When it comes to the mastery of the English language, there is a wide gap among the French and German speaking parts of Switzerland. But why is that?
The international education company EF Education First uses the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) to assess the language skills of over 2.2 million adults in 123 countries where English is not the primary language.
With 564 points, English skills in Switzerland are rated as ‘good’ in the 2025 ranking – behind neighbours Germany (4th), Austria (3rd), but ahead of France (38) and Italy (59).
An interesting ‘side’ fact emerges from this study: like so much else in Switzerland, the level of English within the population also depends… on the canton.
How so?
The EE EPI reports that people living in Swiss-German cantons are more proficient English speakers than their counterparts in the Suisse Romande and Ticino.
Image: Education First ranking.
Overall, German-speaking regions received a score of 583 (out of 700), while French speaking areas got 539 points, and Ticino, 526.
By canton, Basel-City is a clear winner with 616 points, followed by Zug (596), Zurich (592), as well as other Swiss-German cantons.
French-speaking cantons are lowest-ranked: Valais (545), Vaud (542), Fribourg (537), Geneva (536), and Neuchâtel (532).
Italian-speaking Ticino is at the bottom, with a score of 526.
In terms of cities, Zurich and Basel are on top (621 and 620 points, respectively).
Next are Lucerne (610), Bern (601), and Winerthur (592).
Here two, French-speaking cities come last: Lausanne (575) and Geneva (555).
Image: Education First global ranking
READ ALSO: How English is becoming more prevalent in Swiss cities
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Why is there such a disparity in English proficiency between linguistic regions?
One explanation is that German-speaking cantons tend to integrate English lessons earlier and more intensively into their public school curricula than French-speaking cantons.
This means that children in Swiss-German regions spend more time learning English which, in the long-term, results in a better outcome.
For example, in Basel-City, English is introduced in grade 5, while in Geneva lessons begin in the 7th grade.
As for Ticino, there is a greater emphasis on German in its public schools.
Image: Education First
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Personal testimonies
The Local readers have their own take on this matter, given the comments left on our Facebook post.
Michael, for instance, agrees with the study’s findings.
“In the German-speaking part English is much better than in the French-speaking area,” he said. “Also, the attitude ‘you must speak our language’ is more prevalent in the French part.”
Another commenter named NetAsia agrees that “in Zurich, the English level at all ages is excellent.”
As for Tony, he found that “almost every Swiss person speaks English to a high standard. It is difficult to practice German because as soon as someone hears your English accent they insist on conversing with you in English.”
Scott, on the other hand, blames the poor proficiency on Switzerland’s schools: “The Swiss wonder why they need immigrants to bolster their work force! Most international roles require English, shame on the Swiss education system”
Another named Ivan said: “My personal experience in Geneva canton is that generation 40+ and seniors 80+ speak English like it’s their second language. Sometimes even better than me. Kids and younger generations have poorer or no knowledge at all. That’s Geneva! “
READ ALSO: How is English taught in Swiss primary schools?
Do you notice a big difference between French and German speaking Switzerland when it comes to English language levels? Share your views in the comments section below.
