French — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for French — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Composition courte en français
Chapter 2: Vocabulaire, syntaxe et précision de l'expression
Chapter 3: Traduction non préparée du français vers l'anglais
Chapter 4: Compréhension de texte inédit en français
Chapter 5: Résumé et explication de mots, phrases et idées
Chapter 6: Questions sur les textes prescrits ou les livres de référence
Chapter 7: Lecture guidée: Imagine 3, Edito B1, Décibel et Explore
Chapter 8: Compréhension orale: passage, poème ou document audio inédit
Chapter 9: Expression orale: présentation individuelle et discussion
Chapter 10: Expression écrite: devoir de 250 mots sur la langue ou la littérature
Chapter 11: Évaluation interne et externe du projet

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in French?

The French syllabus has 11 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which French chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the French syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official ICSE & ISC portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for French faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for French — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused French study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.