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You are here: Top Stories Korea Steps Forward on English Proficiency
Monday, Apr. 11, 2011 - by Elias Rafael Decena
After being ranked 136th out of 161 countries which administered the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in 2009, South Korea stepped way up in this year’s rankings, reaching 13th among Asian countries according to Education First, a global education center.The English Proficiency Index, another test administered by Education First, placed Korea 14th in the Asian part of the world.  The dramatic increase in English proficiency by Korea’s citizens is the result of extensive government spending on English education in its schools.  According to the South Korean Ministry of Education, current spending on the English educational program has reached 15 trillion won (as of 4/9/11 1,082.00 won = 1 U.S. dollar) annually, so that 15 trillion won translates into about 15 billion dollars).  South Korea has a population of approximately 48,747,000. 

The Asian countries which topped Education First’s TOEFL ranking were the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong.  On the other hand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand make up the bottom of the list.

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