French JAMB Syllabus 2027/2028 Download PDF

The JAMB French syllabus 2027/2028 covers the major areas you need to study in French for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The syllabus is designed to help you understand written French, apply the rules that govern French grammar and sentence structure, identify how French sounds work, and understand important aspects of life and culture in Francophone West Africa and France.

The major areas covered include:

• written comprehension;
• nouns, pronouns and verbs;
• adjectives and adverbs;
• prepositions and conjunctions;
• articles;
• vocabulary;
• word order;
• sentence formation;
• conjugation;
• negation;
• agreement;
• pluralisation;
• word derivation;
• comparison;
• proverbs and idioms;
• common speech expressions;
• French pronunciation;
• liaison and syllabification;
• Francophone culture and civilization.

You will also study how French is used in different situations, including how to propose, advise, regret, admire, hope, ask questions and express agreement.

The pronunciation section focuses on sound discrimination, letter-sound relationships, liaison, syllables, intonation and other features that support effective spoken French.

The culture and civilization section covers areas such as education, social and economic life, political organization, greetings, food, dressing, leisure, marriage, festivals, art and professions in Francophone Africa and France, with comparisons to Nigeria where appropriate.

As you revise, focus on both understanding the rules and applying them correctly in comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and communication.

This guide covers the main JAMB French syllabus topics and objectives, the PDF download section, recommended textbooks and revision guidance to help you organize your preparation.

Download JAMB French Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF

The JAMB French syllabus 2027/2028 PDF can help you organize your revision and keep track of the topics you have studied.

The syllabus covers major areas such as:

• written comprehension;
• French grammar and sentence structure;
• vocabulary;
• conjugation;
• negation and agreement;
• word formation;
• common French expressions;
• pronunciation and sound patterns;
• Francophone culture and civilization.

Keeping the PDF on your phone, tablet or computer makes it easier to check the required topics whenever you study.

Download the JAMB French Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF here:

You can download, tap or click it to open the PDF and save it on your device.

You can also use the syllabus as a checklist. After studying a topic, mark it as completed and move to the next one until you have covered the main areas of comprehension, grammar, pronunciation and culture.

1: Written Comprehension in French

This section covers written comprehension in French. You should be able to read a French passage, understand its main ideas and answer questions based on its content, purpose and style.

Reading French Passages

The comprehension section may include texts on general or emerging topics.

Examples include:

• love;
• life;
• death;
• politics;
• marriage;
• HIV/AIDS;
• communication;
• child trafficking;
• cultism;
• travel;
• corruption;
• money laundering.

The aim is to test how well you can understand written French in different contexts.

Understanding the Content of a Passage

When reading a passage, focus on:

• the main topic;
• important details;
• the writer’s message;
• relationships between ideas;
• information that can be inferred from the text.

You should be able to identify what the passage is mainly about and distinguish the central idea from supporting information.

Understanding the Writer’s Intent

Some questions may test the purpose or intention behind a passage.

You should be able to determine whether the writer is trying to:

• explain;
• describe;
• inform;
• persuade;
• criticize;
• express an opinion.

Your answer should be based on clues found in the text.

Understanding Style

You may also need to recognize the style used in a passage.

Pay attention to:

• choice of words;
• sentence construction;
• tone;
• expressions used by the writer.

These features can help you understand how the writer presents ideas and communicates with the reader.

Vocabulary in Context

When you come across an unfamiliar French word, use the surrounding sentence or paragraph to help determine its meaning.

Focus on:

• the way the word is used;
• words around it;
• the idea being discussed;
• possible synonyms or related meanings.

This is important because comprehension questions may require you to understand words without seeing a direct translation.

Drawing Conclusions

Some answers may not be stated directly in the passage.

You may need to combine different pieces of information and use reasoning to reach the correct conclusion.

Always base your conclusion on evidence from the passage.

The main focus of this section is to develop your ability to read French carefully, understand the content and intention of a text, interpret vocabulary in context and use reasoning to answer comprehension questions correctly.

