Why Learn American English Instead of British English?

When we decide to learn or improve our English, one of the most common questions that arises is whether British or American English is better.

The truth is, English has many more variations than just these two. Within the United States alone, there are multiple regional dialects, and that’s before considering varieties like Australian English or the English spoken in Scotland.

For simplicity, though, this article will focus on the two main dialects most learners encounter: American English and standard British English.

Many language schools emphasize Oxford English — often considered the “standard” or most traditional form of the language. However, American English is by far the most widely spoken and influential version globally. Its dominance is evident in film, technology, music, and business.

In fact, many learners find American English more familiar and accessible, as it’s the language of most movies, TV shows, and songs they consume daily.

So, which one is better?

Main differences between British and American English

Contrary to popular belief, the phonology of American English is actually considered more conservative than that of British English — the latter has undergone much more change and evolution since the time of colonization.

At first glance, for someone who has just started learning the language, English might seem uniform, and the differences between dialects may go unnoticed. However, as your proficiency improves, you begin to recognize the subtle linguistic nuances that make each version distinct.

Think of it as a kind of learning filter: once you reach a certain level, those differences become clear and even fascinating.

If you’re learning English by watching TV shows, it’s a good idea to choose the accent that interests you most. Still, we also recommend watching content in both accents to train your ear to recognize the distinctions.

For example, Game of Thrones features predominantly British English among its cast — a deliberate choice, as the show is set in a medieval-inspired world where that variety of English feels historically appropriate.

Because of this, the series is an excellent tool to help you identify different accents and start familiarizing yourself with the subtleties of English as spoken in various countries.

British vs. American pronunciation

One of the most noticeable differences between British and American English is the well-known rhotic pronunciation. In American English, the letter R is typically pronounced clearly after a vowel and at the end of words.

For instance, an American would pronounce sister exactly as it’s written — sis-ter — whereas a British speaker would say something closer to sista. Similarly, the word hard is pronounced /hard/ in the United States, but /haːd/ in the UK.

Another common distinction involves the pronunciation of the letter T between two vowels. In British English, the T sound remains crisp and distinct, while in American English, it often softens into a sound closer to R.

For example, someone from England would pronounce Britain as brit-en, whereas an American might say it more like bri-ren.

Another characteristic detail you'll notice when learning is the different use of vowels in English: Americans tend to lengthen vowel sounds, similar to what happens with American Spanish versus Spanish from Spain.

Vocabulary

Many everyday words are different in England and the US.

Why learn American English? Advantages of this option

• American English is the international standard
• Learning the American accent makes it easier to watch movies and series in the original version
• The American accent is easier for Spanish speakers because of the vowels

How to learn American English?

You already know that there are many methods for learning English, but if you want to learn American English specifically, you can watch series made in the United States, read the New York Times, or practice with YouTube songs on Lyrics Training, a website that helps you learn English with current songs.

You can also learn American English by listening to podcasts like this one, which helps you learn English by reliving a voyage of Christopher Columbus.

Additionally, you can use English learning platforms to further strengthen your knowledge.

In any case, the importance of learning English lies in keeping your goal in mind; depending on what you want to achieve by improving your English, you'll want to focus on one or the other.

Which English do you want to learn? If you need help making the best decision, write to us so we can advise you based on your particular situation.