The Grade 11 English First Additional Language (English FAL) CAPS syllabus for South Africa follows the annual teaching plan across Terms 1-4. The programme is structured around listening and speaking, reading and viewing, writing and presenting, and language structures and conventions. Use the term outline below with Grade 11 English FAL past papers for exam preparation.
Weeks 1-10 and 11
Assessment: Task 1: Listening comprehension (10). Task 2: Writing longer transactional text (30). Task 3: Comprehension (20), Summary (10), Language in context (10). Total: 40.
Consolidate Grade 10 work and introduce learners to the class. Use listening comprehension for information and listening for summary, and include group discussions on visual texts. SBA Task 1 focuses on listening comprehension, and prepared reading aloud is practised (pay attention to expression, tone, pauses, pace, eye contact, pronunciation and gestures).
Work with informative written and visual texts (fact and opinion, making inferences, identifying important and less important details) and summaries (point-form and simple summaries). Study of literature is included through poetry, short stories, novel and drama, discussing plot, character, theme, setting, figurative language and imagery, with vocabulary development and questions and answers.
Write informative paragraphs (sentence construction, clarity, paragraph conventions, main ideas and supporting details). Prepare and write a longer transactional text (SBA Task 2). Write narratives and imaginative paragraphs linked to issues explored in the literary text (for example diary or letter) and practise writing interviews and formal letters of request/complaint. Use process writing throughout: planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting.
Revise parts of speech, statements and sentence structure, expressing emotions using adverbs and adjectives, and direct and indirect speech (including punctuation). Build vocabulary from reading texts (use dictionary/thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms with prefixes and suffixes) and address remedial grammar from learners writing.
Consolidate Grade 10 work and introduce learners to the class. Use listening comprehension for information and listening for summary, and include group discussions on visual texts. SBA Task 1 focuses on listening comprehension, and prepared reading aloud is practised (pay attention to expression, tone, pauses, pace, eye contact, pronunciation and gestures).
Work with informative written and visual texts (fact and opinion, making inferences, identifying important and less important details) and summaries (point-form and simple summaries). Study of literature is included through poetry, short stories, novel and drama, discussing plot, character, theme, setting, figurative language and imagery, with vocabulary development and questions and answers.
Write informative paragraphs (sentence construction, clarity, paragraph conventions, main ideas and supporting details). Prepare and write a longer transactional text (SBA Task 2). Write narratives and imaginative paragraphs linked to issues explored in the literary text (for example diary or letter) and practise writing interviews and formal letters of request/complaint. Use process writing throughout: planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting.
Revise parts of speech, statements and sentence structure, expressing emotions using adverbs and adjectives, and direct and indirect speech (including punctuation). Build vocabulary from reading texts (use dictionary/thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms with prefixes and suffixes) and address remedial grammar from learners writing.
Weeks 1-10 and 11
Assessment: SBA Task 4: Oral prepared speech. SBA Task 5: Literature assignment (shorter transactional based on literature text (20) plus contextual questions (15), total 35). Midyear exam: Paper 1 (80) and Paper 2 (70).
Explain visual texts in groups (maps, charts, plans, photos, tables and diagrams) and use others explanations to transfer information to another text form. Role-play meeting procedures in class with topics drawn from the reading text. Preparatory exercises support the formal researched speech.
Intensive reading includes directions from a literary text (proportion, distance) and visual texts on places of public interest (including travel timetables). Read for critical awareness using texts that show viewpoint/attitude/assumption (for example political cartoons, adverts and emotive reporting). Literature study continues through poetry, short stories, novel and drama; note that three poems, three short stories, and the novel or the drama must be completed by the time the controlled test is written in Term 2.
Write directions to a place of public interest, and write paragraphs on set work (describe a character and justify, describe the setting and its effect, identify theme and effect). Write reflective essays, create advertisements using persuasive techniques, and write agenda and minutes of a community meeting in response to the reading text. Use process writing (planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting).
Use meeting language and procedural vocabulary as needed, and focus on language in context and remedial grammar based on learners writing. Continue vocabulary development linked to reading and viewing texts.
Explain visual texts in groups (maps, charts, plans, photos, tables and diagrams) and use others explanations to transfer information to another text form. Role-play meeting procedures in class with topics drawn from the reading text. Preparatory exercises support the formal researched speech.
Intensive reading includes directions from a literary text (proportion, distance) and visual texts on places of public interest (including travel timetables). Read for critical awareness using texts that show viewpoint/attitude/assumption (for example political cartoons, adverts and emotive reporting). Literature study continues through poetry, short stories, novel and drama; note that three poems, three short stories, and the novel or the drama must be completed by the time the controlled test is written in Term 2.
Write directions to a place of public interest, and write paragraphs on set work (describe a character and justify, describe the setting and its effect, identify theme and effect). Write reflective essays, create advertisements using persuasive techniques, and write agenda and minutes of a community meeting in response to the reading text. Use process writing (planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting).
Use meeting language and procedural vocabulary as needed, and focus on language in context and remedial grammar based on learners writing. Continue vocabulary development linked to reading and viewing texts.
