Beijing talks its way past Hong Kong in English proficiency, but Shanghai tops China rankings for sixth year in a row
- Company behind survey of young, English-speaking Chinese professionals credits travel and international trade for Shanghai’s commanding position
- Growing middle class with aspirations to educate children overseas also plays big part in greater English use
Professionals in Shanghai and Beijing are more proficient in English than their Hong Kong counterparts, according to a global study of listening and reading skills in the language in countries where it is not a mother tongue.
Shanghai was the best-performing Chinese city in the study for the sixth year in a row, while Beijing beat Hong Kong to second place for a third time, language training firm EF English First’s 2019 proficiency index showed on Wednesday.
Beijing also made second place in 2014 and 2015.
Overall English proficiency of young professional city dwellers in mainland China went from “low” to “moderate” for the first time as a result of more overseas travel, increased international trade and a flourishing demand for training, the company said.
The results of the annual study, which began in 2011, were based on the firm’s free online English assessment. In 2019, 2.3 million people at an average age of 23 from 100 countries and regions volunteered for the test, EF English First said.