English is set to become a compulsory subject for year 11 and 12 students in Queensland.
While most students in those years study English, it is ultimately up to schools to decide whether it is compulsory.
The Queensland government wants to make all students to complete an English subject in their final years of school to ensure they have necessary communication skills for the digital age.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said about 98 per cent of students in years 11 and 12 currently studied English.
"Let's make it compulsory and get the other two per cent," she said while launching the 2016 Premier's Reading Challenge on Tuesday.
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Education Minister Kate Jones said a taskforce examining senior assessment and tertiary entrance would next week decide whether English would be made compulsory.
"Our view is that we think that this sends a very strong message about the quality of education in Queensland," Ms Jones said.
"We understand that in the digital economy having good quality communication skills is critical."
