Becoming an Expat in Spain: Volume 2

Language

There is definitely no doubt about it, the more that you can speak/understand Spanish, the greater your positive experience of living in Spain will be.

From basic things like supermarkets and restaurants to more complex issues such as needing to liaise with local Town Halls or the Police, the better your command of the Spanish language the quicker your liaisons will be and the more successful and cheaper (as you will not need the services of a translator) they will be also.

Just a basic command of the language is extremely helpful and any local groups you can join where Spanish is spoken/taught by expats in a relaxed and friendly environment is recommended as the more structured and official language tutors can, for some, be intimidating and potentially expensive.

Many places that attract a lot of Brits will undoubtedly have clinics, pharmacies and motor mechanics working from garages for example that speak English but more rural areas and urbinisations will potentially not, so in this instance, necessity becomes the mother of invention for some.

Daily life is certainly easier if you have the confidence to ask for things (and can undertsand the responses) and simple words that help you explain what you need are best to start off with and really do not get hung up on masculine and feminine in the first instance, communication is what is required and to that end dualingo is a great place to start.

Buena suerte (good luck)

Mas la proxima semana (more next week)

Paul Blackmoore.

If you want to read more about expat life in Spain, click here to read the whole series.