Learn English in Asia

You Might Want to Head to Asia to Learn English


Anas Alzharani
Asia Media International
08 December 2018

When non-native English speakers decide to learn English in a different country, the first locations that come to mind are the U.S and England, where English is the first language. Command over the English language is fundamental across the globe; it influences our professional and personal lives, including traveling. People are less likely to consider Asian countries although some have proven themselves to provide high -quality English educational tools. 

To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne

Recently, Singapore ranked number three on a survey conducted by Education First (EF), which is an international school that focuses on languages, cultural exchange, and educational travel. The survey covered 1.3 million people from 88 countries that transact heavily in the English language.

Which Asian countries to consider?

The Asian continent is vast, multicultural, and diverse. Singapore is an island city-state off southern Malaysia. It is a global financial center with a multicultural population. Singapore’s number three ranking for English proficiency was based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and EF’s course levels. Two other Asian countries rated highly or moderately proficient in English: the Philippines and Hong Kong. 

The graph presents EF English Proficiency Index of Asian countries. EF EPI is based on test data of the EF Standard English Test (EF SET). EF EPI score is calculated by the used of 100 point scale of the EF SET and the regional averages. Based on the result, it attributed countries, regions, and cities to proficiency bands. 

A new era of learning the foreign languages

Learning another language opens the road to new cultures, lifestyles, and adventures. It also enables people to expand international connections. Study abroad is the key, or at least a very good bet, for young people to learn a foreign language. And that key may in addition open the door to a better future.

Like Nelson Mandela said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”