Should I learn British or American English? | How are they different?

Students ask me all the time if they should learn British English or American English, and in this video you'll discover the real differences between UK and US English and how it's not about language rules, it's about culture.
You will discover how they are different and if you should study British or American English.
************************************************************************
Stay updated on how to learn English:
Facebook: bit.ly/Canguro...
Official Facebook Group: bit.ly/Canguro...
Instagram: bit.ly/Canguro...
Listen to the podcast: bit.ly/Canguro...
Twitter: bit.ly/Canguro...
************************************************************************
Become a patron and sponsor free English education here: bit.ly/Canguro...
************************************************************************
Buy official Canguro English merchandise here: bit.ly/Canguro...

[@Canguroenglish]

It’s impossible for me to reply to all your comments, but I read them all, and I am eternally grateful for your love and support.

[@alistercrowley2142]

Is your English American?

[@Hananinpalestine.]

@@alistercrowley2142 He speaks Australian English.

[@alistercrowley2142]

@@thorvaldbjorksson9914 I thought He joked about Australian English.

[@alistercrowley2142]

@@Hananinpalestine. I see. I've never heard Australian English

[@SolderIT]

But Christian speaks a bit different from the Australian. I mean his pronunciation for me is more universal.

[@tamtrancong6569]

Christian really stands out for his smiles and laughters. I don't feel like I'm learning English from him, but having fun with English. Thank you.

[@nancymin3227]

Yes, especially for an Asian student learning English, he really made learning the language easy to understand, and also added the most important common sense of language idioms, which I didn't even learn in college. It's really great! I'm super grateful to have such a great blogger❤

[@jairdamian9245]

I'm a French learner and I don't waste time overthinking what type of French I use to learn. I use European French, American French, and even African French, and I'm glad to report that I can understand, at my level, every single type of French there is, sometimes one is more challenging than the other but what's important is that I can understand. :) I know this has nothing to do with English, but you get the idea. ;)

[@jordanksatria7777]

Okay really? , I understand now and feel happy with your commented

[@anEyePhil]

Oui, je comprend, mon ami.

[@ErtixPoke]

Maybe because French is more standarised language and you shouldn't wondering which type would you learn? The situation with english is different and more complicated.

[@PascaleLaurent81]

@@ErtixPoke that’s where you’re wrong, French is way more complex and diverse than English . English is way easier to learn than any other language. Hence why it’s used internationally. French isn’t. English is English though just like French is French. Expressions and words may be used differently along with accents but the language remains the same regardless of where it is spoken.

[@WillyD456]

With your videos and interviews, you opened my eyes...and I dare to speak English now, I am not afraid anymore. I am happy. Merci beaucoup Christian !

[@ELTExperiences]

Meaning and context are more important than grammar.

[@Canguroenglish]

Yes!

[@antondonoso]

Although I'm studying english in US, I'm learning a LOT with your classes. Thank!. So I can say that the important things about english exist here, there, anywhere.

[@BreakingEnglish]

I'm an English speaker (from the US) and an ESL teacher. I completely agree with you and appreciate you teaching this to your students.

[@mamymimma]

I loved the explanation about the difference between "I see" and "I am seeing", it helps to understand the nuances 👏

[@sandrasandra7593]

finally a language teacher who makes use of linguistic studies! I appreciate it a lot

[@aadiladi99]

Even as a Brit this was incredibly fascinating to listen to. All these differences are so normal to us, yet there's no grammatical rules behind them

[@BreakingEnglish]

Isn't it fascinating? American here.

[@AlexFromTheWoods]

As a German native speaker, I find it so interesting, that English speakers tend to borrow words without changing the spelling, but pronouncing them in an English way. In German, we mostly stick to the spelling of loan words as well, but we also try to retain the original pronunciation as much as possible. I don't know if I am the only one experiencing this, but I felt reassured by the way you pronounced "ersatz", Christian. Nice greetings from rainy Germany!

[@Tony32]

Christian made a video about Angela Merkel saying the word "Shitstorm" and yes her pronunciation was perfect lol

[@davidcufc]

In England at least, ''ersatz'' is pronounced almost identically to the German pronunciation. Same with Schadenfreude and Bauhaus. Zeitgeist is almost identical, but the English use their 'Z' sound rather than the German 'ts' vocalisation.

[@nancymin3227]

Wow, this video is very helpful to me. Although it was a video from four years ago, after watching it now, I still gained a lot of additional and updated knowledge about language learning. In particular, the blogger’s sharing of research results supported by theories and papers in the video is really great.

