As we speak, English proficiency among most Ukrainians is still very low. So I would say that not many Ukrainians speak English. One of the main reasons is that it’s not an essential part of the learning curriculum in schools.
The majority of Ukrainians speak Ukrainian which is the official language, and are fluent in Russian, the country’s second but unofficial language.
But with the world seemingly becoming a global village with each passing day, you can find several places and situations where some Ukrainians are speaking unbelievably fluent English.
So, where exactly is English Spoken in Ukraine?
You will possibly find English being spoken on a larger scale under the following circumstances:
Among the younger generation
Especially the under 30. The reason being knowledge of English is perceived as a channel to better prospects, within Ukraine and the wider English speaking countries and educational institutions.
Again, most of these youngsters are now part and parcel of the larger social media fraternity, which has lots of English going on.
The bigger the city, the more you’ll English speakers
I would also say that English is more spoken in major cities such as Kiev, mostly due to work environment in many companies (especially in the tech-industry) and constant exposure to English-speaking tourists.
Getting Around the Language Barrier
If you are touring in leading cities such as Kiev, then speaking English should not be a big problem. This is because many people here can speak language.
The trick is to use only simple words that anyone can quickly grasp.
I know of several tourists who arm themselves with tiny dictionaries, or utilize google translator to translate some of the simple commonly used words to help them get around.
All the same, you may still need the use of a tour guide to help you with day to day communication issues.
To find how far you can get around Kiev, with English only, spend 3 minutes reading: Speaking English In Kiev: Is It An Effective Means Of Communication?
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