10 Great Reasons
Why Learning Spanish in Medellin
Is Worth It
By Kaveh Paymayesh
Hey, let’s not kid ourselves; learning a new language is challenging. Just like a relationship it requires commitment & time. I’m not trying to delude you into thinking that it’s easy. Rather, here are 10 great reasons why learning Spanish, in Medellin specifically, is absolutely worth the endeavour.
To avoid gringo pricing
From 2016 to 2021 tourism grew by over 50%. Collectively, Americans and Europeans make up 36% of international visitors to Colombia.
This has resulted in an increase in gringo pricing. This is where foreigners, often Caucasian, are discriminately levied a higher price for goods & services. The increase is usually between 10%-30% but can be much higher.
Learning Spanish, especially in Medellin, demonstrates that you have experience in the city and that you are savvy to this gringo-pricing phenomenon. After all, nobody acquires a language overnight! Many positive things can be inferred by your knowledge of the lingo.
Long story short – you’re not going to be perceived in the same light as somebody that has a poor grip of the language.
You should know that Paisas, the people of Antioquia, are known to be able to sell anything! They are also excellent negotiators. Learn how to communicate like a Paisa and you’ve got yourself some serious gringo-pricing repellent for wherever you go in Latin America.
Because this probably isn't your first rodeo
You know that looming feeling when you are overdue something, but still haven’t quite got round to it?
That’s how many travellers of Latin America feel about learning Spanish. And the chances are, Medellin isn’t the first Spanish speaking place they’ve been to.
Medellin is the perfect spot to break that spell. In 2022, the city’s ability to allure us is well established. It’s a destination that many of us find ourselves drawn to, time and time again. It’s therefore the perfect spot to make some linguistic ground!
If you know that you’ll likely be returning to Colombia or another Spanish-speaking country, then you owe it to yourself to think ahead! It’ll make your future adventures so much richer, and so much smoother.
To open opportunities in Colombia
If you’ve spent 2 weeks in Medellin, it’s quite predictable that they won’t be your last. You’ll either stay for longer or come back. The city is very enchanting and 2 weeks is just far too much time given for it to cast its spell on us.
Here’s the thing: learning Spanish is far more essential for long-term visitors. If you’re simply passing by, then it’s easier to overlook linguistics. However, if like many of us, you’ve fallen in love with Medellin, it’ll only be a matter of time before you start diving into stuff like relationships, real estate & general bureaucracy.
Learning Spanish in Medellin is almost imperative at this point!
Real estate (Paisa edition) – It involves lots of negotiating, emotions & rapport building. Learning Spanish means that you’re not sitting on the sideline, frustrated and confused, and potentially even ripped off.
Relationships – Meaningful relationships are much more challenging without adequate communication. And with less than 5% of Colombians speaking fluent English, good luck!
To unlock relationships with people from 'the other side'
“It’s us and them.”
Language is just one more thing that divides us as humans. English is not widely spoken in Medellin, nor Colombia in general.
Hence, one of the biggest barriers we have in connecting with these fine people is language! Learning Spanish in Medellin means tapping into a whole new realm of potential relationships. In fact, it works both ways. I personally learned a great deal of Spanish via the connections that I made.
(Never underestimate the linguistic benefits of a good taxi ride!)
Learning Spanish in Medellin is worth it because it also allows you, personally, to demystify the enigma surrounding Colombian culture. There’s something very fulfilling about that.
Also, remember that as the foreign footprint grows within the city, it actually becomes MORE important to learn Spanish. Neglecting to do so is only going to exacerbate our polarities. Conversely, if we make an effort to learn the language, it’ll help foster a cohesive co-existence between us growing foreigners and the locals.
Remember, it’s the effort that counts!
Believe me - it's easier to learn here!
Learning Spanish in Medellin is worth it because it’s going to save you a potential headache learning elsewhere. Believe me, as a Brit, it would have been far more convenient to fly over to Spain. Yet I didn’t.
In Medellin, people speak with the admired Paisa accent. The accent is commonly characterized by its clarity and distinct melody.
This accent is much easier for learners to work with.
Spanish is a very phonetic language and transitions from one word to another are often seamless. English speakers can therefore struggle to separate words.
The melody of the Paisa accent means that there are plenty of phrasal inflections. This is incredibly useful for us learners trying to gauge what part of the sentence we are listening to.
