BRITISH students will be able to choose to study biographies or travel brochures and avoid classic novels altogether in a shake-up of English GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). This was recently unveiled by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), an organization that maintains and develops the British national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations, the Guardian has reported.

The new exam is described as a practical alternative to taking two GCSEs in English language and literature and for “those who might not wish to tackle the reading in English literature” in the traditional courses. For the new course, students will be assessed on their skills in reading, as well as writing, speaking and listening, but could pass the exam without studying classic novels, plays or poetry.

According to the QCA, the emphasis will be on students’ skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing for real-life purposes in a wide range of contexts — such as giving information, explanations or directions. The aim is to develop students’ understanding of language use in the real world.

QCA’s chief executive Ken Boston said, “The skills of English are vital for young people to progress successfully from the GCSE into other education, training or employment. The proposed revisions ensure that the functional skills of English will be fully covered by the GCSE in the future.”

But teachers warned that it might create a two-tier system — with weak students studying the new generic GCSE while the brightest take established courses. Tim Shortis from the National Association for the Teaching of England said the two existing English courses would be seen as an “elite” route.

The QCA is currently seeking feedback from the public. The consultation will close on September 30 when the criteria will be finalized and the QCA will then develop new specifications. The new criteria will apply from 2010.