2: French Nouns, Pronouns and Verbs

This section covers some of the basic form classes in written French, especially nouns, pronouns and verbs.

You should be able to identify these grammatical classes, understand their different forms and use them correctly in sentences.

French Nouns

Study French nouns according to:

• simple and compound forms;
• singular and plural forms;
• masculine and feminine gender.

You should understand how a noun may change depending on number and gender.

Focus on recognizing whether a noun is:

• masculine or feminine;
• singular or plural;
• simple or compound.

Correct identification of gender and number is important because these features affect other words in the sentence, especially articles and adjectives.

Simple and Compound Nouns

A simple noun consists of one basic word, while a compound noun is formed from more than one element.

You should be able to distinguish between the two and recognize how they function in written French.

Masculine and Feminine Nouns

French nouns are generally classified as either:

• masculine;
• feminine.

When revising, pay attention to the gender of nouns because it influences the forms of articles, adjectives and some pronouns used with them.

Singular and Plural Nouns

Study how French nouns change from singular to plural.

You should be able to:

• identify singular forms;
• identify plural forms;
• apply the correct form according to the sentence.

French Pronouns

The pronoun types covered include:

• personal pronouns;
• impersonal pronouns;
• demonstrative pronouns;
• possessive pronouns;
• relative pronouns.

You should understand the function of each type and know when it is appropriate to use it.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are used in place of people or things already identified in a sentence.

Focus on selecting the correct pronoun according to:

• person;
• number;
• grammatical function.

Impersonal Pronouns

Study impersonal pronoun structures and how they are used where the sentence does not refer directly to a particular person.

You should be able to recognize such structures in written French.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to or identify particular people or things.

Study how they differ from other pronoun types and how they are used within sentences.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns express ownership or possession.

Focus on how their forms relate to the noun or idea being referred to.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns connect ideas and introduce relative clauses.

You should be able to identify them and understand their role in joining information within a sentence.

French Verbs

The syllabus covers:

• reflexive verbs;
• non-reflexive verbs;
• verb moods;
• verb tenses.

You should understand how verbs change according to tense, mood and sentence structure.

Reflexive and Non-Reflexive Verbs

A reflexive verb is used with a reflexive pronoun, while a non-reflexive verb does not follow this pattern.

Focus on distinguishing between these two verb types and recognizing how they appear in sentences.

Verb Moods and Tenses

Study the different moods and tenses required for written French.

You should be able to recognize the tense being used and choose the appropriate verb form to express a particular meaning.

Conjugation is especially important because French verb forms change according to:

• subject;
• tense;
• mood.

The main focus of this section is to understand how nouns, pronouns and verbs are formed and used correctly as basic building blocks of written French.

3: Adjectives, Adverbs and Word Classes

This section covers important French adjectives and adverbs, including their forms, functions and how they are used to express description, manner, purpose, cause, place and time.

French Adjectives

The syllabus includes several types of adjectives:

• qualifying adjectives;
• possessive adjectives;
• interrogative adjectives;
• demonstrative adjectives;
• indefinite adjectives;
• numeral adjectives;
• ordinal adjectives.

You should be able to identify each type and use it correctly in a sentence.

Qualifying Adjectives

Qualifying adjectives describe the quality or characteristic of a noun.

Focus on:

• identifying the adjective;
• relating it correctly to the noun it describes;
• applying appropriate agreement where required.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives show ownership or relationship.

You should understand how they are used with nouns and how their forms depend on the noun being referred to.

Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives are used in questions.

Focus on recognizing them and using them correctly when asking for information about a noun.

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to point out specific people, objects or ideas.

You should understand how they are used to distinguish one noun from another.

Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives refer to nouns in a general or non-specific way.

The syllabus gives examples such as nul.

Focus on recognizing how these adjectives function in sentences.

Numeral and Ordinal Adjectives

Numeral adjectives show number, while ordinal adjectives show position or order.

