In the modern world knowledge of English becomes an urgent need. Today it is hardly possible to meet at least one person on earth who would not know a single word of English. It is no exaggeration to say that all modern world speaks English. However, only a few countries can be called English-speaking. Among them, of course, the UK, USA, Canada (with the exception of the French province of Quebec), New Zealand, Australia, Ireland. At the same time, in many countries English is the official language, along with others, such as in India, the Philippines, Nigeria, and a number of other countries.
As we have said many times before, The best way study foreign language– method of immersion in the language environment. And here it should be noted that the language environment is not just a place where English is spoken. This is the history, traditions, customs, culture, and, of course, the sights of these countries. Coming to any English-speaking country to learn a language, you will not spend all the time poring over grammar and vocabulary? Surely, you will want to wander around the city, appreciate the beauty of architecture, wander through parks, visit theaters, shops, shopping centers and put your knowledge to the test.
It is in order to help you with this that we open a rubric - English-speaking countries. We will tell you about all the sights of these countries, where it is better to go to learn English, which places to visit first and not only.
And we will start, of course, with the good old - the ancestor of the English language.
So for your attention English-speaking countries:
We are often asked: in which country in Europe is it better to live if you speak English well? And many have studied and speak German and are interested in the respective countries. Let's look at the language situation in Europe.
Malta is the main English-speaking country in the EU
Most wealthy people who want to permanently or temporarily live abroad are fairly fluent in English. However, not everywhere in Europe you will also be freely understood. According to statistics, this language is the most used in the EU, it is spoken by a third of all Europeans. German and French share the second and third places (22% and 19%). The top 5 also includes Italian and Spanish(14% and 12%).
If we recommend European countries where English is very common and in which you will not have problems understanding, then, first of all, pay attention to Malta. This country is very closely connected with the UK, it has many schools for learning English. Not surprisingly, about 59% of the population speaks English.
It is important that in Malta you can get any status: residence permit, permanent residence or citizenship. Any of them will give you the right to live in the country for an unlimited amount of time or not to live at all (optional). Also, you will be able to travel around Europe without visas, with citizenship - in general, all over the world. In addition, the passport of Malta allows you to live without restrictions in any country of the European Union under a simplified registration procedure.
Scandinavians speak better than English
If we talk about other European countries where English is actively used, then the Top 5 (except Malta) confidently includes:
- Sweden - 52% of the population
- Denmark - 52%
- Finland - 44%
- Cyprus - 42%
- Austria - 40%.
For comparison, in Russia, English is known and used by about 15% of the population.
Sweden is one of the most developed countries in the world. Foreigners joke that the Swedes speak English better than the English. Many want to move here, but Sweden is reluctant to issue residence permits to citizens of other countries. If you set out to settle here after all, having Maltese citizenship will be a great advantage.
Denmark and Finland are countries with a rather harsh climate, quite closed to foreigners, so they are not popular destinations for people who want to move to Europe. But if you wish, the way here, again, is best laid through obtaining a Maltese passport.
Cyprus open to investors
IN last years Cyprus made a strong competition to the English-speaking countries of Europe. This is natural, because here, just like in Malta, there is a program for obtaining citizenship. Moreover, you can get a passport within only six months. Investors from all over the world take advantage of this opportunity, which is why English is actively used in Cyprus. Here you will be understood without problems. By the way, the citizenship of Cyprus can also be used as a “pass” to other European top-level countries.
Austria: comfortable bilingualism
As for Austria, there is a unique bilingualism that is not found in other countries. Of course, the main language is German, but, as we have already said, 40% of the population can also communicate in English, because one of the main sectors of the economy here is international tourism.
By the way, in Germany, 30% of the inhabitants are ready to speak English. And this applies to such large cities as Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. Almost everyone speaks English there. But in small towns there may be problems with understanding in stores, gas stations.
Austria is a country that is equally suitable for living for people who speak English or German. And to get the right to live here, you need to take part in the state program for financially independent persons. If you fall within the quota and if you have a relatively small amount on your bank account, you will receive an Austrian residence permit.
Important! Please note that it is the Austrian program that provides for the passing of a knowledge exam German language on the basic level. Therefore, if you only speak English, you will need to learn the "basic" German. Or choose another country to live.
Countries where they do not favor English
The top 5 countries where it is most difficult to communicate in English are Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and the Czech Republic. National languages are actively used here. This position of the population must be respected and taken into account when moving to Europe. If you want to move, you have to learn the language.
For example, in Spain there is a state program for obtaining a residence permit for investment in real estate. It is very popular among foreigners and, in particular, Russians. Investors do not need to take any language proficiency exam. However, keep in mind that when you move here, it's still better for you to learn Spanish.
The same situation is in Portugal. Here you can get a residence permit for buying real estate, investing in securities or business, but 87% of the population do not speak English, and you will have to communicate in Portuguese.
It just so happens that in Europe it is best to English language spoken in Scandinavia, as well as small island states - in Malta and Cyprus. But in Italy, France, Eastern European countries, this language is not popular. Keep this in mind when planning your move.
Why are you learning English? For work, education, travel… It all comes down to communication, right? People who speak English feel confident not only at home, but also abroad. Especially in those countries where English is used not by tourists, but by the local population. Moreover, the English-speaking countries of the world have much in common not only in the language of communication, but also in culture as a whole. We recently discussed.
At the same time, English-speaking countries often have a second or even a third official language. Tourists do not need to know it, but imagine how much it will expand the boundaries of perception! After all, that is why we travel. Therefore, let's find out in which countries English is used as the main language, and what is the Anglosphere.
