Overseas teaching resources regard learning English as a critical mission to higher extent than we do in the UK.  Historically the UK has a poor record in learning modern foreign languages yet we are now becoming beaten to the post by many overseas countries with regards our ability to learn English. It seems we in England have a lot to learn.  Our mother tongue is being learnt in a highly effective manner overseas and our continuing failure in schools could make us economically vulnerable in the future.

The International Proficiency Index (EPI) measures countries proficiency in English and to produce an index of a country’s ability in the English language.  The analysis, conducted by the English Educational Institute Education First Programme (EF) considers cultural, social, financial and historical background to formulate the results.

EPI – EF Country Rankings in non-English countries learning English.

Position            Country                           Index                    Rating

1                              Norway                                69.09                    Very High Proficiency

2                              Netherlands                       67.93                     Very High Proficiency

3                              Denmark                             66.58                     Very High Proficiency

4                              Sweden                                66.26                     Very High Proficiency

5                              Finland                                  61.25                     Very High Proficiency

6                              Austria                                  58.58                     High Proficiency

7                              Belgium                                57.23                     High Proficiency

8                              Germany                              56.64                     High Proficiency

9                              Malaysia                               55.54                     High Proficiency

10                            Poland                                  54.62                     Moderate Proficiency

Although there is a geographic link with Europe, interestingly, proficiency in English is growing notably in the more wealthy Asian countries.  The Far East is catching up in proficiency in English a notable example is with Korea which is now lies in 13^th place.  The Korean focus has produced improvements each year since 1988 the year when Seoul hosted the Olympic Games at which Korea adopted English as the official language.  Up to that point Korea reviewed English as an academic subject.  Since 1988 Koreans see the benefits of international communications in English much supported by their major trading relationship with the USA.  Although English taught at school has improved the index position  from the EF shows that English is being increasingly used by adults.

Position            Country                   Index                    Rating

11                           Switzerland                 54.60                     Moderate Proficiency

12                           Hong Kong                   54.44                     Moderate Proficiency

13                           South Korea                54.19                     Moderate Proficiency

14                           Japan                            54.17                     Moderate Proficiency

15                           Portugal                        53.62                     Moderate Proficiency

16                           Argentina                     53.49                     Moderate Proficiency

17                           France                          53.16                     Moderate Proficiency

18                           Mexico                          51.48                     Moderate Proficiency

19                           Czech Republic          51.31                     Moderate Proficiency

20                           Hungary                       50.80                     Moderate Proficiency

There are interesting influences amongst the students of English.  The EF has reviewed the gap between students who do not travel abroad and those that do.  Another consideration is governmental concerns that learning English as a foreign language will reduce their national identity a factor which has emerged in say France’s position, well down on other European countries and 17th in the index.

The economic implications of communicating in English are clear.  Fuelled by trade with the USA, the internet and social network sites, learning English leads to greater commercial opportunities which accumulate wealth.  A case in hand is Sweden who ranks fourth in the index. Their position is partially due to the number of global companies based in Sweden and partly because English was introduced as one of the most important subjects in the Swedish school curriculum. It is vitally important our educational policies in the UK that improve learning English are strengthened if we are to provide our future generations with a sporting chance to excel in the world economy.