Expats who actually cracked the language barrier, how’d you do it?
Posted by BingewatcherXD@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 50 comments
Hey all,
I’m moving to Catalonia in a few months and trying to get a handle on the language(s) before I arrive and someone casually switches from Spanish to Catalan mid-sentence while I just smile and nod 😅
I’ve been dabbling with Duolingo, it's fine for basic vocab, but I don’t think "la niña come pan" is gonna help me open a bank account or ask my landlord why the water’s not working. Recently tried italki and it feels more useful, talking to actual people, but I’m still figuring out the best way to prepare.
So, for those of you who moved to Catalonia and had to learn Spanish (or even Catalan), what worked for you?
Did you focus on one language first?
Any tools, tips, or facepalm moments you’d be willing to share?
Also… how do locals react if you speak Spanish but not Catalan? Just trying not to step on cultural landmines here 😬
Thanks in advance!
AttentionIll5861@reddit
I've just built Moolang.app so I can actually start reading the news without doing it at a snails pace and its really helped with vocabulary. Google translate is great and all but i learn nothing
mikspi89@reddit
I'm also am expat living in Catalunia and thanks to an AI keyboard called Omera I confidently write in Catalan https://apps.apple.com/us/app/omera-ai-keyboard/id6695754057
Plastic_Cricket_1439@reddit
I married a Spanish girl, learnt the language, and then got divorced! True.
Mrs_Lovetts_Pies_@reddit
I did duolingo for 1380 days before moving to Norway. Some days I spent significant time on it. Guess how much it helped me when I moved here (thinking that between Duolingo, consuming content on Netflix in Norwegian, and some basic study)?
ZERO. Literally zero. I had a fairly decent vocabulary, but could not create language output at all. Maybe "I like dogs" or "the plumber is afraid of the snake" but not actual conversation. I arrived able to read decently, but not as well as I thought I could. But actual communication? Understanding what I hear and being able to formulate my thoughts into sentences in the moment? Zero.
Upon arrival I started taking intensive classes (with my Kommune and also through Note, a private online school). All the time. I've been here since December and I study hours a day and live here. It's still slow. It's progress, but it's slow and often frustrating and sometimes intimidating. That said, it took dedicated study, having to function in Norway, and a deep desire to learn and live of learning the language. I'm now B1 level, but I arrived thinking I was doing great and I was barely ready for A2. Duolingo gave me a lot of vocabulary, but nothing else...and actually some ingrained mistakes I had to unlearn.
I know you asked about Spanish/Catalan, but language learning is language learning (I think). My advice: study every day, use the language every day, don't waste time on Duolingo (I kept it for a while once I was here, but it wasn't doing me good...I was just attached to my streak...), and don't be afraid to look or feel silly. I have severe anxiety about speaking Norwegian and looking stupid, but I realize more every day that it is the only way. I have a ton of grammar and vocabulary knowledge (which IS necessary). I can read at B1/B2, but output? Output only grows from doing it.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
The plumber is afraid of snake got me hard hahahaha. Thanks for sharing
JinxedKing@reddit
Phrasing
Rockstar_kinda@reddit
That's absolutely how you do it.
Serious-Gur4016@reddit
Retired Spanish professor here. The only way to “crack the language barrier “ is through language study, long term immersion, and the desire and discipline to really throw yourself into learning it. I don’t know where you’re from, but after 6 years in Spain, my experience has been that the native English speakers I’ve met tend to have more difficulty. There’s a real misunderstanding of what it takes. No one just “picks up a language “ unless they’re pretty young and immersed. It’s just harder than people think.
Mundane_Annual4293@reddit
Spanish-Catalan living in the US, here.
Inmersion is the key, my English was mediocre at best before I met my current wife and moved to the US.
