Should English be removed from school curriculum?

Editor's note: Liu Weichao, a deputy to the NPC and principal of Changsha Yali Middle School, proposed that English classes be cut from the curriculum in the primary and middle school. Xu Jin, a member of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, said in a proposal English should be removed as a core subject for Chinese primary and secondary school students. Xu said English and other foreign languages should also not be included as compulsory subjects for the national college entrance exam. Should English be scrapped? Readers share their opinions.

Bloke

Definitely. Having English in the curriculum means every Chinese student wastes thousands of hours over 8-10 years studying a language only 10 percent of them can use well or will ever use. English courses should be optional and focus on communication skills that can be used rather than just on passing a test. There are also thousands of private language schools that proudly say they will help children pass an exam, not to use English with a foreigner, and parents waste money on those schools for a skill that is never used again. It's ludicrous.