The English language, a West Germanic language, originated in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England. Its evolution began with the arrival of Germanic colonizers to the east coast of Great Britain in the 5th century AD. Over the centuries, English has been influenced by various languages, including Old Norse due to the Viking invasions and French. Norman after the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century.
These influences have enriched the vocabulary and grammar of English, making it a complex and diverse language. Today, English is the most spoken language in the world and the third most spoken native language, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
English is the official language in 59 countries and numerous non-sovereign entities. Countries where English is the official language include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and many countries in the Caribbean and Africa.
In addition, it is one of the official languages of international organizations such as the UN, the European Union and NATO. This wide diffusion has made English the lingua franca of diplomacy, international trade, science, aviation and the Internet.
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Top 5 Latin American countries that speak English best
In Latin America, English proficiency varies significantly between countries. Noticias Caracol shares with you a ranking of the five Latin American countries that speak English best, based on the English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) of the global language training company Education First (EF).
5. Chile
It occupies fifth place in the ranking of Latin American countries with the best command of English. This progress is due in part to the educational policies implemented by the Chilean government, which have emphasized the importance of learning English from an early age.
In addition, the private sector has contributed by offering English courses and cultural exchange programs. Improved English proficiency has allowed Chile to better integrate into the global market and attract more foreign investments.
4. Uruguay
It is in fourth position in the ranking. The EF EPI report highlights that Uruguay has achieved “moderate proficiency” in the use of English. This achievement is due to a combination of factors, including the growing demand for English in the labor market and government initiatives to improve language teaching in public schools.
Additionally, access to online educational resources and the popularity of exchange programs have contributed to improving the English skills of the Uruguayan population.
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3. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic occupies third place in the ranking of the Latin American countries that speak English best. Despite economic and political constraints, the country has managed to maintain a level of “moderate proficiency” in English.
Education in the Dominican Republic is free and of high quality, which has made it easier to teach English in schools. Additionally, tourism, one of the country’s main sources of income, has encouraged many Dominicans to learn English to better communicate with foreign visitors. This effort has borne fruit, positioning the Dominican Republic as one of the countries in the region with the best command of English.
2. Costa Rica
It is positioned in second place in the ranking, with a level of “moderate aptitude” in English proficiency. This Central American country has invested significantly in bilingual education, recognizing the importance of English for economic and social development.
Costa Rica’s educational policies have promoted the teaching of English from primary education, and the country has numerous training programs for English teachers. Additionally, the tourism sector, which is a crucial part of the Costa Rican economy, has driven the need for a good command of English among the population.
1. Argentina
Argentina leads the ranking of the Latin American countries that speak English best, with a level of “high aptitude” according to the EF EPI report. Education in this country has played a key role in this success, with a strong focus on the teaching of English in schools and universities.
Furthermore, the cultural and economic influence of English-speaking countries has motivated many Argentines to learn the language. High English proficiency has allowed Argentina to improve its competitiveness in the global market and facilitate participation in international events.
Source: https://www.noticiascaracol.com/mundo/ni-mexico-ni-colombia-estudio-revela-el-pais-de-latinoamerica-que-mejor-habla-ingles-so35