Well this is true to some extent. London is such a cosmopolitan place that there are many nationalities represented there.

However, if you are learning English, it’s often very convenient to practise with other people from around the world. That’s the whole purpose of international English anyway – and the variations you hear will simply improve your general understanding.

But you will have lots of opportunity to speak English in London. You just need to think carefully about how to do this – and think of situations where you can meet people:

- whose job it is to speak to you, or
- whose jobs are perhaps not that interesting, and who will therefore be more than happy to speak to you in English.

Speak English in London Shops

Try and avoid buying things in supermarkets and mini markets, where you just take what you want and pay.

Here are just 2 examples of how you can practise your English in London:

Food shopping

At lunchtimes, one of the most challenging things you can do is to order a sandwich in some of the busy, fast-paced specialist sandwich shops in London. Many of the ones we have visited are run by Italians, who speak great English, but who work very fast. You can have almost anything in your sandwich, but you’ll have to revise your food vocabulary first. Try going back again and again until you build up your speed and accuracy – and don’t always buy the same sandwich! Also, the more you go back, the more you’ll get to know the people there, and start to have longer conversations with them.

Clothes shopping

Another good way to speak English is to chat to people who work in the clothes shop. Try on clothes with other friends from the course, and get the shop assistant to join in, giving you advice and telling you what they think. Before you know it you’ll be fluent in English for shopping!

Museums and art galleries

In museums and art galleries, the people there often have to stand around for a long time every day, and they will enjoy their job more if people talk to them.

Here are two examples:

The Natural History Museum

If you go to the Natural History Museum, it’s free to get in, you can read lots and lots about nature, animals and the world around us, and you can also speak to the people who work there. They often know lots about the exhibits they are working near, so think of some good questions to ask to get them talking.

Windsor Castle

If you ever get to the Queen’s favourite residence (we recommend it), and look around the castle, many of the people who work there have lots of time to talk to you. Ask them what happened in the Great Fire. Also, a lot of them have also met the Queen and will tell you about what she’s like.

What do you think would be good questions to ask someone if you wanted to get them to speak to you?

Email your favourites, and we’ll add them to the site.