Europeans: roughly around what year or decade did English become widespread in your country?

[DarkSecret]

It's not widespread although people are dying to learn how to speak it well so that they could find a good job, get good education etc.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

English started to be actively taught in Portuguese schools in the 80's, I believe. Before, the French language was given priority, with English being an optional language. My parents' generation is usually more proficient in French.

Nowadays English is mandatory from the third year of primary schooling onwards, but some schools may choose to teach it even earlier (as has been the case with me, since I took English classes since the first year of primary school).

The level of English proficiency in Portugal is currently good, with the majority of young people and young adults perfectly capable of communicating in an acceptable manner.

[Zeno]

Late 90s

Definitely earlier than that, but in the older times, everyone had this heavy Greek accent. Nowadays you can easily meet people who speak English almost like a Brit or a Murican.

[Luso]

English started to be actively taught in Portuguese schools in the 80's, I believe. Before, the French language was given priority, with English being an optional language. My parents' generation is usually more proficient in French.

Nowadays English is mandatory from the third year of primary schooling onwards, but some schools may choose to teach it even earlier (as has been the case with me, since I took English classes since the first year of primary school).

The level of English proficiency in Portugal is currently good, with the majority of young people and young adults perfectly capable of communicating in an acceptable manner.

i wish i grew up in Portugal to learn the two languages like that.

[Östsvensk]

English was introduced as the mandatory second language in the Swedish elementary school system in 1939, taking effect in 1946, replacing the German language.

[Blondie]

After 1990, 50% of population learn english other 50% learn german, before that in the communism everyone learned russian.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

i wish i grew up in Portugal to learn the two languages like that.

In the 90's and early 00's English and French were mandatory (albeit French was only for three years). Nowadays there are more options, you can replace French for Spanish or German instead, if the school offers you that option. The French language has fallen into disuse, with Spanish being a more viable option that opens doors to more opportunities.

[Moje ime]

Early 90s English became mandatory foreign language in schools for learning. Before that it was Russian. So basically everyone who is now younger than 45 years knows at least something especially if is higher educated. Younger people know English very good.

[Tooting Carmen]

In the 90's and early 00's English and French were mandatory (albeit French was only for three years). Nowadays there are more options, you can replace French for Spanish or German instead, if the school offers you that option. The French language has fallen into disuse, with Spanish being a more viable option that opens doors to more opportunities.

How widely is Spanish taught in Portugal then?

[Tooting Carmen]

i wish i grew up in Portugal to learn the two languages like that.

Don't you speak Portuguese then?