The more interaction you have with locals and the longer you do, the better you get at it, there is nothing like having a kind and patient person in front of you that regularly meet. Doesn't matter if you start by expressing yourself by pointing at things. I would encourage getting into language groups, meeting locals, watching local TV (with subtitles), reading, listening and interacting as much as possible.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Thank you for sharing that, it’s super encouraging to hear how much immersion helped you. Totally agree that having kind, patient people around and interacting daily makes a massive difference!
98753@reddit
I just want to add to this if you’re putting consistent effort in, trying to immerse yourself etc. then your biggest barrier will be social. You have to sort of accept that you will not have the same level of control over a conversation, and embrace being perceived differently than you would like. Especially at the start it can feel like one embarrassing situation after another. I think this is what can make the biggest difference
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Gotta embrace the awkward and let go of the need to be in control.
loves_spain@reddit
Sempre he volgut preguntar-te: com t’ho fas per a navegar les dificultats i els xocs culturals dels Estats Units? És tan diferent d’Espanya en tants aspectes... Et sents mai enyorat de casa?
ChipsAreClips@reddit
I have been receiving spanish tutoring for 4 months, 10 hours a week plus an extra 2 hours of self study. I am moving to a spanish speaking country and would really love to eventually be able to use spanish as effortlessly as I do English. I know practice and immersion is key, but could you give me a guideline for how many hours of use/practice I should strive for in a day? I work from home so it is something I will need to actively work at rather than just passively hoping I get enough
Serious-Gur4016@reddit
This is not supported by any academic publications, because I’m too lazy to search the databases😂, but here’s what I would estimate based on 30+ years of language instruction. Assuming ongoing study of 3-5 hours per week and immersion:
In one year: be able to engage in simple query and response, be able to understand simple instructions, be able to articulate simple phrases and questions in order to take care of daily needs.
In 2 years: be able to engage in somewhat unstructured conversation, use strategies to convey and understand meaning in challenging contexts,
In 3 years: communicate fluidly, use reading and speaking strategies to fill in meaning, begin to expand communication beyond immediate needs and engage in more abstract conversation.
All of this assumes willingness to study, and ongoing immersion in a Spanish speaking context. Good luck!
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Really appreciate your breakdown , it’s super helpful to see a realistic timeline laid out like that. I’m aiming for steady progress with consistent study and immersion, so this gives me a great benchmark to manage expectations. Thanks for the encouragement!
Serious-Gur4016@reddit
You’re so welcome! Enjoy the journey!
aviel252@reddit
(I'm an English language teacher, not Spanish, but I can speak to generalities of language learning)
10-12 hours a week is pretty good prep for your immersion period, and if you want to get as close as possible to native fluency you will need a genuine immersion period (e.g. working in Spanish, living with Spanish speakers, with almost no recourse to English, assuming English is your L1). I think that people who enter immersion from A1/breakthrough level are typically quite overwhelmed and often withdraw without learning unless they absolutely have to for some reason, but people who have intermediate levels tend to learn quickly from immersion. Being able to put together a sentence and ask for words (both when you're trying to speak and by isolating the unknown word someone else said, "Sorry, I think you said _ but I don't know that word. What is ?") are a huge help.
It depends on the relationship between the languages, but Spanish and English are pretty close (vs say English and Arabic or Chinese). The US DoS used to have an "expected years of study" chart and Spanish was on the lower end, maybe like 2-3 years of intensive studies, whereas Arabic and Chinese are at 5-10 years of intensive studies, if I remember correctly. I can't remember how they defined 'intensive' but in common language class usage 12 hours per week is on the low end of an intense class; 3-4 hours is the minimum to make some progress.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the detailed insight! It’s reassuring to know that consistent study combined with immersion really makes the difference, and I’ll keep aiming to build practical skills like asking for words while speaking
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Totally agree, I thought it would be easier too! It’s definitely a bigger challenge than it looks, especially if you’re not fully immersed or starting young.
