English Language in SE Asia: Get by w/ only English?

“I do not have languages skills. Can I get by with only speaking English in Southeast Asia? Is English language common there?“

The answer is YES and YES – you can get by. Though, learning the basics of the local language helps you a lot! You don’t have to – it’s up to you.

There are retirees having lived in SE Asia for years, who have learnt only a few words of the local language (as little as a 1st time tourist!).

Depending on where you live in SE Asia and your lifestyle, learning the language may not be required at all. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. It’s entirely up to you.

Rules Of Thumb

You can definitely get by with only English in Southeast Asia.

The more money you spend (think accommodation, restaurants, stores, etc) the more likely English will be spoken. Any business that targets & caters to foreign tourists should – and most likely will – have English speaking staff.

Having some Pictionary-style hand signal skills comes in handy, too. Add in some basic words of the local language, and you will see a big life improvement fast.

English Spoken Per Country in SEA

Count on everyone in Philippines being able to speak English. That simple.

Common enough within the big city, especially the basics. Outside the big city there is minimal English. Learning basic Vietnamese numbers and words will help you out a lot.

Surprisingly common and surprisingly not common. The more tourists in the area, the more common English is amongst the locals. Outside the tourists areas are also English speakers, but it is hard to tell who and who does not speak English. We’ve met fluent speakers who have had no benefit to learn English apart from wanting to as a hobby – we were quite surprised. For daily life, it’s best to learn some basic words and phrases in Thai.

So many people speak English in Cambodia, especially within the main cities. However, it is not as common as Malaysia. The influence of tourism, foreign NGOs, and aid throughout the decades has made an impression. Cambodians certainly take pride is conversing in English with us. They’re friendly and good-heartedness makes for a pleasant conversation in passing.

English is common for most places you will go. These areas are beneficiaries of tourism, so English is common since they cater heavily to foreign tourists.

In Malaysia, there is always someone around who speaks English. It’s very common, especially amoungst the Chinese and Indians. The older Muslim Malay population focuses less on English speaking ability, though many do speak it. As for the younger Muslim Malay generation, English is more common amoungst them. This generation has benefited from a rise in job oportunities at foreign companies located within Malaysia, and English ability is a stepping stone to gaining those jobs.

About English Speaking & Learning in SEA

You may be surprised by who speaks English. There are many locals who rarely interact with foreigners, but they learned English and speak it well.

Learning English is marketed throughout SE Asia as a premium credential to obtain.  Learning English brings an emotional fulfillment and an elevated status amongst peers.  Many times, but certainly not all the time, English enables increased economic access.  Business can be conducted not just with locals, but gains access to foreign tourist/nomads/expats/and retirees brining money into the country.

There are an endless amount of English training centers owned by locals, who employ foreigners as English teachers.  The training centers can be very profitable for the locals.  And, the foreign teachers can live with a high salary relative to the local market, while enjoying the experience of living in a foreign country.

We’ve heard locals say “Speaking English means that [or is perceived] that you are rich!”.  As pointed out to us, simply speaking English does not, factually, equate to wealth.  However, ‘the perception overrules the reality’ is a common moto lived by within culture of ‘having face’ in Southeast Asia.  And, an important thing to note is that people all over the world have their own, unique, biases and perceptions in which do not always equate to reality.