13 Surprisingly Easy Countries for English Speakers to Travel In

If you go to American public schools , you credibly speak a second language about as well as you do algebra . Twangy Spanglish make telenovelas more of a hiss , and menu - grade French makes Montreal even slinkier ( voulez vous coucher avec moi ? ) – but let ’s be real , if the rest of the world had n’t adopt English as alingua franca , the Brobdingnagian bulk of Americans would be reduced to dumb show when falter around overseas .

Ah , but there ’s the wipe : English is the earth ’s unofficial second oral communication , with some estimates claiming that 1.5 billion people speak it . Tons of those folks are clustered in the usual roster of foreign lands – the UK , Australia , Canada , Ireland , Jamaica , New Zealand , Oregon . Elsewhere , you may have to work harder to be sympathize , but you may always find people ready to meet you on your lingual greensward when you ’re on their soil . A language roadblock wo n’t keep you from taking an adventure in these 13 countries ; included with each is the per centum of people who utter English , per someprobably - in - the - ballpark estimates . Take a trip anywhere on this list and you ’ll swear they ’ve been exercise for your arrival . Because unlike you since taking German in tenth mark , they have been .

Tanzania

Germany

The Philippines

Slovenia

Nepal

How many citizenry speak English:46%What it ’s like as an English verbalizer : You’d be surprised how easy English allows you to navigate a country as delightfully batshit as Nepal . Everything about the place feels like the last of the Earth , an otherworldly , for the most part hermetic kingdom as far removed from America as one could suppose . Yet a daily promenade down the street punctuates this blurry dreamscape with the realization that while you recognise almost nothing from nursing home , passably much everyone around you is speaking English . They ’re asking you for pen , demanding to make out what ’s up with the presidential election ( as if we have a clue ) , proudly showing you around their remote cliffside dwellings ( where they politely force you to drink yak butter tea ) , and just generally wanting to hang out . What Nepal has to offer : We ended up give way to Nepal on a whim ( after we missed our flight to India ) , and it was the good decisiveness we ever made . With tower mountains ( include Mount Everest – maybe you ’ve discover of it ? ) , amazingly well - preserved ancient towns like Bhaktapur , and intricate Buddhistic pilgrimage sites ( even though the rural area is predominantly Hindu ) , Nepal declare oneself the adventuresome traveller an eye - spread out , mind - blow up experience . I was also pleasantly surprised how friendly most attitudes are towards Americans ( at least when we were there ) , as one Nox our pale gringo look were all we need to instantly ingratiate ourselves with beaming Kathmandu topical anaesthetic and make a unit of ammunition of free drinks in the summons . We felt up like power looking out at an entire bar smiling at us , and pretty much all they need to do was spill the beans to us and find out more about America ( and yes , what Tom Cruise is like ) . But scratch beneath the airfoil and you ’ll find well-disposed , curious mass who just need to know a slight more about you . And , peculiarly when it ’s all being done in English , what more can a traveler ask for ? –Jay Gentile , Thrillist contributor

Cuba

Japan

How many people verbalize English:10%What it ’s like as an English loudspeaker system : The Japanese get a line to read English in school but their conversational accomplishment often miss . When in doubt , compose it out . All you need to get around is to show mass your address in Romanized writing or inkanji . Most cab have GPS and if you give them the address or show them the Japanese address on your earpiece , they ’ll get you there . Most places these days have English menus on manus , with pictures galore . At every turn , you ’ll regain Japanese people who feel excusatory for not being capable to speak better English , and who go the supererogatory kilometric mile to assist you out .

English signage now bristle on the streets of Tokyo , Osaka , Kyoto , and in train post everywhere . If you need help , ask the post master or policeman stationed at shanty in front of every station and they ’ll happily head you , sometimes even accompany you . I recently had an Osaka power train station employee walk me from the station exit to the gymnasium I was look for after he make up one’s mind my Kanto Japanese was the equivalent of not really sympathise Japanese . ( Osaka and Tokyo have unlike dialects . ) Tokyo also sway a government - made app , " Tokyo Handy Guide , " that offers map and sightseeing use . What Japan has to proffer : Visiting Japanis like stepping into a neatly made clock time machine . you may pass over to the future in the golem restaurant , or research the past in the beautiful temples of Kyoto or the Art Deco mansions of the imperial family at Tokyo’sTeien Art Museum . Gaze uponTokyo ’s landscapeof neon from 52 floors up in the observatory of the Mori Art Museum or fall back yourself in the mystical inner garden of Meiji Jingu shrine . Now that the absurd dance - after - midnight ban is over , you may enjoy the nightclub vista until 4 am , or if you luck out , head to a fancy " making love hotel " and experience the wonders of body sonic and in - room vending machines that will melt your mind . The really posh ones have rental costumes – from both the ancient past and the future . –Jake Adelstein , Thrillist contributor

