Macau (MNA) – The Macau SAR dropped 5 spots in the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) in 2017, ranking 42nd worldwide and 12th in Asia, according to the results of a survey announced today by EF Education First, an international language school branched in Macau.
Mainland China has climbed three positions to 36 from 39 last year, ahead of Macau and Taiwan for the first time in the EF EPI.
Taiwan also ranked ahead of Macau, in the 40th position.
Hong Kong improved performance granted the neighbouring SAR a higher position in the EPI to 29 from 30 last year.
Last year, it was time the MSAR was ranked separately from Hong Kong.
Singapore posted the highest level of English proficiency in Asia, also ranking amongst the top five countries worldwide
Overall, Asia has the second strongest English proficiency performance, after Europe.
Speaking to Macau News Agency (MNA), Adrien Kwok, general manager of EF for Macau, claimed that some 20 per cent of the local secondary schools have an English section, from which he inferred that some 20 per cent of the local students are currently having English classes.
“Outside of class, there are some 40 per cent of students in English tutorial classes,” he added.
The EF EPI is published by EF Learning Labs, the research and innovation division of EF Education First.
