Do you need to learn Catalan to live in Barcelona?

In short, yes you probably do. If you had to choose, Spanish is still more important and useful for foreigners to know than Catalan is. But you don’t need to choose, and you should aim to pick up at least some Catalan. The more you learn, the richer your experience here will be.

Is it better to learn Spanish or Catalan in Barcelona?

But which language will be most welcomed in Barcelona? A: It depends what your objective is. If you want to connect with Catalan culture and have a more personal insight into the indigenous culture, then it’s best to learn Catalan. If you wish to be more widely understood, then learning Spanish would be the option.

Do you need to know Catalan to study in Barcelona?

Depending on the specific academic organization of the course you wish to study, some classes may be taught in Catalan and others in Spanish. So, you will need to understand both languages. However, you will only be expected to use one of them actively in class, to produce written work and complete examinations.

Can you work in Barcelona without speaking Catalan?

If you don’t speak Spanish, you may be limited to hotel jobs in Barcelona, or to bars and restaurants (waitressing, dishwashing, food delivery). You can apply for a job in telesales, as an English teacher in Spain, or as an au pair if you have a good command of English.

Is learning Catalan useful?

Learning Catalan can be really enjoyable, especially if you already speak French or Spanish. A knowledge of these other Romance languages will certainly help you more than they will help you learn a language like Russian or Chinese.

Do I have to speak Spanish to live in Barcelona?

Both Catalan and Spanish (or Castellano as it is more often known) are official languages in Barcelona and many residents are bilingual, so ultimately, learning either of them will help you more than English will.

Can I live in Spain without speaking Spanish?

You can survive in most places in Spain without speaking Spanish, if you want to be a perpetual tourist. Even learning a few Spanish words and phrases, will help you to communicate with the locals. Unless you learn Spanish, you will never be able to be a part of this beautiful and exciting land.

Can you work in Spain without speaking Spanish?

If you don’t speak Spanish, besides working for a multinational company, jobs in Spain for English speakers include tourism, real estate, teaching English, and services aimed at expats. For other types of employment, you will generally need to speak Spanish.