THE Pearson Global English Proficiency Report 2024, released on Wednesday, revealed that the Philippines ranked above the global average when it came to English proficiency.
The report showed that the country had an average 4-skills English score of 63, well above the global average score of 57.
Filipino employees scored higher in speaking (56 compared to the global score of 54) and writing (62 compared to 61).
It also revealed that Tech had the highest average speaking score in the country, scoring 66 compared to the global score of 57, followed by e-commerce (61 compared to 54), as well as finance and banking (58 compared to 56).
However, the score for business process outsourcing (BPO) went below the global average, scoring 55 compared to the global score of 56, but health care scored 54, above the global score of 46.
“The IT-BPM (IT Business Process Management) sector is central to the Philippines economy, where it is an undisputed global leader. Today it is the second largest services delivery location, with an estimated 16 to 18 percent share of IT-BPM sector by headcount. Between 2009 and 2023, the number of people in the IT-BPM sector increased from around 500,000 to 1.7 million,” the report read.
“However, English test scores have declined slightly over the same period. This could be due to various factors such as changes in the education system, recruitment strategies, passing thresholds, as well as increased sourcing of candidates from other regions beyond Metro Manila. Even so, the data reveals that English skills remain strong, the talent pool is wide, and the industry is bracing for staggering growth and hiring surges,” it added.
“Test score averages are a good indicator of industry cut scores. In the Philippines, cut scores tend to trend higher, particularly in Healthcare and Customer Service roles where they are global market leaders. Most candidates demonstrate skills above the global average and above the minimum standards expected to carry out customer service agent roles,” the Pearson report said.
The report also revealed that the IT-BPM expansion into rural areas is “a key goal of the government in promoting inclusive economic development.”
“As the data shows, organizations looking to broaden their talent pools or recruit talent with higher English proficiency can confidently diversify their search beyond existing IT-BPM hubs and target their search to where English proficiency levels are highest,” it said.
Western Visayas has an average speaking score of 62, which has the highest speaking score in the country, followed by Negros and northern Mindanao (scored 60 each), Davao (57), Central Visayas (56), and Metro Manila (56).
“The main reason for these exemplary results is the growing IT-Business Process Management sector in the Philippines, central to the country’s economy and leading the globe,” Pearson English Language Learning Country Manager Mark Flores said in a statement.
“Between 2009 and 2023, the number of people in the IT-BPM sector increased from around 500,000 to 1.7 million, according to the IT and Business Process Association of Philippines,” he added.
The Pearson Global English Proficiency Report 2024, by definition, provided “invaluable insights” into global English proficiency levels and spotlights.
“As the global business landscape becomes increasingly interconnected, English proficiency remains a critical skill for workforce competitiveness. The Pearson Global English Proficiency Report 2024 aggregates and analyses data from approximately 750,000 out of the millions of English language tests conducted worldwide, offering a detailed snapshot of current skill levels and emerging trends,” the Pearson report said.
According to Giovanni Giovannelli, President of Pearson’s English Language Learning division, English proficiency is more than just a skill but is also a strategic asset.
“The Pearson Global English Proficiency Report 2024 provides business leaders with the data-driven insights they need to make informed decisions about hiring and developing their workforce. By integrating these insights into their talent strategies, organizations can enhance their competitive edge and drive growth,” he said.
The Pearson report said average written English scores reached a record high due to an “increase in written online communication and the dominance of English on the internet.”
This report also serves as an “essential resource for business leaders and talent decision makers looking to leverage English proficiency” in hiring and strategies in learning and development.
Be the first to comment