CBSE English Syllabus 2026-27: Literature & Grammar Guide for Parents
Introduction
English is more than just a subject on a report card – it is the language of opportunity. Strong reading, writing, grammar, and communication skills shape a child’s confidence in the classroom, in competitive exams, and in life. For parents looking for a CBSE school in Hyderabad that takes English education seriously, understanding what the CBSE English syllabus covers at each stage is a helpful starting point.
At Phoenix Greens School of Learning, an English medium CBSE school in Kokapet, Hyderabad, we focus on building communication skills, literary appreciation, and grammatical accuracy from the earliest years. Explore the CBSE curriculum at Phoenix Greens or contact the admissions team to learn more.
CBSE English Syllabus - Primary Classes (1-5)
- Listening and speaking – phonics, oral expression, storytelling
- Reading: short comprehension passages, picture reading, word recognition
- Writing: sentences, short paragraphs, greetings, notices
- Grammar: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, tenses (simple), prepositions, punctuation
- Literature: short poems and narrative texts that build vocabulary and reading fluency
CBSE English Syllabus - Middle School (Classes 6-8)
- Literature texts from NCERT – prose chapters, poems, supplementary readers
- Writing: formal and informal letters, notice writing, paragraph writing, story completion
- Grammar: tenses, reported speech, active/passive voice, clauses, modals, punctuation
- Reading Comprehension: factual and literary passages with inference and vocabulary questions
CBSE English Syllabus - Classes 9 and 10 (Board Exam)
Prescribed NCERT Texts
- Beehive (Prose and Poetry) and Moments (Supplementary Reader) – Class 9
- First Flight (Prose and Poetry) and Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader) – Class 10
Class 10 English Board Exam Pattern
- Section A – Reading (20 marks): Factual and literary comprehension passages
- Section B – Writing & Grammar (20 marks): Letters, applications, paragraphs; editing, gap filling, reordering
- Section C – Literature (40 marks): Extract-based questions, short and long answers from First Flight and Footprints Without Feet
Total: 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment.
CBSE English Core Syllabus - Classes 11 and 12
Class 11: Hornbill and Snapshots
- Hornbill: The Portrait of a Lady, We’re Not Afraid to Die, Discovering Tut, Landscape of the Soul, The Ailing Planet, The Adventure, Silk Road
- Hornbill Poetry: A Photograph, The Voice of the Rain, Childhood, Father to Son
- Snapshots: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, The Address, Ranga’s Marriage, Albert Einstein at School, Mother’s Day, Birth, The Tale of Melon City
Class 12: Flamingo and Vistas
- Flamingo Prose: The Last Lesson, Lost Spring, Deep Water, The Rattrap, Indigo, Poets and Pancakes, The Interview, Going Places
- Flamingo Poetry: My Mother at Sixty-Six, An Elementary School in a Slum, Keeping Quiet, A Thing of Beauty, A Roadside Stand, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
- Vistas: The Third Level, The Tiger King, Journey to the End of the Earth, The Enemy, On the Face of It, Memories of Childhood
Class 12 Writing Section
- Notice writing, classified advertisement, poster, formal/informal invitation
- Letter to the editor, official letter, business/job application
- Report writing, speech, debate, article
Grammar Focus in CBSE English (All Classes)
- Tenses: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous in all forms
- Modals and their contextual usage
- Active and passive voice – transformation exercises
- Direct and indirect (reported) speech
- Clauses: noun clauses, relative clauses, adverb clauses
- Editing exercises: identifying and correcting grammatical errors
- Gap-filling and sentence reordering (Class 10)
How Phoenix Greens Builds English Proficiency
At Phoenix Greens International School in Kokapet, English is the medium of instruction and the language of learning across all subjects. Discover student life at Phoenix Greens to understand how English is woven into every part of our school day.
Our English programme focuses on reading fluency, creative writing, public speaking, and grammar accuracy from the early years. Families from Gachibowli, Financial District, Narsingi, and Manikonda benefit from an English-rich learning environment. Learn more about our curriculum or explore the campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is English compulsory in CBSE for all streams?
A: Yes. English Core is a compulsory subject for all students in Classes 11 and 12 across Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams.
Q: What is the difference between CBSE English Core and English Elective?
A: English Core is the standard compulsory English subject for all students. English Elective is an optional advanced course with a greater focus on literature and language study.
Q: How many marks is the CBSE Class 10 English paper?
A: The Class 10 English board exam carries 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment – for a total of 100 marks.
Q: What books are prescribed for CBSE Class 12 English?
A: CBSE Class 12 English Core uses Flamingo (Prose and Poetry) and Vistas (Supplementary Reader), both published by NCERT.
Q: Does Phoenix Greens focus on communication skills alongside CBSE English?
A: Yes. At Phoenix Greens, communication skills – oral expression, public speaking, and debate – are developed alongside the CBSE curriculum. Explore student life at Phoenix Greens to see how we build well-rounded communicators.
Q: How can I apply for admission at Phoenix Greens, Kokapet?
A: Visit the Phoenix Greens admissions page and submit an enquiry. Our team will be in touch to guide you through the admission process and campus visit.
Conclusion
The CBSE English syllabus is rich, progressive, and thoughtfully designed to build language skills at every stage – from early phonics to literary analysis in Class 12.
Phoenix Greens School of Learning, Kokapet, Hyderabad, is committed to giving every child a strong English foundation through quality literature, structured grammar, and a communication-first school culture. Visit our campus and submit an admission enquiry today to give your child the gift of confident English.
