Part 2: The English spoken in South Africa and Australia is much closer to British English than American English. Any Australian that's been to the US has been asked "Are you English?". Australians speak British English, and this entire post has been written in British English. But in the end it's still the same language. You will never need to 'switch' to American English or vice-versa, and you'll never have any problems understanding the other. In fact, I reckon you'd find it harder to tell the difference between British and American English than to understand them in the first place!

They're not nearly as different as you think. Less than fifty words are different between American and British English and there are also a few other minor spelling differences (these were only made because the Americans wanted to seem less British). They have the exact same grammar. The only instance that I can think of where a spelling difference reflects a pronunciation difference is in the word aluminium/aluminum. The only difference between standard American and British pronunciation is a slight accent difference - they say their vowels slightly differently (but they'll still sound like the same sound) and different emphasis is put on 'r' (Americans pronounce it heavily (think of pirates) and at the ends of words, whereas British people say it less heavily and omit it at the ends of words). If you ha e trouble saying the English 'r', the standard British accent will definitely be easier for you. There are of course regional accents within the US and UK. Standard British and American accents will sound almost identical to you in comparison to, for example, a Texan or a Cockney accent. Most actors in American movies adopt a mixed American-British accent so that all Americans can easily understand them (the idea is that standard British accents are considered to sound clearer and crisper, even to Americans!). You should also realise that when you speak English to a native speaker, they probably won't know what kind of English you were taught until you tell them (because you'll have a French accent instead of an American or English one).

The main differences in British and American English is that British has different words and British is accented--unlike American English. As far as I know, there's no real disadvantage to learning either one, but I think you'll find a less rhotic language (American English) to be more accurate in pronunciations. For the history-caring people, British split off from American some 200 years ago when the British colonists moved up on the social ladder and decided to make themselves sound differently than Americans.

The two are similar, however—and this may sound silly—I have noticed that British people are more likely to dislike American English whereas the Americans generaly don't mind either kind. This might be helpful to know. The important thing is which you like the sound of better—both are the same language, with very minor differences. However there are some things in American English that have slightly different or eiven rude meanings in British English (and probably vice-versa) but this is rare and nothing to worry about.

this is just speaking from my personal experience but if you learn British English and then travel to Canada or US some people might find it very interesting!! : )