JAMB Syllabus For English 2023/2024 Download (PDF)

To help candidates prepare adequately for the UTME, JAMB has released a syllabus that outlines the topics and subtopics that will be covered in the English Language section of the examination in 2023. The syllabus is designed to provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the English Language, including grammar, comprehension, essay writing, and oral communication.

The JAMB Syllabus for English 2023: is a valuable resource for candidates who want to excel in the UTME. It contains detailed information about the topics that will be covered, as well as the skills and knowledge that candidates are expected to have in order to succeed in the examination. Whether you are a student preparing for the UTME for the first time or a repeat candidate looking to improve your score, the JAMB Syllabus for English 2023 is an essential tool that can help you achieve your academic goals

The JAMB syllabus for English is designed to test candidates’ ability to understand, analyze, and use the English language effectively. It usually covers four main areas: comprehension, grammar, literature, and oral English.

Comprehension

This section tests candidates’ ability to read and understand written passages in English. It usually covers different types of texts, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative, and requires candidates to answer questions based on their understanding of the text.

Grammar

This section tests candidates’ knowledge of English grammar and syntax, including topics such as parts of speech, sentence structure, verb tenses, and punctuation. Candidates may also be tested on their ability to identify and correct errors in sentences or passages.

Literature

This section tests candidates’ knowledge of literary works in English, including poetry, drama, and prose fiction. Candidates may be asked to identify literary devices such as metaphor, simile, imagery, and symbolism, and to analyze how these devices contribute to the meaning and impact of a particular work.

Oral English

This section tests candidates’ ability to speak English fluently and accurately. Candidates may be asked to give a short speech, engage in a conversation, or participate in a group discussion on a given topic.

The JAMB syllabus for English is usually updated every few years to reflect changes in the curriculum and to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of candidates. When the 2023 syllabus is released, it is likely to include updated content and new topics that reflect the changing demands of the English language in the modern world.

• READ ALSO: JAMB Syllabus For Literature In English 2023/2024 (PDF Download)

JAMB English Syllabus 2023

Please note that the specific topics and subtopics covered in the syllabus may vary from year to year, and it is best to refer to the official JAMB syllabus for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Here are some of the topics that are typically covered in the JAMB English syllabus:

Topic	Subtopics
Comprehension/Summary	– Reading comprehension passages
	– Writing summaries of passages
Synonyms	– Identifying synonyms in context
Antonyms	– Identifying antonyms in context
Homonyms	– Identifying homonyms in context
Clause and sentence patterns	– Identifying and analyzing sentence patterns
	– Identifying and analyzing clause patterns
Word classes and their functions	– Identifying and analyzing parts of speech
	– Identifying and analyzing sentence elements and their functions
Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/	– Identifying and using mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree and question tags
Concord
Punctuation and spelling	– Identifying and using correct punctuation
	– Spelling commonly misspelled words
Ordinary usage, figurative usage and	– Identifying and using words in ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic usage
idiomatic usage
Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs)	– Identifying and using correct pronunciation of monophthongs and diphthongs
Consonants (including clusters)	– Identifying and using correct pronunciation of consonants, including clusters
Rhymes (including homophones)	– Identifying and using rhyming words and homophones
Word stress (monosyllabic and	– Identifying and using correct word stress in monosyllabic and polysyllabic words
polysyllabic)
Intonation (words emphatic stress)	– Identifying and using correct intonation and emphatic stress in words and sentences

General Objectives

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Use of English Syllabus is designed to achieve the following objectives:

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Use of
English is to guide the candidates in their preparation for the Board’s examination. It is
designed to evaluate the candidates’ ability to:

• i) communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and
  (ii) use the English Language for learning at the tertiary level.

Parts Of JAMB Syllabus For English 2023

Section A

Comprehension/Summary

Comprehension/Summary refers to a section in the JAMB Use of English examination that assesses candidates’ ability to read and understand written texts. In this section, candidates are presented with passages of varying lengths and complexities, including literary and non-literary texts. They are then required to answer questions that test their ability to identify main ideas, infer meaning, and draw conclusions based on the information presented in the passage.

In addition to answering questions related to the passage, candidates are also required to write a summary of the passage, including the main ideas, supporting details, and other relevant information. This tests their ability to condense and effectively communicate the main points of the passage in a concise and coherent manner.

Areas of Test Under Comprehension / Summary

• Description
• Narration
• Exposition
• Argumentation/persuasion

Objectives

• To test the candidate’s ability to read and understand written English: Comprehension passages are designed to test how well candidates can read and comprehend written English. The passages are usually taken from a range of sources, including fiction and non-fiction texts.
• To test the candidate’s ability to identify key information: Comprehension passages are often written in a way that requires candidates to identify key information. Candidates must be able to pick out important details and main ideas from the passage.
• To test the candidate’s ability to draw inferences: Comprehension passages often contain information that is implied or suggested rather than explicitly stated. Candidates must be able to draw inferences and make deductions from the information provided.
• To test the candidate’s ability to answer questions based on the passage: Comprehension passages are always followed by a set of questions. The questions are designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the passage and their ability to analyze and interpret the information presented.

Section B

Lexis & Structure

Lexis refers to the vocabulary or words used in a language, while structure refers to the way in which words are combined to create phrases, clauses, and sentences. In other words, lexis and structure are the two fundamental components of language.

Lexis includes both individual words and groups of words that have a specific meaning, such as idioms or phrasal verbs. The lexicon of a language is constantly evolving, with new words being added and old words becoming obsolete.

Structure refers to the grammar and syntax of a language. It includes rules for word order, the formation of verb tenses, and the use of punctuation. The structure is essential for creating meaning in language, as it determines how words relate to each other in a sentence and how ideas are expressed.

