How to Overcome Language Barriers When Moving Abroad
Real Talk, Confidence Tips, and Practical Steps for Expats
Let’s face it, moving to a new country is thrilling, but learning a new language? That’s a whole different adventure.
Have you ever frozen mid-conversation because the words wouldn’t come? Or felt the heat of embarrassment as someone stared at you while you butchered a sentence? You're not alone, and this post is for you.
I’m Guillermo Salas, co-founder of Expat Livin. My wife Danielle and I moved our family of six to Spain almost four years ago, and I’ll be real with you, language was one of the biggest hurdles I faced. Despite what you might think from my name, I didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, and I brought a lot of baggage and insecurity into the process.
But I’m here to share what helped me go from avoiding conversations entirely to confidently navigating life in Spanish, even through surgery, sports, and social settings. If I can do it, so can you.
The Real Challenges (You're Not Alone)
Before we dive into how to fix it, let’s name what we’re up against:
Fear of making mistakes: We all want to sound smart. But language learning? It's messy.
Freezing mid-conversation: You know the word, but your brain locks up. Totally normal.
Speed of native speakers: Studying is one thing, real-life conversation feels 10x faster.
Self-consciousness: We don't want to “sound dumb,” so we hesitate to speak at all.
Let me assure you: this happens to everyone. The goal isn’t to be perfect, the goal is to be understood.
Mindset Shifts That Change Everything
1. Mistakes Means Proof of Learning
Say it with me: Mistakes are not failures. They're how we grow. Native speakers won’t judge you, they’ll appreciate the effort.
2. Start Small
Build momentum with low-stakes interactions. Order coffee. Ask for directions. Say hi to your neighbor. These tiny wins compound.
3. Use “Survival Sentences”
Memorize go-to phrases like:
“¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor?” (Can you repeat that, please?)
“Lo siento, estoy aprendiendo.” (Sorry, I’m learning.)
These will help you stay in the conversation, not retreat from it.
4. Comprehension Over Perfection
This one was a game changer for me. I stopped worrying about conjugation and grammar and focused on understanding and being understood. If I can get my eggs instead of toast, we’re good.
Practical Tools That Actually Work
1. Immerse Yourself at Home
Change your phone and Netflix settings to your target language. Watch local shows with subtitles. Let the language seep into your daily life.
2. Language Exchange Apps
Apps like HelloTalk, Tandem, or even good old WhatsApp with a local friend can build real fluency. Speak, mess up, and keep going.
3. Practice Through Real-Life Scenarios
Learn what you’ll actually use. Grocery shopping, small talk, transportation, it’s way more useful than memorizing a long vocab list of kitchen tools.
4. Use Apps Strategically
Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, each has strengths. I’ve used Duolingo daily for over 1,500 days. It works when you treat it like a supplement, not your only tool.
5. Listen On the Go
Spanish radio, expat podcasts, or local music playlists while driving, cleaning, or walking. Passive input builds familiarity faster than you’d think.
Bonus: Learning Through Community
Playing padel in Spain helped me learn way more than a textbook ever could. Why? Because I was living the language, hearing jokes, picking up slang, and socializing without pressure.
Look for expat meetups, language exchanges, or volunteer opportunities where locals are involved. Real conversation in relaxed settings is the best classroom.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
Learning a new language isn’t just about mastering grammar, it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, showing up, and trying again. Every time you speak, even if it’s messy, you’re making progress.
So give yourself grace. Celebrate the little wins. And most importantly, don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 10.
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