AgreeAndSubmit@reddit
Frfr, just this. Study constantly. When I moved to German decades ago, I spoke no German, could read little. The grocery store was a wild experience. Watch kids show in their language, as your language skills are on the same level. Put name tags on things in the haus to help you learn. I kept a small notebook with me to write things down as I went along. Also, Lingvist is worthwhile. I use to help keep my German up since I'm in the states. Study, be ready to make mistakes, learn your manner words first, please and thank you, study, don't give up, study, build vocabulary. Study.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Appreciate this a lot, love the idea of labeling things around the house and using a notebook on the go. Totally with you on the ‘study, study, study’ part, consistency really is everything, not only regarding a language.
AgreeAndSubmit@reddit
And, while it was years ago before smart phones, having a notebook with me showed natives that while I was new, I am trying. If I got a sentence wrong and someone corrected me, I'd ask them to write to down for me so I can study it later. It showed honest effort and folks like that.
EscapeVelocityCo@reddit
Do not dabble with Duolingo -- you are likely wasting your time. To learn to speak, you have to actually speak. take a look at this article, for example: https://medium.com/@allazari/do-you-struggle-with-learning-languages-3fef4763935a
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Totally agree, active speaking practice beats passive apps every time when it comes to actually learning a language. Duolingo is really for beginners, not completely useless but it won't push me far
ohblessyoursoul@reddit
I really hate the mindset that Duolingo is completely useless because honestly, it's the one thing that I actually CAN always consistently do and you know what? That mas mattered a lot. So many times in Korean class or in real life, I remember a vocabulary word because it was in Duolingo. I've obviously supplement a lot with textbooks, shows, classes etc but Duolingo has been the one that fills in those gaps of time for a quick sound bite when I don't have time for a full lesson or the space to get out my materials.
chinook97@reddit
Totally agree, that consistency is really important with language learning. Even just taking five minutes during your lunch break and flipping through flash cards is going to help you over a period of time. Duolingo can't be the backbone of your language learning journey but it's a fun, relatively relaxing way to get a few minutes of practice into your day.
Mrs_Lovetts_Pies_@reddit
I did duolingo for 1380 days before moving to Norway. Some days I spent significant time on it. Guess how much it helped me when I moved here (thinking that between Duolingo, consuming content on Netflix in Norwegian, and some basic study)?
ZERO. Literally zero. I had a fairly decent vocabulary, but could not create language output at all. Maybe "I like dogs" or "the plumber is afraid of the snake" but not actual conversation. I arrived able to read decently, but not as well as I thought I could. But actual communication? Understanding what I hear and being able to formulate my thoughts into sentences in the moment? Zero.
Upon arrival I started taking intensive classes (with my Kommune and also through Note, a private online school). All the time. I've been here since December and I study hours a day and live here. It's still slow. It's progress, but it's slow and often frustrating and sometimes intimidating. That said, it took dedicated study, having to function in Norway, and a deep desire to learn and live of learning the language. I'm now B1 level, but I arrived thinking I was doing great and I was barely ready for A2. Duolingo gave me a lot of vocabulary, but nothing else...and actually some ingrained mistakes I had to unlearn.
I know you asked about Spanish/Catalan, but language learning is language learning (I think). My advice: study every day, use the language every day, don't waste time on Duolingo (I kept it for a while once I was here, but it wasn't doing me good...I was just attached to my streak...), and don't be afraid to look or feel silly. I have severe anxiety about speaking Norwegian and looking stupid, but I realize more every day that it is the only way. I have a ton of grammar and vocabulary knowledge (which IS necessary). I can read at B1/B2, but output? Output only grows from doing it.
Glittering_Echo_7963@reddit
7 years abroad. Nowadays feeling more comfortable conversing in my adquired language than in my "native" language. In fact, last time I visited my country of origin, I was having a chat with a random local, when they thought I was a full-blown foreigner, with a full-blown foreign accent.
When I decided I was moving, I started by watching series with both audio and subtitles in my new language. This meant I watched a few seasons without knowing what was up.