[@SuelyMeng]

Thank you for answering my question about though. Very good! Best wishes from Brazil and Argentina.

[@simonevecchiato1694]

I have been following your channel since several months. Thank you very much for the quality of the contents and for your sympathy 🙏🏻🤗. Your lessons is helping me a lot for the preparation of a B2 test that I will have to do again next week 😔

[@pianistanton1]

dude, it's "for several months", not "since." and "are helping " .Be attentive. I fell asleep on my FCE exam during the listening part and totally fucked it up, lol. Hardly passed it with 162 overall score. Good luck to you

[@wendelairesdemoura]

you are one of the best teacher ever!!! Regards from Brazil!!!

[@luanbregunce]

This is hands down the best KZbin Channel for english learners. Thank you so much, Christian. Btw, I loved this expression "skin the cat", that was new for me 😂

[@valiaalt]

I love you comment, but I hate the expression... I love cats, and this is probably my most hated expression in English! :) What can it be replaced with? Can't think of anything...

[@Canguroenglish]

I love cats too!

[@luanbregunce]

@@valiaalt oh I got it, I didn't know literally what to skin a cat means. We love cats 💙

[@jeffmagic32]

Sugarcoated doesn't mean too sweet. It means the real thing is not delicious/good, so you cover it in sugar to make it seem delicious/good.

[@methmarajamuni]

I prefer to use American English though I live in Australia.

[@SnowyFlames13]

This video is a real gift from a real teacher who does care about his audience and the language he teaches. Thank you very much!

[@vasvas8618]

Dear Christian, I take much delight in listening to you and mere watching your videos. It's exciting. I'm not a native speaker. The most touching for me is your extremely responsible attitude towards the job being done by you. Actually I don't need English any more, I am retired, but in the depths of my conscienceness I compare your way of communicating with that of my teachers some 45 years ago at the university. I can not but compare your perfect Phonetis, Grammar, Lexicology and soft but confident manner of presenting yourself with those of my teachers. I enjoy it immensely. Respect and greetings ❣️ from Ukraine.

[@anglogerman2287]

I am a native speaker of Brit English and I really enjoy your videos. Here in Germany, there has also been a big shift away from the simple past in German towards the präsent perfect.

[@peter1985aut]

I really enjoy your well informed videos! Hats up to you for that. In Austrian-German, we don't seem to dinstinguish between past and present perfect anymore, although the forms do exist. Also, there is a past perfect tense, but I have never used it in spoken discourse. In fact, trying to use it orally makes me cringe. Grammar is really interesting. Thanks for making me reflect on my "mother tongue". (Btw: It's fun hearing what you've made of "Ersatz" pronunciationwise :-D)

[@sebastianandresrodriguezes9727]

every time I practice my English I imitate Christian´s way of speaking and it feels so good.

[@diogodallorto1]

How do you do this? Like separating chunks of clauses and trying to repeat? Tell us pls.

[@holdkds9823]

So do I. Actually it is not Christian's natural manner. On live streams he sometimes switches to natural speech. It is a little bit faster and less distinct. But as for a nonnative speaker it is better to imitate his teaching language IMO.

[@tarekaidi981]

Try the Trump's way 😅

[@yuriy8756]

Hi Christian, Thank you for your extremely interesting (as usual) lesson! But from my point of view (as English learner), the reason, why US English prefers the Past Simple is: Present Perfect is much more complicated for non-native English speakers, than Past Simple, while US English prefers more simple forms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation than the UK version.

[@mariarovelli1184]

Como siempre el mejor profesor de la web, estoy enormemente feliz de verte nuevamente, un placer tus videos!!

[@guitarentries8180]

I think I'm a curious example of split personality as i prefer English pronunciation, as it sounds more pleasant to my ears, but i prefer American English because i can fully understand it word by word. I'm Italian, and i get quite funny the fact that most of Italians will tell you that US english is totally not understandable to them so they prefer much clearer British English, then when they fly to the U.K. they won't understand a word of the average man of the street, who's not speaking RP English.

[@lorenzobenedusi6352]

Thanks for the video! As you always mention, language is about people and people change over the years. Therefore language is a work in progress :)

[@marcinszaleniec2150]

Also Spaniards use the "preterito perfecto" more frequently then Latinos. Using of those "perfect" tenses seem to be the European feature. What about brasilian vs. portugues, anyone?

