What Countries Speak English? As of 2018, English is the most widely-spoken language in the world. And more than 800 million people speak it as their first language, either as a mother tongue or second language. It’s pretty simple, isn’t it?
What makes English so popular all over the world? How did this common tongue become so widespread? Let’s take a look at 15 countries that speaking English.
What Countries Speak English?
At the turn of the 21st century, English was spread to 152 countries on all continents. The language is also taught in 17 official languages for a total of 202 countries that have at least 1 speaker of English as their first or second language.
1- Europe
There are many European countries that speak English as their official language. In Europe, anglophone or Anglo-Saxon is a name common to the languages, cultures, and people of England, Scotland, and wales in mainland Europe from Celtic origins. Mostly these 3 countries have become a pillar for the global economy because they have strong capabilities in different sectors such as science & technology, the media industry, etc…
English is the predominant first language in Europe. Its speakers are an important part of European culture and its economy, making it one of the most influential languages on earth today.
2- Africa
English has taken on the role of lingua franca in many locations around the world. At present, English is an official language in 22 countries and is recognized as a second language by more than 100 others.
South Africa is a country that speaks English, located in southern Africa. It has an area of 1.2 million square km and a population of 47 million people at the moment. The English language was mainly spoken by the white settlers from Britain who came to this place for business or farming purposes during reigns both before and after independence due primarily to British colonization rule followed later on 1917 also thanks to Cecil Rhodes’ work with mining companies around that time.
3- Philippines
English is the sole language of the Philippines. It is one of the most commonly spoken languages in Southeast Asia. Most Philippines speak English as their first or second language, like the Philippines and Vietnam in south-east Asia many people do not understand each other when speaking with each other in mandarin. Although there are also different dialects; it does make communication easier than learning them all at once which can be quite hard if you don’t know much about that particular country and its dialect.
4- North and South America
English has two names: English as it is spoken in the UK, where there’s no formal policy about its status (it isn’t an official language due to incorporation), and American English, which refers specifically to U.S. speech originating from Britain.
The concept of standard written English is widely known among residents of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, in some other countries, its use by educated people might be questioned rather than endorsed.
5- Singapore
In Singapore, English is the primary language of communication. This country has been ranked as one of the best places to learn Spanish. In Singapore, a lot of people speak Spanish and many Espanyol speakers have left their native mother tongue behind them in order to use it daily at work or even for entertainment purposes with friends and family members affected by this change in behavior include those who want an education from American institutions or those whose spouses come from our neighbor countries.
6- Netherlands
The Netherlands has the highest ranking. Most people speak English as a second language, which shows the Netherlands is one of the top places to live in Europe and worldwide. In addition, English is one of the most important languages in business, science, and culture. The Dutch language is also spoken by many people who are not native speakers of English.
7- France
French is the official language of France, although it has been heavily influenced by other languages such as Latin and Germanic languages. Although not the second most common language in France, Spanish is widely spoken by its citizens because of decades-old cultural relations with The Americas.
8- Malaysia
Malaysia is the country with the most second-language speakers in the world 2nd 5th Malaysia. So, this country is highly successful to learn and speaking English (and other foreign languages) in all schools, colleges. Universities and government offices without any financial burden by the Ministry of education or private tuition institutes.
9- Germany
In Germany, English is an important language in government and industry. In fact, Bayern Munich football club was founded by a Dutchman when he came to study in England. Many Germans can barely understand their native tongue when reading or speaking it aloud because of the German grammar makes them use much more English words. In 2016, there were over 1 million secondary school students who spoke a second language at German schools which is located in Center and Eastern Europe mainly Poland Russia Hungary Montenegro Turkish Macedonia etc.
10- Dominica
In Dominica, English is the second language is spoken. It is also made up of many French words when it pertains to government and business sectors in Dominica, but Dentine Creole English is still spoken by most people.
11- Ireland
Great Britain On the whole, Ireland is a blissful place to live. The country boasts an excellent standard of living as well as fantastic weather conditions and the relaxed lifestyle found here makes it perfect for those looking for something different from their hectic city life back home.
12- Bahamas
The Bahamas only has a population of 331,000 which is no big deal. However, the standard of living in this country is very high because it boasts some things like tax-free living and an excellent healthcare system. The Bahamas was ranked 7th out of 180 countries that speak English by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for quality of life.
13- United kingdom
English is the most Competitive and most widely spoken language in UK. The English accent is very close to mid-Atlantic American, but there are many differences between the Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American accents. Many people who move from Great Britain can understand each other easily by talking in both British and US accents so it’s possible for learners to gain confidence and fluency in English by learning one or other accent.
14- Belize (Spanish)
Belize is a popular tourist destination. The official census for Belize in 2000 listed the population at only 417,892 people. However, there are 675 educational institutions within Belize that give an opportunity to study abroad in the English language. Even Italy and Burkina Faso offer support to students who learn English, especially ESL (English as a Second Language).
15- Caribbean
English is one of the official languages of the Caribbean and many other international organizations. English has been in use in the Caribbean for centuries, so it’s a native language to these regions. In any regard, there are millions of people who speak English fluently and can easily get along with others from around the world despite being from different cultures or backgrounds which makes the Caribbean an excellent place to visit.
This list of countries that speak English has been categorized on several parameters mentioned above. This list of countries that speak English was based on the best places where there is a high usage of English in every aspect which puts it ahead whether it be language, technology or capital, etc. So if you are looking for knowledge about the wide world then visit this blog and get more information.
English is the most-spoken language in the world, and it can be found spread far and wide. While there’s no official lingua franca for the planet, English is often used to communicate across nations. This is because of a number of historical factors, most notably the patterns of colonialism by English speakers. 1
FAQ about what countries speak English
Which country speaks the best English?
There are many countries with English as official language. The United States is the country that speaks the best English. It has the most native speakers, meaning people who were born in America and learned English as their first language. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa are also excellent places to learn English.
Which country should I choose to learn English in?
If you are considering learning English in a country that has the best infrastructure, then the United States is the best choice. The US has an excellent school system with good quality education and plenty of opportunities for students to practice their English skills in real-life situations -“do you know?
English listening is a skill“-. Another country that is considered to be one of the best places to learn English is Canada. This country also has high-quality education and many job opportunities for its citizens who have mastered the language.
The UK is another popular destination for people wanting to learn English because it offers a wide range of options when it comes to finding work after finishing your studies at university or college.
In conclusion, English has spread its linguistic wings across the globe, making its mark as one of the most widely spoken and influential languages. Throughout this article, we’ve explored the countries where English holds a significant place, either as an official language or as a widely spoken second language.
From the native speakers in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to nations like India, Nigeria, and the Philippines, where English plays a vital role in everyday life, the impact of this language cannot be understated.
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