中国数学教授呼吁取消英语核心课程地位引发争议

中国数学教授唐家峰近日在社交媒体上主张，英语应该被取消作为小学、中学和大学的核心必修课程1。这一观点引发了社会各界的广泛讨论。唐家峰认为学生投入过多时间学习与未来职业无关的科目，且人工智能可自动翻译1。

英语在中国教育体系中的地位举足轻重。在高中毕业考试中，英语满分150分，与数学和语文的权重相等1。此外，所有本科学生必须通过英语考试才能申请硕士项目1。然而，取消英语核心课程的建议并未获得一致支持。胡锡进（前《环球时报》总编）主张保留英语必修课，认为这促进教育公平并支持中国对外开放1。反对者还强调不应将外语与传统文化对立1。

为应对就业市场变化，北京外国语大学采用了"外语+专业"的新模式1。与此同时，中国大学外语专业（如德语）报名学生逐年减少1。

A debate has erupted in China over the role of English in the national education system, sparked by mathematics professor Tang Jiafeng's call to eliminate English as a mandatory core subject at primary, secondary, and university levels 1. English currently holds equal weight to mathematics and Chinese language in China's high school entrance examination, with a maximum score of 150 points 1. Additionally, all undergraduate students must pass an English exam to qualify for master's degree programs 1.

Supporters of Tang's proposal argue that students devote excessive time to learning a subject disconnected from their future careers, and that artificial intelligence can handle translation automatically 1. However, the proposal faces significant opposition. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, has advocated for maintaining mandatory English courses, contending that such requirements promote educational equity and support China's opening to the world 1. Critics also caution against pitting foreign languages against traditional culture 1.

Educational institutions are adapting to changing employment demands through alternative approaches. Beijing Foreign Studies University has adopted a model combining "foreign languages plus specialization" to address shifting job market needs 1. Simultaneously, enrollment in Chinese university foreign language programs, such as German, has declined year after year 1.