VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's ranking this year in the English Proficiency Index (EPI) rose three positions over 2012, Education First announced recently in HCM City.

Last year, the country ranked 31st out of 54 countries in English-language proficiency. This year, it ranked 28th out of 60 countries.

Viet Nam stood along with South Korea, Indonesia, Japan and Ukraine at an average level of 52 points, according to Education First's EPI.

The index, considered to be one of the world's most respected, analyses the development over a six-year period and points out the connection between workforces that have fluent English and economic development.

The index is based on tests of 75,000 adults in 60 countries and territories. The analysis of English development was done from 2007 to 2013 by assessing five million tests.

Sweden, Norway and Holland were ranked first with a score of 70, which represents fluent English.

Italy, Taiwan, China and France had low skills, with points around 50.

Japan and South Korea showed little advancement despite strong investment from the private sector in English-language studies, according to the tests.

In addition, Education First said that poor English ability had reduced the competitive ability of Latin America as half of its countries stood at the bottom of the index.

Worldwide, the Middle East and North Africa were seen as having the lowest level of English-language skills.

Education First is an international education organisation present in 54 countries, with 450 school and offices.

Source: VNS