The ranking looks good on paper, but in daily work life, it doesn’t always align. Communication skills and English proficiency are still uneven across industries, and many workplaces don’t fully support ongoing skill development. We’re competitive in some areas, but to truly reflect the ranking, we need stronger training programmes, better access to professional development, and more emphasis on practical, real-world skills that meet global standards. The ranking is a nice recognition, but if we want reality to match it, there’s still a lot of work to be done across industries, regions and the education-to-work pipeline.
Subanan Gajendran, 25
The ranking is encouraging, but without a focus on grassroots development, we risk creating a workforce where only a small group can thrive internationally, while many others are left behind. For the majority of Malaysians, especially in rural areas or schools with fewer resources, English proficiency is still limited. If we want the next generation to grow up speaking English confidently and transition seamlessly into the workforce, we need to prioritise English from the grassroots. That means stronger language programmes in schools, better teacher training, and more opportunities for students to practise English in real-life contexts from an early age. It’s about building communication skills, confidence and exposure so that when they enter the workplace, they’re prepared to compete globally.
Ashvini Poobalan, 25
Compared to many countries, we’re doing better, but in the past, the standard of English was actually higher. To me, English proficiency is something that should be cultivated in schools, and there needs to be an appreciation of the language first. These days, people often use AI tools to form coherent sentences, which waters down their writing skills. In that sense, while more people may be exposed to English now, I don’t see the overall quality truly improving. Schools should focus on developing interest in the language so that attention shifts from passing exams to genuinely appreciating it. When a student enjoys the language, it becomes much easier to learn other subjects like biology, chemistry and economics.
Karen Tay Swee Ping, 25
