Not many people in Spain speak English, especially in the less visited areas where the Caminos go. It is unusual to met someone who speaks fluent English so when they do, we often ask them where they learned.
In Teixido (a week or two ago) our server who taught us how to eat percebes was fluent and we asked her. She answered “I’m from the Netherlands.” Well, of course you speak fluent English.
I was in the foyer of our apartment building yesterday and said something in English and the 10 year old boy next to me said “Oh, you speak English.” His English was excellent. We chatted a bit. He lives in the building. I asked him if he had learned in school and he said yes and also he had spent time in Cameroon.
Today at lunch our server was also fluent so we asked her. She said she had lived in Finland. Again, of course, Finland. She had been an au pair. She also had spent some time in Ireland.
In fairness, the woman of the Swedish couple we got to know a little had lived in DC for a year as an exchange student. And the usual answer to where they learned is someplace in Great Britain or the US.
PS: Wynette has been amazing on this trip with her Spanish. It is unusual for us to meet someone whose English is better than her Spanish. It makes things much easier.