There are many reasons for learning the local language of one’s host country. These reasons have been covered extensively by other websites and YouTube.

This article is just a reminder to learn the local AKA “street” version of your target language along with the usual “academic” AKA “grammatically correct” version. For this article, I am focused on Spanish.

My Personal Goals

For more context, here is a little about me (in case you are new here): born in 1974, semi-retired after 21+ years in IT Software Development, budget-minded slow traveler, visited 14 countries, lived in the USA for 31 years, lived in Colombia for 3.5 years, visited the Dominican Republic for 2 months, currently moving to Mexico as a Temporary Resident before the end of October 2026. I am also a certified ESL tutor (private and on Preply), and a self-directed Spanish language-learner since July 2021 – currently at B1+ level, working daily towards the SIELE exam targeting C1 level.

A few months ago I noticed that as I slowly improve my Spanish, I tend to focus on – and practice a lot of – “academic” vocabulary and grammar. Turns out that this isn’t always compatible with normal everyday activities and casual interactions. That is, sometimes the native speakers and I don’t understand each other fully because education levels vary, and most native speakers learned their language “intuitively” (via acquisition) not “academically” (via learning). This applies all across the world and in basically ALL languages (especially English, if we’re being honest)

Here’s a question for my follow dedicated Spanish fellow language-learners:

Is your goal not just to pass Spanish language exams, but to actually live long-term in your host country, understand the culture, integrate better with the locals, and have a chance to make legitimate local friends? If so, there are no shortcuts:

You MUST get comfortable with BOTH grammatically correct “academic” Spanish AND the local “messy” Spanish that your local fruit vendor uses.

You must learn the regional dialects, local expressions, and unique slang.

Remember: We are in our host countries at their pleasure and by their permission, therefore we must be gracious guests and confirm to THEIR ways. As the saying goes, “When in Rome…” (you know the rest)

Safe travels, everyone.