Buenos Aires - 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 need Spanish for everything. I was amazed to find that Argentines are even more monolingual than Americans. Even highly educated Argentines frequently speak only Spanish. Language tutors are available and affordable. - Apr 2022
Depends on what you're trying to do. In the trendier touristy neighborhoods there will be more folks speaking English, but this won't be the case at your local grocery store. The rest of Argentina also doesn't have a huge amount of English speakers unless you only go to tourist destinations. The University of Buenos Aires Language Labs are extremely well known and you can take classes in almost any language, including local indigenous offerings and Spanish for English speakers. Remember this is Rioplatense Spanish and may be VERY different from what you learned in school (or FSI). - Jul 2020
You need to know Spanish to get around here easily. I'm sure some people are find moving around the city without knowing a lot of Spanish, and it can be done, but knowing the language helps so much more. There are plenty of local language classes and tutors available. - Jul 2019
Some. Many Argetines speak some level of English. One thing is that Argentine Spanish is much different. So even if you know Spanish it will take some adjusting. - Jun 2015
I speak fluent Spanish and do use it all the time. You probably need to know some basics but I think people speak more English here than most Latin American cities. Most of the young people speak English quite well. Keep in mind the Spanish here is very different than any other dialect of Spanish. - Jan 2015
Most Argentines speak English, but will not speak it with you; you need Spanish to conduct daily life activities. - Aug 2014
It definitely helps to know Spanish, but basic level proficiency is easily acquired. - Aug 2011
Spanish is needed. Don't count on anyone speaking English to you. Even if the locals know English, they get annoyed with foreigners who don't speak the local language. - May 2011
In Buenos Aires, most people speak some degree of English. If you are out in the provinces, that percentage drops precipitously. Obviously you will want to have some rudimentary Spanish to get around. - Jul 2008