Another separate advantage is that Colombia is one of the worst countries for English proficiency. That may be bad for Colombians, but it’s excellent for us!
It makes it just that bit harder to stay in the stifling comfort zone.
In parts of Spain, I frequently found that locals were more eager to talk in English rather than listen to my inferior Spanish. I never had that issue in Medellin.
Finally, you should know that Paisas are incredibly outgoing. Conversation can flow with relative ease. Very important for learning.
Because the Paisa accent is adored
Oh, the dear Paisa accent. Its combination of charm and understandability make it adored by Spanish speakers & learners alike!
I, for one, think that the Paisa accent is really lovely. When I was first deciding where I should study Spanish, the Paisa accent was a massive factor in drawing me in.
Its clearness makes it a fairly easy accent to imitate, especially in regards to the phrasal inflections. So if you’re looking to impress some Spanish speakers outside of Colombia, then this is a big bonus.
Oh yeah, Paisas use a lot of colloquial terms that are easy for learners to pick up and use (to oblivion). It makes us look and feel more fluent than we like to admit.
This is another reason why learning Spanish in Medellin is worth it! You’ll be learning from an accent that is very enviable and very imitable.
It's very affordable
When it comes to bang for your buck, you’ll be in for a treat. Today, even in 2022, Medellin is an extremely economic city.
Yes, there may be cheaper alternatives to Medellin. However, I will confidently bet that none offer the same quality of life for the price.
It’s for this reason that the city is so attractive, not just to me, but also to digital nomads, entrepreneurs and retirees.
Actually, 2022 is as good a time as ever to come thanks to the power of the $!
How does this make it worth it to learn Spanish in Medellin?
Simple. You can do it for a fraction of the cost.
Yes, the accommodation may be basic, but as you can see, it’s possible to live anywhere in the city. For less than £150 per month, you can live in the most exclusive districts, such as El Poblado & Laureles.
I’m single and easy to please; I don’t demand a lot. If you’re like me, you can live for next to nothing. Again, for that price don’t expect luxury.
Having said that, Medellin accommodates all budgets, making it ideal for learners of all different financial positions!
You'll form amazing memories
Just like life itself, learning Spanish is one big journey. Instead of perceiving Spanish fluency as a destination that you’ll one day reach, open yourself to the package of everything in between.
Those with a solid command of the language are those that have put it to good use. Your Spanish should reflect all those different experiences that you’ve had!
By the time you become proficient, you’ll certainly have many stories to tell.
Since starting, I’ve put my Spanish to good use with many romances, friendships & interactions now all under my belt. Every time I speak the language, I feel that a piece from all those different stories is carried along with me and conveyed within my tongue.
In the same way that wrinkles signal wisdom, good (non-native) Spanish should indicate experience. You can’t put a price on that!
To improve your safety
Whether or not it’s justified, safety continues to be a chief concern amongst foreigners in Medellin.
For this reason alone, learning Spanish in Medellin is worth the labour.
Nobody knows the city better than the locals themselves. Alas, the majority of them do not speak English. That means that if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll miss out on:
- guidance & advice
- recommendations
- warnings
You’ll also be perceptive to any language that indicates trouble. For example, you generally never want to hear the words, “gonnorhea” or “ome” (short for hombre). This is the language of a ñero!
Finally, with the use of Spanish, you’ll be in a MUCH better position to diffuse any potential situations if they arise.
You'll benefit your brain
We all know that learning a language is good for the brain, but did you know that:
- A 2014 study found that adults proficient in 2 languages outperformed their monolingual colleagues on markers of attention. They also displayed superior concentration.
- Learning a new language can seriously slow down, and even REVERSE the ageing of the brain. These results are most notable amongst senior learners.
- Picking up on the Español can help ‘regrow’ your brain by stimulating neuroplasticity.
- Your mental health & self-esteem are likely to improve..
- Those recovering from a stroke may be of particular benefit from picking up on the lingo.
So whether you’ve relocated as a nomad, or are kicking back more indefinitely as an expatriate, learning the language whilst in Medellin is absolutely worth it.
To my senior readers, you’ve got no excuses! With the most to gain, your age is an asset, not a liability!
It’s a journey, not a destination. It’s an adventure, not a race.
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