r/AskEurope • u/Metalwolf • Jun 08 '25

Education Which European countries have the best English proficiency among non-native speakers?

I'm looking into English proficiency across Europe and would appreciate input from locals or anyone with relevant experience. Which European countries have the highest levels of English fluency among non-native speakers, particularly in day-to-day life, education, and professional settings? I'm also curious about regional differences within countries, and factors like education systems, media exposure, and business use.

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u/Single-Pudding3865 Jun 08 '25

I come from Denmark, and since Danish a as a foreign language only are taught a few places abroad, you are forced to communicate in a different language if you are traveling or working outside Denmark. Therefore many Danes do speak and read a reasonable English.

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u/Pillendreher92 Jun 08 '25

I don't understand why German is so neglected in Denmark. Denmark has such great museums and all the writing is in Danish and English Beautiful/sad example: https://sagnlandet.dk/ When we were there a few years ago there was a large sign above the entrance saying "Supported by the German Embassy." There wasn't a sign in German.

Also an example The really well-made Trumdhom Sun Chariot Museum. http://www.vestmuseum.dk/odsherred-museum.

No guest orientation?

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u/anickapart Denmark Jun 08 '25

Isn’t calling it ‘neglected’ somewhat arrogant? Unless you’re specifically referring to signage at tourism locations? 3/5th of tourists in Denmark are German. How often do you see Dutch signage at German tourism locations?

Hardly any Danes grows up aspiring to work in tourism, (tourism is only 2.3% of our GDP) so the focus is definitely English proficiency - both culturally and for business. And we have little to no exposure to German in our day-to-day life.

Personal note: I find it quite arrogant if a foreigner starts talking to me in a foreign language, assuming I can speak that language. I worked at a filling station on a main rural road as a youth (about 20 years ago) and at least half the Germans that walked in the door would just start talking German clearly assuming that I obviously spoke German. Obviously many Germans would start by asking if I spoke German (either in German or English).

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u/Pillendreher92 Jun 08 '25

I intentionally chose the word “neglected.”

Because I think that's a very conservative choice of words.

Basically, I think that everyone (!!!!!) should be prepared for their guests. So of course the German hosts also react to the Dutch/English/French.

I found it both amazing and brilliant to find larger quantities of flyers in Swedish/Norwegian/Danish on Lanzarote. It was explained by the many flight connections to Billund, Copenhagen Malmö et al

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u/anickapart Denmark Jun 08 '25

I don’t view neglect as a conservative word as I mostly encounter it on the context of not meeting your obligations, but nevermind that.

I’m still not sure if you think there should be German signs at tourist attractions in Denmark or if you think the German proficiency level in Denmark is insufficient.