VOA慢速英语--报告称许多国家的英语水平在提高

Report: English Proficiency¹ Improving in Many Countries

A new report says English proficiency is improving in many parts of the world.

The report, the 2020 English Proficiency Index (EPI), is a yearly look at English levels around the world. This year, the study was based on data from more than 2.2 million test-takers in 100 countries. Education First (EF), a private company, led the research and reported the findings.

The study found that proficiency test results from 26 countries improved by a significant, or large, amount, while only seven countries had large drops.

The Netherlands had the highest level of English proficiency, while Tajikistan had the lowest.

Europe

Europe had the highest proficiency scores of any region. Within the continent, northern European countries had the best ratings², with the Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland at the top. The report notes that schools in northern Europe have high levels of English proficiency for several reasons. They include early attention to communication skills, daily speaking and listening in English, and career-targeted language teaching.

The report notes that not all countries have the same proficiency levels. France, Spain, and Italy still fall behind most other European Union states. However, English proficiency levels in France have improved over the past three years.

In Turkey, proficiency levels improved a little compared to one year earlier, although they have dropped from five years ago. The report suggests that Turkish schools spend too much time on English grammar and translation rather than useful communication skills.

Asia

Asia had the second-highest regional score, behind Europe. But the EPI report notes that Asia has room for improvement.

"Despite major investments in English education, the average English proficiency score in Asia has remained stable for the past five years," the report said.

Asia has the widest differences in English proficiency levels. Singapore had the highest score among Asian countries, coming in at number 10 in the world. Yet several Central Asian countries were toward the bottom of the list. Their low rating³, the report suggests, is partly because Russian is the second language that is most commonly taught in schools.

Africa

Africa came in third in regional scores, with South Africa in the lead. The report notes that proficiency test results across Africa were uneven⁴. Kenya and Nigeria were also in the upper part of the EPI list, while other African countries were much lower.

One limitation is that EF only had enough data to include just 13 African countries. "There may, in fact, be a wide gap between high and low proficiency countries," the writers of the report said. But they add that there could also be less of a difference in skill levels than the data suggests.

Latin America

The new report noted⁵ the success of English teaching programs in Latin America. "Investment brings results," the report said.

Argentina had the top score in the region. Most of the Latin American countries listed in the study improved their adult English proficiency levels. Twelve of 19 countries noted improvement, and four had significant improvements.

The report suggests that the Latin American business community has increased its demand for English speakers. In return, many of the countries have made improvements to English teaching programs. However, the report says that it is too early to judge these reforms based only on adult proficiency levels.

Middle East

Overall, the Middle East had the lowest English proficiency of any area. Iran had the top score in the Middle East, while Iraq had the lowest.

The report notes that "in some countries, the problem appears to be uneven access to English education resources." But in other countries, the arrival of large numbers of refugees⁶ has resulted in resources being moved toward basic services.

Methodology and limits

The new EF EPI is based on data from test-takers who took the EF Standard English Test (EF SET) or one of EF's English placement tests in 2019.

The EF SET is free and online. Most of the test takers were working adults or young adults finishing their studies.

Only cities and countries that had at least 400 test takers were included in the EPI.

The report notes that there are some limitations to the study. Since the testing was online, people without internet could not take the tests. It is likely only those who want to learn English were tested. Their English proficiency scores could be lower or higher than those of the general population.

Words in This Story

proficiency – n. a high level of skill; good at doing something

data – n. facts and numbers collected for future use

region – n. a part of a country, or the world, that is different or separate from other parts in some way

grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language

translation – n. the act or process of expressing words or saying in another language

stable – adj. in a similar state or condition

gap – n. a space between two people or things

access – n. a way of being able to use or get something

resource – n. a supply of money, materials and other things that can be used to help a person or organization operate effectively

basic – adj. necessary or main

1 proficiency   

n.精通，熟练，精练

参考例句：

• He plied his trade and gained proficiency in it.他勤习手艺，技术渐渐达到了十分娴熟的地步。
• How do you think of your proficiency in written and spoken English?你认为你的书面英语和口语熟练程度如何？

2 ratings   

n.等级( rating的名词复数 )；收视率；表示电影分级的数字（或字母）；（海军）水兵

参考例句：

• He won high ratings [marks] in all his examinations. 他所有的考试都获得高分。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The boat was operated by two naval ratings in dress whites. 船由两个穿着白色礼服的水兵驾驶。 来自辞典例句

3 rating   

n.级别，等级，额定值，责骂，收视率

参考例句：

• It is a ship with a rating of 500,000 tons.这是一艘五十万吨级的船。
• The opinion polls gave the president a high rating.民意测验显示人民对总统的支持率很高。

4 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 refugees   

n.避难者，难民( refugee的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The UN has begun making airdrops of food to refugees. 联合国已开始向难民空投食物。
• They claimed they were political refugees and not economic migrants. 他们宣称自己是政治难民，不是经济移民。