ICSE Class 9 French Syllabus 2026-27

Group I note: Candidates opting for French as a Second Language in Group I may not opt for the same language under Modern Foreign Languages in Group II and Group III.

Class IX note: The Class IX examination is conducted by the school on the portion of this syllabus covered during the academic year. The Class X ICSE Board Examination paper is set on the entire syllabus (Classes IX and X combined). CISCE has not prescribed a fixed bifurcation of the syllabus.

Aims

•        To develop and integrate the use of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

•        To use the language effectively and appropriately on topics of everyday life situations.

•        To develop an interest in the appreciation of French.

•        To develop an intercultural awareness.

•        To enhance the ability to express ideas and feelings in their own words and to understand the use of correct language.

•        To appreciate the language as an effective means of communication.

•        To understand French when spoken at normal conversational speed in everyday life situations.

•        To understand the basic structural patterns of the language, vocabulary, and constructions.

Written Paper: 80 Marks (3 Hours)

The written paper covers five components. The syllabus is common to Classes IX and X. The Class IX school examination is set on the portion covered during the year.

1. Composition (Redaction)

•        Candidates write one short composition in French.

•        The composition 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 or objects.

2. Letter Writing (Correspondance)

•        Candidates write one letter from a choice of either a formal or an informal letter.

•        Suggestions may be given to guide the content of the letter.

•        The layout of the letter (address, introduction, body, conclusion, sign-off) forms part of the assessment.

3. Comprehension

•        An unseen passage of about 150 words is given in French.

•        Questions based on the passage are set to be answered in French, testing the candidate's understanding of the content.

4. Grammar (Grammaire)

Tests vocabulary, syntax, and idiom. Detailed knowledge of grammatical definitions is NOT required. The following grammar topics are included:

Articles

•        Articles definis (le, la, les)

•        Articles indefinis (un, une, des)

•        Articles contractes (du, de la, de l', au, aux)

•        Articles partitifs (du, de la, de l')

Adjectifs (Adjectives)

•        Adjectifs demonstratifs (ce, cet, cette, ces)

•        Adjectifs possessifs (mon, ma, mes, ton, ta, tes, son, sa, ses, notre, nos, votre, vos, leur, leurs)

•        Adjectifs qualificatifs (descriptive adjectives): agreement in gender and number; position

•        Adjectifs interrogatifs (quel, quelle, quels, quelles)

Interrogation

•        Pronoms interrogatifs (qui, que, quoi, lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles)

•        Interrogative adverbs: combien, comment, ou, quand, pourquoi, depuis quand, etc.

Negation

•        ne ... pas (standard negation)

•        ne ... rien (nothing)

•        ne ... personne (nobody)

•        ne ... plus (no more, no longer)

•        Other negative constructions as applicable

Pronoms (Pronouns)

•        Pronoms sujets (je, tu, il, elle, nous, vous, ils, elles)

•        Pronoms demonstratifs (celui, celle, ceux, celles)

•        Pronoms possessifs (le mien, la mienne, le tien, etc.)

•        COD (Complementary Object Direct): me, te, le, la, nous, vous, les

•        COI (Complementary Object Indirect): me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur

•        Pronoms de quantite (en)

•        Pronoms de lieu (y)

•        Pronoms relatifs simples (qui, que, ou, dont)

Prepositions

•        a / de and their contracted forms

•        Lieu (place): chez, entre, devant, a cote de, etc.

•        Temps (time): avant, apres, pendant, pour, etc.

•        Noms geographiques (prepositions with country and city names)

•        Mouvement (movement): jusqu'a, vers, etc.

