Cultural diversity

Proficiency in English

About this topic

Proficiency in English records how well people say they speak English, with the question mainly relevant for people who use a language other than English at home. It is a self-assessed measure of spoken English rather than a formal test.

This topic helps identify where interpreting, translated information, and targeted service communication may be needed. It is most informative when read alongside language used at home, birthplace, and year of arrival.

Interpretation notes

  • ABS treats this as a self-assessed indicator of spoken English, not a formal test, so results should be interpreted with care.
  • The detailed English-proficiency categories mainly relate to people who use another language at home; people who speak English only are included as a separate category.

Key insight

In 2021, English only was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Glenden, accounting for 74.2% (354 people). This share was lower than Isaac (R) (74.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 2,028 people and 11.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Glenden - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Glenden in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Isaac (R) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Glenden, with comparison markers for Isaac (R).

Glenden
Isaac (R)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

354

% of total

74.2%

Change from 2016

-11.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

32

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All

2021 count

5

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

88

% of total

18.4%

Change from 2016

+9.0pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Glenden. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).

Proficiency in English for Glenden. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).
Proficiency in English for Glenden. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Isaac (R)%Count%Isaac (R)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only35474.2%74.4%2,38285.7%81.2%-2,028-11.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well326.7%4.7%1194.3%4.2%-87+2.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All51.0%0.4%90.3%0.4%-4+0.7pp
Total Not Stated8818.4%20.6%2629.4%14.2%-174+9.0pp
Total477100.0%100.0%2,778100.0%100.0%-2,3010.0pp