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how much english is spoken in spain

by Mrs. Anais Toy II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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As a general rule, English is not very widely spoken overall in Spain, with around 27% or just over a quarter of the population able to speak English to some extent, but many of these cannot speak it very fluently at all.

Full Answer

Is Spain English friendly?

Spain is a wonderful place to live and it is one of the best countries to live in Europe for English speakers. However, if you want the sunshine and lifestyle of Southern Europe, but also wish to be able to find an English speaker to converse with at work or at the bar, Cyprus could be an even better choice for you.

Can you live in Spain only speaking English?

Can I live in Spain without speaking Spanish? Sure. If you're living in a major city, studying a course taught in English, interning or working at a company that requires English, or are living in expat areas such as Costa del Sol or Malaga, you can get by with just English in Spain.

What percentage speaks English in Spain?

The following are the most common foreign languages spoken in Spain: English: 11.7% of the population speak English, while 0.42% call it their mother tongue. French: 5.85 % speak French, with 1.36% native speakers.

What part of Spain speaks English?

Where Is The Most English Spoken In Spain? We found most English-speaking Spaniards in the main tourist areas of Spain, around Barcelona, and along the Costa del Sol.

Can I find a job in Spain if I don't speak Spanish?

Language requirements to work in Spain If you don't speak Spanish, besides working for a multinational company, jobs in Spain for English speakers include tourism, real estate, teaching English, and services aimed at expats. For other types of employment, you will generally need to speak Spanish.

Is Barcelona English friendly?

Answer. Yes. Many people speak English especially the people that tourists generally come into contact with. English is quite widely spoken in Barcelona, especially in the tourist industry and by many young Spanish/Catalan people.

Is Madrid English friendly?

The locals are very helpful and friendly. In Madrid, there are increasing numbers of people who can speak English, the older generation perhaps not so much. It never hurts to learn a few key Spanish words and phrases before you go, and this would be appreciated.

Which country speaks English the most?

United StatesUnited States: 268M. No surprise here: Those arrogant former colonists may not speak the Queen's English correctly, but they do have the world' s largest English-speaking country. Approximately 225 million Americans speak English as a first language, while 43 million speak it as a second language.

Which European country speaks the best English?

The NetherlandsThe Netherlands has emerged as the nation with the highest English language proficiency, according to the EF English Proficiency Index, with a score of 72. It is ahead of five other northern European nations at the top of the chart.

What city in Spain speaks the most English?

Where do all the English speakers live in Spain?Valencia is the most popular region to live. ... Andalusia comes a close second.After the region of Valencia, the southern region of Andalusia is the most popular with Anglophones, more specifically the coastal stretches around Almeria and Malaga's Costa del Sol.More items...•

Can you go to Barcelona without speaking Spanish?

Yes, you will be completely fine getting by in Barcelona without speaking Spanish/Catalonian. I was just there with a friend a few weeks ago and she speaks less Spanish than I do and we felt completely comfortable getting by/walking around, exploring the city not being able to fully speak Spanish.

Where do most English live in Spain?

Top 10 most British cities in SpainBenidorm, Alicante (Costa Blanca) ... Orihuela, Alicante (Costa Blanca) ... Benalmádena, Málaga (Costa del Sol) ... Mijas, Málaga (Costa del Sol) ... Torremolinos, Málaga (Costa del Sol) ... Fuengirola, Málaga (Costa del Sol) ... Torrevieja, Alicante (Costa Blanca) ... Calvià, Mallorca (Balearics)More items...•

Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Spain?

In many parts of Spain, particularly in areas where there are large expat communities, English is widely spoken and you can live a great life without needing to know a word of Spanish if that is what you are looking for. However, a basic knowledge of Spanish can really make a dramatic difference.

What city in Spain speaks the most English?

Where do all the English speakers live in Spain?Valencia is the most popular region to live. ... Andalusia comes a close second.After the region of Valencia, the southern region of Andalusia is the most popular with Anglophones, more specifically the coastal stretches around Almeria and Malaga's Costa del Sol.More items...•

How much money do I need in the bank for Spanish residency?

Main Applicant - The main visa applicant will need to prove an income of 400% of the Spanish IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which in 2022 equates to €579,02. This means you will need to have an income of at least €2,316,08 per month or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.

Can I move to Spain without a job?

You can move to Spain without a job. Nevertheless, you will then need to apply for any residency that does not list it as a requirement.

Where Is The Most English Spoken In Spain?

We found most English-speaking Spaniards in the main tourist areas of Spain, around Barcelona, and along the Costa del Sol. Almost all of our hotel receptionists spoke some English, however, we often had problems in museums, with taxis, at restaurants, etc.

Which city has the least English spoken?

Madrid seemed to have the least English spoken, even in tourist spots such as the Royal Palace, so it’s best to skip the ques and buy your tickets for the Royal Palace online.

