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Pearson Japan Unveils 2024 Global English Proficiency Report

Pearson Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the world's largest education service company, Pearson PLC, recently released the 2024 edition of its Global English Proficiency Report, specifically tailored for the Asia-Pacific region. This comprehensive report analyzes approximately 750,000 test results from the Versant English Proficiency Test, administered in over 100 countries, shedding light on English proficiency trends across six key regions: Japan, the Philippines, India, Colombia, Egypt, and Europe.

In an increasingly globalized business landscape, proficiency in English has emerged as a critical skill for maintaining competitive employee capabilities. The 2024 report provides valuable insights into the current state and trends of English proficiency globally, serving as a strategic tool for organizations in making informed decisions regarding talent acquisition and development. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific edition includes specific data from Japan, supplemented by an introduction to the GSE Job Profiles database, which outlines the necessary English skills for various job roles.

Key Findings and Insights

Global Trends

Since 2020, the number of test takers worldwide has significantly increased, leading to a stabilizing effect on overall test scores. This indicates an expanding pool of candidates with foundational English skills.

Writing Proficiency

The report reveals that writing scores have reached an all-time high. This improvement is likely attributed to the dominance of English on the internet and the rise of text-based online communication.

L&D Prioritization of English

In regions including Asia-Pacific, China, the Middle East, and Central Asia, there is a marked trend of prioritizing English in training programs to enhance employee prospects.

Industry Gaps

There are notable disparities in English proficiency across different industries. The communication sector boasts the highest speaking scores, while writing scores remain the lowest. In contrast, the telecommunications, technology, and finance sectors demonstrate high capabilities in both speaking and writing.

Regional Insights

The report hones in on trends across six major regions:

Japan

To enhance competitiveness in the global market, Japanese companies are increasingly focusing on speaking skills. However, only 7% of Japanese individuals can converse in English at a level necessary for global business. This highlights the significant gap between traditionally evaluated skills—listening and reading—and the communication skills required in the business environment. Increased corporate training and the introduction of English tests emphasizing communication skills are critical needs.

The Philippines

The country leads globally in the IT-BPM (Information Technology and Business Process Management) sector, while also maintaining high English proficiency in customer service and healthcare.

India

In the IT and BPO sectors, a focus on voice-based testing correlates with high English proficiency, contributing to growth.

Colombia

Progressive companies are shifting towards more detailed assessments tailored to specific job roles for recruitment and skill enhancement.

Egypt

Emerging as a BPO outsourcing hub, Egypt shows high English proficiency supported by government incentives and a strong educational foundation.

Europe

There is an increasing dependency on English skills in the transportation and logistics sectors, alongside a rising overall proficiency across the region.

Leadership Insights

Yutaka Teranishi, President of Pearson Japan, states: "In today’s global economy, English proficiency is not merely a skill but a strategic asset. This report is crafted to equip business leaders with the insights necessary for informed decision-making in workforce recruitment and development, ultimately fostering the strengthening of global talent that drives growth."

Recommendations for Business Leaders

1. Data-Driven Hiring: Utilize language skill profiles such as the GSE Job Profiles to accurately assess necessary English skills for each job role.
2. Strengthening L&D Strategies: Identify skill gaps and develop training programs aimed at enhancing employee performance and satisfaction.
3. Boosting Global Competitiveness: Leverage English proficiency to explore new markets and cultivate employees capable of navigating global business challenges.

The Pearson 2024 Global English Proficiency Report for the Asia-Pacific region is available for download.

About Pearson Japan

Pearson, the world's largest education service provider, aims to help individuals realize their envisioned lives through learning. With approximately 18,000 employees, the company delivers impactful learning experiences, supporting lifelong learning across around 200 countries. Utilizing digital content, assessments, credentials, and data, Pearson delivers services while committing to continuous learning. Pearson Japan serves as the Japanese branch of Pearson PLC.

For more information about Pearson: pearsonplc.com
For details about Pearson Japan: pearson.com/languages/ja-jp