English is widely spoken as a second language in many countries and is the official language in numerous others. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide.

1. Official language: English is the official language in a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, among others.

2. Second language: English is widely used as a second language in countries such as India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and many others where it is not the official language. This is due in part to the influence of British colonial rule in many former British colonies and the role of English as the language of international business and communication.

3. Bilingualism: In some countries, such as Wales and Malta, both English and the local language are officially recognized and widely spoken.

In summary, while it is difficult to determine an exact number, it is estimated that English is spoken as a first or second language in over 100 countries worldwide, making it a truly global language.