Can you get a room for the night in Spain?

If you can handle ‘ una habitacion por la noche ’, you can get a room for the night. And Speaking a little Spanish always opens up cheaper accommodations – why not try it out at one of the top hotels in Spain?

Can you travel to Spain in English?

Still, in our opinion, it is very possible to travel in Spain using only English.

Do business travelers need to speak Spanish?

Business travelers, staying at high-end hotels and meeting with Spanish businessmen , would most likely never need to understand or speak Spanish. While someone staying in the least expensive accommodation and visiting the most out-of-the-way places would likely find speaking a little Spanish necessary.

Does Spain speak English?

In fact, a recent study showed that almost 60% of Spain speaks no English at all, and of the remaining 35%, most don’t speak it very well. What’s even more surprising to many visitors in Spain is how much of the country’s tourism industry doesn’t speak English either.

Is Spanish the language of the land?

Spanish is the language of the land and the music of the streets! Experiencing the language is essential to experiencing the culture. We hope this little guide to getting by in Spain with no Spanish gives you an idea of how much English you can expect on you Spanish holiday, and how to get by with minimal Spanish too!

How many people speak English in Spain?

Spain has a population of around 47 million people. Of these around 28% claim to speak English, this is around 13 million people. These people are more likely to be young, rich enough to travel a lot, live in major cities, like Barcelona and Madrid, and work in roles in which they come into contact with foreigners. Those who live in the countryside and are older speak and understand English a lot less in comparison.

How Many People in Spain Speak English?

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.

What Languages are Spoken in Spain?

Spanish Spanish is the most common language in Spain, being spoken by 99% of the population as either a first or second language. There are regional varieties of the language with key differences like the Spanish spoken in Andalucia or on the Canary Islands.

What is the most widely used translation app?

Google Translate – This is one of the most widely used translation apps in the world. It translates strings of words that make up sentences and can translate both audio and written text.

How many people live in Salamanca?

Salamanca – The city is Salamanca has around 300,000 people. It is a beautiful and historical city with vibrant university. One of the old universities in the world. There are a number of beautiful squares, many fantastic parks and some of the best museums in Spain. Because there are some many tourists visiting the city along with all the international students you will find that many people speak English in Salamanca. The young people also study English in large numbers in the hope of spending time in an English speaking country for travel or studying.

What is the capital of Spain?

Madrid – Madrid is the capital of Spain and has around 3.3 million residents. It is also a major tourist destination for international tourists. There are many fantastic museums like El Prado and Reina Sofia, there are also many lively parks and historic public squares. The city is incredibly beautiful, especially in the spring and summer. There is also a very active nightlife in some of the city districts. Given how important the city is as a tourist destination you are going to find that people working in the hotels, bars and restaurants can speak English.

How many letters are in the Spanish alphabet?

Writing/reading – English has 26 letters in it’s alphabet while Spanish has the same 26 with the addition of the letter ñ and accent markers. In terms of spelling rules, people tend to have problems with the letters h, ñ, v/b, j/g, u, z and c. The pronunciation of these letters can very greatly.

What is the official language of Spain?

Spanish is the official language of Spain. Also referred to as Castilian, it is a Romance language with origins in the Castile region of Spain. Two major speeches influenced the creation of Spanish: the Medieval Romance language of the Kingdom of Castile and the Mozarabic dialect of the Muslim Kingdom of Toledo. As the Spanish Empire spread across the world in the 16th century, so too did their language. Today, hundreds of millions of people speak Spanish as their first language. Within Spain, approximately 88% of the population speaks it as their native language, and 99% are able to speak it.

What are the languages of Spain?

Co-official regional languages include Basque, Catalan, Galician , and Occitan. Basque is the only non-Romance language with official status in the country and is in fact, not related to any other language. It is spoken by the inhabitants of Basque Country and northern Navarre. Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia (autonomous communities). About 17% of the population speaks Catalan, making its speakers one of the largest bilingual, non-state communities in Europe. Galician is spoken by 9% of the population of Spain, mainly in Galicia which is an autonomous region in the northwest and is related to Portuguese. Occitan is also spoken in Catalonia where the inhabitants use a subdialect called Aranese. These languages are widely used in newspapers, books, on TV, and in local government.

What is the language of Catalonia?

Occitan is also spoken in Catalonia where the inhabitants use a subdialect called Aranese. These languages are widely used in newspapers, books, on TV, and in local government. The recognized regional languages are Aragonese, Asturian, and Leonese. These are not official and are considered minority endangered languages.

How many people speak French?

Additionally, it is also spoken by French-born individuals who currently number about 100,448. German is spoken by only 2% of the population.

How many people are born in Spain?