Weeks 1-10 and 11
Assessment: SBA Task 7: Oral unprepared speech/prepared reading aloud (20). Task 8: Essay (50).
Panel discussions and interviews build listening for viewpoints. SBA Task 7 includes unprepared speech and/or prepared reading aloud. Formal prepared/researched speeches based on setwork are used with peer assessment for listening practice. Listening for pleasure/appreciation uses enrichment texts such as songs, poetry readings, film, radio drama or play reading.
Read for summary using discursive texts that balance arguments for and against. Read and view cartoons/adverts with questions. Intensive reading focuses on critical language awareness with examples such as letters of request/complaint or a cover letter and CV (purpose and audience, facts and opinion), including naming, inclusion/exclusion and pronouns. Literature study continues through poetry, short stories, novel and drama.
Prepare for discursive writing and essays based on visual texts. Write discursive essays, practise shorter transactional genres (invitation, flyers, directions/instructions, email), and complete Task 8 (essay). Revise formal letter formats and write letters of complaint/request and a cover letter and CV in response to the reading text. Design invitation cards and write diary entries. Include revision for Paper 1 Question 5 and feedback/review activities.
Revise parts of speech and vocabulary work. Work with image, symbol, literal and figurative meaning, abbreviations and acronyms, denotation and connotation, assumptions and implied meaning, and remedial grammar from learners writing. Term revision includes Paper 1 Question 5 language structures and conventions (verb tenses, parts of speech, direct and indirect speech, combining sentences, active and passive voice, prepositions, negative form, question tags, antonyms and synonyms, homophones and homonyms, degrees of comparison and editing skills).
Panel discussions and interviews build listening for viewpoints. SBA Task 7 includes unprepared speech and/or prepared reading aloud. Formal prepared/researched speeches based on setwork are used with peer assessment for listening practice. Listening for pleasure/appreciation uses enrichment texts such as songs, poetry readings, film, radio drama or play reading.
Read for summary using discursive texts that balance arguments for and against. Read and view cartoons/adverts with questions. Intensive reading focuses on critical language awareness with examples such as letters of request/complaint or a cover letter and CV (purpose and audience, facts and opinion), including naming, inclusion/exclusion and pronouns. Literature study continues through poetry, short stories, novel and drama.
Prepare for discursive writing and essays based on visual texts. Write discursive essays, practise shorter transactional genres (invitation, flyers, directions/instructions, email), and complete Task 8 (essay). Revise formal letter formats and write letters of complaint/request and a cover letter and CV in response to the reading text. Design invitation cards and write diary entries. Include revision for Paper 1 Question 5 and feedback/review activities.
Revise parts of speech and vocabulary work. Work with image, symbol, literal and figurative meaning, abbreviations and acronyms, denotation and connotation, assumptions and implied meaning, and remedial grammar from learners writing. Term revision includes Paper 1 Question 5 language structures and conventions (verb tenses, parts of speech, direct and indirect speech, combining sentences, active and passive voice, prepositions, negative form, question tags, antonyms and synonyms, homophones and homonyms, degrees of comparison and editing skills).
Weeks 1-7 plus Weeks 8-10
Assessment: Task 9: End-of-year exams. Paper 1 (80), Paper 2 (70), Paper 3 (100), Paper 4 (50 oral). Total: 300 marks.
Critical listening of recorded or read texts for bias and prejudice, with discussion/debate. Listening for sequence includes note-taking practice of procedures. Listening for appreciation includes music, recorded reading, songs and recitation of poetry.
Reading for critical language awareness (for example political speech and biased reporting) with critical reading questions such as who gains or loses from a text. Intensive reading includes a comprehension test. Continue literature study through poetry, short stories, novel and drama with vocabulary and questions and answers. Revision and examinations follow.
Reflective writing, procedural writing (instructions related to new technology), and letters of appreciation/thanks/expressing enjoyment. Use process writing throughout (planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting). Revision and examinations follow.
Work on passive and active voice, verbs (chronological order), polite forms and stock phrases of thanks, culturally appropriate forms of address and register. Use dictionary work and idioms, proverbs and sayings, plus remedial grammar from learners writing. Revision and examinations follow.
Critical listening of recorded or read texts for bias and prejudice, with discussion/debate. Listening for sequence includes note-taking practice of procedures. Listening for appreciation includes music, recorded reading, songs and recitation of poetry.
Reading for critical language awareness (for example political speech and biased reporting) with critical reading questions such as who gains or loses from a text. Intensive reading includes a comprehension test. Continue literature study through poetry, short stories, novel and drama with vocabulary and questions and answers. Revision and examinations follow.
Reflective writing, procedural writing (instructions related to new technology), and letters of appreciation/thanks/expressing enjoyment. Use process writing throughout (planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and presenting). Revision and examinations follow.
Work on passive and active voice, verbs (chronological order), polite forms and stock phrases of thanks, culturally appropriate forms of address and register. Use dictionary work and idioms, proverbs and sayings, plus remedial grammar from learners writing. Revision and examinations follow.
Browse all Grade 11 CAPS past papers
If this subject is part of your university plans, check your eligibility and then improve the subjects that matter most.
Calculate APS and eligibility | Browse university requirements