10 REASONS WHY EXPATS SHOULD SPEAK THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

As Told By an Expat:

I get it!!! Living as an expat is hard. I’ve been an expat most of my adult life. However, if you don’t learn even the basics of the target language, your adjustment, transition, assimilation into your new life will be even harder. Essentially, language barriers can be the determining factor why an expat may give up and return home. Here are some reasons why you should speak at least the basics of the local language.

1. The Highest Form of Respect and Courtesy

Knowing the local language is the highest form of respect. Learn it as a courtesy. When you can speak the local language, you can share with the locals about who you are. When I tell the locals I’m from Chicago, their eyes light up. I can only imagine what they are thinking but I assume they are thinking that I am tough/special and have survived growing up in a big city, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Some are sports fans and want to talk about the Chicago Bulls or the Chicago Cubs. Others may make comments about the president which are often negative comments. You will be seen as a credit to your country and even race. Finally, speaking the local language may not improve relations between the two countries but may improve the way locals view your country and culture.

Everyday tasks such as shopping, going to the bank, and taking public transportation can be very frustrating if you don’t speak the local language. In fact, you may avoid certain activities if they involve speaking and communicating with the locals. This is no way to live, believe me. However, if you can speak even transactional speech (phrases that allow you to get by) you will get your needs met and have less frustration. Speaking the local language enriches your stay in that country tenfold. You will be able to enjoy cultural events, museum visits, sports events, etc. Additionally, when you can speak the local language not only does it help with making new friends but you will be able to have deeper relationships. As an expat in Mexico, I participated in my aspects of society.

2.  Encourages an Authentic and Enriching Quality of Your Life Abroad of Respect and Courtesy

Knowing even at the rudimentary level will make your life so much easier and less frustrating You Are the Unofficial Ambassador of Your Country. As an expat living abroad, you are an unofficial ambassador who represents your country. By making an effort to speak the local language, the locals view you as a ‘good’/friendly person and by default, those from your country must also be good and friendly. improves the relationship. Sometimes the locals want to know a little about your country, they are very curious about your background, especially if you are Black or Asian.

3. Helps You Assimilate to Your New Country and Become a Part of the Community

Knowing the language will allow you to immerse yourself into the culture and make friends, talk to neighbors, and chat about politics. Knowing the local language helps make you feel less of an outsider and helps you to integrate into the society faster.

4. Deeper Understanding of Your New Country and Culture

 Knowing the local language helps you to understand your newly adopted land. Learning the local language is a window into the history, culture, and its people. The more you can speak the local language the more you are able to explore and discover cool things.

5. A Sense of Freedom, Independence and Empowerment

Being able to communicate your needs and thoughts in the local language is empowering, especially in emergency situations. You won’t have to rely on others for your everyday basic needs such as opening a bank account, buying from the market, and paying for your water bill.  Knowing the language gives you the courage and ability to negotiate prices and bargain. You may even be able to defend yourself from gringo pricing and other scams.

6. A Self Esteem and Confidence Booster

 Knowing the local language is great for your self-esteem and confidence. You can go about feeling good that you are aware of your surroundings, you can read the signs and billboards, you can read the menu, you can ask questions. You feel a sense of control and predictability. You feel like you are not a foreigner at all but an active member of the society. Finally, expats who can speak the local language are seen as cool and smart. You will have new expats wanting to befriend you for your skills and knowledge.

7. Opportunity to Raise Your Child(ren) Bilingually and Biculturally

When expat parents make it a priority to learn the local language, it benefits everyone in the family. Children who grow up abroad as third culture children have a global perspective and are more adaptable and open-minded. They can attend the local school and receive instruction in subject content areas such as math and history. Your child(ren) will learn their new language in an immersion and nature setting which is known to be a more effective way of acquiring a second language. Therefore, living abroad is a perfect opportunity to raise your children bilingually and biculturally.

8.  Volunteer and Make a Bigger Impact

Take advantage of volunteer opportunities. Many expats arrive in their host nation and see the disparities and want to give back. Whether it is volunteering at a jaguar rescue center in Costa Rica or designing a water purification system in a small community of Guatemala while working as an engineer for Engineers Without Borders you will find that the more language you have the better you are able to make an impact.

9. Eligibility for Citizenship and All of the Benefits it Offers

In my opinion, one of the most important reasons why expats should learn the local language is so that they can become permanent residents or citizens and receive the full benefits of living in the host country. However, in order to be eligible for citizenship, expats must take and pass the citizenship test in Spanish. You must demonstrate that you have at least a moderate level. If you are going this route, please check with your host country’s immigration office to see what is needed. For example, in the case of Spain, expats take the CCSE test which consists of 25 questions (written in Spanish)  about Spanish government, legislation, citizen participation, culture, history and society. The Instituto Cervantes puts together a free manual which includes all the questions which could appear on the paper on the day of the CCSE. You can download this manual from the Instituto Cervantes’ website

Take a look at the manual for preparation http://route66.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/Manual-CCSE-2021.pdf

In other words, expats who want to upgrade their immigration status as residents may seek citizenship. In many countries such as Costa Rica and Spain, expats must take a Spanish language, history and culture test to demonstrate that they have integrated into the society in order to receive citizenship. This should be of no surprise because there are similar requirements for citizenship in the US and other western nations where you have to demonstrate that you can speak, read and write the national language in order to become a citizen. A language requirement, however, is not necessary for those only seeking residency.