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Finland places among the top four countries in the world when it comes to the fluency of English.
The rating was revealed in the fourth edition of the EF English Proficiency Index on Friday. The index ranks a total of 63 countries and territories, and is based on test data from 750,000 adults aged 18 and above. The test included almost 100 questions related to grammar, word order and the comprehension of read and written English. The countries selected for the research did not speak English as the mother tongue.
Laura Häkkinen, the country manager from EF Corporate Solutions, said in a bulletin that because Finns learn English starting from a young age in school, it provides them with the necessary tools later in the working life.
The index also includes a section concerning working life, where Finland placed fifth, just after Norway. The index reveals that in the corporate world the middle management is more fluent than its upper counterpart.
According to the research, the most fluent speakers of English are found among the field of consults, lawyers and those working in tourism. The professions dragging behind by the inch were those working in the field of energy, health care and industry – although their fluency was better than the international average.
Häkkinen said that the communication skills have significant meaning for the international success and growth of the Finnish companies. Fluency in English advances the trade of Finnish businesses, opens new opportunities and increases their chances to succeed.
The top English-speaking countries in the world:
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Finland
- Norway
- Poland
- Austria
- Estonia
- Belgium
- Germany