[@diegobrito454]

Well, let's talk about the verb to be in portuguese (verbo ser e estar). Brazilians use gerund like "eu estou fazendo. The portugues people the infinitive: "eu estou a fazer". Brazilians in some regions use the infinitive, as well. And also, I've heard that it's happen in Portugal too.

[@rodrigodasilva3386]

I think the most important is understand eachother, it's important to listen both English and also from others countries which English is the native language. I speak American English because I've been engaged with American English for too long.

[@carol14597]

Thank you so much!!! I'm from Brazil. I enjoy your classes.

[@valiaalt]

That is amazing. Think about it: an ad can change a language!

[@hfan6850]

i just cant belive my eyes and ears. you seem like did a good job. the talking was really deeply. what i can say is you are awesome and fantastic. it totally changed what i saw an english teacher. applause

[@user-re2ud1wh8s]

Pray make videos more often. I DO love your channel. My favorite. Honestly.

[@dennisenglishjournal498]

I actually prefer speak American English, and I teach my subscribers mostly American English as well. 🙂💪 But I also like the British accent, as well as Australian, though 😉 The most important thing - *JUST START SPEAK,* guys! *_Fluency comes only from daily practice._*

[@andrearacs561]

Hello Christian, I love your videos and I learn so many things with you!You explain clearly and logically!Thanks a lot!🙂

[@yourlifeinenglish7998]

I hear ya... I have a British accent and I often get those remarks from my students! I always give them the American version of grammar and vocabulary, or even pronunciation when it’s completely different, which helps. But people still think that somehow one variety is more prestigious or more useful than the other. And they also ignore the rest of the varieties out there, which can be just as interesting. Thanks for another brilliant video!

[@erzsebetbekes7073]

I love to see you back in form.

[@pepeferry]

I do prefer the British English, easier to understand for me

[@Tony32]

I find it hard to understand, it has way too many dialects.

[@oopsimath]

There's no such thing as THE or A (any kind of) English or accent, duh

[@andrastoth8869]

which British English?

[@rafikbouaouni5499]

So do I.

[@lanzybear5314]

İt's easier to understand but way difficult to speak like British even though if you know the rules. One years ago i decided to choose British accent RP coz i found myself in love with this accent and learned all the rules yk British accent it's a little bit different than American accent so i picked up british accent so it's been year and i struggling to speak like them when it comes to practicing time i speak with American accent and now i still going between too accents i don't have specific accent but it doesn't means you can't speak like them just needs more time

[@pau11S80]

As a fellow English teacher from Valencia, Spain, I'm loving (:P) the etymology references, like the origin of the word "though". Keep them coming, please!

[@methmarajamuni]

I was also bewildered on how native speakers use the word 'though'. Thanks Christian, now I know it.

[@cesmed]

Hey Christian, I have always found fascinating how languages affect each other. Just wanted to point out that in Colombian Spanish we have the same preference for simple past, while in Spain they use Present perfect.

[@Ενωση1924-ζ7ω]

I choose and vote for castellano!!!100%much more clear and nice hearing accent than colombian!!

[@alexblizzard8039]

Hi everyone! Cristian, it's great that you talk about the differences between American/British English in the cultural aspect. I constantly hear sth like "which type of English do you like to learn?" What?! Don't bother your head about it, esp. if people can understand you)))

[@evelynn.n3839]

Thank you for the awesome information and the time you spend making these videos!!

[@dodgermartin4895]

I lived in Belgium and I applied for a job teaching English to French speakers. I was not hired because they wanted someone from the UK and not the USA. I tried to explain to the person that the differences were minor.

[@fwcolb]

If you learn American English, you can function well in the UK and other countries where British English is spoken. Why? Because you will not be classified socially by your accent, only by your grammar, whether educated or not. I know because I emigrated from Canada to the UK in 1963 and still do not speak with any of the dozen or so UK accents. You will have to learn UK idioms. Such as "Monday week", which means "a week from Monday." "Hang on", which means, "Wait a minute". That part is fun, but it will take a year to learn the most common idioms. When my scholarship ran out, I taught O-Level English in a college of further education and had a good pass rate.

