Spain's level of English: Among the worst, but the fastest-improving

Expats who think they will never need to learn Spanish because 'everyone speaks English in Spain' may be in for a shock, but the country's limited grasp of the language means business opportunities for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and traders catering for English-speakers, as well as much greater choice of jobs for those who do have a good command of it – and, of course, the inability to be understood in English could be the catalyst many expats want or need to push them into learning a new language, which is proven to strengthen the grey matter and protect it against dementia.

For English-speakers living in, or holidaymakers visiting the Basque Country or Madrid, however, the problem is less marked, according to the English Proficiency Index which commissioned the research: a far higher number of their inhabitants were found to have a 'high' level of the language, meaning they were able to converse comfortably on any topic with few minor errors and no significant ones, and could hold down a job where English was the sole, dominant or an essential tongue in their role.

But in the land-locked western region of Extremadura, those who spoke any at all had a very low level, barely able to introduce themselves, order food from a restaurant or hold a very basic conversation.

Murcia, Andalucía and Castilla-La Mancha were not much better, the survey showed.

As a whole, Spain's average level of English is set at B1, meaning they can read non-technical texts, talk at length about subjects they are comfortable with such as their work and leisure activities, describe plans and experiences, give opinions and preferences, and are capable of going on holiday to a country where no other language is spoken.

The European language proficiency system starts from A1, just above beginner level; through A2 or GCSE level; B1 – about or just below A-level standard – B2, which is about second-year degree level and required to be able to pass the Cambridge First Certificate in English, a benchmark for non-native speakers hoping to work in an anglophone country; C1, a good graduate level combined with real-life usage and normally gained through contact with natives; and C2, which is completely bilingual, or as far as is possible without having been born in or gone to school in a country which speaks the language.

Ironically, few native speakers would be able to pass an exam at C2 level in their own language.

Although Spain's average level of English is B1, this does not mean a typical Spaniard speaks, writes or can comprehend the language to almost A-level standard; it is merely the middle ground between those who speak little or none at all and those who are fluent.

It is far more likely to find one of these two extremes.

But all is not lost for Spaniards keen to get to grips with the language or embarrassed about their country's low ranking – results of the English Proficiency Index research have improved by 8% since data from between 2007 and 2009, and an improvement of 2% is considered to be a 'significant change' in language competence.

In fact, Spain is the fourth country in Europe in terms of improvement, and joins the Dominican Republic, Poland, Thailand and Turkey in its sterling efforts and progress.

Additionally, around 100,000 Spaniards a year travel abroad for anything from a week's holiday to several months with the sole intention of studying a language, and English is normally number one on their list.

The financial crisis is thought to have played a part, since even those who have not chosen to move abroad to find jobs have been actively trying to add strings to their bows in order to increase their chances and, once full employment becomes a reality, their choices.

Spaniards with the best levels of English tend to be aged between 35 and 44, and women show better language competence than men – a trend seen across Europe as a whole.

In Europe and the world, Denmark comes out top in terms of English competence, followed closely by The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, with an average level classified as 'very high'.

None of the world's worst English-speaking countries are in Europe – Algeria comes out bottom, followed by Cambodia, Libya and Iraq.