EDITORIAL - Slipping English proficiency

This is one international index where the Philippines does not languish near the bottom or in middling levels. This year, however, the country slid by four notches, to 22nd place out of 111, in the latest edition of the English Proficiency Index.

The EPI, drawn up by Switzerland-based global education company EF Education First, is the world’s largest ranking of countries, cities and regions where English is not the native language, based on adult English proficiency.

At the top are countries with “very high” proficiency – meaning the general population can use nuanced and appropriate English in social situations, read advanced texts with ease and negotiate a contract with a native English speaker. Thirteen countries are listed in this category: the Netherlands, Singapore, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Germany, Croatia, South Africa and Poland.

The Philippines is ranked among countries with “high proficiency” – referring to the ability to understand TV shows and read newspapers in English and make a presentation at work. It is ahead of Malaysia, which is at 24th place.

This year’s index covered adult English test takers 18 years old and above from 111 countries, with the median age 25 and the genders evenly balanced. The EF recognizes the limitations of results bases on self-selected test takers who participate only online. Still, it is the most extensive test of global adult English proficiency, unlike standardized national tests that measure the language skills mainly of school children at specific ages, grade levels, income and other factors. The EF says its data sets do not compete but complement those of national test results and language polling.

There are people who might believe that English proficiency in the Philippines has slipped by more than the four notches registered in the index. Even President Marcos has given priority to restoring Filipinos’ English proficiency.

It’s a skill that does not guarantee an edge in economic development. The Philippines ranked higher than prosperous South Korea, which placed 36th. Ranked among the “low proficiency” countries are China (62nd), Israel (74th) and Japan (80th). Wealthy economies powered by petro dollars also ranked low: Qatar was at 73rd place and United Arab Emirates at 78th. Oman shared “very low proficiency” ranking at 101st place with Saudi Arabia at 102nd.

Still, it’s an edge that Filipinos enjoy over its regional peers, and an advantage in national competitiveness. The country ranked ahead of Vietnam, which was at 60th place and among those with “moderate proficiency.” Indonesia, ranked 81st, has “low proficiency.” Myanmar placed 93rd, Cambodia 94th, Thailand 97th and Laos, 111th. Their younger generations could be catching up for a more dynamic workforce. The Philippines cannot afford to lose this valuable edge.