Both lexis and structure are important for effective communication in a language. A good command of the vocabulary and grammar of a language enables speakers and writers to express themselves clearly and effectively, while also understanding the meaning of what others are saying or writing.

Topics Under Lexis & Structure

• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Homonyms
• Clause and sentence patterns
• Word classes and their functions
• Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative, and superlative), and question tags
• Punctuation and spelling
• Ordinary usage, figurative usage, and idiomatic usage are to be tested.

Objectives

• To test the candidate’s ability to use English vocabulary correctly: The Lexis component of the test is designed to test the candidate’s ability to use English vocabulary correctly. Candidates must be able to use words in the correct context and be able to identify synonyms, antonyms, and related words.
• To test the candidate’s understanding of English grammar: The Structure component of the test is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English grammar. Candidates must be able to identify and use different types of sentences, such as simple, compound, and complex sentences, and they must be able to identify parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• To test the candidate’s ability to identify and correct errors in English language usage: The Structure component of the test is also designed to test the candidate’s ability to identify and correct errors in English language usage. Candidates must be able to identify grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, and parallelism, and they must be able to correct them.
• To test the candidate’s ability to analyze and interpret written English: The Lexis and Structure component of the test is also designed to test the candidate’s ability to analyze and interpret written English. Candidates must be able to analyze the structure and meaning of sentences and paragraphs and be able to use that analysis to answer questions about the text.

Section C

Test Of Oral

The Test of Oral component of the JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) Use of English test is designed to assess candidates’ ability to communicate effectively in spoken English.

Topics Under Test of Oral in Use Of English 2023

• Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs)
• Consonants (including clusters)
• Rhymes (including homophones)
• Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
• Intonation (words emphatic stress)

Objectives

• To test the candidate’s fluency in spoken English: The Test of Oral is designed to test the candidate’s ability to speak fluently and confidently in English. The candidate should be able to express their ideas clearly and coherently, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
• To test the candidate’s ability to comprehend spoken English: The Test of Oral is also designed to test the candidate’s ability to understand and respond appropriately to spoken English. The candidate should be able to listen and comprehend questions and instructions given to them by the examiner.
• To test the candidate’s ability to use appropriate intonation and stress: The Test of Oral is designed to test the candidate’s ability to use appropriate intonation and stress when speaking. The candidate should be able to use the correct tone of voice to convey meaning and express emotion.
• To test the candidate’s ability to participate in a conversation: The Test of Oral is also designed to test the candidate’s ability to participate in a conversation. The candidate should be able to engage in a back-and-forth exchange of ideas with the examiner and demonstrate their ability to use conversational English appropriately. Overall, the objective of the Test of Oral component is to evaluate the candidate’s oral communication skills in English.

How the English language is Utilized in JAMB’s Exam Structure.

Section	Type of Test	Number of Questions
A	Comprehension/Summary
	1 comprehension passage with 5 questions	5
	1 cloze passage with 10 questions	10
	1 reading text with 10 questions	10
B	Lexis and Structure
	Sentence interpretation with 5 questions	5
	Antonyms with 5 questions	5
	Synonyms with 5 questions	5
	Sentence completion with 10 questions	10
C	Oral Forms
	10 questions will be asked	10

Jamb English Syllabus 2023/2024 Recommended Textbook

Author(s)	Title of Book	Publication Year	Publisher
Attah, M. O.	Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners	2013	University of Maiduguri Press, Maiduguri
Bamgbose, A.	English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges (Revised Edition)	2002	Heinemann, Ibadan
Banjo, A. et al	New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools	2004	UP Plc., Ibadan
Caesar, O. J.	Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges	2003	Tonad Publishers Limited, Lagos
Daniel Jones	Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary	2011	Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Egbe, D. I	Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills	1996	Tisons, Lagos
Elugbe, B.	Oral English for Schools and Colleges	2000	Heinemann, Ibadan
Grant, N. J. H, Nnamonu, S. Jowitt, D.	Senior English Project 3 (New Edition)	1998	Longman, Harlow
Idowu, O. O, Sogbeson, T. S, Adofo, A. K. Burgess, D. F and Burgess, L. J.	Round-up English: A Complete Guide	1998	Longman, Lagos
Idris, U.	Oral English at Your Fingertips for Schools and Colleges	2001	M. Youngbrain Publishers, Lagos
Igiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O.	Grammar and Composition in the G.S.M. Age	2010	Joe Hills Production Services, Enugu
Jauro, L. B.	Oral English for Schools and Colleges: A Teaching and Learning Approach	2013	Paraclete Publishers, Yola
Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D.	Common Errors in English	1989	Longman, Lagos
Obinna, M. F.	University Matriculation Use of English (Fourth Edition)	2001	Sunray Books Limited, Port Harcourt
Ogunsanwo, O. Duruaku, A. B.C, Ezechukwu, J and Nwachukwu, U. I	Countdown English Language (Revised Edition)	2005	Evans, Ibadan
Olatoye, S.	The Silent Teacher	2006	Segun and Sons Enterprises, Ado-Ekiti
Oluikpe, B. O. A, nnaemeka, B. A, Obah, T. Y, Otagburuagu, E. J. Onuigbo, S. and Ogbonna, E. A.	Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 3	1998	Africana – FIRST Publisher, Onitsha
Tomori, S. H. O	Objective Tests for School Certificate English: Practice in Lexis, Structure, and Idiom (Reprinted Edition)	2000	Heinemann, Ibadan
Ukwuegbu, C, Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O.	Catch-up English for SSCE/UME	2002	Heinemann, Ibadan

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