The Life and Language of an Expat: To Learn or Not Learn the Local Lingo

By Bianca Hill

I moved from South Africa to South Korea in February 2025. Over the last ten months, I have met all manner of expat here. From first-time visitors, like me, to people who have lived in this country for almost a decade. From university students to business owners. In that time, I have asked a few of them their thoughts on whether they believe expats should learn the local language of their host country. I’ve gotten mixed responses, a divide that appears to be echoed in wider expat circles. In this article, I will provide a brief overview of both the arguments for and against the idea that expats, to some extent, need to learn the language of the country they are living in.

“The argument against learning the local language typically has to do with risk and effort.”

Learning your host country’s language has many benefits. Basic knowledge can increase your independence as you navigate daily life. Ordering at restaurants, shopping at the grocery store, and taking public transportation all become easier. As your skills increase, so will your ability to handle more complex administrative tasks such as setting up medical appointments, interacting with your landlord or employer, or dealing with your mobile company. Language is also the doorway to socialization, and with it, you can build stronger interpersonal relationships with your local community. One of the biggest impacts on the mental health of expats is loneliness. Living in a new country can be isolating, so making an effort to communicate with the people around you can alleviate this. Learning your host country’s language is also a great show of respect and highlights your desire to integrate.

On the other hand, many expats can get by with only their native language(s) and digital translators just fine. The argument against learning the local language typically has to do with risk and effort. There are always risks when learning a foreign language. The first is the risk of causing offense, be it by accidentally swearing or messing up an honorific form. Another liability is the risk of losing proficiency in your native language, along with aspects of your cultural identity. Particularly in the case of multilingual speakers, the more you use your new language, the more your other languages deteriorate.

“Basic knowledge can increase your independence as you navigate daily life.”

The effort has to do with the amount of time and/or money you can spend on learning your target language. The majority of expats are adults with jobs and families and responsibilities, so the time they have to spend on language learning is limited. Along with this, there are many expat bubbles that create safe spaces, while also facilitating language isolation. If you have a group of expats that you’re close with, that speak your native language, you’re less inclined to want to learn a new language.

While English is enough to survive in many countries, the case is not always true for South Korea, especially as you travel into the more rural areas of the country. I have visited a few cities in my time here and can say without a shadow of a doubt, that every time I have used Korean, I’ve been met with nothing but kindness and curiosity. When I first arrived, I was very isolated, but as I’ve gotten more confident in Korean, I’ve started making small connections with the people around me.

Though I have noticed little hints of the aforementioned risks, such as making linguistic blunders or reaching for Korean words before those in my second language (Afrikaans), I have found that I actually seek out my own culture more proactively than I did in South Africa.

There are many opportunities to learn Korean in Gwangju. The Gwangju International Center (GIC) hosts Korean classes for all levels. The local universities also have excellent Korean language programs. If you don’t have the time or money to learn Korean for extended periods of time, there are great apps and platforms available to you! Ultimately, every expat is different so you have to decide how much Korean would best benefit you.