Despite many praiseworthy English language training initiatives in the region, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) continued to score poorly in the annual EF English Skills Proficiency Index.

Countries such as Libya (last of all 54 non-English-speaking countries ranked this year); Saudi Arabia (#52); UAE (#49); and Egypt (#48) scored “very low.” None of the 11 countries examined in the region achieved higher than a “low” ranking.

The research also found an unexpected skills gap between men and women in the MENA region. Men scored lower in English than any other regional group, but women scored relatively close to the global average.

The EF Education First researchers believe that the MENA region in general has an unusual level of opportunity to improve their English in the coming years because of the high percentage of the population under the age of 30 who are benefitting from continuing educational reforms active in many MENA countries.  

EF defines a primary need in the region as “creating a sufficient pool of well qualified English teachers…." Training large numbers of young people to teach English and incentivizing them to join the teaching profession should be a high priority for countries across the Middle East and North Africa.”

The study also makes recommendations for better English language testing worldwide. EF calls for tools that define skills clearly and that “take into account current thinking on communication as the primary goal of English study” as well as the current role of English as common language between non-native speakers. We are proud that the tests we use, such as the TOEIC tests, meet these standards.

Throughout the region, AMIDEAST is there to help. We offer high quality teacher training, English language instruction, English language testing, and much more. Contact the office nearest you to learn more and arrange support for your specific needs today.