Madrid witnessed, this January, the national presentation of the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, the most comprehensive international report on adults’ English proficiency, based on more than 2.2 million tests carried out in 123 countries and regions. The report, which has been measuring language skills for years beyond traditional exams, once again highlights a paradox affecting Spain: despite English having been studied for decades, its real use as a professional tool remains limited, with direct consequences for the employability of Spanish workers.
During the event, experts and EF representatives underscored a key idea: English “is no longer just an academic skill, but a key tool for employability and the country’s competitiveness,” in the words of Niccolò Del Monte, Managing Director of EF Spain. A diagnosis that resonates urgently in an increasingly globalized and competitive labor market.
Figures that concern companies and professionals
The report puts numbers to this reality: Spain ranks 36th out of 123 countries in English proficiency, with a level described as “moderate.” At first glance, and in a global context, this may not seem like a bad result. However, the problem appears when looking at the data at a European scale: the country drops to 26th out of 37, far behind economies with which it directly competes for talent and international opportunities.
But beyond the report, two figures reflect the scale of the challenge in the workplace: up to 80% of résumés overstate the level of English they claim, and many people who say they speak the language do not reach the communicative skills required. At the same time, nine out of ten job offers in Spain require a minimum level of English, whether to communicate with international teams, handle technical documentation, or interact with foreign clients.
So where does the problem lie according to the EF EPI? In the imbalance between different language skills. For example, if in a work meeting you understand perfectly what a foreign client is saying, but struggle to express yourself in English, a limitation arises. If the opposite happens, it does too. And if you can speak and understand well, but have difficulty reading or drafting a document in English, the gap remains. In short, real mastery of the language requires developing and practicing all skills equally.
In this scenario, the data identify the main areas for improvement in terms of skills: Spanish adults achieve the highest scores in reading and listening comprehension, abilities that can be developed with teaching materials or traditional courses, but show weaker performance in speaking, the skill most in demand in interviews, presentations, and work meetings.
As a result, more and more companies and organizations are requesting official language certificates, such as the Cambridge University B2 level, or, in sectors where real English proficiency is required, incorporating technical interviews in English as part of the selection process.
English as an opportunity, Unilang as your ally
The reality revealed by the EF EPI 2025 does not have to be seen as an obstacle: it also represents an opportunity. Every résumé that overstates language proficiency reminds us that real command of languages makes the difference between going unnoticed and standing out in the job market.
This is where Unilang comes in. We are aware of this situation and apply it directly in our learning methodology. It is not about studying English “by rote” or accumulating qualifications: we talk about expressing, communicating, and proving your worth in real situations, whether in a work meeting, an international project, or even while traveling the world.
With methods focused on speaking, writing, listening, and reading practice —that is, on all skills— and with personalized support, Unilang turns what many perceive as a challenge into a tangible competitive advantage. Learning English stops being just an extra and becomes your calling card to any company, the tool that shows you can compete globally.
In other words: if you want your English to stop being just a grade on paper and become real opportunities, Unilang is the place to make that happen.
