French English Proficiency Inches Up, Still Lags Globally
PARIS, November 21, 2023 – While showing modest gains, the English language skills of French professionals remain average compared to global counterparts, according to the latest EF Education English Proficiency Index. The annual barometer reveals a persistent weakness in spoken English among French employees, a critical barrier as companies increasingly seek international expansion.
The study highlights that oral expression continues to be the most challenging aspect of English for the majority of respondents across surveyed nations. This deficiency poses a significant hurdle for French businesses aiming to compete in the global marketplace, where fluent dialog is paramount. Consequently, a growing number of French firms are investing in language immersion programs and English courses for their staff.
Beyond traditional learning methods, French individuals can now leverage recent technological advancements. Companies are developing artificial intelligence-powered tools designed to simplify cross-language communication, offering potential solutions for smoother international interactions. These include real-time translation features appearing in devices like Apple’s forthcoming AirPods “interpreter mode.”