Anglosphere as the sum of the English-speaking countries of the world
The term "Anglosphere" is still young - it appeared in 1995 thanks to the wit of the writer Neil Stevenson. In his fantasy novel The Diamond Age: or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, London is the center of the cultural English-speaking world. He wrote about English-speaking countries in English and had in mind a purely cultural component without any political overtones.
But we understand that in real world one cannot ignore such political and social aspects as, for example, the borders of states, the number of their population, official symbols, etc. Therefore, let's remember which countries are officially English-speaking, that is, English remains the main state language for them:
- Kenya (pop. 33,829,590)
- Canada (pop. 32,300,000)
- Uganda (pop. 27,269,482)
- Ghana (pop. 25,199,609)
- Australia (pop. 23,130,931)
- Cameroon (pop. 16,380,005)
- Zimbabwe (pop. 12,746,990)
- Sierra Leone (pop. 6,017,643)
- Papua New Guinea (pop. 5,545,268)
- Singapore (pop. 4,425,720)
- Ireland (pop. 4,130,700)
- New Zealand (pop. 4,108,561)
- Jamaica (pop. 2,731,832)
- Fiji (pop. 893,354)
- Seychelles (pop. 81,188)
- Marshall Islands (pop. 59,071).
India (pop. 1,129,866,154)
United States (pop. 300,007,997)
Pakistan (pop. 162,419,946)
Nigeria (pop. 128,771,988)
Philippines (pop. 87,857,473)
United Kingdom (pop. 60,441,457)
Republic of South Africa (pop. 44,344,136)
Tanzania (pop. 38,860,170)
Sudan (pop. 36,992,490)
This list contains the names of not all, but the largest and / or most interesting countries for travelers in which English is the official language. However, be careful when using the term “official language”. Because each state, despite belonging to the imaginary "Anglosphere", manages in its own way. For example, the vast majority of Australians speak English, including government agencies use it at work, but Australia simply does not have an official language.
But India, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines, which have a large and multinational population, consider English the official language, but not the only one - other official languages are used along with it.
Other countries where English is spoken
The map of the Anglosphere is colorful and varied. It is impossible to unite all English-speaking countries with common bridges and / or roads, they are too scattered around the world. But you can trace the spread of the English language around the planet. It originated in Great Britain, and its policy in XVIII-XIX centuries contributed to the spread of the English language around the world. Many of the countries where English is the official language are former British colonies. And even today, not all of them have become sovereign states. Here are the non-sovereign English-speaking countries of the world:
- Guam (pop. 108,708)
- US Virgin Islands (pop. 108,708)
- Jersey (pop. 88,200)
- Bermuda (pop. 65,365)
- Cayman Islands (pop. 44,270)
- Gibraltar (pop. 27,884)
- British Virgin Islands (pop. 22,643)
- Falkland Islands (pop. 2,969)
Hong Kong (pop. 6,898,686)
Puerto Rico (pop. 3,912,054)
These territories, and even the British territory in Indian Ocean with its population of 2,800, are not sovereign states. Their inhabitants speak mostly English. Simply put, English-speaking people are called Anglophones (from the Greek "anglo" - English and "phonos" - sound). This collective term conditionally unites the entire English-speaking population of the Earth. And this, for a moment, is 510 million people. And only for 380 million English is their native language, and another 130 million speak English fluently, but it is their second, that is, learned. Studying English in courses and / or on our own, we strive to join them, right? :)
Symbols of English-speaking countries
Each country where English is the official language has its own traditions and symbols. For example, there are floral (plants), animalistic (animals) symbols of English-speaking countries. They can overlap with each other or be completely different, such as, for example, the symbol of Ireland is clover and Britain is a rose. But often you can easily trace the commonality or continuity of the flags of English-speaking countries.
Do you remember in which countries these or those animals are revered? Here are some hints:
Learn English, explore English-speaking countries, and make English-speaking friends for a truly deep cultural experience.
How many English-speaking countries are currently on Earth? Find out in this article!
Countries where English is spoken.
Hello friends! Indeed, coming to a completely different countries located in opposite directions of the world, you hear everywhere English speech. English has become an international means of communication, everyone is trying to learn it, from young to old, its knowledge has become considered the standard of a competent competent person. At the same time, English is not considered the most common language in the world. He is in 2nd place and is inferior Chinese, or rather its Mandarin dialect. But, all the same, we can say with confidence that the victorious march of the English language around the planet is a solemn march and is not going to get tired or stop yet.
English speaking countries in the world.
And it all started with those countries that later became known as English-speaking. This is the name of a country where English is recognized as the official state language. There are more than 80 such countries in the world. Surprisingly, these countries cover the entire geography of the globe. Where are the countries where English is spoken?
- They are in Asia. There are the largest English-speaking countries - India, Pakistan, Philippines and others.
- In Africa. These are Tanzania, Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya and many other countries.
- In Europe. English-speaking Malta, Jersey, etc. are located here.
- In America. English is spoken in Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados and other countries.
- In Oceania. Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and others are considered to be English-speaking.
This is of course a very short list. But notice a feature? An observant person who knows and history loving immediately understand what's going on. Most of the listed countries former colonies Great Britain and the United Kingdom. After all, since the XVIII century, England tried to develop its influence on all the conquered countries. And this influence was not only economic or military, but also cultural and scientific.
Despite the fact that in most countries English is considered the official language, it is known and spoken by only a small number of people compared to the entire population of the country. Usually, these are the people who live in major cities and got enough a good education or associated with the tourism business.
And yet, English is rightfully considered the most common. This is due, first of all, to the fact that it is considered the most taught in the world. Every day he is taught great amount people, and not just in English-speaking countries. English is a true leader among other languages in the world of big politics and business. He became a means international communication on the Internet, and it is in this language that most of the world's information is stored.
