Mono-lingual moving to Europe?

Question

My husband and I share a dream to live and work in a non-English speaking European country and hopefully pick up the language as we go. We are looking at places such as Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, Italy, France - anywhere really but they have to have head offices there for his type of work.

Many countries speak English at work in his profession (IT) but I am a stay at home mother and will need to interact on a daily basis with "locals".

Can someone pls tell me if it will be a total immersion situation for me or is it a possibility that people will "hold my hand" until I master the language.

Sorry, for the benefit of the Irish gentleman, I should have mentioned that I have been living in the UK for 5 years and I am originally from New Zealand. I have travelled to over 38 countries, so please do not brand me a "package tour Pom".

Answer 1

This is too broad a palette. You name six very distinct countries and it is hard to visualise all of them at once. When you do find out where you're heading, you could try posting a message on this site asking local expats if they can offer any information of the kind you need. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?view=DISCUSSION_MSGS&grid=P9&Threaded=true&Expand=true&CurrentTopicId=1121&MessageId=-1&PreviousMessageId=-1&ParentMessageId=-1

If you went to Paris, for example, you could sign up at the Alliance Française for classes. In Berlin there would be the Goethe Institut, and so on. A class which you could fit into your schedule would be a good discipline and you would make friends.

You could also try asking questions on the YA site of the country in question. You would probably get some helpful answers.

Answer 2

Irishman in Italy here. My wife is Italian, we have two kids, but we have not always lived in Italy (came back five years ago from China).

As far as learning the language is concerned, many many 'communes' here in Italy (local councils) organise FREE Italian lessons for people who come to live here, so, you can have access to the language as well as meet others in the same position as you. But, the street is the best place to be honest. Be ready to make a million mistakes and for you to be misunderstood day in, day out - even for the simplest of things.

BUT, your husband will not be exempt from needing to learn the language wherever you end up. He will need lessons too - sure, IT is everywhere, but bread, cheese and milk are not. He will need to learn how ti say those words. But, do not think you will be greeted with open arms by the wider community in the country you end up in. You will NOT be. You may make a local friend if you stay there more than 25 years, though I doubt it. And your traditional family network will be very far away, so, no whining permitted under any circumstances.

A word about living abroad, if I may.

Might I presume that you are fed up with the way life is where you live now? Then, if so, prepare yourself for even greater frustration. European countries are a million times more bureaucratic than others like the UK. You will not be able to do anything, nothing, zero, nada (clear?) without spending 18 hours a day for the first 3 months you are in a European country chasing little pieces of paper that permit you to send a letter home or buy a piece of furniture. Be VERY prepared to face a mountain of stupidity.

In short, eyes open Lady. It's no different on the continent than anywhere else, in spite of what your two weeks in Benidorm a year have made you believe.

Answer 3

it will take you about 6 month to 1 year to learn the language.
at least that was my case coming from Germany with no English at all