Once I moved, I switched all my devices to my new language, and tried to avoid people of my nationality as much as possible. I watched stand up comedy, to pick up the humor and because I love comedy. I read books at a painfully slow speed, and noted every word I didn't know. I started to mentally correct my colleagues in my head when they made grammatical errors, as they too were migrants. I did have three friends from my country of origin during my first year abroad, but I dated people from there with whom I got to practice my new language.
After a year, I moved to a new city. All the friends I made there were native, since I had made it my mission to ensure that all my flatmates were native too. In fact, most friends I made by befriending my flatmates.
It got to the point where I made an effort to even ensure most people I worked with were native too. But naturally, as I got better jobs the people I worked with spoke well regardless of their nationality.
In truth, it takes abandoning your native language to pick up a new one to the same fluency level. Most people aren't able to do such thing, and that's why people find it very impressive when you do.
If you embrace the language, you'll soon integrate in the culture as a whole. For full disclosure, English is the language I picked up, and in all my years in formal education, I had never passed an English test. Hell, I even skipped a few years of formal education, as I was a high school dropout. I have notes from my first year in the UK with the most basic words you can think of, and got here saying things like "she do" and "he make". After 2 years I was able to read most adult books. Last year (6 years in) I took an English test as part of my citizenship application and got a C2. What you need to pick up a new language is a longing to do so, a yearning to be accepted into your new culture.
butterflycaught2@reddit
I got a job in retail.
SteeleMethod@reddit
Hey, I was in your situation about 7 years ago and im going to tell you what I wish someone had told me.
1a. Even if you do this, dont abandon the Spanish, even if you are getting by ok in English. Its an investment and the longer you stay, the more you will need it, and if you ever do settle down properly (thats the point you need catalan) Spanish will give you a great foundation
1b. Be realistic about what it will take, its not just hours put in, its how you put them in, time to internalise it, and working on all skills, speaking, reading, listening and grammar. It takes years, and years. Don't set yourself an unrealistic expectation of being "good" within a year or so.
If you are not going to Barcelona, learn catalan, in areas where there are less expats, the standard language is catalan and it can cause genuine social problems if you cannot understand it. People will not switch to Spanish unless you are in 1 on 1 situation and even then, they might not for their own personal reasons, there are catalans that feel very strongly to always speak catalan. Its important you understand this before you come.
Route 1, with an eventual transition to 2 is probably the best for someone who doesnt know the languages well. Learning both at the same time is a slog and very frustrating because it takes twice as long to get to the level you need in either, plus its confusing because they're similar. If you can divide and conquer, do it. If you must learn both, atleast do 3-6 month deep dives into one then the other, so your brain doesn't get whiplash from trying to switch all the time.
Good luck! I am currently learning both languages and living in the countryside, its tough, tough, tough. But some of that is my personal situation, i wish I had stayed in Barcelona until my Spanish was better tbh.
Its a bit of a downer but really I can't push hard enough that it is hard work learning new languages and integrating with natives and they ways they use both languages. So just take it seriously and plan for it, if you are planning on being here long term.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and advice , it’s incredibly helpful and really gives me a realistic perspective on learning both Spanish and Catalan. I appreciate the honest insights and will definitely keep your tips in mind as I prepare for the move!
SteeleMethod@reddit
Yeah honestly if you have any questions I am happy to answer them. I also noticed you posted on several catalan subreddits, I feel I should warn you, there are a minority of unhelpful but vocal people on those subreddits who will be unfair to you and set you some unrealistic expectations of how fast you should be integrating. Most people will be nice but be ready to have some thick skin because there are some trolls out there for sure.
Shigglyboo@reddit
I’ve been having the best luck with reading children’s books. Now I’ve been learning for years. So my pronunciation is quite good. But for vocabulary and sentence structure you can’t beat books.
Also. Try film/TV. In Spanish. With Spanish subtitles. The idea being to train your brain to recognize phrases that are repeated often. Write them down. Make a spreadsheet.
