Tegucigalpa - 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?
The language is a must, for work and for everyday life. What we received at FSI was not enough, so we did continue our studies after arriving at post. I cannot stress this enough; the post language program is not going to be enough. If you are coming with an agency that will cover the cost of continuing education through FSI’s distance learning program, then I highly recommend you utilize that instead. The instructors are more consistent. If you have EFMs accompanying you on the tour, most positions within the embassy require Spanish and at times a language score on file. - Mar 2024
Learn as much Spanish as you can before and during your stay. - Jan 2024
Learn as much Spanish as possible. Having said that, my Spanish is pretty pathetic and I can get around pretty well. Hondurans are always super-helpful when I'm trying to communicate with my combination of Spanish/English/Charades. I have probably encountered only one or two visibly-annoyed Hondurans in my 18 months here, with regards to my limited language capabilities. The embassy is great about supporting language learning opportunities for EFMs. There are local tutors but they're not as cheap as you would think...maybe $17-$20/hour. - Aug 2023
You don't need Spanish but it's a good ideas to have knowledge of some Spanish. - Feb 2022
For everyday life, Spanish is pretty important. One could survive with no Spanish, but it would be quite hard. It is a great place to learn Spanish, and I would say everyone who arrives with no Spanish leaves with at least basic Spanish. Tutors are available. We pay an excellent tutor for our kids at a rate of US$7 per hour (two hours per week). - Oct 2019
The wealthy speak English. Most locals you encounter day-to-day do not. - Jul 2018
Day-to-day life is all done in Spanish, but people are used to dealing with foreigners who don't speak well. Honduran professionals almost all speak English. - May 2018
Rich Hondurans speak English. In day-to-day life most Hondurans you encounter do not speak English. Some spouses do not speak Spanish, but still get around. There are tutors that charge $10/hour. The embassy has free Spanish lessons, but good luck parking at the embassy. - May 2018
The wealthy Hondurans you'll meet at parties speak English fluently, but it would be good to have some Spanish to go about your daily business as nobody working in the service sector speaks English. There are some people that seem to do fine without Spanish but that must be frustrating. There are a few Spanish tutors that will come to your house and the embassy has free Spanish classes. Hondurans are very nice people, and are really patient with bad Spanish speakers. - Apr 2018
Spanish is necessary. There are tutors for about $15 an hour, but you get what you pay for. My tutors either could not show up when scheduled or were shoddy teachers at best (little training, more interested in gossiping and chatting than actually teaching). - Jun 2016
- Considerable. Most well educated Hondurans speak excellent English, because the private schools are all in English. But the average Honduran doesn't. - Feb 2016
It helps to know some, most people don't seem to know English. - Aug 2015
Not much if you are hanging out with Americans all the time. It's extremely useful to have Spanish if you want to interact more with the local population. In many cases it's required. - Jul 2015
It helps to know Spanish--part of many singles' social barrier here is not really knowing Spanish. Knowing Spanish has made it more comfortable to get outside of the American bubble for a bit. - Dec 2014
It would be very difficult to call yourself a diplomat in this country and not be able to speak Spanish. - Oct 2014
Some. - Sep 2014
Lots. Nobody in the service industry speaks English. - Aug 2014
You do need some Spanish but can learn here. - Jun 2014
Some. - Mar 2014
You must learn Spanish to survive here. - Jan 2014
It helps but you can also pick it up here. - Oct 2013
I think it really helps to have some. - Jun 2013
You need to speak Spanish, though much of the population speaks some English learned during their time living in the US. - Jun 2013
You must know Spanish. - Apr 2013
Some. - Nov 2009
You need some spanish. At least survival spanish. - Oct 2009
