Spaniards speaking better English than ever

Spaniards’ grasp of good English is improving, study finds

A new study by Education First has revealed that more and more Spaniards are speaking English to a higher proficiency level than ever before.

The latest English Language Proficiency Index has ranked Spain 20^th among 60 countries featured in the study – its highest position yet and a reflection of the growing importance for Spaniards to grasp at least a conversational level of English…

Last year’s ranking had Spain in 23^rd place, but concerted educational efforts in schools, universities and adult learning establishments – not to mention the increasingly pervasive presence of English-speaking people holidaying in the country – has improved Spain’s standing.

The country’s current ranking not only places Spain ahead of Italy and France in 27^th and 29^th respectively, but also means it lays just outside the High Proficiency Index of the top English-speaking countries, which includes the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland.

Spain has also registered one of the best improvements since 2007, with only Poland, Turkey and Estonia improving the level of its citizens’ English at a faster rate.

“Spain is seeing the results of a significant change in attitude toward English language education,” remarked the authors of the Education First study. “The Spanish government has defined English as one of seven basic skills, alongside Spanish and maths.”

There are now more bilingual schools in Spain than ever before, the study also found, which is helping to equip Spanish youths with improved English language skills that will prove important when it comes to finding a job. Tackling Spain’s high rate of youth unemployment has been one of the government’s key objectives over the past few years, and the English language is playing a pivotal role in making young Spaniards more employable.

“Although other economic factors are hampering Spain’s recovery, training young people in essential skills for a globalised economy is undoubtedly a wise investment,” added the study’s authors.

Across Spain, those in the Basque Country in the north had the best proficiency in English, while people living in the remote region of Extremadura had the least. The study also found that Spanish women speak slightly better English than the men, and the age group 35-44 had the highest level of proficiency. However, the researchers expect that age group to lower over the coming years as Spaniards pick up good English at an increasingly younger age.

Further findings in the study revealed a strong correlation between speaking proficient English and earning a higher income, enjoying a better quality of life, attaining higher education and Internet usage.

The prevalence of the English language online has played a massive part in making Spaniards more familiar with English, while the fact that English is the most widely spoken second language in the world means that most visitors to Spain will attempt to converse in English, rather than Spanish.