World's Best International Cities to Study English

If you're looking for the best cities to study English, you're making a smart investment in your future. The right city can provide language immersion, top-tier English language schools, and an environment rich in culture and networking opportunities.

As someone who has explored the top destinations for learning English, I know firsthand how location impacts fluency, job prospects, and overall experience.

The best places to learn English aren't just about classroom lessons—they offer real-world practice through daily interactions, local dialects, and cultural experiences. Cities like London, New York, Sydney, and Toronto boast world-renowned language institutes, diverse communities, and abundant opportunities to practice with native speakers. Meanwhile, affordable yet high-quality destinations such as Dublin, Cape Town, and Manila make English education accessible to a wider range of students.

Choosing the right city depends on factors like tuition costs, visa regulations, living expenses, and job opportunities for international students. Some cities, like Los Angeles and Melbourne, allow students to work part-time while studying, easing financial pressure. Others, such as Vancouver and Auckland, provide pathways to permanent residency for those seeking long-term benefits.

In this guide, I’ll break down the top cities for learning English, comparing their advantages so you can make an informed choice. Whether you prioritize affordability, career growth, or cultural immersion, I’ll help you find the perfect destination to master English fluency.

6 Best Cities to Study English

Having a certain level of English with which you can communicate, even in a basic way, is something very important, and the best way to realize this is to go on a trip abroad. So stop buying new clothes! Get rid of those little vices and try to save as much as you can for your next adventure : a course to learn English abroad, a trip that will be a complete linguistic immersion, that will take you to discover an incredible destination and that will allow you to return with the best souvenir of all… speaking English!

Is it an expensive trip? Let's say it's not cheap, but money spent on discovering a new country and empowering yourself is the best money spent. And there are so many ways to save money , as we already told you. Do you want to know which are the best cities to learn English ? Here is our selection.

1. Dublin, Ireland

Okay, so Ireland's capital may not have the most appealing climate, but Dublin is a magnet for all kinds of attractions. And what about Ireland's landscapes? Fish & chips? Irish accents? And hey, there's no place in the world with so many redheads per square meter. Plus, you might even find an Ed Sheran lookalike waiting for you (to practice your English, of course).

And let's not forget one very important detail: Guinness. You drink a pint and your language skills improve instantly. You drink 2 and you already speak with a Galway accent . Or so we think when we're drunk... the best thing is to go to class and that's it.

The neighborhood in Dublin

Fun Things to do

2. Malta: St. Julian's

Malta is one of the closest and cheapest destinations to learn English, but it is also a beautiful little island, full of history and landscapes that will make you want to skip school as soon as you land. So we think it is an original and accessible destination to study English .

You can wander around fishing villages, swim on crystal-clear beaches or eat local delicacies, but don't even think about looking for the famous Blue Window, because it's fallen down -_- Do you know what else is going to fall down? The chances of finding a better job if you don't learn English, once and for all!

best destinations to study english malta

3. Australia: Sydney

Why travel across the world to learn English in Sydney when you could do it in Benidorm, London? For several reasons: koalas, kangaroos, surfers and quokkas, 4 of the most cuddly animals in the world, but there is much more.

Australia has thousands and thousands of beaches, it is the mecca of world surfing, it has dreamy landscapes and a thousand and one things to do. In short, it is impossible to get bored on the other side of the world!

Ok, you've convinced me, you might say, but flying to the antipodes is very expensive, you might say. Well, this is where you're wrong. And we're telling you this with good information: we found a ticket from Sydney to Athens for around €240 with the Scoot! airline. So for €500-600 you can get flights there and back.

best destinations to study english sydney

Top Activities

4. Singapore

You didn't expect it, did you? Let us tell you that the most western Asian city of all is another of the perfect destinations to learn English. The best thing is that, in your free time, you will be able to dive into a fascinating culture, a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian immigration... a brutal mix that you will fall in love with, you'll see.

And if your body is asking for some action, you just have to go to the airport and, in a couple of hours and for a handful of euros, you can be in great destinations like Bali , Thailand or the Philippines . Anything to practice English with other travellers, of course!

>> Best Places to Visit in Singapore

best destinations to study english singapore

5. New Zealand: Auckland

This is the destination we chose when we spent a month improving our English skills, which were otherwise quite (very) rusty. The experience was great and Auckland seemed like a great choice.

We had a blast because not only did we improve a lot (and in a short time!) but we also met lots of people from all over the world (Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, France...) with whom we still keep in touch. And in your free time you can take advantage of the opportunity to delve deeper into Maori culture, visit places like Hobbiton , glow worm caves or climb a volcano , in the same city, to be amazed by the view.

best destinations to study english auckland

Tours & Activities

6. United States: New York

Raise your hand if you've never dreamed of spending time in New York. We just don't have enough hands to express our desire to live in the most amazing city in the world.

New York is the place where everything is possible, yes, where even with a $1 hotdog in your hand you can walk down 5th Avenue and feel like a hybrid between Audrey Hepburn and the pigeon lady from Home Alone. Or go up the Empire State Building. Or cross the Brooklyn Bridge. Or spend hours and hours in front of the paintings at MoMa. Or eat a burger at Shake Shack and find peace for the senses. Or learn English! Seriously. New York is the milk.

best destinations to study english new york

Now, choose a destination, save up, and repeat this mantra: “No more Spanglish and making up words to English songs! This year I'm going to learn to speak better than Queen Isabé!”

Things to do