December 22, 2025 | 09:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Operations Director of English First Education, Fanno Hendriawan, said that learning the English language is becoming more important and relevant today. This was also highlighted in one of the 2025 English First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) reports. "The relevance of learning the English language is not diminishing, but becoming more important," he said in a press release received by Tempo on Monday, December 22, 2025.
To improve students' English language skills, his team is encouraging the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning worldwide. He believes that AI-based evaluation technology can assess productive abilities such as speaking and writing more quickly and accurately. "AI is currently changing the way we learn to use the English language," said Fanno. "However, precisely because of that, the value of English language skills is becoming more important."
Previously, English language proficiency was still a significant issue in Indonesia. In the 2024 EF EPI report, Indonesia was ranked 80th out of 116 countries, with a score of 468-categorized as "low proficiency." This position also placed Indonesia 12th out of 23 countries in Asia. These data show that the challenge of mastering the English language is not only about the curriculum, but also concerns access and the equitable distribution of language learning quality throughout the regions, from major cities to remote areas.
Global trends also suggest that the proficiency of the English language worldwide is not significantly increasing. With a global average score of 477, Indonesia's score is below the global average. Regional disparities further reinforce this problem. The 2024 EF EPI results showed that regions like Java have better competencies compared to many other areas. Therefore, improving the quality of learning needs to be done more evenly, especially in productive skills such as speaking and writing.
However, is English language proficiency still relevant when AI technology is becoming more advanced in language translation? Recent studies show that although AI can provide technical assistance, it cannot replicate the nuances of human communication, such as spontaneity, empathy, and cultural context. Therefore, productive skills remain the key determinant in global collaboration, both in the workplace and in international interactions.
In the context of Indonesia, where scores and rankings are still low, English language skills are becoming increasingly important. Proficiency in speaking and writing is essential for Indonesian workers to compete in the global market. Additionally, the use of technology (including AI) needs to be directed as a tool, not the endpoint of learning. This approach is important to ensure that people continue to prioritize humanistic communication, which is the essence of professional and social interaction.
AI technology does facilitate personalized learning, but it cannot replace human communication. "AI can translate words, but it cannot replace spontaneity, empathy, and human connections formed through direct communication," continued Fanno. The humanistic approach remains fundamental, especially in face-to-face classes, which still play a crucial role.
According to Yunita Yanti, Academic Operations Manager of EF EFEKTA English for Adults, artificial intelligence should be seen as a supporting tool, not a replacement for the learning process. "AI opens up new opportunities in English language learning that are more personal and adaptive," she said. "However, this technological advancement also requires students and teachers to focus more on productive skills because strong speaking and writing abilities are the key to effective communication in the AI era."
Through EF EFEKTA English for Adults, EF presents a learning system that combines AI technology with direct teaching. "It must be remembered that AI-based learning is essential to support the main learning that still includes humanistic components, with the aim that the results of the learning itself will be maximized," said Yunita.
Read: Meta to Launch 'Mango' and 'Avocado' AI Models in 2026
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