This study explores the English language learning needs and challenges of first-year sport Physical Education students at Huzhou University through a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The research identifies significant disparities in students' English proficiency, particularly in listening and speaking, where they struggle the most. Qualitative findings reveal that students face difficulties in mastering sports-specific terminology and lack confidence in applying English in practical contexts. Furthermore, students expressed dissatisfaction with the theoretical focus of current courses, highlighting the need for more practical and interactive learning experiences. The study underscores the importance of English for students' future careers, especially in the international sports field, and recommends incorporating more sports-related content, enhancing listening and speaking training, and increasing interactive exercises in the curriculum. The findings provide valuable insights for English curriculum reform, emphasizing the need for teaching methods that align with students' practical needs and career aspirations. Future research should explore the effectiveness of these recommended teaching methods and the potential of machine learning in developing personalized learning paths to better support diverse student needs.