Caracas - 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 can't operate without Spanish. - May 2015
As much as possible. Venezuelan Spanish is like English in rural Louisiana. - Apr 2015
Spanish is essential here. Few locals speak English, and in general no one speaks any other language. - Nov 2014
A lot -- having lived in a half-dozen Spanish speaking countries, including South Florida, I have never needed Spanish as much as in Venezuela. We constantly meet educated professionals and those in the tourist industry who don't know a word of English -- it's very odd compared to Peru and Ecuador. - Sep 2013
Spanish is really important here, and you'll definitely need it to go shopping, to eat out or do anything outside the embassy. And this is not the Spanish you learned in school - this is a very Caribbean-slurry Spanish that can be tricky to understand. - Aug 2012
You should know some Spanish to be able to communicate with locals or if you would like to work. Few maids and people in daily life speak English. If you can take classes at FSI, you should try to do it. - Mar 2012
Almost none. If you spend your time at the school and with your expat friends, you can get by with English. But your experience will be so much more enjoyable if you can learn Spanish. And it's not that hard of a language. - Mar 2011
You do need some Spanish, as few people outside the embassy speak English. - Jan 2011
If you don't speak Spanish don't even consider trying to live here. - Oct 2010
Everything is done in Spanish here. While most Venezuelans learn basic English in school, they do not use it. You cannot survive here without knowing Spanish. - Sep 2010
You need a lot, if you ever leave your apartment. - Mar 2010
At the office you need very little. Once you leave the office there is very little English spoken outside. In order to survive you need some Spanish. The Spanish spoken here is God-awful, so for those who already speak Spanish it will be hard to adjust. The locals will also pretend to not know what you are saying if you do not say it in the local (disgusting) accent. - Mar 2010
You need Spanish to live in Venezuela. Most upper class Venezuelans speak some English, but a majority of the population does not. They are also not very outgoing and will not go out of their way to try to understand you if you can't speak to them in Spanish. - Feb 2009
You need some Spanish language ability as very few people in Venezuela speak English. - Nov 2008