•        Autres (other prepositions): contre, malgre, sans, sauf, selon

Temps (Tenses and Moods)

•        Present (present tense of all verb groups including irregular verbs)

•        Imparfait (imperfect tense: ongoing or habitual past actions)

•        Passe compose (perfect tense: completed past actions; with avoir and etre; agreement of past participle)

•        Futur proche (near future: aller + infinitive)

•        Passe recent (recent past: venir de + infinitive)

•        Futur simple (simple future tense)

•        Verbes pronominaux (reflexive verbs in all tenses above)

•        Imperatif (imperative mood: affirmative and negative commands)

Comparatifs (Comparatives)

•        Comparatif de qualite et de quantite: regular and irregular forms

•        plus ... que, moins ... que, aussi ... que (equality)

•        plus de / moins de + nombre (comparative with quantities)

•        Irregular comparatives: meilleur (que), mieux (que), pire (que)

Superlatifs (Superlatives)

•        Regular and irregular superlative forms: le plus .../le moins ...

•        Irregular superlatives: le meilleur, le mieux, le pire

Types of Grammar Exercises

•        Conjugation exercises: testing verb forms in specified tenses

•        Gap filling: articles, pronouns, prepositions

•        Correcting errors: adjectives, negation, comparative forms

•        Making questions and negative sentences from given statements

•        Correcting jumbled sentences (rearranging words into correct French order)

5. Translation and/or Dialogue Writing

•        Translation from French into English: one short passage

•        Translation from English into French: one passage

•        Dialogue writing (approximately 150 words): based on situations faced in everyday life; hints may be given

Communication Topics (Annexe)

The following topics cover the oral and written communication skills for the examination. These may be covered from any teaching/study resource book. The topics are common to Classes IX and X.

Topic A: Myself

Self, Family, and Friends

•        Talk about self, family, and friends; physical description; personality and sentiments

•        Personal relationships; generation gap; friendship and pets

Important Events

•        Festivals: religious, national, international, and family festivals

•        Celebrations, special occasions, invitations; culture and customs

Interests and Hobbies

•        Sports, books, films, music; likes and dislikes

Home and Locality

•        City and village life; description of one's home, furnishings, and surroundings

•        Shops and places in the vicinity

Daily Routine

•        Adverbs of time and frequency; weekend and weekly routine at home and school/workplace

•        Outings; everyday communication

School

•        School system, subjects, professions, teachers, timetable, school uniform

•        The academic year, school activities, stationery and supplies, school experiences

Topic B: Holiday Time and Travel

Travel, Transport, and Tourism

•        Vacations, modes of transport, duration, itinerary

•        Travel plans (past, present, future); experiences and memories

Accommodation

•        Holiday homes, hotels, reservations; rent or hire a place

•        The stay; types of boarding

Restaurant

•        Ordering food, menu, different cuisines, recipes

Directions

•        Traffic rules, road safety; giving directions; following and understanding maps

Holiday Activities

•        At the seaside, at the mountains, in the city, in the countryside, abroad

Services

•        Public services at the hotel, airport, shops, train station, restaurant, library

Topic C: Work and Lifestyle

Home Life

•        Household chores, domestic animals, guests and outings, family life

Everyday Living and Health

•        Communications and technology; food habits and lifestyle

•        The human body, health and illness, advice and precautions

•        Visit to a doctor, pharmacist

Work Experience

•        Internships, world of work, work experiences

Leisure

•        Cinema, concerts, theatre, park, entertainment

•        Social media, television, newspapers

Shopping

•        Brands, clothes and accessories, modes of payment, budget, expenses and consumption

•        Fashion and lifestyle, sale, shopping malls, grocery shopping, supermarkets, local markets

The Environment

•        Natural environment, problems, causes and solutions, technology

•        Seasons and weather; World Environment Day, Earth Day

Internal Assessment: 20 Marks

Schools prepare, conduct, and record assessments of Listening, Speaking, and Creative Writing skills. Class IX requires three assessments in the course of the year.

Award of Marks: Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner): 10 Marks | External Examiner: 10 Marks. Both examiners assess independently. The External Examiner may be a teacher from the school faculty not teaching French to the section being assessed.

