The director of EF Education First in Spain reviews, alongside other experts, the causes of Spain’s persistent low English proficiency: it ranks 25th out of 34 countries in Europe.
While pointing out the negative aspects of a long-standing challenge like learning English, it’s also important to recognize the progress made. Therefore, it’s not contradictory to acknowledge that the level of English in Spain has been stagnant (according to the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) of 2023, there have been no substantial changes since at least 2015) while celebrating the higher language skills of young people graduating from Secondary and Bachillerato, as well as the impact of bilingual education programs across different regions.
According to the latest EPI, Spain ranks 35th out of 113 countries and regions worldwide, which corresponds to an intermediate language competence. However, this is misleading, as most European countries rank ahead of Spain: in Europe, Spain is 25th out of 34, while the top 10 is dominated by European countries, with Portugal comfortably sitting in the top 10 (8th place in 2023). The inevitable question is: why is there such a gap with our Iberian neighbors?
The reasons are varied and largely linked to cultural habits, such as an education system that has traditionally prioritized grammar over oral and listening practice, and the prevalence of dubbing in audiovisual media. “This is much more important than it may seem… The Spanish dubbing industry is the strongest in the world, but it is so because we’ve normalized the idea that movies in Spain are viewed in Spanish. It makes a big difference whether a child watches movies in Spanish or not. And if they see it in Spanish at the cinema, they also want to see it that way at home,” reflects Xavier Martí, director of EF Education First in Spain. The solution, he suggests, is to have the courage to, for example, “stop dubbing movies overnight. This way, people will get used to watching films, series, and cartoons in English.” In Portugal, movies are shown in the original language with subtitles.
Furthermore, he adds, “With current conditions, I believe more resources could be dedicated to sending children and young people abroad, like during Zapatero’s era when 10,000 children went. Not only because of the impact on society’s average level, but because it generates discussion and awareness that is absolutely crucial for nations.”
The Goal: Communicative Competence
For Martí, whose organization is celebrating 50 years in Spain, part of the causes of Spain’s low English proficiency also stem from structural factors, such as the fact that English (and education in general) are not truly political priorities: “We haven’t taken modernizing education seriously; there’s no clear plan on how to teach English, and since we don’t plan strategically, we don’t measure the results of investments in this area,” he states.
Another barrier to achieving a better level of English is the lack of opportunities to practice the language in real contexts, as well as the demands of modern culture, which favors immediacy. “Things are being planned for shorter and shorter terms, which means it’s hard to fit a 10-month language course into one’s schedule… Achieving proficiency requires time and consistency, and planning long-term is necessary,” explains David Bradshaw, head of Evaluation at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, adding that “the temptation of apparent shortcuts leads many people not to achieve their goals.”
Encouraging exposure to English from an early age is another factor that can contribute to better language skills, integrating English content into entertainment media: “More and more young people are graduating from school with an English level that allows them to communicate fluently in the language, showing B2 and even C1 levels before entering university,” says Bradshaw. María Perillo, president of the educational council at ABA English, agrees, stating that educational policies should focus more on communicative practice and that there should be more public initiatives, such as campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of English for personal and professional development, including subsidies for courses and certifications.
Although proficiency in English doesn’t directly increase salaries or trade, more efficient workforces tend to speak better English (according to the EF study), not to mention the positive impact diversity in the workplace has on company results. “There’s an increasing need to form international teams in any discipline to absorb knowledge from other countries and understand different points of view,” says Perillo.
In any case, as Martí reminds us, “your goal is not just to defend yourself in English; your goal is to master it,” and in doing so, communicate fluently, not necessarily in all areas, but in those most related to your professional activities or personal passions, as combining these with language learning makes it more effective.
What Has Been Achieved So Far?
When judging the relatively low English proficiency in Spain, it’s important to consider other factors. While it’s true that the education system has traditionally focused on grammar, it’s also true that there have been significant advances toward more communicative methodologies, and the use of technology in classrooms allows breaking the barrier of formal study because younger students feel more comfortable working, which boosts their motivation, says the head of ABA English. Additionally, access to English is much easier and more widespread than before, thanks to the digitalization of television, online learning opportunities (like Gymglish, the English course offered by EL PAÍS), and the arrival of streaming platforms.
On the other hand, despite lingering doubts about such programs, the bilingual education programs implemented in different Autonomous Communities have provided greater and, in many cases, richer exposure to the language. Among them, the Community of Madrid’s program (launched in 2004) is the oldest, “and it’s only now that the first students from those programs are entering the workforce after university. In the coming years, we may notice a change in English proficiency with more students coming from these initiatives in different regions,” says Bradshaw. However, these programs are “only as good as the teachers who deliver them,” reminds Martí, “which has also led to bilingual education areas with poorly trained teachers, and that’s not enough. That’s why it’s so important to support, train, and care for teachers.”
Universities, for their part, are also taking steps to improve the internationalization of their studies. Thanks to the Erasmus program and other initiatives, students have better opportunities to study abroad during their undergraduate studies, often using English as the working language in both everyday and academic life.
And What About Businesses?
“I think many businesses are already taking an active role in training their employees in English,” says Bradshaw, although “some could improve in the direction given to training: they often offer opportunities to study English but don’t necessarily focus on clear objectives for each employee based on the communication needs of their role in the organization.” Workplace English Tool is a tool developed by the University of Cambridge to identify the language levels employees need in different skills to perform their jobs.
How to Learn English Effectively?
“There’s a natural order to acquiring language skills,” explains Perillo. “First, you need to listen and understand; then speak; and only after that, read and write. Children learn by listening and imitating, and so do adults who live abroad for language immersion. This means that listening should be the starting point for learning, not grammar or reading.” Often, she adds, we do the opposite, which leads to unbalanced skills: we may understand written texts, for example, but not speak fluently.
In the same vein, the head of Cambridge University Press & Assessment in Spain states that any methodology should focus on using the language to communicate in real situations, “without worrying, at least initially, about the perfection of speech.” According to the levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), communication at lower levels will always be imperfect, and it’s up to the learner to refine these imperfections as they advance in their language learning.
Tips for Improving English in Daily Life
Living in an immersive language environment is undoubtedly the most effective learning option. However, for most students, this possibility seems out of reach due to personal, family, or professional circumstances. Therefore, Martí, Bradshaw, and Perillo, the experts consulted for this report, recommend several steps to improve English without giving up any of our daily obligations:
- Plan your learning goals and measure your progress regularly.
- Dedicate at least 20 minutes daily to watch a movie, read something, sing, chat with foreign friends, or listen to a podcast or audiobook in the language you want to learn.
- Try to spend at least one or two weeks abroad during the year to experience total immersion.
- Stay consistent: learning is more effective when you dedicate small, frequent, and regular periods of time rather than occasional bursts separated by long periods of inactivity.
- Start a small vocabulary notebook that you can carry with you, and review the words during free moments. You don’t need to memorize them, just reread them.
- Use apps like Duolingo, Write and Improve, or Speak and Improve (still in beta) by Cambridge.
- Find a study partner to share progress and motivate each other.
- Record yourself occasionally to self-assess your progress.
- Don’t obsess over grammar.
