EDUCATORS, employers and industry leaders are urging the Philippines to shift the conversation on English from test scores to ‘readiness’-the ability to communicate confidently and effectively in real-world situations.
That was the central message of the British Council Philippines’ (BCP) ‘Next Chapter: Making English Work for Every Filipino’ forum, which gathered representatives from the education sector, employers and accreditation bodies and discussed ways Filipinos can be better prepared for overseas employment, international education and careers in various industries, and as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes workplaces and global competition for talent intensifies.
While English proficiency tests remain valuable measures of language ability, speakers said scores alone do not capture the communication skills, confidence and adaptability increasingly demanded by employers.
‘English is not just a skill; it is a bridge,’ BCP’s Country Director Lotus Postrado said. She pointed out that the language creates pathways when people are ready to use it in classrooms, workplaces and global settings: ‘Readiness matters.’
Beyond test scores
BCP’s Head of Exams Mike Cabigon echoed the point, as he said that English readiness should be measured not only by assessment results but also by how confidently people communicate in everyday situations.
‘It shows up in the workplace, the classroom and every border Filipinos try to cross,’ Cabigon said, noting that English assessment, learning and partnerships have long helped Filipinos translate language skills into opportunities abroad.
The discussion comes as AI continues to automate routine tasks across sectors. However, panelists agreed that technology cannot replace human communication, particularly in professions that rely on empathy, collaboration and sound judgment.
Visa Solutions Healthcare’s director of International Healthcare Frederick Sampang said AI can analyze patient records and summarize information, but it cannot replicate the compassion and empathy required in healthcare.
Urban-rural divide
THE forum also highlighted the need to strengthen English education across the country. During the panel discussion, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) Commissioner Dr. Ferdinand Somido shared findings from a study of 69 private higher education institutions. It showed that students from colleges and universities in urban areas generally demonstrated stronger English proficiency than their rural counterparts.
The findings underscore the need to provide greater support to schools outside major urban centers to ensure graduates possess comparable communication skills regardless of location.
Dr. Somido also noted that while many students enter college with intermediate English proficiency, gains by graduation remain limited, raising concerns about graduates’ competitiveness in an increasingly global labor market.
He said higher education institutions are shifting attention from measuring English through written examinations alone toward strengthening graduates’ ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations.
Raising standards
BEGINNING in the 2026 accreditation cycle, PACUCOA will also recognize the British Council’s Aptis English test as valid proof of English proficiency under updated accreditation standards. The framework requires students to demonstrate at least a B1, or intermediate, level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR, while faculty members are expected to attain the more advanced C1 level.
Participants agreed that improving English readiness will require coordinated action among schools, employers and government agencies.
Employers, they said, should clearly communicate the skills they expect from graduates. Learning institutions must design curricula and assessments that emphasize practical communication rather than examination performance alone, while policymakers should establish standards that align classroom learning with workplace demands.
Preparing for opportunities
IELTS Local Prize winner Atty. Yla Paras said her English assessment helped her secure admission to the London School of Economics, enabling her to transition from law into international public policy and climate governance.
Speakers also emphasized that such stories demonstrate the broader purpose of English learning-not simply passing an examination, but equipping Filipinos with the confidence and communication skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
‘Behind every test score is a person with ambition,’ BCP Country Director Lotus Postrado said. She emphasized that every assessment is a person hoping to pursue higher education, build a career, support a family or create a better future.
For the council, that means helping learners move beyond test preparation toward genuine readiness for the next stage of their education and careers.
As global industries become more interconnected and AI transforms the nature of work, the consensus from the event was that English proficiency remains important, but the greater challenge is ensuring Filipinos can translate language skills into meaningful opportunities at home and abroad.