Learning English is not always about mugging up textbooks and writing in a flowery language. Communication skills are equally important.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CSBE), in an attempt to promote this skill among students, has decided to introduce a separate section in the English paper for classes IX and XI from the 2012-13 academic session.

From now, students of the two classes will have to take a 10-mark test on their conversational skills.

From the 2013-14 academic session, students of classes X and XII will also have to learn the communication skills.

The CBSE has recently directed its schools to train the students on speaking and listening skills. On the basis of these classes, students classes IX and XI will take a test, which will be known as Formative Assessments (FAs) in English.

The CBSE-affiliated schools have received a circular from the board, which directs them to integrate all language skills into the English syllabus of the school.

“The board aims to make the students confident speakers, which would enhance their personality. With this objective, the board has come up with the idea of conducting formal tests on communication skills. It has also asked the schools to conduct debates and other events where a student’s oratory skills are tested,” A CBSE official at its regional office said. Class XI student of DAV Khagaul Abhishek Kumar told The Telegraph: “I think it is a good step by the CBSE. This will force us to concentrate more on the communication we will improve that way. If we are good at communicating, we will not face any difficulties while facing an interview.”

Another student of a CBSE school said: “If there are more debates and speaking competitions, it would not only add flavour to the daily curriculum, but it will also help us be better prepared to speak in front of people.”

However, a number of schoolteachers felt, the section should not have been introduced at the senior secondary-level because they are already under a lot of pressure of a number of subjects. Adding one more section will only add to their pressure.

A schoolteacher, on the condition of anonymity, said: “It is good to nurture conversational skills. But it should be introduced just at the secondary-level because students go through different topics related to humanities among others. An additional test would become more of a burden for the children than anything else, especially for students of science and commerce streams.”

Another teacher of a CBSE school had the same opinion.

He said: “There are a few chapters in Class XII, from where the students are asked short questions carrying two marks each. Students have to already spend a lot of time studying these chapters so that they can answer these short questions. Trying to improve on the students’ communication skills is fine, but it must not add to the pressure.”