Examples include:

• dix;
• dixième.

You should understand the difference between quantity and order.

French Adverbs

The syllabus covers both common and special adverb forms.

One common type is formed with -ment, as in:

• lentement.

Other adverbial expressions may be formed with a preposition and noun, such as:

• par avion;
• à cheval;
• en voiture;
• par bateau.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner explain how an action is performed.

Examples include:

• debout;
• facilement.

Focus on using these forms appropriately in sentences.

Expressions of Purpose

Purpose can be expressed with structures such as:

• pour + infinitive;
• afin de + infinitive.

You should be able to recognize when these structures show the reason or aim behind an action.

Cause and Consequence

The syllabus includes expressions used to show cause and consequence, such as:

• pour + infinitive perfect;
• à cause de + noun.

Focus on identifying the relationship between an event and its cause or result.

Concession

Concession can be expressed with structures such as:

• malgré + noun.

You should understand how this structure introduces an idea that contrasts with another part of the sentence.

Adverbs of Place

Examples include:

• y;
• en;
• ici;
• là;
• là-haut;
• partout.

Study how these forms are used to indicate location or direction.

Adverbs of Time

Important time expressions include:

• hier;
• aujourd’hui;
• avant-hier;
• après;
• demain;
• la veille;
• le matin;
• dans un mois.

You should understand how these expressions place an action in time.

Special Adverb Forms

The syllabus also includes special forms such as:

• bien;
• vite;
• mal;
• mieux;
• le mieux;
• pire;
• le pis;
• ne…que.

Focus on recognizing their meanings and using them appropriately in context.

The main focus of this section is to understand how adjectives describe nouns and how adverbs add information about manner, purpose, cause, place, time and other relationships in written French.

4: Prepositions, Conjunctions and Articles

This section covers important French prepositions, conjunctions and articles and how they are used to connect words, phrases and ideas correctly in sentences.

French Prepositions

Prepositions help show relationships between words in a sentence.

The syllabus includes both:

• simple prepositions;
• compound prepositions.

Simple Prepositions

Examples include:

• à;
• de;
• avec;
• avant;
• sur;
• dans.

You should understand the meaning and function of each preposition and be able to use it correctly in context.

Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are made up of more than one word.

Examples include:

• à côté de;
• au milieu de.

Focus on how these expressions indicate relationships such as position, place or connection between different elements in a sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses of equal importance.

Examples include:

• mais;
• ou;
• et;
• donc;
• car;
• cependant;
• ne…ni.

You should be able to identify these conjunctions and understand the relationship they create between ideas.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause and connect it to another part of the sentence.

Examples include:

• afin que;
• quoique;
• à condition que;
• pour que;
• parce que.

Focus on how these expressions can introduce ideas involving:

• purpose;
• condition;
• cause;
• concession;
• explanation.

French Articles

The syllabus covers three major types of articles:

• definite articles;
• indefinite articles;
• partitive articles.

You should understand how each type is used with nouns.

Definite Articles

Definite articles are used when referring to a particular person, object or idea.

Focus on choosing the correct form according to:

• gender;
• number;
• context.

Indefinite Articles

Indefinite articles are used when the noun is not being referred to in a specific or already identified way.

You should be able to distinguish their use from definite articles.

Partitive Articles

Partitive articles are used when referring to an unspecified quantity of something.

Focus on recognizing these forms and using them appropriately in sentences.

Using These Structures Correctly

When revising this section, make sure you can:

• identify prepositions in sentences;
• distinguish simple and compound prepositions;
• recognize coordinating and subordinating conjunctions;
• identify definite, indefinite and partitive articles;
• choose the correct form according to meaning;
• use these structures to connect ideas clearly.

The main focus of this section is to understand how prepositions, conjunctions and articles help organize written French and make relationships between words and ideas clear.

