If you take a poll in cities like Miami, Orlando or Tampa on whether English is the official language of Florida, many people will tell you yes and others will tell you no. In this article, we explore the facts behind this question and uncover the truth about the subject.
To begin with, it is important to note that Florida is one of the most culturally diverse states in the United States.
According to the 2020 Census, Florida’s population is approximately 21.5 million people, with more than a quarter of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
In addition, Florida is home to a large African American and Asian American population.
Despite the cultural diversity in Florida, the answer to the central question of this article is yes: the official language of the state is English.
That was established in the 1968 Florida State Constitution, which states that “The official language of the State of Florida is English.”
However, it is well known that Spanish is the most widely spoken language in some regions of Florida.
According to the 2020 census, Spanish is spoken in more than 20% of households in Florida.
In addition, the state has a large number of Spanish-language media outlets, from newspapers and radio stations to television channels.
So why is there a belief that English is not the official language of Florida?
One possible reason is the fact that other states have adopted official multilingual policies, recognizing Spanish as an official state language. However, it is worth noting that even in these states, English is still considered the predominant language and the official language of the various government agencies.
Another possible explanation for this myth is that Florida has an English as an official language law, which means that English should be the language used in official documents and government communications.
But due to the high number of Hispanics present in Florida and actively speaking Spanish, in May 1993, the Dade County Council (the Miami region) came to authorize Spanish as an official language in the administration.
More recently, the municipality of Doral, with a resolution dated March 18, 2013, recognized Spanish as “the second most used and spoken official language in the city.”
Where to learn the official language of Florida?
Given the large number of Hispanics in the state, there is some doubt as to whether it is really possible to learn English in cities like Orlando or Miami. But the answer is yes: all formalities, business activities and official matters are conducted in English.
Of course, if you spend all day with people from your country speaking Spanish, you may find it difficult to finish learning English. Fortunately, at Lingua Language Center we have designed programs to address this situation.
We have intensive courses that will give you real tools to learn English quickly and effectively. On the other hand, we offer people living outside the United States the opportunity to come and spend an unforgettable time in a total English immersion program.
We take care of giving you all the advice and support you need in terms of visa, then we take care of your maintenance and stay; and finally we dedicate ourselves completely to your learning English in the shortest time possible.
As if that were not enough, we have scheduled excursions for you to enjoy the best of Florida in a way that is specially designed to keep you learning, since you will be with students who, like you, are looking to learn the language.
Write to us! We have everything ready to welcome you in our next total English immersion program from Florida.