[@petermsiegel573]

When discussing grammar, you might distinguish form vs function. Your discussion of the present perfect form got somewhat upside down: AmE is more likely to allow the simple past form (and function) with adverbs (like just) that in both BrE and AmE tend to prefer a perfect perspective [FUNCTION], emphasizing past actions with present relevance. You were suggesting incorrectly AFAIK that for BrE the present perfect FUNCTION was merging with the simple past as in German (making them relatively interchangeable). Any evidence? To put it differently, AmE has a modestly increased distribution of use of the simple past with certain adverbs, though you suggest it is BrE which is increasing its use of the present perfect. Not according to the facts!

[@oscarmonllor7728]

Thank you! Your explanations are very clear.

[@gilbertobendinidepadua6528]

I absolutely loooove your videos and insights on language learning and practice. I would be honored if one day you decided to become a co-anchor with me in a weekly show on language learning and culture of English speaking countries on my trilingual web radio.

[@olgapeschiutta2753]

Thanks Dear Christian!! Your videos are very instructive!!!!

[@KatarzynaJanda]

To my mind, however, the verb "loving" in this context refers rather to the other meaning of the verb, comparable to "enjoy"- I'm enjoying the experience of having a hamburger, not meaning that this is my favourite food/restaurant. It certainly sounds pretty odd, but we should bear in mind that also "like" has these two meanings: I like it because it is nice and I'm enjoying it, which actually means that I'm having fun eating it. Christian, how do you feel about it?

[@davidcufc]

To answer the initial question. If you live in Europe and you want to learn English, you should learn the British version, because you are more likely to visit, work in the UK or meet British people. If on the other hand you live in Latin America or the Pacific Rim you're probably better off learning American English for the same reason. In other parts of the world, take your pick.

[@kostyashoomsky4201]

Thank you, Chrisitian for answering my question! Your videos are the best!

[@Canguroenglish]

My pleasure!

[@АкираКуросава-г1ч]

"...if you are loving me like i`m loving you , baby we are really in love ..." from the song Baby We're Really In Love Hank Williams 1951

[@juaaanest1433]

You are incredible. It's the first time that I watch one of your videos. I love it! Thanks for this.

[@Ludmila.N]

Day by day i understand English more better! Thanks Christian - you are really amazing teacher!;

[@mariamkinen8036]

This is a matter of taste(s) . We were always given the BR.English version to refer to when in trouble . Such a good bit of advice.

[@นาถจารีย์]

Christian, I love your channel so much. Your teaching is base on the research. I love it so much. It's a very useful fact. Thank you very much for taking time to teach through.

[@ДенисЛогвинов-з6е]

There's another difference that wasn't mentioned is about the use of the subjunctive in American English vs British (rather an absence of use).

[@lemuelcarlosramosarzola5241]

¿Por qué no encontré antes este canal? Cristian eres un excelente profesor. I will start with the very first video of your channel. God bless you.

[@wuquanchi]

Of course, we enjoyed the class! :) I loved your example for all though :)

[@markdonovan1540]

Interesting point about present perfect vs past simple, this variation can be seen in Castellano Spanish too. I'm not a linguist, so I'm unable to provide evidence or references for this. However, I've noticed this while living in Spain and travelling to different areas, and also from speaking to Spanish speakers from South America. When people learn Spanish the same question can arise: Should I learn Spanish from Latin American Spanish speakers, for example? There will always be some differences in vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation of course. The important thing is to find a good language teacher who speaks the language clearly. As you progress, you will become exposed to different accents, vocabulary, etc. The path to learn a second language is long, there are no short cuts. Just be consistent and constant in your practice, then you will surely improve and enjoy speaking your chosen target language.

[@aidainfante3453]

Thanks for your videos and also for reading all the comments we post. All my life I have been learning American English and since a few years ago I moved to Europe.....now I have to learn the British one, though I can communicate with them without problems sometimes I feel confused.... Please continue to upload such a great videos..... from Spain :=)

[@dimonsh5798]

Hi and thank you very much! It was the best explanation. I finally understud it.

[@zhannessy]

I love your videos, very interesting and useful information

[@oswald5343]

You are absolutely amazing .... You make the language appear so simple just as it is with the 'PIZZA' .... Thank You !!!!

[@Fordika1]

Thanks so much chrys. If possible make class every day please!!! I Ask this request directly from Brazil

[@mushtariyabdurakhmanova4047]

Thank you so much! Your explanations are really easy to understand👌

[@MrSfein1]

I'm lovin' these videos.

[@alinecardoso9668]

Hello 😊, I'm studying many three kind of English 🤣, my teacher is from Africa continent, one of the application that I use it is British English and I have others applications that is American English.

[@Anonymousindividual01]

Don tchu vem ?

