Malaysia clinches third spot in Asia for English proficiency

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia claims the third position in Asia, showcasing linguistic prowess in the latest 2023 Education First (EF) English Proficiency Index (EPI).

According to The Star, the EF EPI, the largest international survey of adult English skills, evaluated the proficiency of 2.2 million non-native English speakers in 113 countries and regions.

Among Asian nations, Malaysia stood out in third place, with Singapore leading the list, followed by the Philippines. Globally, Malaysia secured the 25th spot.

Kuala Lumpur was recognised as a city with high English proficiency, achieving a score of 564 in the EF EPI 2023 City score.

Perak emerged as the top region in Malaysia for English proficiency, earning a score of 587, while Kuantan takes the spotlight as the leading city with a score of 603.

Individuals aged 26 to 30 exhibit the highest level of English mastery in the nation, boasting an average score of 582.

Despite a slight decline of six points compared to the previous year, Malaysia achieved an overall score of 568 in the 2023 index.

The EF SET, an online adaptive English test, indicated a standard for reading and listening skills, categorising language abilities into the six levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

The index also highlighted a concerning decline in youth English proficiency over the past five years and a growing gender gap.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF offered culturally immersive education through language, travel, cultural exchange, and academic programmes in over 100 countries.

The EF EPI served as an annual ranking of countries and regions based on English skills, relying on test scores from the EF Standard English Test (EF SET), widely used for large-scale testing by schools, companies and governments.