When people say they are learning English, a simple question comes to mind: which English?

Many learners are surprised to discover that there isn’t just one type of English. In fact, English is spoken in dozens of countries around the world, and each place has developed its own accent, vocabulary, and expressions.

The good news? English speakers can usually understand each other, even when they sound very different.

Let’s take a quick tour of some of the most well-known varieties of English.

■ BRITISH ENGLISH: British English is the variety spoken in the United Kingdom and is often the version taught in many European schools.

Some common British words include:

Example sentence: I’m taking the lift up to my flat.

■ AMERICAN ENGLISH: American English is probably the most influential variety thanks to Hollywood, television, music, and social media.

Some common American words include:

Example sentence: I’m taking the elevator up to my apartment.

■ CANADIAN ENGLISH: Canadian English sits somewhere between British and American English. Canadians often use a mix of American and British vocabulary spelling conventions.

Some common Canadian words include:

Example sentence: Don’t forget your toque. It’s going to be cold today!

■ AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH: Australian English is known for its unique accent and love of abbreviations.

Some common Australian words include:

Example sentence: Let’s have a barbie this arvo.

■ NEW ZEALAND ENGLISH: New Zealand English is similar to Australian English but has its own accent and vocabulary influenced by the Māori language.

Some common New Zealand words include:

Example sentence: We’re spending the weekend at our bach by the beach.

■ IRISH ENGLISH: Irish English has a distinctive rhythm and includes many expressions that you won’t hear elsewhere.

Some common Irish words include:

Example sentence: Everything’s grand. We had great craic at the party.

■ SCOTTISH ENGLISH: Scottish English can sound very different from other varieties.

Some common Scottish words include:

Example sentence: It’s a wee house.

■ SOUTH AFRICAN ENGLISH: South African English combines influences from British English and local languages.

Some common South African words include:

Example sentence: We’re having a braai this weekend. It’s going to be lekker!

So which English should you learn?

The answer is simple: learn the variety that is most useful for your goals.

If you plan to move to Canada, focus on Canadian English. If you work with American companies, American English may be more useful. If you live in Europe, British English is often the most familiar option.

The most important thing is not choosing the “perfect” English. It’s being able to communicate confidently with people from around the world.

After all, English is no longer the language of just one country. It’s a global language spoken in many different ways.