[@BejnaDemir]

You are one of the best teachers I like watching on youtube. You have a great ability to teach. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@PApauloantonio]

Great video Friend! I'm from Brazil, I'm learning English and it's so difficult to speak in English because when I'm speaking, I forgot the words, I make a lot of mistakes, I feel confuse during my speech and than, I need to improvise because I'm not able to use all the vocabulary I know. The words doesn't came into my mouth. On the other hands, I don't give up to learn English day by day. Thank you for your help.

[@SolderIT]

Your topics are always interesting and entertaining my hunger for knowledge in the language. Thank you Christian.

[@isidoriansimon6047]

Always interesting topics. Thanks, Christian. (ps. I'm Italian and I can understand you very well. Thanks to speak so clear). 😉

[@BoldBass24]

Great job! Thank you for the content.

[@totvabe1]

Brilliant! It's been a pleasure!

[@MrTeeMoor]

very interesting example and information about this question. Thanks so much

[@m4rche77o]

Another masterpiece! 😍

[@mariagari6487]

Thanks Christian! Super interesting!

[@philipohmes9395]

Another class about the finer points of the usages of the English Language. Most native English Speakers, I dare say would not know these explanations, because they are not taught in the classroom as one learns this language. Nor did I learn this while taking English at university either. Where I do recall learning about such things, was when I took the theories of translations courses. How one translates from one language to another.

[@tgh.sujiwo]

Good explanation. I like this video. Thanks

[@raquelrivas2431]

I enjoy this video very much coz I like to know history of the words. Thanks a million.

[@meriemidrissi6582]

Thank you so much really your pronunciation is FANTASTIC 👍👍👍

[@AlessandroBottoni]

I don't have 21 minutes left for watching the video but... After having learned and used English for my business for 30 years, I can tell you: 1. English is English. It does not really matter if you focus on British English or American English (or Australian, or Canadian, or "Kiwi"...) 2. I never had to use British English in my life. All of the business is performed in American English (I'm a software developer) and, in any case, Brits can understand American English without any problem.

[@volopot9768]

Thank you, Christian for this interesting lesson. As to me, I prefer Australian, you speak best of all😊

[@hubertschuh2682]

Indeed, « Ersatz » is a German noun, especially in sports often used. For me as a German English learner it’s often much more difficult to understand American English compared to British English or compared to you.

[@philipohmes9395]

Perhaps it is due to all of the cognates that the 2 languages share?

[@pauloayres7589]

It is wonderful start a week with your video! 😁

[@francoismarie9062]

Very interesting course,clearly and simply explained. Christian lives in Spain. A volunteer to inform him that the best pizzas are in Italy ?

[@Canguroenglish]

Don't worry, I already know this! 🇮🇹🍕

[@sofiasobelska984]

I apologise for your opinion about the best pizza ...... really the best ones are made in São Paulo/Brazil

[@cabococarlos1936]

Yes

[@hbs5394]

I understand the difference between British and American English. While what’s the similarity among around world’s English about pronunciation? There are so many videos about difference among native countries but I’ve never seen to explain similarity on KZbin.

[@Gastar-Bayter]

Christian you are the best. You’re like a brother to me already))) 😂 I’m Russian but I want to learn English. I don’t understand much of what you say, but I try to listen. How can I take lessons with you?

[@tomthekhmerbreed9166]

I think "So do I". Is this not because of the pause or the peak, or even the high stress in the sentence of the speed in the speech caused by the stressed word "so"? The cause is that we need to emphasize or specify the main meaning of what has been concerned. That's why the verb "do" has to be put before the subject. Just a bit analized, right or wrong, Sir?

[@MrProggressive]

I am loving your videos xD

[@juansbeltran]

Christian, what about the cultural differences that arise from cockney in British English, could you please explain some jargon and their roots, that would be fantastic, or why not a comparison of some jargon use by Australians that sound a little bit crazy to me... :V

[@yajairarondon977]

I LOVE your classes, you are the Best..!!

[@radiotory]

Every day is the best day of the week😊🌎🌞👍

[@Canguroenglish]

Yesssss!

[@ПетроваНина-ч2ж]

Thank you for the video!

[@bellusci1505]

You're the best! Thank you very much!!

[@이환식-b9b]

I like you so feel good for English I practice watching cangro's video.

[@gustavoromani7894]

We have the same issues between Brazil and Portugal Portuguese languages.

[@isidregas9980]

Top! It means great!