As AI translation improves, does China still need English education?

人工智能时代，中国人还需要学英语吗？

A math teacher's post calling English 'worship of things foreign' and proposing it become an elective reignited a recurring debate in China. The article maps both sides: critics say exam-focused English produces 'mute English' and wastes time; others warn cutting it widens the wealth gap—rich families will still hire tutors. A Shenzhen university already announced it will phase out English courses, citing real-time AI translation. EF's 2025 ranking shows China's English proficiency dropped from 38th in 2020 to 86th. The post doesn't disclose any new official policy; it notes Shanghai banned primary-school English finals in 2021 and a past advisory to drop English from the gaokao went nowhere.