Is English widespread in Brazilian cities?

Question

If I went to Rio, or Sao Paulo, would there be plenty of folks that spoke English? I am wondering what percentage of the population speaks any English. Thank you.

Answer 1

The national language is Portuguese. They converse enough in English to get the American dollar. Watch it if you go...there is a pick-pocket on every corner.........and bring some anti-diarrheal medicine for the plane ride home.

Answer 2

Thinking that more then 50 percent of the population live belove the poverty line and bearly know how to speak and write properly portugees, i would say no more then 20 percent speaks properly english.

the english they learn in school is so bad, that they have to pay for extra english courses to be able to learn english.

Answer 3

You will find some people who speak english, especially in the tourist areas.  But its not very widespread, and often the level of english spoken can be lacking.

Answer 4

I picked up a book in the airport in Sao on the way to Rio.  I got along just fine.  I know a little SP so that helped - in my understanding of Portgs.  Learn, "thank you", "i need", "i want", "where is" and you will be just fine!  With these few phrases and a pocket dictionary, I was able to get around by myself for two weeks in Rio.  There were enough people there that understood my broken Portgs. and enough that spoke Engl. if they didn't. :)

Answer 5

More than 70% of the people think they can speak English... but they can't! :P

although they will try hard to communicate with americans

Answer 6

Yes, many people in Brazil speak English. But it's "Brazilian English", which is a quite different language...:o)

[ ]s

Alvaro Augusto

http://www.alvaroaugusto.com.br

Answer 7

eh .. not too many people ..       you may have more luck finding younger kids who might know some english.. since they are starting to teach it in school ..

i found that everywhere i went  in Rio and Sao..   1 person knew english..    when i went to the grocery store ..  the market..  the mall ...  rode on a bus etc..    but deff study the basics of the language  ..    i dont know how people make their way around without knowing the langauge..    i would be frustrated and nervous if i couldn't.    But .. the people are very friendly  and will most likely try their best to help

Answer 8

Found Brazilians who you can have a fluent chat in English is pretty rare.

The most likely place to find those Brazilians are the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

Despite the fact of most people don´t speak any English, they will try everything to understand and pleased you.

Answer 9

My experience the few times I have been to Brazil is that many try, but few can converse.  English is (or was, not sure as it's been a while since I lived there) part of the official high school curriculum in most of the Brazilian states, but very few Brazilians are fluent.

That being said, you will find several people that do speak English - particularly those who work in travel and tourist related industries.

If you were to go, I would suggest brushing up on some Portuguese - it will be helpful and folks appreciate it when you try to speak with them in their language and are very willing to help.