(a) Listening Skills (5 Marks) -- Class IX

•        A passage of about 300 words is read aloud by the examiner twice at normal reading speed (approximately 110 words per minute).

•        Candidates may make brief notes during the readings.

•        Candidates then answer an objective type test based on the passage, on the paper provided.

(b) Speaking Skills (5 Marks) -- Class X

•        Each candidate makes an oral presentation for approximately 2 minutes.

•        This is followed by a discussion with the examiners for approximately 3 minutes.

•        Subjects for presentation may include: narrating an experience, providing a description, giving directions, expressing an opinion, giving a report, relating an anecdote, or commenting on a current event.

•        A candidate may refer to brief notes during the presentation, but reading or excessive dependence on notes will be penalised.

•        It is recommended that candidates be given one hour for preparation and a choice of subject on a common paper.

(c) Creative Writing (10 Marks) -- Classes IX and X

•        Each candidate writes short compositions based on the suggested assignments.

•        Stimuli for creative writing may include: a piece of recorded music; a series of recorded sounds; a picture or photograph; an opening sentence or phrase; a newspaper or magazine clipping or report.

•        One piece of factual writing (informative or argumentative).

•        One piece of expressive writing (descriptive or imaginative).

•        Preparation of a film or book review.

•        Students should also be made aware of contemporary forms of written communication such as fax and memo.

Suggested Assignments for Classes IX and X

Aural (Listening)

•        Listening to a conversation, talk, or reading of a short passage

•        Writing down the relevant or main points in the specified number of words

•        Answering the given questions based on the passage

Oral (Speaking)

•        Prepared speech or declamation

•        Impromptu speech, debate, or discussion

•        Report or interview

•        Elocution

•        Role-play or general conversation on selected topics

Creative Writing

•        Short compositions using stimuli: recorded music, sounds, pictures, opening sentences, or clippings

•        One piece of factual writing (informative or argumentative)

•        One piece of expressive writing (descriptive or imaginative)

•        Film or book review

Internal Assessment: Guidelines for Marking with Grades

Creative Writing (Classes IX and X)

Aural Assignment (Class IX)

Oral Assignment (Class X)

Preparation Tips for Students

For the Written Paper

•        Composition: practise writing short essays on everyday topics in French. Aim for clear paragraphing, accurate grammar, and a good range of vocabulary. Use the communication topics (A, B, C) as your source of themes.

•        Letter writing: master both formal (to authorities, complaints, formal requests) and informal (to friends and family) letter formats in French. Memorise the correct layout, salutations, and sign-offs.

•        Comprehension: read French passages regularly. Practise answering in complete French sentences without copying word-for-word from the passage.

•        Grammar: revise all tenses systematically: present, imparfait, passe compose, futur proche, passe recent, futur simple. Practise reflexive verbs, pronouns (COD, COI, y, en), articles (all types), adjective agreement, and negation daily.

•        Translation: practise both directions. For French to English, focus on idiomatic meaning. For English to French, focus on correct grammar, tense, and agreement.

•        Dialogue writing: practise everyday dialogues based on the communication topics (at a restaurant, asking for directions, making a reservation, discussing health, shopping).

•        Solve previous years' ICSE French question papers to understand the format and time management.

For the Internal Assessment

•        For Listening (Class IX): practise listening to French audio at normal speed. Take brief notes while listening and then answer comprehension questions from your notes.

•        For Speaking (Class X): prepare two-minute presentations on varied topics from the communication topics. Practise speaking fluently, using natural gestures, and emphasising key points.

•        For Creative Writing: practise writing under timed conditions using different stimuli (pictures, opening sentences, music). Aim for Grade I: effective analysis, expressive language, clear structure, and original ideas.

Official Source and Further Reference

This document is based on the official CISCE syllabus for French (Subject Code 27), pages 40 to 45 of the CISCE Regulations and Syllabuses document. The complete and authoritative syllabus is published by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on their official website.