I used Duolingo for years. Didn’t do much. I also have a student lesson book. A learn Spanish in sox weeks book (I just skim over it repeatedly). A bunch of children’s books with both English and Spanish. I also use language transfer (free on YouTube). Dreaming in Spanish is good (YouTube).
It really comes down to work. Time invested. And ultimately actually speaking with someone and forcing your brain to flex that language muscle.
It’s 100% harder than most will tell you. There’s no secret. Just hard work. The closest thing to a secret for me would be to diversify and use lots of different methods.
gaifogel@reddit
/languagelearning
ChemistHorror@reddit
I had to attend language school as part of my integration contract so I had a little advantage in that regard as it was Monday - Friday and school hours and through that I got to around B2 level.
Outside of that I used flash cards (AnkiApp), just basically did journaling as best as I could in the target language and then (people will probably hate this suggestion) I used ChatGPT to help create at home study plans, give homework and chat to in my target language. There are also probably apps for learning in your target language also, for me it was/is Dutch and there are specific apps for things like the use of ‘de’ and ‘het’. Other good suggestions are maybe language cafes when you arrive, there will probably be some local groups in the same boat as you and as such there maybe be resources like this available.
Another tip is just don’t be scared or worried to make a mistake, it’s normal, it happens, it’s fine. If you make a mistake it’s good to know you’ve made one so you can learn moving forward. Good luck!
echan00@reddit
I'm building an app for expats and nomads (like myself) to learn situational conversations. It can help you specifically with opening a bank or talking to your landlord about water/plumbing issues.
The app is called dangerous. DM me and I can hook up with whatever scenario/topic you need.
jne1991@reddit
My advice is always lots of exposure and also learning in a structured environment because that's what worked for me. Take classes: online classes, one-to-one classes, group classes, whatever, when you move you can take classes at the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas for a low price. I don't speak catalan, I live in Andalucia but I studied 3 years of Spanish in college before I left and I was still totally lost sometimes. I took classes when I got here, I did language exchanges, I lived with Spanish speakers or foreigners where our common language was Spanish.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Even with some language experience, landing in a new place can still feel like being thrown in the deep end, so I totally get the need for extra support at the start.
I'm currently using italki for 1-1 lessons and it's amazing, but I wanted to hear if someone had any other tips and tricks :D
Fit_Caterpillar9732@reddit
Not every ”expat” is a monolingual English speaker. I studied four different languages (in addition to my native one) already at school, moving to countries where those are the official languages was easy.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
That’s great, but not everyone has that kind of multilingual background, many expats struggle with language when relocating. Sharing personal ease doesn't change the fact that it's a genuine challenge for others - imo
DebuggingDave@reddit
Start with Spanish using italki for real-life conversation practice, then learn a few key Catalan phrases to show respect. locals really appreciate the effort. Also, don’t call Catalan a dialect; it’s a full language and a cultural hot topic 😅
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the tips, that's why i asked to begin with. Don't wanna get their and end up being retarded. Love doing my homework before i do anything else
DebuggingDave@reddit
That's cool, don't think anyone would be triggered by the fact that you don't know, but it's better to come prepared
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Either way, thanks for the time homie
DebuggingDave@reddit
No problem, good luck and have fun
NullPointerPuns@reddit
Yeah, i don't think duolingo alone will be enough to begin with. I've used both italki and preply and both of them are better than anything else - that is, if you don't mind spending $ to progress faster.
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
Never heard of preply before. I guess I'll stick with italki for now since i found a great tutor. Yeah, i don't mind spending a few bucks just to have better progress. I feel like I'd use duolingo for 3 years and still wouldn't be close to being conversational
NullPointerPuns@reddit
Duolingo was never even meant to make you conversational to begin with. It can help you to get a grasp of the language itself but you need a lot more effort to overcome the barrier
BingewatcherXD@reddit (OP)
That's also true, but for some reason i thought It'd make me a bit more immersed