Local English proficiency reportedly on the decline

The English proficiency of Taiwan's office workers is declining as compared with their counterparts in other Asian countries, according to the results of various English tests, even though local companies are attaching more importance to such proficiency in hiring new staffers. Ning Yao-nan, vice president of the Taiwan office of the U.S.-based English Test Service, said that Taiwan ranked sixth among non-English-speaking countries in Asia in terms of its TOEIC scores in 2005. The five countries with the highest TOEIC scores are the Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, China, and Korea. Taiwan's TOEIC scores in 2005 was 529, higher than the world average of 497. Proficiency of English or other foreign language has become a necessary skill or requirement for local job seekers, but most local office workers appear not very confident of their ability to speak a foreign language. As high as 76.33 percent of those polled said they have not acquired certificates proving their foreign language ability, while 23.67 percent said they do, said Wu Jui-ying (吳睿穎), vice president and spokesman for the 1111 Manpower Data Bank. Wu said according to their surveys, 74 percent of local companies will take into account the scores of English proficiency tests of their staffers in reviewing their eligibility for promotions and overseas assignments. On average, Taiwan office workers gave themselves a score of 56.33 on a scale of 100 on their foreign language ability, and only 16.16 percent of those polled saw their foreign language ability as "competent" in handling their daily work and dealing with customers and co-workers, said Wu. Pan Chien-chung, associate manager of human resources at a foreign-invested insurance company in Taiwan, said that in his company, a candidate must get a TOEIC score of 800 to qualify for the position of vice president or assistant vice president. For candidates seeking the positions of manager, vice manager, and specialist they also need TOEIC scores of 700, 550, and 500, respectively, Pan said. Nearly half of local companies want their staffers to be able to read, write, and communicate with others in English, Pan said. He urged local office workers to strengthen their English proficiency if they wish to get promotions faster in foreign-invested companies or to be assigned to overseas positions