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Functional English gaining popularity
English (functional), introduced by the CBSE in Class XI two years ago, is increasingly becoming popular. A number of unaided (public) schools, including Delhi Public School, RK Puram, have decided to introduce the subject as an alternative to English (core) at the higher secondary level from next year.
English (functional), introduced by the CBSE in Class XI two years ago, is increasingly becoming popular. A number of unaided (public) schools, including Delhi Public School, RK Puram, have decided to introduce the subject as an alternative to English (core) at the higher secondary level from next year.
The XII Board English (functional) exam was held for the first time on Friday. The English (core) exam was also held on Friday. Students appearing for both exams found the question papers “easy”.
“This subject has more focus on actual usage skills of the English language. It is an extension of the communicative approach to English followed in Classes IX and X,” said Ramjas (RK Puram) principal Meera Balachandran. The school is already offering the subject to its students.
“English (functional) has more focus on application-based usage especially in grammar. That’s why our science students in Classes XI and XII are studying English (functional). The Commerce and Arts students are studying English (core),” points out principal Usha Ram of Laxman Public School.
“Though there aren’t too many schools in Delhi offering English (functional) in Classes XI and XII, it is gaining popularity rapidly with every passing year,” points out CBSE’s Controller of Exams Pavnesh Kumar.
But some principals aren’t too convinced. “Our school stuck to English (core) because we wanted to retain the nuances
of the beautiful language that is English. I found English (functional) rather ‘technical’,” says Springdales School (Dhaula Kuan) principal Jyoti.
