This is Spain and the national language is Spanish - an obvious statement, but it does seem to come as a surprise to some people!
Although you probably can manage without any knowledge of Spanish, your day-to-day life will be much easier (and less frustrating) if you can make yourself understood. Even if you live in Spain surrounded by people from your own country, there will be many situations in which you will need some knowledge of Spanish - particularly when dealing with emergencies or officialdom. Do not take it for granted that workmen, staff in shops, post offices, banks, hospitals, etc will speak your language.
In addition, you will be receiving bills, bank statements and other communications through the post that you will need to understand to some degree. Products you buy will have operating manuals in Spanish. It is logical that the more you can understand and make yourself understood the smoother your life will be.
Spain is divided into seventeen autonomous regions, each with its own local government and cultural identity. Many of these regions have their own dialect as well. However, the standard Spanish is called Castilian (Castellano) and this is what is taught in language schools and books.
A basic knowledge of Castilian Spanish is desirable if you are going to integrate with the people and feel at home in the country where you have chosen to have a home.
Most larger towns have language schools where you can take a short, intensive course to get you off to a flying start, as well as weekly lessons spread over a longer period. Thankfully, the days of memorising endless rules of grammar are gone – language learning should be fun and based on speaking and understanding (ie communicating).
As you learn you will need to practise, so make the effort to mix with Spanish people and try to communicate.
In the privacy of your own home you can watch Spanish television and listen to the radio, both of which will help enormously to get your ears attuned to the sound of the language – and you will find that you gradually begin to understand more and more of what is said.
