Hmmm...it is true as English is a world language many people from other countries bother to put effort to learn it, but in France from what I know people can graduate from masters without speaking one word of English. Learning English is a choice in France, it is not compulsory at all. The only French people who speak English are the ones, who need to use it in their careers, e.g. Hotel receptionists, English teachers, translatorsﾂ…etc. I tend to find on average the Asians and the Blacks in France speak better English than the white French. I am thinking it is their parents who influence them to learn English because they are immigrants with different backgrounds than the white French, hence their views about the importance of English learning are different from the white French.
Hong Kong is a former British colony like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indiaﾂ…etc that's why their lectures, official documentsﾂ…etc are in English. As far as I know most of the ex British colonies are still with the commonwealth. There is a special relationship here.
If you go to places that are not former British colonies like Taiwan for example with the exception of English teachers, translators and few diplomats the rest speak almost no English.
Yes in China today many are viewing English as an important subject for more successful degrees and careers, but many still speak very little English.
:haihai: