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: Traduction non préparée du français vers l’anglais
Chapter 3: Compréhension écrite et résumé en français
Chapter 4: Questions sur les textes prescrits
Chapter 5: Traduction appliquée lorsque les textes ne sont pas disponibles
Chapter 6: Compréhension orale
Chapter 7: Expression orale
Chapter 8: Expression écrite: devoir de langue ou de littérature

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in French?

The French syllabus has 8 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.