5: Vocabulary, Word Order and Sentence Formation

This section covers French vocabulary, word order and the structure of different sentence types. You should understand how words are used in context and how their position can change the meaning or correctness of a sentence.

Vocabulary in Contemporary Contexts

The syllabus expects you to develop a useful range of French vocabulary and understand how words function in modern contexts.

Focus on:

• meanings of words;
• appropriate use of words;
• synonyms;
• antonyms.

You should be able to identify the meaning of a word from the context in which it appears.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.

When revising, focus on recognizing words that can express similar ideas and knowing when one form is more appropriate than another.

Antonyms

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings.

You should be able to identify opposites and use them correctly within sentences.

Importance of Word Order

Word order is important in French because words must be arranged correctly for a sentence to communicate the intended meaning.

The syllabus covers word order in:

• affirmative sentences;
• interrogative sentences;
• imperative sentences;
• passive voice formation.

Affirmative Sentences

Study how normal statements are constructed in French.

Focus on:

• subject placement;
• verb placement;
• object placement;
• other sentence elements.

You should be able to recognize and construct acceptable affirmative sentences.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions.

Study how word order changes when forming questions and how different question structures are organized.

Focus on constructing clear and grammatically correct interrogative sentences.

Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences are commonly used to give:

• instructions;
• commands;
• requests.

You should understand how verbs and other sentence elements are arranged when forming the imperative.

Passive Voice

Study the formation of the passive voice and how it differs from the active form.

Focus on identifying:

• the action;
• the person or thing receiving the action;
• the correct arrangement of sentence elements.

Sentence Acceptability

You should be able to determine whether a written French sentence follows the required grammatical structure.

This may involve checking:

• word order;
• correct grammatical forms;
• appropriate vocabulary;
• agreement;
• verb forms.

Communicating Different Messages

French sentence structures can be changed to communicate different meanings and intentions.

You should understand how to apply grammatical structures to express ideas clearly and appropriately in written French.

The main focus of this section is to develop your ability to understand French vocabulary in context, identify synonyms and antonyms, arrange words correctly and construct different sentence types accurately.

6: Conjugation, Negation, Agreement and Pluralisation

This section covers important grammatical processes in written French, especially conjugation, negation, agreement and pluralisation.

You should understand how these structures work and how to apply them correctly in sentences.

French Conjugation

Conjugation involves changing the form of a verb according to:

• subject;
• tense;
• mood.

The syllabus requires you to study French conjugation in the relevant tenses, except:

• l’imparfait du subjonctif;
• le passé composé du subjonctif;
• le plus-que-parfait du subjonctif.

Focus on recognizing the correct verb form and applying it according to the meaning of the sentence.

Using the Correct Tense

When revising conjugation, make sure you can:

• identify the tense being used;
• choose the correct verb ending;
• match the verb with the subject;
• distinguish between different time references;
• use the appropriate tense to communicate the intended message.

Do not memorize verb forms without understanding how they function in sentences.

French Negation

French uses different negative structures to express denial, absence, restriction or contradiction.

Important forms include:

• ne…pas;
• ne…plus;
• ne…rien;
• ne…ni…ni;
• ne…personne;
• personne…ne;
• aucun…ne;
• rien ne.

You should understand the meaning of each structure and where its parts are placed in the sentence.

Using Negative Expressions Correctly

Different negative forms express different meanings.

For revision, focus on:

• choosing the correct negative expression;
• placing the negative elements correctly;
• recognizing the meaning created by each form;
• changing affirmative sentences into negative sentences where required.

Agreement

Agreement is important in French because some words change according to the gender and number of the words they relate to.

Study agreement involving forms such as:

• nouns;
• adjectives;
• pronouns;
• verb forms where applicable.

For example, the syllabus highlights structures where adjectives or other grammatical elements must agree correctly with the words they describe or replace.

Gender Agreement

Pay attention to the difference between:

• masculine forms;
• feminine forms.

You should be able to recognize when a word needs to change to match the gender of another word in the sentence.

