Global English proficiency insights for business leaders

Samantha Ball
Business people sat together smiling around a laptop
Reading time: 2 minutes

Are you ready to harness the power of English to drive your business forward? At ÃÛÌÒapp, we are proud to announce the release of the ÌýÃÛÌÒapp Global English Proficiency Report 2024, drawing upon extensive data to illuminate the state of English language skills worldwide. This report is meticulously crafted to equip business leaders with essential insights for informed decision-making.

The report analyzes approximately 750,000 Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp test results, which were collected across more than 100 countries and encompass all major regions. Using our Global Scale of English, this report underlines key language trends pivotal in shaping global business dynamics.

English proficiency report insights
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Key global findings

1. Remarkable testing surge yet steady scores

English language testing has rocketed, amplifying fivefold since 2020. This surge, especially visible in sectors such as IT Business process management (IT-BPM) and Business process outsourcing (BPO), underscores English’s expanding significance in international business. Even with this testing boom, average scores remain consistent, highlighting a considerable and proficient global talent pool.

2. Pronounced regional developments

While global scores are maintained, cohorts in regions such as Africa and Europe have made noteworthy strides in English-speaking proficiency. These improvements mirror the escalating demand for robust English skills within these international workforces.

3. An upswing in writing proficiency

English writing skills are now reaching new heights. The surge in online written communication, driven by post-pandemic dynamics, might be a catalyst for this upswing. Be it in North America's strategic onshore hiring or Egypt's burgeoning BPO sector, writing proficiency is on the rise.

4. Strategic focus on L&D and hiring

Regions such as Asia Pacific, China, the Middle East, and Central Asia are integrating English as more than merely a hiring ingredient. Here, businesses are increasingly propelling language strength through dedicated training programs.

5. Industry-specific proficiency variability

Industry insights showcase crucial skills gaps and opportunities. The communications sector excels in verbal skills, while sectors like telecom show balanced proficiency across speaking and writing—each sector's unique requirements profile opportunities for refined training strategies.

Explore regional trends in more detail

Unlock a world of regional intelligence with our dedicated market analyses. From India’s emphasis on voice-based testing to Egypt’s ascent as a BPO powerhouse, our report takes you through the unique growth factors and challenges in key markets—India, the Philippines, Japan, Colombia, Egypt and Europe.

Get access to these insights and more by downloading the full report.

Connect with our legacy

For a comprehensive view of evolving language trends, revisit our earlier reports here:

Equip your enterprise with cutting-edge insights and secure a competitive edge in the world of global communication. Download the ÃÛÌÒapp Global English Proficiency Report 2024 today and leverage ÃÛÌÒapp’s English language testing and learning suite to support your business growth.

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Two business men looking at a laptop

    Making the case for English language training and assessment in your organization

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    You’ve done your research and you know that a greater focus on language skills could help you and your organization reach your goals faster and more effectively. The next stage? Getting buy-in from your key stakeholders.

    Securing budgets and implementing new initiatives is a real challenge for HR professionals. That’s why building a strong business case is essential. Reliable language testing tools can accurately measure a candidate's ability to use a language in real-life contexts. Assessing language proficiency is crucial for tracking employee fluency levels and ensuring effective communication within the organization.

  • Image of two business women in a office talking together over a document

    Global perspectives: International experience as the ultimate preparation for today’s leaders

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    From global marketplaces shipping goods between countries to fast-paced remote teams combining talent from all corners of the world, business has never been more international.Ìý

    This multinational, multicultural nature of today’s companies demands more from business leaders. It’s not enough to build a global team, you need to pre-empt and mitigate the challenges that team will face, from overcoming language barriers to navigating new opportunities, and nurturing their differences while creating cohesion.Ìý

    We talked to five leaders about how international experience gave them a global perspective that enhanced their leadership abilities, defined their careers, and shaped their personal lives.Ìý

  • Business people sat at a table with papers smiling together

    Improve your strategic workforce planning with English language testing

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Companies constantly seek methods to optimize workforce productivity and effectiveness. A powerful approach to achieving this goal is through strategic workforce planning bolstered by English language testing. This tactic not only identifies and addresses skills gaps but also reduces attrition and strengthens your workforce for both short-term and long-term success.