Do Swedish people like to speak English?

English might not be the official language in Sweden, but almost everyone in Sweden excels at speaking it. In 2017 Sweden ranked 2nd out of 80 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index ↗️ (EF EPI), which measures the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries.

Can you live in Sweden if you only speak English?

Yes it’s possible, but whether you’d want to is another story! While most swedes speak excellent English, Swedish is still their main language and learning the language makes socialising (and working) far easier.

Do a lot of Swedes speak English?

English might be one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, but don’t expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other. Although more than 80 percent of people in Sweden do speak English, you might still come across people who don’t, so it’s best to learn some basic Swedish phrases for common niceties.

Why Swedish are fluent in English?

“Swedes are eager to reach people outside of their country, and they benefit economically and linguistically from this” As Sweden aims to internationalise its higher education sector and attract more foreign talent, one of its advantages is the country’s high English proficiency.

Is Stockholm English friendly?

A very high proportion of the Swedish population (close to 90\%) can speak English very fluently, and you will have no problems conversing with people in English in Stockholm or anywhere else in Sweden. You will not need to speak Swedish for any trip there.

Why are Swedish so good at English?

Do all people in Sweden speak English?

All people in Sweden speaks English. Or…? This is a common misconception, that all Swedes speak English so there is no point in learning the language if you speak English. While it is true that many Swedes can speak English, most learned English at school and do not regularly practice speaking it.

How do you irritate the locals in Sweden?

Being loud and flamboyant is the quickest way to irritate the locals in Sweden and you might even be gently reprimanded if your voice carries over to the next table. If you see Swedes turning their body away from you and shading their eyes, take this as a sign to lower your voice and tone it down.

How hard is it for Swedes to learn English?

In other words, Swedes are exposed to so much English from such an early age that it is very difficult for them not to become somewhat fluent in it. They are taught English from age 8 or 9 at least and sometimes as young as 7, so by the time they have left even high school they have had almost a decade of learning it.

Is it rude to be in front of someone in Sweden?

Whenever you have to stand in line, never shove to the front. Although it’s considered rude in most places, in Sweden it is especially shocking. The Swedes value patience, politeness, and waiting your turn, so take a number or your place at the back of the line.