Number Agreement

Number agreement involves matching words according to whether they are:

• singular;
• plural.

Focus on how articles, adjectives and other relevant grammatical forms change when the noun becomes plural.

Pluralisation

Study how French nouns and adjectives change from singular to plural.

Examples given include forms such as:

• cheval → chevaux;
• beau → beaux.

You should understand both regular and special plural forms covered in your grammar study.

Applying These Grammar Rules

When revising this section, make sure you can:

• conjugate verbs correctly;
• identify appropriate tense forms;
• form negative sentences;
• distinguish between different negative expressions;
• apply gender and number agreement;
• change singular forms into plural forms;
• detect incorrect grammatical forms.

The main focus of this section is to understand how verb forms, negative structures, agreement and pluralisation work together to produce grammatically correct written French.

7: Word Derivation, Comparison and Set Expressions

This section covers word derivation, comparison, proverbs, idioms, conventional expressions and common speech acts in French.

You should understand how words can change from one grammatical form to another and how fixed expressions are used in everyday communication.

Word Derivation

French words can be formed from other words through derivation.

Examples include changing:

• an adjective into an adverb;
• an adjective into another form;
• an adjective into a noun.

Examples given include:

• lent → lentement;
• bon → bonté;
• riche → richesse.

Focus on recognizing how the form and grammatical function of a word can change.

Forming Adverbs from Adjectives

One common form of derivation involves changing an adjective into an adverb.

For example:

• lent → lentement.

You should be able to recognize this relationship and understand how the resulting adverb functions in a sentence.

Forming Nouns from Adjectives

Some adjectives can be changed into nouns.

Examples include:

• bon → bonté;
• riche → richesse.

Focus on identifying the original word and the new grammatical category produced through derivation.

Comparison in French

The syllabus covers different degrees of comparison.

Important structures include:

• plus…que;
• moins…que;
• aussi…que.

These structures are used to compare people, objects, qualities or situations.

For example, plus…que expresses a higher degree, while moins…que expresses a lower degree.

Special Comparative Forms

Some French words have special comparative and superlative forms.

Important examples include:

• bon;
• meilleur;
• le meilleur / la meilleure;
• mauvais;
• pire;
• le pire.

You should be able to recognize these forms and distinguish them from regular comparisons.

French Proverbs

The syllabus includes common French proverbs.

Examples include:

• tel père, tel fils;
• petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid.

You should understand the meanings of such expressions and the situations in which they can be used.

The focus is not only on translating the words literally but also on understanding the message communicated by the proverb.

French Idioms

Idioms are expressions whose meanings may not be clear from the individual words alone.

Examples include:

• avoir une faim de loup;
• crier sur le toit;
• mourir de peur.

You should be able to recognize idiomatic expressions and understand their intended meanings.

Conventional Expressions

French also contains fixed expressions commonly used in everyday situations.

Examples include:

• enchanté;
• c’est dommage;
• c’est formidable;
• stationnement interdit.

Study what these expressions mean and the situations in which they are appropriately used.

Common Speech Acts

The syllabus covers French expressions used to perform different communication functions.

These include:

• proposing;
• advising;
• regretting;
• admiring;
• hoping;
• questioning;
• reproaching;
• agreeing.

You should be able to recognize the purpose of an expression and choose language that fits the intended situation.

Applying Expressions in Communication

When revising this section, make sure you can:

• identify derived word forms;
• distinguish regular and special comparative forms;
• interpret proverbs;
• explain idiomatic expressions;
• understand conventional expressions;
• identify the purpose of common speech acts;
• use suitable expressions in appropriate situations.

The main focus of this section is to understand how French words change form and how comparisons, idioms, proverbs and common expressions are used to communicate meaning naturally.

8: French Sounds and Pronunciation

This section covers how French sounds work in speech production, including sound discrimination, letter-sound correspondence, syllabification, liaison, sense groups, faux amis and sound similarity.

