Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

English in the Islands

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

I am interested in finding out about the English spoken throughout the North Pacific, especially in Palau and Guam. I understand that English is an official language of both, but what does it sound like?
I have ESL students in Korea asking about traveling somewhere in the region where they can get an English immersion experience. The only experience I have in the Pacific is some time in the Philippines where they speak an English that doesn't sound native, and so I couldn't recommend it as an education destination. I thought maybe with stronger ties to the U.S., Palau or Guam or other places nearby might be more useful.

What do you think? Where is the best English in the North Pacific?
Any thoughts appreciated!

The English language is spoken extensively in Palau, never had any problem understanding locals. The same is true of the Cook Islands, where English is spoken as well as Cook Islands Maori. I place both in the South Pacific rather than the North Pacific, but then again you are not teaching geography and English is possibly your second language.

Papa Mike

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I spent 3.5 weeks in Palau. The Palauans speak perfect idiomatic American English. (I'm American.) There is a very sizable Filipino population (in many of the service jobs) who speak a less native sounding English.

I only spent a few hours at Guam airport. Everyone I spoke to sounded American. It is Guam, USA.

According to my map both Palau and Guam are north of the Equator and hence in the North Pacific.

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Well, as Silvanocat indicated, Palau is most certainly in the North Pacific, NOT the South Pacific! I find it very strange, Mike, that you wrote a guidebook to Palau, but you somehow don't know it's in the North Pacific! What's even weirder is that you seem to criticize the OP for not knowing geography. What's going on???

Anyway, everyone on Guam speaks English, with an American (US) accent.

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I stand corrected Raro and Silvanocat, Palau is in the North Pacific. They tell me it is early onset Alzheimer's disease, or just old age, I should have looked at the map before I made the comment. Obviously my expertize must start once I land, after all I did make ir to Pelelu, Angar and Kayangel. I am directionally challenged, I get lost every time I go to Phoenix.

Papa Mike

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I don't really care which Pacific one considers these states to be in... we all know where they are. = )
I just wanted to know about the language. Thanks for your help guys!

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