Armenia

How many people verbalise English:40%What it ’s like as an English speaker : Although bordered by Turkey and Iran , this cradle of Christianity on the western edge of Asia remains Europe ’s final frontier and a blessing to English - only speakers . Armenians get languages : The country relish a 98 % literacy rate , and most Armenians under 30 speak English with style – often with a British accent ( many attend schools there and it percolate ) . Although Americans rarely claver Armenia , Europeans do , so rather of translating a dozen languages for them , road signage , menus , and venues are also in English . Chances are high you ’ll meet someone who screw where you ’re from ( they all have relatives live in the States ) , and you probably already screw someone with Armenian roots . Eighty per centum of Armenian cognomen terminate in either -ian or -yan – think Washingtonian , Smithsonian , or OK , sure , Kardashian . What Armenia has to offer : Picture ancient Europe but cooler and style cheap . This Connecticut - sized country has thousands of thinker - boggling monasteries and churches , several of which are uncrowdedUNESCO World Heritage Sites . mellow living is depressed - cost ; you may go to aworld - class operafor the price of a movie ticket , while cabs , cafés , vino , beer , and market are savor at 1960s US prices . It ’s also on the legendary Silk Road , with one still - stand Armenian motel , Orbelian ’s Caravanserai , build in 1331 , where route - warrior merchants and their wagon train - pulling animals sway medieval happy hours , and so should you . –Bruce Northam , Thrillist contributor

India

How many mass speak English:12 % ( which , in India , is a fate of people)What it ’s like as an English speaker : India ’s conversational landscape is unbelievably diverse , with 22 major languages and a staggering 720 - some dialects . Hindi and English are both prescribed languages , and you ’re likely to see the latter speak fluently everywhere – and accuracy be told , it does sound amazing in a charmed lilting emphasis . You ’ll have very little trouble communicating with locals , especially in freehanded city . Even in backwoods villages , you may be surprised – for example , gas up your motorbike at some highway stop and require the station attendant for guidance . He ’ll give you in - profoundness instructions , from all the turns justly down to the turn of kilometers . What India has to offer : India ’s diversity does n’t stop at its roll list of idiom and spoken language . Every region has its own unique landscape painting , culinary art , and pastiche of social , ethnic , and religious norms . Goa ’s famous for its gorgeous beach and spicy dishes from Portuguese influence . Ladakh has its mesmerizing rocky outcrops , wise mountain air , and religious vibes . Kerala ’s covered in dreamy backwaters and churches – Syrian Christians settled here thousands of year ago . Seriously , no marvel Indians spend so much time being tourists within their own country . There ’s a bunch to explore . –Barbara Woolsey , Thrillist contributor

Belize

Pakistan

Singapore

How many people speak English:80%What it ’s like as an English speaker : Singapore used to be a British colony , so most residents talk English first , Malaysian second base ( it ’s the close country to Singapore ) , and Chinese third ( a lot of their cheap toil comes from China ) . The accent can be buddy-buddy , but everyone is pretty leisurely to understand and happy to chew the fat with you , particularly if you want to talk soccer : Singaporeans are huge English Premiere League fans . Pick your bar wisely as you may get a whole crowd of Manchester United red fans who do not appreciate your Chelsea blue walking into their pub . Nowhere else in the world , outside of England , can you get this form of footie experience . What Singapore has to tender : intellectual nourishment . Lots and lots of food . Hotels and drink andpartiesaren’t chintzy , but Singaporeans know how to eat , eat well , and eat for less than you ever thought possible . Head to East Coast Park or any of the packman centers to try out your way around Asia . Little India is one of the effective shoes to grab Indian ( and , oddly enough , Turkish ) nutrient . Beyond your stomach , Singapore – considered " Asia Light " by local anaesthetic and travelers – offers visitors a locus to dip your foot into the ancient culture of the Far East . inspect a Buddhist temple , pick up flower outside of a Hindi tabernacle , or merely learn the cargo ships float by while you soak up life in one of the financial capitals of Asia , potential while snacking . –Keryn Means , Thrillist contributor