Our world is full of people of different races, cultures, ethnic and mostly languages. Do you know?
Today, there are more than 6,500 languages spoken on the planet. We will never be able to learn all the languages. So, what is the universal language that can be used to speak freely all across the world? Undoubtedly, it is English. The English language is spoken by roughly 450 million people throughout Europe.
Therefore, the English language is a revolutionary element. In 19 of the 25 European Union nations, English is the most widely spoken foreign language. Not only in Europe but also in many other countries, English is considered as the second language after their mother tongue. Here is a list of the top English speaking countries in Europe.
1. Netherlands
Approximately 90% and 93% of Dutch people believe that they can easily communicate in English. Tourists have long complained about how difficult it is to learn Dutch in the Netherlands. That’s why the Dutch prefer to switch to English almost soon.
In addition, the government will modify the titles of governmental entities to make them more accessible to foreigners as part of integrating a second official language. Some Dutch cities will also have their names modified to make them simpler to say for English speakers. Moreover, with this information and details, we get to understand how essential and important English is in the Netherlands.
2. Sweden
Sweden is a heterogeneous country. Visitors go to Sweden for education, jobs, or just hanging out, and often decide to stay far longer than they planned. Meanwhile, English is the common language across all nations in Europe due to the large number of academic programs provided in English and the large number of international corporations. The most popular TV programs and shows are in English. International cooperation is becoming more common.
Swedish firms are increasingly working with their international competitors. Moreover, being able to communicate effectively in English is essential for success. At the same time, Swedish entrepreneurs develop their products or services with the intention of exporting them. As a result, more individuals are exposed to English.
3. Norway
Norway is a country where English is really seen as a second language, so it’s no wonder that it’s ranked third. Approximately 90% of the population is completely fluent in English. English Proficiency is an important part of a Norwegian child’s education. English is taught to schoolchildren beginning in the first grade and continuing throughout their education, so it’s not surprising that young people are fluent in the language.
In addition, the language of corporate firms and technology is English. It’s also the language of acceptance. It’s hardly strange, therefore, that Norwegian university students would regard solely English-taught classes to be a wise decision. That’s why most of the activities are done in Norway in English.
4. Denmark
Around 86 percent of the Danish people can communicate in English. In Denmark, English is commonly spoken, with nearly the whole population speaking it and high fluency rates. Children are taught English from a young age and are continually introduced to English language culture in general, so by the time they reach adulthood, they are fluent in the language.
Moreover, English is widely regarded as a critical primary skill for young people to master in order to better their prospects in a globalized world in which English is the preferred business language, at least in Europe.
5. Finland
Finland is a nation in Northern Europe that borders Russia, Norway, and Sweden. Finland’s population is estimated to be at 5.4 million. About 70 percent of the Finnish population, or 3.8 million individuals, speak English. In contrast, this is a big number that is typical in northern European countries. These individuals are more prosperous, knowledgeable, and reside in metropolitan areas.
In Finland, the younger generation speaks English better than the elderly. Finland serves as a connection between Europe and the Far East. As a recently departed part of the Russian Empire, the Finnish language is part of the Uralic language family, so there are some variations from Europeans.
6. Austria
Austria is a lovely nation that attracts both European and British visitors. Visitors to Austria may ask if English is commonly spoken in the nation and if they will be able to get by with simple English, or if they will need to learn some basic German. Meanwhile, the simple answer is that English is extensively learned and spoken in Austria, with around three-quarters of the population speaking English at some level.
As a result, visitors should have little difficulty communicating in English in Austria, particularly in big cities such as Vienna and tourist sites. Moreover, most of the official works, education ministry and health sector follow English as their native language.
7. Luxembourg
You will be surprised to know that 63.77 percent of people speak English in Luxembourg. Though their native language is French. But, they consider English as their official language for all the paperwork, laws and regulations, at high school universities and post graduates. All of them are international, so they have to speak and learn English.
People engaged in the financial and industrial sectors, as well as those working at European organizations. English has become the illegitimate commercial and financial language, and it is commonly spoken in meetings with people of many countries.
8. Germany
For English speakers, Germany is another popular tourist destination in Europe, with attractive cities like Hamburg and Berlin, as well as events like the world-famous Oktoberfest, attracting many Westerners and Europeans. It’s indeed easy to get somewhere in Germany with only English, as the language is commonly spoken and can be used without difficulty in most areas.
English is more widespread in Germany than in other European nations since more than half of the population speaks it to some level, with the frequency considerably greater in famous tourist regions. Germany has a good number of English speakers, at about 56 percent of the population, which is much higher than most countries in Europe.
9. Poland
Poland is known for being a wonderful nation with many attractions to see and interesting places to explore. Meanwhile, English is commonly spoken in Poland, with slightly over a quarter of Poles claiming to be able to communicate in English to some extent. This proportion rises in large cities and tourist sites, where you will have little trouble locating people who can assist you in English.
In addition, according to recent statistics, 37 percent of Poles speak English as an additional language. It is widely taught in schools; students have been expected to acquire at least one other language in primary school and two more languages in secondary school for several decades, so most young Poles will learn English at some time.
10. Portugal
Who doesn’t know the country Portugal, right? According to estimates, anywhere from a quarter to a third of the Portuguese population may communicate in English, which is a significant number in and of itself. It is considerably more frequently used than in neighboring Spain and other European nations.
Moreover, Portugal welcomes at least several million English-speaking tourists each year, and the number is growing, so you’ll find numerous English speakers in any of the tourist destinations, as well as airports, stations, and other locations, and you’ll have no trouble chatting in English.
To conclude, English is the international language worldwide and there is no doubt about that. In Europe, there are many languages and, for the sake of communication and globalization, people have to choose one common language, which is English. It is not only for international communication but also for the prosperity of a nation.
