As you navigate your high school years, the rise of artificial intelligence might lead some of you to question the relevance of certain subjects. English, in particular, might seem less critical when AI tools can translate instantly and even generate text. However, I’m here to tell you why mastering English remains incredibly valuable and, in many ways, even more essential in our AI-driven world.
Accessing a Vast Ocean of Information
Let’s start with access to knowledge. While the Chinese Internet is robust and growing, the sheer volume of English-language content online is staggering. Consider this: a vast majority of the world’s digital information, including academic research, technical documentation, news, and entertainment, is created and first published in English. English is the dominant language of the internet, used by over 49% of websites as of February 2025, compared to just 1.2% in Chinese (source: Statista).
Back in my high school days, all we could resort to for English learning was a CASIO electronic dictionary, a brick-like Oxford/Longman dictionary, or a translator based on traditional Machine Learning methods. Large Language Models have truly turned the tables, and you can now leverage them to translate literally anything, much like the “Translation Jelly (翻译蒟蒻)” from Doraemon (哆啦A梦). Nevertheless, relying on translations often means getting filtered, delayed, or even inaccurate versions of the original. Learning English grants you direct access to this immense, unfiltered global knowledge base—keeping you ahead in any subject or field you’re passionate about.
Strengthening Your Academic and Career Edge
Whether you intend to study science, engineering, medicine, or business, English will be part of your journey. Most scientific literature, foundational textbooks, cutting-edge research papers, and most influential theories are predominantly in English. Reading these materials in their original language gives you direct access to how experts think and communicate in their field.
Say you’re a student who wants to learn basic concepts behind the Transformer architecture in deep learning, then the following resources could be really beneficial in your daily learning:
- the original essay Attention is All You Need (to understand the foundational paper that introduced the Transformer architecture, a cornerstone of modern AI models)
- PyTorch Docs (to understand how to implement deep learning models using the most popular framework)
- Online textbook Dive into Deep Learning by Mu Li (to get comprehensive explanations and practical examples of deep learning concepts)
- Github (to explore open-source code and collaborate on projects)
- Stack Overflow (to find solutions to tricky programming problems and learn from other developers)
- And many, many more…
And here’s the catch: every one of them is in English.
Beyond academia, in the workplace, English proficiency is often a prerequisite for accessing reliable information sources, collaborating with international teams, and utilizing advanced tools. Even if your primary role doesn’t require daily English conversation, the ability to read, understand, and leverage English resources will significantly enhance your productivity and problem-solving capabilities.
Unlocking a Gateway to Global Opportunities
English is a key that unlocks life-changing opportunities. Want to join an international exchange program? Apply to a university abroad? Work for a global company or startup? English proficiency is a highly sought-after skill that can set you apart from other candidates. It doesn’t just enhance your résumé—it expands your world. It allows you to meet people from different cultures, experience new ways of thinking, and grow in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
Meanwhile, the world beyond school is becoming more uncertain. Economic pressures at home and a shifting global landscape mean that the straightforward career paths of past generations are no longer guaranteed. In this context, solid English skills give you more flexibility—whether it’s performing well in graduate school admissions, or simply staying competitive in a tough and evolving job market. Investing in English now is a practical step toward building resilience for whatever comes next.
Cultivating a Different Mode of Thought
Finally, and perhaps most profoundly, learning English isn’t merely about vocabulary and grammar; it’s about cultivating a unique way of thinking and a different cognitive style. While English and Chinese grammar might seem to have superficial similarities, and some words appear to have direct equivalents, English often demands a different kind of precision in its expression. English, with its emphasis on specificity and logical structure, encourages a more analytical and direct approach to problem-solving and communication. It trains your brain to organize thoughts in a structured, explicit manner. Mastering English means more than just translating; it means developing a new cognitive framework, a different lens through which to perceive and articulate the world. This cognitive agility is an invaluable asset, especially as AI continues to evolve and we need to interact with it and understand its underlying logic.
AI is a powerful tool—but it’s not a replacement for human understanding, creativity, or communication. English remains the bridge to a vast global community, a gateway to knowledge, and a catalyst for personal growth. It’s a skill that will not only prepare you for the future—it will empower you to shape it. So embrace the challenge. The effort you put into learning English today will open doors tomorrow that you can’t yet imagine.