Fewer fluent English speakers in the UAE

There are fewer fluent English speakers in the UAE, according to a new report. The ‘English Proficiency Index’ by language training company EF Education First ranks the UAE 42nd out of 70 countries, a drop of 10 points from last year’s ranking. The Emirates remains first for English speakers in the MENA region. The report also said women in the UAE are better English speakers than men. But the report’s authors stress it shouldn’t be seen as a judgement on the standard of English teaching in the Emirates. The report said this was because most residents are expats and educated in school systems abroad, adding that only 20% of people living in the UAE are Emirati citizens. Experts say English is pervasive in the UAE, thanks to a highly multinational society and a large, trade-oriented economy.