Changes to the English syllabus under the new national schools curriculum will "excite" students who otherwise might not have shown an interest in the field, the NSW premier says.
The federal government's new draft curriculum, launched on Monday, will be trialled by 150 schools across the country over the coming three months.
The curriculum for kindergarten to Year 10 English, mathematics, science and history will replace state and territory standards in 2011.
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However, the curriculum has already drawn criticism, in part for its failure to include traditional English texts in some courses.
Questioned about the changes on Monday, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said it needed to be considered "in context".
"It's a recognition that there are students who do not need the same English curriculum as those who might be going on to university, but is very much an approach that sees us engaging students with their continuing education in English," the premier told reporters in Sydney.
"I'm quite keen to see how this approach progresses.
"We think it's going to excite students who perhaps would not have continued on with English, or who would not have been as interested in their English studies had we not offered them this opportunity."
Ms Keneally welcomed the launch of the curriculum, which is available online for public consultation until May 23.
"When it comes to the curriculum, what we do know is that NSW students are already outperforming their counterparts in other states, particularly when it comes to things like literacy and numeracy in years three and five," she said.
"And what we want to be sure (of) is that we maintain those high standards as we go forward with a national approach.
"We are quite confident that can happen."
