Which one should I use?

[whitemoon]

If I want to know whether you speak English or not.
Which one should I use:
Could you speak English?
Can you speak English?

 

[David L.]

Can you speak English?

 

[Gёггч]

"Can you speak english?"
But i often ask"Do you speak english?"

 

[whitemoon]

Thank you for your good answers.
In which situation do you use "Could you speak English?"?
Have a good time!

 

[riverkid]

Thank you for your good answers.
In which situation do you use "Could you speak English?"?
Have a good time!

It's used;

1. to be polite - eg. A teacher says to the students; "Could you speak English only please inside the classroom?"

2. Asking someone theoretically, if the situation were to arise, would they be able to converse in English.

3. There are probably more, but I'm bagged and that's all my brain will allow me to do.