Where in Europe do people speak English
Let's figure out where the English language comes from and in which European countries they speak it. There are more English speaking countries in Europe than you expect
In which European countries do people speak English
English is the most popular language in the world, but it’s important to remember that it originates from Europe. And although it’s primarily associated with the misty Albion, the answer to the question: "In which European countries do people speak English?" is not as simple as it seems.
Firstly, if you point to the map of the United Kingdom and say, "People in England speak English," you might upset the other countries within the UK—Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. All three enjoy broad autonomy, which even extends to football: independent teams represent all four parts of the UK. However, at the Olympics, the United Kingdom competes as a single team.
Secondly, don’t forget about Ireland. Once a united state with the UK, it has been independent since 1922. And while the Irish speak their own language, they also speak English. Ireland has two official languages.
Thirdly, Malta. This small island nation in the Mediterranean plays a more significant role than its territory, which is comparable to a medium-sized city. Malta is one of the main resorts in Southern Europe and a hub for learning English. The country also has two official languages—Maltese and English—and it is almost impossible to meet someone who doesn't speak both.
So, in Europe, English holds official status in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta. If you plan to study in a language school, choose courses in these three countries.
However, in some parts of the European Union, it might feel like you are in an English-speaking country. We are primarily talking about the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, where over 80% of the population speaks English.
Additionally, in countries like Finland, Estonia, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Greece, more than 50% of the population speaks English. This high percentage means that in major cities and service sectors, you are likely to receive service in English.
In the rest of Europe, less than 50% of people speak the world's main language, including countries like France, Italy, and Poland. The situation is worse in some Eastern European countries, such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary—the worst countries in this region. Spain is only slightly better, and Turkey has the fewest English speakers.
So, as you can see, the answer to the question posed at the beginning of the article isn’t straightforward. It depends on the criteria. If we are talking about native speakers, then the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta are the main countries. However, in some other nations, you won’t encounter any issues as a tourist or in everyday situations.
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