Sound Discrimination

You should be able to distinguish between French sounds that may appear similar.

Examples include contrasts such as:

• tout / tu;
• fais / fée.

Focus on hearing and recognizing the difference between sounds so that pronunciation and meaning remain clear.

Letter-Sound Correspondence

French spelling and pronunciation do not always match in a simple one-to-one way.

Study common letter-sound relationships such as:

• ai → /e/;
• eau → /o/.

You should understand how written letter combinations are pronounced in spoken French.

Syllabification

Syllabification involves dividing words into syllables.

For example:

• con / tente / ment.

You should be able to recognize how French words are divided into syllables and how this affects pronunciation.

Liaison

Liaison occurs when a normally silent final consonant is pronounced because the next word begins with a vowel sound.

Examples include:

• trois animaux;
• des enfants.

Focus on recognizing where liaison occurs and how it affects fluent pronunciation.

Sense Groups in Reading

French speech is often organized into meaningful groups rather than being read word by word.

You should pay attention to:

• natural pauses;
• grouping of words;
• intonation;
• meaning.

This helps make spoken French clearer and more natural.

Pause and Intonation

When reading French aloud, meaning can be affected by:

• pauses;
• intonation;
• rhythm.

You should be able to recognize how these features help separate ideas and express questions, statements and other meanings.

E-caduc

The syllabus also includes e-caduc, which refers to situations where the French sound represented by e may be weakened or omitted in speech.

Focus on recognizing how this feature affects pronunciation and spoken rhythm.

Faux Amis

Faux amis are words that look similar in French and English but do not necessarily have the same meaning.

Examples include:

• librairie / library;
• rester / to rest;
• blesser / to bless.

You should be careful not to assume the English meaning from the appearance of the French word.

Identifying Similar Sounds

You should also be able to compare words according to their sound patterns.

Examples include:

• maison / saison;
• dents / don;
• fond / fonde.

Focus on identifying similarities and differences in pronunciation.

Using Pronunciation for Communication

When revising this section, make sure you can:

• distinguish between French sounds;
• connect written forms with pronunciation;
• divide words into syllables;
• recognize liaison;
• use appropriate pauses and intonation;
• identify faux amis;
• recognize similar sound patterns.

The main focus of this section is to understand how French sounds are produced and grouped so that spoken French can be understood and used effectively.

9: Francophone African and French Culture

This section covers culture and civilization in Francophone Africa and France, with comparison to Nigeria where appropriate.

You should understand important features of everyday life, education, society, politics and culture in these places.

Educational System

Study the main features of the educational system in:

• Francophone African countries;
• France.

Focus on:

• organization of education;
• school structure;
• similarities and differences between the systems;
• comparison with Nigeria where appropriate.

Socio-Economic Life

The syllabus includes important aspects of social and economic life.

Study areas such as:

• work and professions;
• family life;
• social relationships;
• economic activities;
• everyday living conditions.

You should be able to identify important characteristics and compare them across different societies.

Political Organization

Study the basic features of political organization in Francophone Africa and France.

Focus on:

• major political structures;
• organization of public life;
• similarities and differences between the systems;
• comparison with Nigeria where appropriate.

Greetings and Social Behaviour

Greetings are an important part of culture.

Study how people greet one another in different situations and how these customs may differ between:

• Francophone Africa;
• France;
• Nigeria.

Focus on the social meaning of greetings and the situations in which different forms are used.

Dressing

Study common features of dressing in Francophone societies.

You should understand how clothing may reflect:

• culture;
• occasion;
• social setting;
• regional differences.

Compare these features with dressing customs in Nigeria where appropriate.

Food

Food is another important part of cultural life.

Study:

• common foods;
• eating habits;
• food-related customs.

Focus on similarities and differences between Francophone societies and Nigeria where appropriate.

Leisure

Study the ways people spend their free time.

This may include:

• recreation;
• sports;
• entertainment;
• social activities.

