When learning English in another country, which is learnt, American (color) or English (colour)?

Answer 1

I would say it depends on whether England or America has had the most recent influence in the particular country.

Answer 2

It depends on the location of the student and the nationality of the teacher. I imagine that in most European and Asian countries, British English is taught, though I could be wrong about Asia, since lots of Americans go there to teach English through various programs. I wouldn't worry about which one to use, so long as the student is consistent.

Answer 3

Except in a few countries where America has bought a foothold of some sort, making at least a percentage of the locals dependent upon their 'approval' for a livelihood, it is only British English that reigns supreme !
'American' lacks 'color', while the British original is far more colourful !

Answer 4

I am from Luxembourg and we have been taught British English. However I now work for a language learning software publishing company called EuroTalk (www.eurotalk.com) and we produce both American and British English CD-ROMs, and they both get used in different countries. Our US distributor uses American English, and as they sell a lot to Mexico as well, they learn American English there. In Europe students are taught British English. I am not sure about Asia and Africa, but considering that all other English derived from British, it must be British English they are taught. EuroTalk has got language information on 108 languages worldwide, if you are interested!

Answer 5

Since the Brits cannot spell properly, it's color. I mean honestly, why do you need an extra "u" everywhere? "Colour, armour..." It doesn't do anything but give you a letter to ignore!

(Please note that the above was said with a humorous intent - I don't actually hate people from Great Britain!)

Seriously though, in Germany for example, both are taught, but most Germans that I know (of high school age) prefer the American spellings of most words.
For example "traffic circle" instead of "roundabout" etc.

Answer 6

I'm an Indian and would definitely recommend British English. One should rather learn a language from its original developers and users. I'd like to learn Spanish from a native Spaniard and Chinese from a native Chinaman [or maybe a Chinawoman :-) ]. Going by the same logic, I'd rather depend on a Briton rather than an American to learn English.

Answer 7

British English is taught as a foreign language in Europe, but American English is preferred in the Orient. This is due to the availability of native speaking teachers, or so I've been told.

Answer 8

In France we learn British English, I don't know about other countries.

Answer 9

I would hope colour (being from the UK and feeling we have the original claim on the correct use of the English language) but who knows in this day and age.

Answer 10

I would think it depends on the person teaching it, but I assume that the "Queen's English" (British) is the most learned as opposed to American English.

Answer 11

It depends. Here in Thailand where I teach it's UK English. In the Philippines (US influence and history) it's US English as it is (mostly) in Taiwan (US 52nd state after Israel, as they say in this part of the world).

Most of Europe - UK Enlgish.
Caribbean - well, you get the picture ...