Survey: M’sia Ranked 3rd Best in Asia For English Language Proficiency, S’pore Claims Top Spot

According to a survey ranking countries’ proficiency in the English language, Malaysia has come out as third best in Asia.

The survey which was conducted by EF Education First which is a Swedish education company, analysed the results of 2.1 million non-native English speakers who took their EF SET English tests in 2021 across 111 countries and regions.

The list, EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2022, divided countries into different bands from “Very high proficiency” to “Very low proficiency”.

In the “Very high proficiency” band included the Netherlands at the top, followed by Singapore and Austria.

Meanwhile, countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong are in the “High proficiency” band and are ranked 22 and 24 respectively.

Despite ranking 24th in the overall ranking, Malaysia came in third in Asia. In first place was Singapore whilst the Philippines was ranked second.

How it is calculated

Countries in the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index list are ranked based on a score which was calculated when participants take an online, adaptive English test for reading and listening skills called EF SET.

EF stated that the test is a “standardised, objectively scored test designed to classify test takers’ language abilities into one of the six levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)”.

The EF added that the sample is roughly balanced between male and female respondents and includes a broad range of ages.

More information can be found here.

What do you think of the results? Are they a true reflection of our country’s English ability?

Also read: “Whitest thing I’ve heard” – M’sian Slams Expat For Wishing That Road Signs Are in English Instead of BM