I think that needing to be comfortable in the written version of the language is already much less important. Translation and generative AI can already do the writing for you, good enough for 90% of situations.

But, I do think speaking is something that will still be an important skill to learn.

Imagine you're at a business networking event and the guy next to you has learnt English and can speak it himself, while you're trying to rely on some real-time translator tech. The other guy will have the edge.

Imagine going on a date or having a romantic relationship with someone where you only communicate by translation tech. It just doesn't seem the same.