Approximately 6.1 million people in Spain were born in different countries. This number represents a little more than 13% of the population. The majority of these immigrants have come from the European Union, Latin America, Morocco, China, and Russia (to name a few).

Where is Catalan spoken?

Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia (autonomous communities). About 17% of the population speaks Catalan, making its speakers one of the largest bilingual, non-state communities in Europe.

Where is Leonese spoken?

Leonese is spoken in Castile and Le ón by between 20,000 and 50,000 people. Unofficial regional languages include Cantabrian (an Astur-Leonese dialect), Extremaduran (spoken in the autonomous region of Extremadura), Judaeo-Spanish (spoken by Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492), Riffian Berber ...

How many people say Spain is good at second language?

Nearly 36% say that Spain gives little importance to second languages, compared to 16.1% who say Spain is excellent at languages. The majority of those surveyed say that they learned languages in elementary or high school.

What is the second language spoken in Spain?

English is the most-spoken second language in Spain, the poll says, with 27.7% of respondents saying they speak it, followed by French (9%) German (1.7%) and Portuguese (1.2%). Students at the Escola Pia de Sabadell school in Catalonia. Cristóbal Castro.

Why do Spaniards not feel they have missed opportunities?

According to the poll, 66.9% of Spaniards do not feel they have been negatively affected or have missed opportunities because of their inability to speak a second language.

Do older people speak Spanish?

The survey suggests that the vast majority of older people only speak Spanish: 90% of respondents say their parents do not speak a second language. For those who do, however, 39.7% speak English and 48.1% speak French.

What is the primary language spoken in Barcelona?

There is roughly as many people living in Barcelona whose primary language is Spanish (Castilian) as people whose primary language is Catalan (although 100% of the Catalan speakers also master Castilian and most of the Castililan speakers also maste Catalan - isn't it great?).

What language do they speak in Barcelona?

Although the language of Barcelona is Catalan, I always manage to get by with Spanish (Castellon) without a problem, and when I do get stuck, English is pretty widely spoken

What does "homes" mean in Catalan?

Also in Catalan: Homes =men, dones=women in Catalan , senyors=men, senyores=women.

Can you ask for a menu in English?

You can ask for a menu in English at many good restaurants although not at all of them.

Do most people in the tourist industry speak English?

You will not have any problem at all. Most people in the tourist industry will speak English.

Is there a language in Barcelona?

Not entirely true. There is roughly as many people living in Barcelona whose primary language is Spanish (Castilian) as people whose primary language is Catalan (although 100% of the Catalan speakers also master Castilian and most of the Castililan speakers also maste Catalan - isn't it great?).

How hard or easy is it to get by in Spain with speaking only English?

Also, I didn’t even tell you about the Andalusian dialect yet! This dialect can be very different from the Spanish language in other parts of Spain. For example I found out that Sevillians doesn’t pronounce the “d” or the “s” here. So instead of saying “gracias“ they say “gracia” and so on. If you want to learn more about the language differences, you can go to a blog that another intern wrote here .

Can you learn Spanish from the grocery store?

My last suggestion is to download the app “Duolingo”. This is a great way of learning Spanish and you can start from the basics. However, you do have to know English to use this app.

Does Sevilla speak English?

As Sevilla is very touristic I expected a certain level of English in general but actually that isn’t the case. Most of the people in Spain only speak Spanish and just a few speak very well English. Only at touristic attractions and in those surroundings people know English and most of the time their English is limited.

Do people speak English in Madrid?

In Madrid, there are increasing numbers of people who can speak English, the older generation perhaps not so much.

Do restaurants have English?

Most restaurants and shops tend to have somebody that knows a bit of English.

Is Madrid a Spanish city?

Fast food chains and pseudo-Spanish restaurants selling microwave Paellas, sangria and crappy ham sandwiches for tourists will be, however, more accommodating. Although more and more Spaniards, like myself, speak some English, Madrid is a Spanish-speaking working metropolis, not a resort in Costa Blanca and you will need some basic Spanish to get by .

Do most people in the tourist business speak English?

Most of the people in the tourist business now speak English. You will not have any problem in communication.

Is Spain a corrupt country?

Amazing how Spain is the second most visited country in the world while Spaniards are so bad at languages and the country is a corrupt hellhole with sup-par ethics standards compared to those of the Netherlands. A mini-country which is the cusp of western civilization, as we all know..

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Official Languages of Spain

Regional Languages of Spain

• The European Union is a supranational union composed of 27 member states. The total English-speaking population of the European Union and the United Kingdom combined (2012) is 256,876,220 (out of a total population of 500,000,000, i.e. 51%) including 65,478,252 native speakers and 191,397,968 non-native speakers, and would be ranked 2nd if it were included. English native speakers amount to 13% of the whole population of the EU and the UK, while the p…

Immigrant Languages of Spain

Main Foreign Languages of Spain

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