For many people coming to work or retire in Panama, there may be a bit of a culture shock in the beginning. It’s hard to imagine with how modern, and fast-growing the city is, combined with its international style and reputation. But the main reason people feel a bit of a shock is communicating with a new language. In Panama, there are many languages spoken, but the official language, and most widely used is Spanish. And while many in the business world use English, as well as in tourism, you’ll find that it’s much easier to adjust to the culture if you learn how to speak like the locals do. Here are a few tips on how:
Learn how to order basic goods/services in Spanish
This is a great, and simple way to start learning any language. Learn how to order food in Spanish at your favorite restaurant. Read menus, basic signs, and advertisements, and practice how to order things and make requests with people at small businesses. This works two-fold. It’s a great way to learn simple, fundamental words, and at the same time, you’re learning functional communication that is necessary to get by in your day-to-day life. Even something as simple as ordering a coffee can help you build a basic foundation on how to use a new language.
Try to spend time with locals, or other native Spanish speakers
This is pretty critical if you want to learn a new language, because it forces you to practice. Regardless of education, reading, or formal education in a language, the only way you’ll learn it fluently is if you practice speaking and listening to it. It may seem like a challenge to make friends or associate with people you can’t communicate with, but you’d be surprised how eager many people will be to help you get over the language hump. Panamanians are very open and welcoming, and many of them may even ask if they can practice their English with you, in exchange for helping you with Spanish. Having a Spanish-speaking friend is also great because it’s a fun way to learn, and there’s less pressure on making a mistake.
Take a Spanish course
This seems like a no-brainer, but you may not know just how many options are out there for you. In Panama, there are Spanish courses available at all levels and in a variety of settings and budget needs. If you really want to commit, and are willing to pay, an immersion course is probably your best bet. These courses are typically very intensive, and only Spanish is spoken during your classes. Private classes are also fairly intensive, and productive, as one-on-one learning tends to move faster than in a larger group. For basic learning, or if you’re on a tighter budget, group classes are great, and can actually be very beneficial depending on your learning style.
When signing up for Spanish classes, it’s important to remember your style of learning. What worked for you in school, will most likely work for you here. Make sure to speak to a few different schools, and check out a few different programs before you commit. Also, if you’re here for work, you should check with your company to see if they sponsor classes for employees. Many companies have contracts with schools or private professors, and can offset, or cover the entire cost of your learning.
If you’re planning to take Spanish classes in Panama, here’s a quick list of schools/programs to help you get a feel for what’s out there. Remember, learning a language isn’t easy. It takes practice, patience, and time. Good luck!