You should be able to identify common forms of leisure and compare them across different societies.

Marriage

Marriage is included as an important aspect of culture.

Focus on:

• marriage customs;
• social expectations;
• similarities and differences between Francophone societies and Nigeria.

Festivals

Study important cultural and social festivals.

Focus on:

• the purpose of festivals;
• how they are celebrated;
• their cultural importance.

You should also be able to compare festival practices with those found in Nigeria where appropriate.

Art

The culture section also includes art.

Study major forms of cultural expression and understand how art reflects the history, traditions and identity of a society.

Professions

Study common professions and their place in society.

Focus on:

• types of occupations;
• social importance of different professions;
• differences or similarities across Francophone Africa, France and Nigeria.

Comparing Cultures

When revising this section, make sure you can:

• identify important cultural features;
• explain similarities and differences;
• compare Francophone Africa and France;
• relate them to Nigeria where possible;
• use reasoning to explain cultural differences.

The main focus of this section is to understand how education, social life, politics, greetings, dressing, food, leisure, marriage, festivals, art and professions reflect the culture and civilization of Francophone Africa and France.

How to Use the JAMB French Syllabus for Revision

Use the JAMB French syllabus as a revision checklist and study one major area at a time.

Read also: JAMB Area of Concentration for French Subject 2027/2028

The main areas include:

• written comprehension;
• grammar and sentence structure;
• vocabulary and expressions;
• pronunciation;
• culture and civilization.

For written comprehension, practise reading French passages and identifying:

• the main idea;
• supporting details;
• the writer’s purpose;
• the meaning of words in context;
• conclusions that can be drawn from the text.

Try to read short French texts regularly so that comprehension becomes easier.

For grammar, focus on:

• nouns;
• pronouns;
• verbs;
• adjectives;
• adverbs;
• prepositions;
• conjunctions;
• articles;
• conjugation;
• negation;
• agreement;
• pluralisation;
• word order;
• sentence formation.

Do not only memorize grammar rules. Practise using them in complete French sentences.

For vocabulary, revise:

• synonyms;
• antonyms;
• contemporary expressions;
• proverbs;
• idioms;
• conventional expressions;
• common speech acts.

Pay attention to the meaning of words in context and how expressions are used in real communication.

For pronunciation, practise:

• sound discrimination;
• letter-sound correspondence;
• syllabification;
• liaison;
• pauses;
• intonation;
• e-caduc;
• similar sound patterns.

Reading French aloud can help you become more familiar with these sound features.

For culture and civilization, study:

• education;
• socio-economic life;
• political organization;
• greetings;
• dressing;
• food;
• leisure;
• marriage;
• festivals;
• art;
• professions.

Make sure you can compare important features of Francophone Africa and France with Nigeria where appropriate.

Use the objectives under each topic to check whether you can:

• identify;
• explain;
• compare;
• apply;
• interpret;
• distinguish;
• communicate correctly.

A useful revision method is to study one topic, answer practice questions on it, review your mistakes and mark that section as completed before moving to the next area.

Recommended Texts for JAMB French

The recommended books for JAMB French cover written French, grammar, oral French, pronunciation, Francophone culture and dictionary use.

Recommended Books for Written French

1. Ajiboye, T. (2014), Companion to French Grammar, 4th Edition. Ibadan: Cleavoketa Books.
2. Ajiboye, T. (2012), Nouvel Horizon, Book 4, New Revised Edition. Ibadan: Bounty Press.
3. Byrne and Churchill (1980), A Comprehensive French Grammar.

Other relevant materials on French grammar can also support your revision.

Recommended Books for Oral French

1. Ajiboye, T. (2010), An Introduction to Practice in Oral French. Ibadan: Bounty Press.
2. Leon, M. (1978), Initiation à la Prononciation du Français Standard.

Other materials that emphasize oral French practice and pronunciation can also be useful.

