A guest blog from Susanna Cha, recent MSc. Graduate in International Marketing Management:

If you are from Northern Europe and are considering taking an English test, you might find it easier than southern Europeans. This may be explained from a media related viewpoint that I would like to share with you. Please note that it is just a theory that is generalised – and that it obviously depends on the individual, as everyone is different.

Northern Europeans, such as the Dutch, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian people are, in my opinion, generally better at speaking English compared to our Spanish, German and French compatriots. This is an opinion that is also shared by others. The main reason for this is the media.

The Northern Europeans listen far more to the English language than the Southern Europeans. How come, you might wonder? Well, we all love to watch TV and in countries such as the Netherlands, all series, shows and films that are recorded in an English speaking country (mostly America) are not dubbed or synchronized. Instead, the Dutch listen to the English language constantly and receive Dutch subtitles. In Spain, for example, all series and films that are American are synchronised by Spanish speakers, as this case study in Translation Journal shows. This is the same for Germany and France.

Now you might think that the media, somewhat, has an influence is not fully responsible for someone’s English as education plays a significant role as well. This is true, but considers that you are listening to the English language since you were seven years old. Ask any Dutch child what the English for “yes” and “no” is and I bet that 90% could tell you.

There are, however, exceptions as not everyone can speak a different language easily. Surely there are Dutch and Swedish people who cannot even form one sentence in English! But do I think they’d understand more English than your average Spanish or French person? Yes.

There is also a difference between young people and old people. Young people are generally more exposed to the media, which may suggest that only young Swedish people are “better” at understanding English. This could be true, but a Dutch show whereby a Scottish psychic called Derek Ogilvie is helping Dutch people with the loss of their friends or family, is also proving that old Dutch people can understand English very well – as this clip demonstrates!

So to sum up, I believe that Northern Europeans are better at speaking English because of their greater exposure to English in the media, specifically, their exposure to the television.

Let us know your thoughts!