"We Will No Longer Teach English"...Chinese University Launches Bold AI-Era Experiment

Reducing English Courses and Strengthening Cultural Communication Education

Curriculum Reform in the Era of AI

A university in China has announced plans to phase out traditional English classes, stating that artificial intelligence (AI) translation technology will break down language barriers.

Recently, Shenzhen University of Technology revealed that it will abolish existing English courses and introduce new courses aimed at developing students' intercultural communication skills.

Campus view of Shenzhen Institute of Technology. Shenzhen Institute of Technology official website

"Gradual Elimination of English Courses...Focus Shifts to Cultural Communication Classes"

The new curriculum is designed to help students understand both Chinese and Western cultures, enabling them to communicate confidently and naturally with foreigners.

Zhao Wei, Dean of Academic Affairs, said in a video posted to the university's official social networking service on July 2 that "students admitted to our university in 2026 will be subject to the pilot curriculum." He added, "We will gradually eliminate university-level English courses and replace them with intercultural communication subjects."

This decision is based on the view that advancements in real-time translation technology have virtually eliminated language barriers. Zhao explained, "These days, there is no need to know English at all. When the other person speaks in English, my earphones provide a Chinese translation, while my words in Chinese can be simultaneously translated into Spanish for the other person's earphones. The level of real-time translation technology has reached a remarkable standard."

Zhao further emphasized, "Business negotiations and cultural exchanges require human judgment, empathy, and cultural etiquette—qualities that AI cannot teach." He explained, "By teaching students both Eastern and Western cultures and enabling appropriate and reasonable exchanges with foreigners, we can ensure business success as well."

Homepage of Shenzhen Polytechnic

The AI Era...Chinese Universities Discuss English Education Reform

Within China's higher education sector, discussions continue on how to overhaul English education at universities amid the rise of AI. At a foreign language education reform seminar held in Hunan Province at the end of June, He Shihui, Vice President of Central South University, observed that university education in China is undergoing two significant changes. He pointed out that students born since 2000 have a higher basic foreign language proficiency than previous generations, and that the rapid development of AI technology is transforming educational methods themselves.

Li Defeng, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Macau, also argued that in the AI era, foreign language education must be restructured around four pillars: language competence, intercultural communication competence, critical thinking, and AI application skills.

Yang Yuandi, Professor at Central South University, suggested including Chinese classical literature in foreign language curricula to foster students' critical thinking, cultural confidence, and international communication skills.

Already, many universities in China are dramatically reducing credits for English courses, and some have eliminated the English qualification test, which was once a compulsory graduation requirement. In the past, many Chinese universities required students to pass the nationwide College English Test (CET) to maintain English proficiency as a graduation condition. However, Xi'an Jiaotong University announced that, starting in September 2023, CET scores would no longer be a compulsory requirement for graduation.

Media outlets have reported that "this direction aligns with the Chinese government's policy emphasis on cultural confidence and strengthening national soft power."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.