Asuncion - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You definitely need Spanish for daily living. Learn a few phrases in Guaraní and locals will love you. The embassy offers a post language program for both Spanish and Guaraní. - Aug 2022
Spanish is highly recommended in Paraguay as most people outside of the American School graduates do not know English. It is very possible to get by without language ability but would be slow progress to find activities and feel "at home". Paraguayans are very nice and eager to learn so language exchange would be easy to set up. The embassy offers reimbursement for language tutors and local language schools are good and inexpensive. - Aug 2022
You really need to speak Spanish to get around well here. - Jan 2021
There is a tutor at the Embassy people use and I have a tutor at ASA for 12 dollars an hour (unbelievably cheap!) I suggest having Spanish if you can as it helps. Most of the professionals here: dentists, business owners, etc. speak English but your day-to-day people: grocery store clerks, doctor office staff, cell-phone locations, hairstylists, guards at the school, etc. don't speak English much at all. The farther from the city you get the more less likely to find English and more likely to find Guarani. - Jun 2019
You need some Spanish. The embassy offers paid Spanish classes with Spanish-only instructors. If you just learn some simple Spanish for the store, you'll be okay, but Spanish here is different. There are some archaic terms, some Guarani (local native language) mixed in, and even speaking Spanish, sometimes people will look at you funny; they're particular about their pronunciation. Most won't slow down when you ask to repeat. Some won't repeat. The people here are friendly; give yourself some patience and practice! - Aug 2018
Spanish will get you far; some people speak English, but not many. Learn a few words of greeting in Guarani to really make Paraguayans smile. - Jun 2018
It really helps to know some Spanish. They love it if you can say a few words in Guarani! - May 2016
You need to know some Spanish since most people don't know any English. - Sep 2015
You really need some Spanish - very few people speak English. - Apr 2015
A working knowledge of Spanish is definitely required. Most Paraguayans don't speak any English as Guarani (local indigenous language) is more frequently taught in schools. - Aug 2014
Yes, the more Spanish you know the better. - Jul 2013
Spanish is a must. Guarani, not so much. - Aug 2011
A LOT. Don't be fooled. You need to know spanish to have any type of life here. - Jun 2011
Basic Spanish -- people are pretty accommodating -- even though I'm fluent, a lot of my friends aren't, and Paraguayans are very nice about it. Some people here also speak the local indigenous language, Guarani, too. - Feb 2011
Spanish is an absolute must. Nobody speaks english. Some only speak guarani, but that's fairly rare in the city. - Apr 2010
You will need Spanish! - May 2008
