Hurray!!! Good news for all the WAEC Candidates as The WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 is out, As one of the most important compulsory subjects in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), English Language plays a decisive role in students’ overall academic success and eligibility for higher education. This comprehensive guide is designed to assess students’ mastery of written, spoken, and applied English.
WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 Textbooks
Fact’s About the WAEC English Language & Syllabus
English Language is not just a school subject, it is the foundation of communication, critical thinking, and academic expression across all disciplines. In addition, WAEC has also released the Literature-in-English prescribed texts for 2026–2030, covering African, non-African, and Shakespearean drama, prose, and poetry.
This guide provides a detailed, easy-to-understand explanation of the WAEC English examination structure, the official syllabus, and the recommended textbooks candidates need to prepare thoroughly and confidently for the 2026/2027 WAEC English Language examination.
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WAEC English Language Syllabus for 2026/2027 & Examination Guidelines
The WAEC English Language examination is structured into three papers—Papers 1, 2, and 3. All three papers are compulsory, and candidates must take them to earn a valid grade.
Overview of the Examination Papers
Paper 1: Objective (Lexis & Structure)
Paper 2: Essay, Comprehension, and Summary
Paper 3: Oral English or Listening Comprehension (depending on country)
Papers 1 and 2 are taken together as a composite paper, while Paper 3 is written separately.
Paper 1: Objective Test (Lexis & Structure)
Applicable Countries: Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia
Duration: 1 hour
Total Questions: 80 multiple-choice questions
Total Marks: 40 marks
Paper 1 is divided into two equal sections:
Lexical (Vocabulary): 40 questions
Structural (Grammar): 40 questions
Each question provides four options (A–D), testing candidates’ understanding of vocabulary usage, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical accuracy in real-life contexts.
Paper 2: Essay, Comprehension, and Summary
Applicable to: All candidates
Duration: 2 hours
Total Marks: 100 marks
Paper 2 is divided into three sections (A, B, and C) and evaluates candidates’ writing, reading, and analytical skills.
Section A: Essay Writing
Candidates are required to write one essay from a list of topics. The types of writing include:
Letter writing
Speech writing
Narrative essays
Descriptive essays
Argumentative or debate essays
Reports
Articles
Expository writing
Creative writing
Minimum length: 450 words
Marks are awarded based on:
Content: Relevance and depth of ideas
Organization: Logical structure and paragraphing
Expression: Vocabulary and sentence control
Mechanical Accuracy: Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Section B: Comprehension
This section tests candidates’ ability to:
Understand factual content
Draw logical inferences
Interpret emotions, attitudes, and tone
Explain grammatical structures in context
Identify and explain basic literary terms
Rewrite phrases or sentences correctly
The passage is written in modern English and selected from a wide range of topics suitable for senior secondary candidates.
Section C: Summary Writing
Time allocation: 40 minutes
Candidates are given a prose passage of about 500 words and required to:
Extract relevant information
Summarize specific points clearly
Avoid repetition and unnecessary details
This section tests precision, clarity, and effective communication.
Paper 3: Oral English / Listening Comprehension
Duration: 45 minutes
Total Questions: 60
Total Marks: 30 marks
Nigeria & Liberia: Multiple-choice Oral English test
The Gambia & Sierra Leone: Listening Comprehension Test
This paper evaluates candidates’ spoken English skills, pronunciation, and phonetic awareness.
2026/2027 WAEC English Language Syllabus
Paper 1: Lexis and Structure
A. Lexis (Vocabulary Development)
Vocabulary questions are drawn from real-life fields such as:
Building and construction
Agriculture and fishing
Health and environment
Law, order, and governance
Sports and religion
Science and technology
Advertising and commerce
Transportation and travel
Human body systems
Candidates are also tested on:
Idiomatic expressions and collocations
Figurative usage where meanings go beyond literal definitions.
B. Structure (Grammar)
This section focuses on:
Tenses and word forms
Sentence structure and word order
Pronouns and antecedents
Prepositions and conjunctions
Agreement between subject and verb
A solid understanding of grammar rules and their application is essential for success in this section.
Paper 2: Writing, Comprehension, and Summary
This paper emphasizes practical communication skills, ensuring candidates can express ideas clearly, accurately, and logically in written English.
Paper 3: Oral English
The Oral English syllabus covers:
Pure vowels and diphthongs
Consonants and consonant clusters
Rhymes
Word stress and syllable structure
Intonation and emphatic stress
Phonetic symbols
Regular listening practice and pronunciation drills are vital for excelling in this paper.
WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 | Recommended Textbooks
To prepare effectively for the examination, WAEC recommends the following textbooks:
Bamgbose, A. English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools
Banjo, A. et al. New Oxford Secondary English Course
Daniel Jones. Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary
Egbe, D. I. Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills
Elugbe, B. Oral English for Schools and Colleges
Grant, N. J. H. et al. Senior English Project
Idowu, O. O. et al. Round-up English: A Complete Guide
Nnamonu, S. & Jowitt, D. Common Errors in English
Tomori, S. H. O. Objective Tests for School Certificate English
Ukwuegbu, C. et al. Catch-up English for SSCE/UME
These textbooks cover grammar, vocabulary, oral English, essay writing, and examination practice in line with the WAEC syllabus.
English Language and Literature-in-English: What Candidates Should Know
While English Language focuses on communication skills, Literature-in-English tests students’ understanding of drama, prose, and poetry using prescribed texts for 2026–2030. Candidates offering both subjects should plan their studies carefully to balance language mastery with literary analysis.
Why English Language Is Crucial for WAEC Candidates
English Language:
Is compulsory for all WAEC candidates
Affects admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges
Enhances performance in other subjects
Develops lifelong communication and analytical skills
A strong foundation in English significantly improves overall academic performance. Students are advised to put in their best energy during study to be successful during the exam, Candidates are advised to visit WAEC Official E-learning Portal https://www.waeconline.org.ng/ for Updated information regarding the Examination and Guidelines. Online CBT Practice is also available for those interested in Past Questions via the link http://www.Myschool.ng
