Do you HAVE to speak Spanish fluently to live in Puerto Rico?

Question

I am considering moving to Puerto Rico in the future. I have visited there twice, loved it, and i had no problems communicating with the locals, as most of them seemed bilingual. I know some basic Spanish such as, "Como Estas?" "Muchos Gracias" "Por Favor" etc. But is speaking Spanish fluently a requirement to get hired at a job? I have experience in the restaurant business as a chef and my "kitchen spanish" is decent. I was planning on taking Spanish classes to become more fluent once i moved there. Any info would be helpful.

Answer 1

No. I am from P. R. Spanish and English are spoken by the majority o Puerto Ricans. You can easily communicate with other peoples in English and with a + or - Spanish. Don't be afraid to try to speak Spanish, I'm sure that in a few weeks you will be spoken very well. Puerto Rico is great country and the people are in general "buena gente". Some people say that economy in the island is bad shape and this is not necessary correct. You will be surprised by the number of BMW, Mercedes and other expensive cars in the street. Anyway go ahead with your plans and Bienvenido.

Answer 2

Learn Spanish In Puerto Rico

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Well, in Puerto Rico almost everyone speaks fluent English as well as Spanish. It would help to learn Spanish in case you apply for a position that requires speaking spanish to those who may not understand English. But go for it, there are many non speaking spanish people in Puerto Rico. Once you work with the natives, you will pick up the language very quickly, because that's what they will be speaking in the Restaurants.

Yes, many Boricuan's and Boricua's are Bilingal. Don't even sweat it. Good luck in the future with your job there, and don't worry, you will be fine.

Answer 5

You do not need to be 100% fluent in spanish. Most people in Puerto Rico speak, understand or will make a big effort to communicate with you. TV and lots of stuff are just like in the U.S. ....If you understand spanish or take classes it will help you a lot! but You can survive speaking english here. Actually to get hired you should speak english so you won't have lots of trouble and even more if you decide to work in something related to tourists or are a cheff. You should try it.

Answer 6

Well, when you come to USA you need to speak english to get a job here. In Puerto Rico the Official language is spanish. that doesn't mean you will not find a job, but for the daily basic life you need to learn our language. You can find a job and take spanish lessons. You can even start studying spanish now, so when you move there you will be able to speak, and not only to say some frases. But for the job you do (Chef) I think you don't need to speak fluently spanish to get hired.

Answer 7

Many people leave Puerto Rico because the economy is bad.. I do not understand what makes you want to live there. Hooray for you. Getting a job is hard in PR and the pay almost everywhere is minimal. Around the Capital may be easier for you to get a job, there is a lot of bilingual people in the area. In the Country you may have barely to no chance of finding places that hires a person with Spanish as a second Language. Take into account that expenses are high. Think about it, it is a major life decision and risk. Good Luck in your endeavor.
For me PR is only for vacation.. I lived there as a Kid, then Left and always wanted to go back. In 2000 went back married with my children and had a terrible time could not survive with 2000 dollars a month. Rent and Utilities where expensive, and the grocery bill was outrageous and always have to end up buying generic for what you pay in the states for real brands. After a year there; I vowed not to ever return again. Only for Vacation...

Answer 8

There are some excellent spanish schools in P.R. If you don't speak spanish you will either learn or wish you had. You will probably have a harder time finding a job because the economy in P.R. is crap and there aren't too many jobs on the island as you will because you don't speak spanish.

You will just have to ask around and find out how much of a problem it's going to be because every restaurant has different rules and requirements.

Answer 9

Native Puerto Ricans tend to be bilingual in Spanish and English. However, ethnic biases exist on the island just as they do on the mainland. Finding a job in an economy which already suffers a high unemployment rate will likely be difficult. You have much more to overcome than limited Spanish!

Answer 10

Kelly, TX ... you make it sound so bad. And believe is not that bad. It is important to speak Spanish in PR, becuase is the first language. Though for a Spanish speaking person, it is important to speak English, because you'll probably get a better job as a bilingual. Things in PR are not as good as they can be (economically speaking), but believe me, you can survive here with a good job and a good education. And even if you have only like a high school diploma, you can still get a job that feeds you. ... People, you are not going to starve here ....