Texts)
Classes IX and X
Assignments should be based on the prescribed textbooks on the following lines –
- Character/thematic analysis.
- Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance / background.
- Summary / paraphrase.
Evaluation
The assignments/project work are to be evaluated by the subject teacher and by an External Examiner. (The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the school, who could be from the faculty, but not teaching the subject in the section/class. For example, a teacher of the language of Class VIII may be deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X projects in the language.)
The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will assess the assignments independently.
Award of marks (20 Marks)
- Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) : 10 marks
- External Examiner : 10 marks
The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will assess the assignments independently.
The Head of the school will be responsible for the entry of marks on the mark sheets provided by the Council.
Internal Assessment in Indian Languages – Guidelines for marking with grades – Creative Writing (Classes IX & X)
Internal Assessment in Indian Languages – Guidelines for marking with grades Aural Assignment (Class IX)
Internal Assessment in Indian Languages – Guidelines for marking with grades Oral Assignment (Class X)
Internal Assessment in Indian Languages (Literature – Prescribed Texts) – Guidelines for marking with grades (Classes IX & X)
ICSE Class IX and X Syllabus Home Page