No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveTico students improve English level

Tico students improve English level

A study by the Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation showed that the English level of local students has improved in the last four years.

The study evaluated 8,000 high school and university students and shows that 47 percent had a lower intermediate level, while 14 percent had an upper intermediate level.

Despite the improvement, only 1 percent scored an advanced level.

The online study known as “Business English Skills Test” was applied at the request of the Presidential Council for Competitiveness and Innovation.

The company used the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages standards, which defines two categories for beginners (A1 and A2), two intermediate (B1 and B2) and two advanced (C1 and C2).

In public and private universities, most students tested score levels B1 and B2 (lower intermediate and upper intermediate) grades.

From 2008 to 2012 the English level of high school and university students in Costa Rica went from beginner to intermediate levels.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Vehicle Thefts Hit a Ten-Year High

If you own a car here, it is more likely to be stolen now than at any point in the past ten years. Costa...

Latin American Players Chase US Open Doubles Titles

Latin America’s singles challenge at the 2026 US Open has faded, but the region still has several legitimate shots at a Grand Slam title...

Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja Sends Plume 1,000 Meters Above Crater

Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja volcano erupted yesterday sending a plume approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above its crater and bringing the number...

Costa Rica Faces a Future with Far Fewer Children

Costa Rica marked Children’s Day on Wednesday with a demographic reality that is already changing the schools and will eventually reshape its workforce: there...

Costa Rica Adds Booking.com, Expedia and ChatGPT to 13% VAT List

Costa Rica adds Booking.com, Expedia, ChatGPT and 17 more platforms to its 13% VAT list on September 8. Here is what changes on your card statement.

Costa Rica Explains VAT Refunds for Hotel Stays Abroad

Travelers paying for overseas accommodation through certain booking platforms with Costa Rican credit or debit cards can face an automatic 13% VAT charge, even...

Argentine Hope Etcheverry Advances to US Open Second Week

Tomás Martín Etcheverry carried Argentina’s flag into the second week of the US Open on Friday, defeating countryman Mariano Navone 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in...

National Geographic Germany Devotes 11 Pages to Costa Rica

National Geographic Traveler's German edition has given Costa Rica eleven pages in its September issue, describing Costa Rica as a treasure of nature and...

Costa Rica Free Zones Lose Jobs for First Time in Seven Years

Employment in Costa Rica’s free-zone regime fell year over year in July for the first time in seven years, ending a long stretch of...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel