Unusual countries with high English proficiency levels

If you’re looking to work abroad why not check out these countries.

English is widely spoken around the world, not just in countries where it’s the official language. While many countries have English as an official or primary language due to historical ties with the British Empire or other factors, there are also some unexpected places where English is spoken. Here are a few unusual countries where English is widely spoken:

India: English is one of the official languages of India, alongside Hindi and several other regional languages. It’s widely used in business, education, and government, especially in urban areas and among the educated population.

Netherlands: While Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands, English proficiency is very high among the Dutch population. Many Dutch people speak English fluently, and it’s commonly used in business, tourism, and higher education.

Philippines: English is an official language of the Philippines, alongside Filipino (Tagalog). It’s widely used in government, education, business, and media, making the Philippines one of the largest English-speaking countries in Asia.

Sweden: Although Swedish is the official language of Sweden, English proficiency is very high among Swedes, particularly among the younger generation. English is commonly used in business, education, and tourism.

Norway: Similar to Sweden, English proficiency is high in Norway, despite Norwegian being the official language. English is commonly used in business, academia, and media, and most Norwegians speak English fluently.

Denmark: English proficiency is also very high in Denmark, where Danish is the official language. English is widely spoken and used in business, education, and tourism, especially in urban areas.

Finland: While Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages of Finland, English proficiency is high among Finns, particularly in the younger generation. English is commonly used in business, education, and tourism.

These are just a few examples of countries where English is spoken alongside or even in place of the official language. English’s status as a global lingua franca has led to its widespread use and adoption in many parts of the world.

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I had no idea that English had such a significant presence in places like India and the Philippines. Do you think the prevalence of English in these countries has influenced their cultures or international relationships in any way?

I think the prevalence on English in India has had a major impact, whilst it is not completely due to just their language but more colonial ties, it has ultimately made the UK and India much closer.

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During some projects, I collaborated with some folks from Sweden and their English really is pretty great!!

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