English language skills among youth decreasing slightly; Netherlands maintain top position
In the recently released 2023 Education First English Proficiency Index, a decline in English proficiency among young people has been observed, primarily due to educational disruptions and social factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The index, which includes data from participants who took the test in language schools, universities, and companies, reveals that the losses were most pronounced among 18-20-year-olds. This decline can be attributed to several key factors.
Reduced Learning Growth Due to School Closures and Remote Learning: Studies show that during the Spring and Fall of 2020, students experienced a significant decrease in learning gains across subjects related to language and reasoning skills. The growth in verbal reasoning and reading comprehension skills declined sharply, roughly halving compared to pre-pandemic growth rates.
Loss of Classroom Interaction and Deep Engagement: The abrupt shift from classroom learning to remote instruction reduced opportunities for students to engage deeply with material, connect concepts, and practice complex language skills.
Mental Health and Social Challenges: The pandemic increased anxiety, loneliness, and disrupted routines among children and adolescents, affecting their ability to focus and learn effectively. Vulnerable groups, such as those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or with less family support, were particularly impacted.
Increased Screen Time and Online Distractions: Post-pandemic discourse highlights increased smartphone usage and screen time among youth as a growing concern. This may contribute to reduced attention spans and diminished language practice outside structured educational settings.
Although specific data from the Education First report was not directly cited in the search results, these educational and social impacts during the COVID-19 period provide a clear context explaining the observed decline in English proficiency among young people.
The index also showed that the decline in young people's English skills corresponds to the interruption of educational systems during the pandemic. However, it's important to note that the decline is not a global trend but is only the case in a few large countries.
The 2023 edition of the index was released by EF Education First, a Swedish-founded organisation offering immersive education through language programs, cultural travel, and academic courses in over 100 countries. The study included 2.2 million English speakers in 113 countries and regions, with 49% of participants aged 18 to 60, and a 55% female and 45% male distribution. The average age of participants was 26 years.
The study found that overall English proficiency levels worldwide have not changed, with Argentina, South Africa, and Israel emerging as the best English speakers in their respective regions. The Netherlands, Singapore, and Austria retained the top three spots in the index.
Interestingly, the index also revealed a widening gender gap in English proficiency, with men's English improving while women's has declined over the past decade. Among 18-25-year-olds, the gender gap in English proficiency is three times larger than among working adults. Kate Bell, author of the survey, stated that progress made in some countries is offset by losses in others.
In conclusion, the decline in English proficiency among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic can be attributed primarily to several educational disruptions and social factors caused by the pandemic. The most significant causes were the disruption of traditional learning environments and increased social and psychological stressors that hampered effective language acquisition.
Education-and-self-development and learning are essential factors that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by the declining English proficiency among young people observed in the 2023 Education First English Proficiency Index. The decline can be directly linked to reduced learning growth due to school closures and remote learning, loss of classroom interaction and deep engagement, mental health and social challenges, and increased screen time and online distractions, all of which have hindered effective language acquisition among young people.
