Shawn H. Says:
Do I need to learn Spanish to live in Spain?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Shawn,
You can get by in English in the more touristy parts of Spain—particularly along the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol, which are both very popular with tourists and expats from the U.K.
The same is true in most of the larger cities like Barcelona and Madrid.
Many Spaniards speak English or are learning English and want to practice. English has been taught in the public schools since the end of Franco’s dictatorship, so everyone 30 years of age or younger speaks it quite well.
You can handle all the basic transactions of life in English, except for dealing with the government in places like the immigration office. Here you’ll have to get a bilingual friend to go with you or hire someone to translate.
In smaller and more rural parts of the country, you’ll find it harder to get by in English, and having some Spanish will really help you out.
And in general, learning some Spanish before you go is a good idea.
Although you can live without it, being able to speak allows you to participate in conversations about politics or art or life with Spanish friends, and generally shows your effort to integrate into the culture. Spaniards appreciate that.
Plenty of Spanish classes are available in-person and online (yabla.com for example). And apps like duolingo are helpful. Intercambios, which are language exchanges, can be arranged anywhere in the world, in person or by video chat.
I would also highly recommend my friend Warren Hardy’s online Spanish course. Warren has been teaching Spanish for decades and designed his program specifically to help older people start speaking Spanish quickly and easily.
While Warren teaches Spanish as it’s used in Mexico, his lessons should work for you in Spain too—think learning American English versus British English.
Check out Warren’s program on the IL Bookstore here.
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