Listening Time: English Practice Which Countries Speak English Well?
8 snips
Nov 25, 2024 Dive into the fascinating world of global English proficiency! Discover which countries, like the Netherlands and Singapore, excel in speaking English as a second language. Explore the linguistic journeys of nations such as Sweden, Belgium, and Portugal, and unravel the historical and cultural factors influencing their rankings. The conversation even takes a comparative turn with nations like Spain and Italy, adding depth to our understanding of language skills worldwide.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dutch & Northern European English
- The Netherlands has a high English proficiency, likely due to Dutch being closely related to English.
- Northern European countries generally have strong English skills.
Singapore's Lingua Franca
- Singapore's high English proficiency stems from its role as a lingua franca.
- Diverse linguistic backgrounds necessitate a common language for communication.
Austria's English Proficiency
- Connor was surprised by Austria's high English ranking but realized he'd had few Austrian students.
- This suggests Austrians generally possess strong English skills.