Should English speaking expats learn the language of their new country

English may well be the world’s international tongue, but English-speaking expats who don’t even make an effort to learn the lingo of their new country are dodging an important issue.

New Years’ resolutions often include the learning of a new language, but usually last about as long it takes to clear away the celebration’s spent fireworks! Language is inextricably linked with the customs, culture and history of your new country of residence, making learning to at least cope with everyday conversation a key to the all-round success of your relocation or retirement.

Learning a new language as an adult is never easy, although some tongues are harder than others by a long way, especially if reading and maybe even writing is part of your study plan. Most expats attempting to learn Chinese, Japanese or Arabic may well find the characters almost impossible to master, but those relocating to Europe haven’t an excuse for not being able to at least get by in the local language, whatever their age when becoming expatriates.

The best time to begin studying a new language is before you actually leave for your overseas location. Being able to at least find your way around before you start coping with the local bureaucracy-ridden local authority or immigration office gives an odd kind of confidence on which you can build long-term learning. Panicking and frantically searching for the nearest Linguaphone course isn’t the answer, although joining a local language class may well be of use, if only to reassure you you’re not the only expat with a language problem.

Would-be expats heading for Spain should make the effort to learn Spanish, if only to be able to communicate in two of the world’s three most useful languages. Of course, English is the planet’s most-spoken lingo, but Spanish comes a close second. Unfortunately, the third most useful language is Chinese but, even without it, linguists are reported to be able to communicate with at least two thirds of their fellow humans. For British expats who’ve been taught Spanish in school, it’s a good start.