HomeBlogWAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By October 29, 2025 Blog, WAEC Preparation 2026, WAEC Syllabus 2026, WAEC Textbooks 0 Comments

The WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks includes: comprehension, summary, and the correct use of English. The syllabus for Literature-in-English for 2026-2030 has also been released and includes specific textbooks for each part of literature, such as Shakespearean, African, and non-African prose, drama, and poetry.

For English Language, you will need to prepare for reading, comprehension, summary, vocabulary, and listening and speech components, while for Literature, you will need to study the selected textbooks from the 2026-2030 list we will publish below.

WAEC English Examination Guidelines 2026/2027

The exam consists of three papers — Papers 1, 2, and 3 — all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 form a composite paper that will be taken together.

Paper 1, for candidates in The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, contains eighty multiple-choice questions divided equally between lexical (vocabulary) and structural (grammar) sections. Each question offers four options (A–D), and the paper is to be completed in one hour for a total of 40 marks.

Paper 2, taken by all candidates, includes five essay topics and comprehension and summary passages. Candidates are required to write one essay and answer all questions based on the passages. This paper tests both written expression and reading comprehension skills. It lasts for two hours and carries 100 marks.

Paper 3 focuses on oral English skills — it includes sixty multiple-choice questions testing pronunciation, stress, and intonation for candidates in Nigeria and Liberia, while those in The Gambia and Sierra Leone take a Listening Comprehension Test. This final paper lasts 45 minutes and is worth 30 marks.

WAEC English Language Syllabus 2026/2027

WAEC ENGLISH SYLLABUS
 PAPER 1: (For candidates in The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia only)

This is an objective/multiple choice paper comprising eighty questions: forty lexical and forty structural questions. Each question will have four options lettered A to D.
SNTOPICSOBJECTIVES
ALEXISI.. (a) Building and Building Construction;
(b) Agriculture;
(c) Fishing;
(d) Stock exchange;
(e) Health;
(f) Environment;
(g) Culture, Institutions and Ceremonies;
(h) Law and Order;
(i) Motor Vehicles and Travelling;
(j) Government and Administration;
(k) Sports;
(l) Religion;
(m) Science and Technology;
(n) Animal husbandry;
(o) Advertising;
(p) Human Internal Body system and function.



II. Idioms, i.e. idiomatic expressions and collocations (e.g. ‘hook, line and sinker’, ‘every Tom, Dick and Harry” etc.) the total meaning of which cannot be arrived at simply by consideration of the dictionary meanings of the words in the structures in which they appear.

III. Structural elements of English e.g. sequence of tenses, matching of pronouns with their antecedents, correct use of prepositions etc.

IV. Figurative Usage
BSTRUCTUREStructure here includes:

(i) The patterns of changes in word-forms which indicate number, tense, degree, etc;
(ii) The patterns in which different categories of words regularly combine to form groups and these groups in turn combine to form sentences;
(iii) The use of structural words e.g. conjunctions, determiners, prepositions, etc.
 PAPER 2: (For all candidates)

The paper will be divided into three sections: Sections A, B and C. Candidates will be required to spend 2 hours on this paper.
AESSAY WRITINGThe topics will demand the following kinds of writing:

(i) letter;
(ii) speech;
(iii) narration;
(iv) description;
(v) argument/debate;
(vi) report;
(vii) article;
(viii) exposition;
(ix) creative writing.

Marks will be awarded for:
(i) Content: relevance of ideas to the topic;
(ii) Organization: formal features (where applicable), good paragraphing, appropriate emphasis and arrangement of ideas;
(iii) Expression: effective control of vocabulary and sentence structure;
(iv) Mechanical Accuracy: correct grammar, punctuation, spelling etc.

The minimum length will be 450 words.
BCOMPREHENSIONThe questions will test candidates’ ability to


(i) find appropriate equivalents for selected words or phrases;
(ii) understand the factual content;
(iii) make inferences from the content of the passage;
(iv) understand the use of English expressions that reveal/reflect sentiments/emotions/attitudes;
(v) identify and label basic grammatical structures, words, phrases or clauses and explain their functions as they appear in the context;
(vi) identify and explain basic literary terms and expressions;
(vii) recast phrases or sentences into grammatical alternatives.

The passage will be chosen from a wide variety of sources all of which should be suitable for this level of examination in terms of theme and interest. The passage will be written in modern English that should be within the experience of candidates. The comprehension test will include at least four questions based on (ii) above.
CSUMMARYCandidates will be required to spend 40 minutes on this section. The section will consist of one prose passage of about five hundred (500) words and will test candidates’ ability to

(i) extract relevant information;
(ii) summarize the points demanded in clear concise English, avoiding repetition and redundancy;
(iii) present a summary of specific aspects or portions of the passage.

The passage will be selected from a wide variety of suitable sources, including excerpts from narratives, dialogues and expositions of social, cultural, economic and political issues in any part of the world.
 PAPER 3: Oral English
ATEST OF ORALSThe test will also be of the multiple-choice objective type consisting of sixty questions on a wide range of areas or aspects of Orals as contained in the syllabus.
The test will cover the following areas:

1. Vowels – pure vowels and diphthongs;
2. Consonants and clusters;
3. Rhymes;
4. Word stress/Syllable Structure;
5. Emphatic Stress/Intonation Patterns;
6. Phonetic Symbols

WAEC English Language Textbooks 2026/2027

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

Related Posts

Related Posts

About Author

WAEC2026

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *