Well Yachtpilot, taking advantage of your reply to Priscilla I would add:
Despite this website's issues are primarily aimed at commercial aviation discussion, I guess you will agree with me that controllers issues aren't (or shouldn't) since all pilots (either prof. or PPL) become their equal clients once they're on frequency
Controllers at major airports/ATC facilities or even at minor ones but open to commercial flights usually have to deal with commercial and non commercial traffic every single day so it is still a problem to have non english speaking "PPLs" on frequency.
I'd refer you to the case of XRY/LEJR for example. An airport with regular international/national flights, local aeroclub private pilots, and furthermore, trainees from BAE System flight school, where english communications aren't rare at all, thus improving commercial and BAE pilots' situational awareness. Not being so for most of locals.
So, the more "PPLs" speaking english, the better. Quite a hard work ahead to achieve that, though.
Regards.
PS: Priscilla, a lower ratio of non-controlled airstrips comparing Spain to France also offers certain advantages
