Navigating Life Abroad Before Mastering the Language

Moving abroad is an adventure. You get new cities, new people, and a new culture to immerse yourself in. But if we are being honest, a lot of people do not speak the local language when they arrive, and that’s fine.. If you’ve ever tried to ask for directions or order food and got back a bunch of words you couldn’t understand, you know what I’m talking about. If you have ever tried to make new friends but constantly run into a language barrier, then you understand.

Insert a random AI picture, haha

It doesn’t matter if you’re relocating to Mexico or exploring other parts of Latin America or the world. There’s no need to let the language barrier hold you back from enjoying life. I know that every other account brings up the fact that you should learn the language in every other post and tweet, but this article is about managing life and expectations before you’re fully up to speed. In many ways, not knowing the language fully when you arrive can make things a lot of fun because your brain gets to reshape and learn things in a new environment.

The First Contact

The first few weeks of being in a foreign country without knowing the language usually comes with a lot of frustration. Imagine trying to explain to a cashier that you need change or attempting to ask for a menu in a local restaurant, only to have them respond at lightning speed and not give a damn. Happens to me. Even though I speak the language, people assume my skills are better than they are and still throw out rapid-fire phrases i’ve nI’ve heard.

Developing a Framework

I remember when I first arrived in Mexico City, I had a couple of Duolingo lessons under my belt.. I thought I could get by with my basic Spanish, but plans go out the window when you get punched in the mouth. I ended up doing the tourist thing, pointing at things and playing charades with strangers just to get by.

My Tips: In these moments, a good translation app can be a lifesaver. Just don’t rely on it too much. You don’t want to be glued to your phone for every conversation. So as you translate things, slowly memorize the phrases so that instead of reaching for your phone for basic things, you slowly internalize words and phrases that you say also.

Build a Solid Foundation

While I suggest language classes, before you jump in or find the right teacher, the best thing you can do is start with the basics. You don’t need to know every word in the language to survive, but there are key phrases that will save you a lot of headaches.

Start with the essentials, like asking for prices, ordering food, giving directions, and introducing yourself. These will be the backbone of your interactions, and as you gain confidence, you’ll pick up more from expanding your vocabulary.

If you’re serious about fast-tracking your language learning, grab an app like Duolingo. It’s a decent tool for building up vocabulary and making language learning a little more fun. But at the end of the day, it’s not a replacement for actually speaking. It will get you familiar with more words.

I highly suggest

BowTiedOdin

’s Second Language strategies also

Slow down

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Hiring a Tutor or Taking Classes

One of the best investments I made was paying for Tinder Gold, haha. I ended up meeting a girl who was also taking language classes and asked her to introduce me to her teacher. Who I eventually became friends with while also learning the language in less than a year.,

I would suggest starting group classes to start. The personal attention you get from a private teacher makes a difference, and it forces you to practice speaking without the crutch of other people. You can occasionally take some group classes, but I notice people tend to make friends and then speak their native language instead of their extra languages.

If you do prefer a more structured environment, local universities often offer language programs for expats and international students.

Pillow Talk

Of course, there are other options/ Yes, dating can be a great tool for improving your language skills, especially if you’re dating someone who speaks the local language fluently.

When you date a local, you’re kinda forced to be immersed in everyday conversations, slang, and cultural nuances that you won’t always get from a classroom. It’s like your own private language lesson, but you get laid, too. I’ve seen people make decent strides in their language abilities just by being in a relationship with someone who speaks the language natively. The only problem I have with it is that you often don’t learn the most proper grammar depending on who you date, and I’ve seen people pick up inflections and accents from their partners, which means you have a grown dude that kinda sounds like a valley girl but in Spanish.

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Local Culture

Hiring a tutor or dating a local can help, but the real progress comes when you immerse yourself in the streets. I can’t stress this enough: if you want to get better, you need to put yourself in situations where you have to use the language outside of a schoolhouse.

When I first started going to local markets in Mexico City, I made it a point to have conversations with vendors. Mainly to hear more of the average person on the street. ( I rarely go to local markets anymore, btw. Some people go to save money, but I don’t care to waste time unless it is purely for fun.) At first, it was basic stuff: “How much is this?” “Do you have this in another size?” But over time, you might find yourself chatting with people about where they’re from, how business is going, etc.

Second Language Strategies Core Principle: Localized Immersion

Get out there and attend local events also. Every city has either a website, Instagram page, or pages from people that just aggregate events in the city. The more you surround yourself with the language, the more comfortable you get.

I have a couple of friends in the city that don’t go out much or don’t come to events they get invited to simply because they aren’t confident with their Spanish while in groups.