Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam
Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say
Just 14 years ago, Japan sat near the top of the table. In 2011 it ranked 14th, but it has since fallen in almost every subsequent review. Apart from a brief pause in 2014, when it held steady at 26th, Japan’s English proficiency has slid steadily, culminating in its worst-ever result this year.
The report highlights that Japanese learners’ reading and listening skills are better than their speaking and writing – a long-standing pattern that reflects the ability “to understand but not master” the language.
It also notes a sharp divide between urban centres, where English is more commonly used, and rural regions dominated by older populations with little exposure to the language.