Yerevan - 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?
Your time in Armenia will be much more enjoyable & easier if you speak some Russian or Armenian. You can hire a local tutor for a reasonable price. It's challenging to shop at the local grocery chains if you can't read the labels and taxi drivers tend to not speak English at all. - Jan 2022
English is not widely spoken. I have found the language barrier to be a huge obstacle in every day life. Armenian or Russian are a must. The Embassy has a language program, but I found the language to be difficult to pick up. You can get by at restaurants and perhaps even grocery stores, but everything else requires Armenian. - Aug 2021
Speaking either Armenian or Russian is super helpful. Even basic Russian will be useful to either read Cyrillic or converse with a taxi driver or shop keeper. It would be really difficult if you did not have either language to get by. English is spoken by more younger people, but it is not as widespread as you would think. You can use the post language program to learn either Russian or Armenian. - May 2021
English is widely spoken, knowing a bit of Russian helps outside the city. Local tutors are available, the embassy newsletter has current pricing for each person's services. You'll see tutors who are also maids/cooks, and some tutors who are professors. - Mar 2017
For daily living it's possible to get by with English only inside Yerevan, but it's very helpful to know Armenian, or Russian. Outside of Yerevan, most people don't speak English, but in recent years Armenians are realizing the importance of English and it is taking priority over Russian sometimes. - Oct 2014
It helps a lot to know Armenian or Russian, particularly the former when traveling outside of Yerevan. Young people speak English, the older generation does not. Especially when shopping, you'll need Armenian or Russian. - Sep 2011
Very helpful to know some Russian or Armenian, as most people on the street won't speak English. Though people are friendly and appreciate any effort you make to speak the local language. - Oct 2009
In Yerevan, most everyone spoke both Armenian and Russian, with English popular with the young. Outside Yerevan, the staying power of Russian is much less pronounced. All street and nearly all business signs are written only in Armenian. A few places here or there in the very center of Yerevan had English. - Jul 2008
If you have basic Russian for the markets and taxi cabs you don't need to learn any Armenian but otherwise, you will need some basics - a few shopkeepers speak (VERY) limited English. - Jan 2008
