Yes, many Spanish people speak English, especially in urban areas and among younger generations. However, proficiency levels vary widely.
A thorough response to a query
Yes, many Spanish people speak English, especially in urban areas and among younger generations. However, proficiency levels vary widely. According to a report by the European Commission, approximately 22% of Spaniards are able to speak English. Though this is lower than many other European countries, such as the Netherlands or Denmark, it indicates a significant increase in English language proficiency over recent years.
Interestingly, there has been a push in Spain to improve English proficiency, particularly among young people. In 2018, the Spanish government announced a €1 billion plan to improve English language education across the country. Additionally, many universities in Spain require students to pass an English language proficiency exam in order to graduate.
Despite these efforts, there are still some challenges in improving English language proficiency in Spain. For example, many English language classes in Spanish schools focus more on grammar and vocabulary than on speaking and listening skills. Additionally, some studies have shown that Spanish adults tend to have lower levels of confidence when speaking English, which can lead to a reluctance to practice speaking.
Overall, it seems that while many Spanish people do speak English, there is still room for improvement. As the Spanish government’s plan suggests, there is a growing recognition of the importance of English language skills in a globalized world.
In the words of Spanish novelist Javier Marías, “learning foreign languages and different cultures does not just broaden your mind; it makes you more understanding, empathetic and tolerant of the world around you.”
% of Spaniards able to speak English | |
---|---|
Denmark | 67 |
Sweden | 62 |
Netherlands | 61 |
Finland | 58 |
Luxembourg | 56 |
Slovenia | 49 |
Estonia | 47 |
Latvia | 46 |
Austria | 45 |
Lithuania | 45 |
Cyprus | 44 |
Malta | 43 |
Belgium | 38 |
Portugal | 32 |
Spain | 22 |
Source: European Commission (2018) |
Here are some additional responses to your query
While many foreigners who live in Spain do speak English, most locals don’t. This is because their mother tongue is Spanish, so to answer the question ‘what do people in Spain speak? ‘, it’s Spanish. Particularly in those incredibly charming places to visit in Spain.
No, most Spaniards do not speak English. A recent study showed that almost 65% of Spaniards speak no English at all, and of the remaining 35%, few speak it well. However, thanks to English becoming a mandatory school subject, many younger Spaniards speak some English, while the older generations generally do not. While many foreigners who live in Spain do speak English, most locals don’t.
Overall, no, they really do not. While many foreigners who live in Spain do speak English, most Spaniards do not. In fact, so poor is the English ability of most Spaniards, a recent study showed almost 65% speak no English at all and, of the remaining 35%, few speak it well.
Almost 60% of Spaniards can’t speak, write, or read in English, according to a poll conducted by Spain’s CIS Research Institute in 2017. However, the poll also found that 27.7% of the people surveyed say that they speak English, making English the second most spoken language in Spain.
Thanks to English becoming a mandatory school subject, many younger Spaniards speak some English, while the older generations generally do not. While many foreigners who live in Spain do speak English, most locals don’t. This is because their mother tongue is Spanish, so to answer the question ‘what do people in Spain speak?’, it’s Spanish.
See related video
A traveler goes to Miami to see if it’s possible to live there speaking only Spanish. They visit several restaurants and find that the majority of the dialogue is in Spanish. The speaker notes that knowing Spanish is definitely helpful in getting around Miami since 70% of the population’s first language is Spanish. The speaker believes that for people who are interested in visiting the United States and may not have a lot of English language knowledge, Miami is a good place to check out because of its accessibility for Spanish speakers.
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Rank | Language | Total Speakers |
---|---|---|
1 | English | 1,132 million |
2 | Mandarin Chinese | 1,117 million |
3 | Hindi | 615 million |
4 | Spanish | 534 million |