Recommended Books for Francophone Culture

1. Girod, R. and Grand-Clement, F. (1979), Comment vivent les Français. Paris: Hachette.
2. Mbuko, L. (2000), French Essays on Culture and Civilisation for Schools and Colleges. Ibadan: Bounty Press.

Read also: Full List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for French 2027/2028

You can also use relevant materials such as:

• French newspapers;
• magazines;
• journals;
• documents on Francophone life.

These can support your understanding of culture and civilization in France and Francophone countries.

Recommended Dictionaries

A good French-English dictionary or French dictionary can help with vocabulary, spelling and word meanings while you study.

The recommended materials can support your preparation in French grammar, conjugation, pronunciation, oral practice, vocabulary and Francophone culture.

Key Points to Remember

• The JAMB French syllabus covers written comprehension, grammar and usage, pronunciation, and Francophone culture and civilization.
• Written comprehension tests your ability to understand the content, intent and style of French passages.
• Important grammar classes include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and articles.
• French nouns should be studied according to gender, number and form.
• Pronouns include personal, impersonal, demonstrative, possessive and relative pronouns.
• Verbs include reflexive and non-reflexive forms, together with the required moods and tenses.
• Adjectives include qualifying, possessive, interrogative, demonstrative, indefinite, numeral and ordinal forms.
• Adverbs can express manner, purpose, cause, consequence, concession, place and time.
• Important prepositions include both simple and compound forms.
• Conjunctions may be coordinating or subordinating.
• French articles include definite, indefinite and partitive articles.
• Vocabulary study should include meaning in context, synonyms and antonyms.
• Word order is important in affirmative, interrogative and imperative sentences, as well as passive voice formation.
• Conjugation should be practised in the required tenses and moods.
• Important negative structures include ne…pas, ne…plus, ne…rien, ne…ni…ni, ne…personne and aucun…ne.
• Correct French requires proper agreement in gender and number.
• Pluralisation may involve changes such as cheval → chevaux and beau → beaux.
• Word derivation includes changes such as lent → lentement, bon → bonté and riche → richesse.
• Comparison uses structures such as plus…que, moins…que and aussi…que.
• Special comparative forms include meilleur, le meilleur, pire and le pire.
• Set expressions include proverbs, idioms and conventional expressions.
• Common speech acts include proposing, advising, regretting, admiring, hoping, questioning, reproaching and agreeing.
• French pronunciation covers sound discrimination, letter-sound correspondence, syllabification and liaison.
• You should also understand sense groups, pauses, intonation and e-caduc.
• Faux amis are words that look similar in French and English but may have different meanings.
• Culture and civilization covers Francophone Africa and France, with comparison to Nigeria where appropriate.
• Important cultural areas include education, socio-economic life, political organization, greetings, dressing, food, leisure, marriage, festivals, art and professions.
• Revision should combine reading, grammar practice, vocabulary, pronunciation and cultural knowledge.
• Do not only memorize rules. Practise applying them in French sentences and comprehension passages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The JAMB French syllabus 2027/2028 covers the main areas you need to understand in French for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The syllabus focuses on:

• written comprehension;
• French grammar and sentence structure;
• vocabulary and expressions;
• conjugation and agreement;
• pronunciation and sound patterns;
• Francophone culture and civilization.

As you revise, do not focus only on memorizing grammar rules. Make sure you can understand written passages, use French structures correctly, recognize sound differences and communicate ideas clearly.

Pay attention to important grammar areas such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, articles, negation, pluralisation and comparison.

You should also practise French pronunciation, including syllabification, liaison, intonation and sound discrimination.

For culture and civilization, understand the major features of Francophone Africa and France, including education, social life, politics, greetings, food, dressing, marriage, festivals, art and professions, with comparisons to Nigeria where appropriate.

Use the JAMB French syllabus PDF as a checklist and mark each topic after you have studied and practised it.

A good understanding of the syllabus will help you prepare across the major areas of French comprehension, grammar, pronunciation, communication and Francophone culture.