CBSE English Literature Curriculum Overview

CBSE Board's Approach to English Through Literature

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of India's foremost education boards, steering millions of students through their schooling years with its curricula designed to foster knowledge, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. Amongst the various subjects taught under this board, English has consistently maintained prominence, especially when it comes to studying literature. For Classes IX through XII, literature plays a vital role in enriching the student's understanding of the English language and broadening their horizons.

CBSE lays great emphasis on the study of literature from diverse genres and periods due to several reasons:

• Cultural awareness: This curriculum intends to introduce children to different perspectives, cultures, beliefs, traditions, and forms of expression found within literary texts. By delving into these narratives, students gain insights into the historical contexts and imaginations behind them.

• Language skills development: Reading literature enhances vocabulary, comprehension, grammar usage, and writing abilities as students engage critically with complex texts.

• Appreciating artistry and creativity: Students learn to recognize and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in creating captivating stories, poems, and dramas.

In recent years, CBSE has revised its syllabus periodically to remain pertinent to contemporary needs while retaining the core values of literature studies. Some key features of the current CBSE literature syllabus for senior secondary classes include:

Class XI:

• Focus on British poetry, prose, drama, and fiction during the pre-colonial era up until World War I. A few Indian authors like Rabindranath Tagore and Rashid Jahan also feature in this year's curriculum.
• Emphasis on developing analytical skills by encouraging students to explore themes such as love, friendship, family relationships, conflicts, social issues, power inequality, etc., through textual analysis.

Class XII:

• Continued exploration of world literature, covering works from post-World War II Britain, America, Canada, Australia, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
• Introduction to modern American, Australian, Canadian, and South African poetry alongside novels, plays, short stories, and non-fiction pieces from across the globe.

For both classes, CBSE encourages students to adopt active reading strategies, enabling them to understand storylines, characters, plot devices, and other literary elements better. Additionally, students develop their own interpretations by engaging in literary criticism, comparing multiple versions of the same work, analyzing character motifs, and exploring the concept of 'point of view'. Throughout their learning journey, they expand upon their fundamental knowledge of linguistic structure, grammatical accuracy, and effective communication techniques.

Aside from the examination requirements, CBSE aims to make the study of literature enjoyable and thought-provoking for all students. With digital resources, interactive workshops, guest lectures, debates, and group discussions, educators endeavor to nurture young minds holistically. Ultimately, this approach fosters lifelong readers and curious thinkers who will continue to marvel at the boundless depth and beauty of written word throughout their lives.

Discover the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) approach to teaching English literature from Classes IX to XII, emphasizing cultural awareness, language skills development, and appreciation for artistry and creativity. Explore the key features of CBSE literature syllabus for senior secondary classes, including studying diverse world literature and developing analytical skills through textual analysis.