Quick Summary of the Main Points
This article moves beyond the trivial debates about whether English is difficult or useful in daily life. It focuses on the real interests of ordinary families, especially young people from small towns and low-income workers, and challenges the prevailing argument to remove English from the college entrance examination or significantly reduce its weight. While acknowledging the shortcomings of the current exam-based English curriculum, which emphasizes reading and writing over listening and speaking, the article argues that the current system actually provides a valuable “backdoor opportunity” for children from less affluent backgrounds. Abolishing or reducing the importance of English in the exam would ultimately harm the very people who can least afford to lose out.
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Detailed and Easy-to-Understand Explanation
1. If you think English is useless, it’s probably because you haven’t encountered a situation where you could use it yet
Many people complain that they’ve studied English for over a decade but have never spoken a word to a foreigner. The problem isn’t with English itself; rather, it’s that their previous environment never required them to use it. However, China is currently experiencing an unprecedented wave of people going abroad for work. Those in foreign trade, engineering, manufacturing, or even delivery services can earn twice or even three times more than they would domestically, with very low entry barriers—basic English skills are all that’s needed. No one expects you to speak fluently; in fact, if you see a foreigner speaking Chinese with difficulty, you would likely slow down to help them, and they would see your sincerity and be more willing to cooperate with you. Although AI can help with translations and vocabulary, it can’t replace the trust that comes from personal interactions in business negotiations. In such situations, having a basic understanding of English gives you an advantage.
2. Contrary to what you might think, the current “dumb” exam-based English system is actually protecting children from ordinary families
People criticize English education for focusing too much on reading and writing. But if it changed to focus more on listening and speaking, children from ordinary families would be at a disadvantage. In big cities, children often have access to foreign teachers and summer camps, and their parents may be returnees from abroad, giving them a natural advantage in these skills. In smaller towns, it’s hard to find teachers with proper pronunciation. Since the college entrance exam mainly tests reading and writing, children from poor families can catch up by memorizing and practicing. If English were removed from the exam, public schools would likely stop emphasizing it, and ordinary families wouldn’t be able to afford expensive private English classes. This would make English a skill exclusive to the wealthy, leaving ordinary people out of the benefits of going abroad.
3. The college entrance exam essentially helps ordinary families through the toughest initial phase of learning English
Everyone who has learned a language knows that the initial 1000 hours are the most challenging. Most people give up before they even make progress. However, the high school curriculum forces students to memorize vocabulary and do practice tests, which effectively gets them through this difficult period for free. Even if you forget everything after the exam, you’ll still have a basic vocabulary. Later on, you can quickly pick up English skills again, whether through repetition or other methods. This investment in English is one of the longest-lasting in high school.
4. English is the “longest-lasting” investment among all high school subjects
Some suggest using the time spent on English to study other subjects like math and physics. But math and physics are more like “intelligence filters” designed to select top students for research. Most people never use the knowledge they learn in high school. English, on the other hand, is a skill that can be useful for life. Even if you don’t use it for a decade, you can quickly pick it up again if needed. It’s like saving a “skill archive” from the state that you can use whenever you want.
5. English is not an elite skill; it’s a tool for ordinary people to change their lives
Many think English is only for white-collar workers or programmers, but that’s not true. In today’s competitive job market, having basic English skills can significantly increase your earnings. Whether you’re an excavator operator, a factory worker, or a decorator, having English can double your income. These jobs don’t require a prestigious education or connections; all you need is a basic understanding of the language. For those without resources or connections, English is a valuable opportunity to improve their prospects. Not using this opportunity would be a waste.
In summary, the current English education system, despite its criticisms, provides a real benefit for ordinary families. It helps them overcome initial barriers and opens up opportunities that can significantly improve their lives. Reducing the importance of English in the exam would only harm those who are already at a disadvantage.