Must One Know Spanish To Survive In South Or West Texas? (El Paso: college, living)

[Trailhiker]

Since many cities, especially in South and West Texas, are well over 30% Hispanic, does that mean that you must know Spanish to get a job or even just get by?

I have a friend who moved to South Florida, and they said that they could not even get a job at McDonald's without being bilingual, because so many of the customers only speak Spanish.

I was just wondering if Texas is the same way, or do lots of people get by only knowing English?

[gabetx]

The only place you would need Spanish to get by is in the valley, or Laredo. Everywhere else, you don't need Spanish, but you do get bonuses for being bilingual depending on profession.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Trailhiker

Since many cities, especially in South and West Texas, are well over 30% Hispanic, does that mean that you must know Spanish to get a job or even just get by?

I have a friend who moved to South Florida, and they said that they could not even get a job at McDonald's without being bilingual, because so many of the customers only speak Spanish.

I was just wondering if Texas is the same way, or do lots of people get by only knowing English?

I can tell you that if you have a college degree... is extremely unlike that you will need to know Spanish.

[DesertDog]

It helps a lot in El Paso.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by Trailhiker

Since many cities, especially in South and West Texas, are well over 30% Hispanic, does that mean that you must know Spanish to get a job or even just get by?

The whole state is something like 35% Hispanic.

I wouldn't be concerned about needing Spanish unless you're looking in cities/towns that are something like 70-80%+ or near the Rio Grande.

[smguy101]

i have gotten by in El Paso for 18 years without knowing an ounce of Spanish. It helps out a lot, but it isnt necessary to live.

[bostoner]

Generally speaking, you could get by just fine without it, but it depends on what field you're in. While not necessary in most fields, it's a definite plus in some, if for no other reason than you will more than likely come into contact with lots of Spanish-speaking clients, customers, students, etc. Like a previous poster pointed out, knowing it can help boost your pay rate.

[LindaGrace]

My husband's family is in the Valley. It would help to know more Spanish than I do, even just to visit, but really, if we ended up moving there, I'd be able to get along fine.

I do think I would learn more Spanish if we lived there, though, just as a courtesy.

[hellpaso]

It's not necessary in El Paso OR the Valley. Besides, you'd pick up a little just by living there.

[jtur88]

In Victoria, I wish I could practice my Spanish. But our Hispanic population (about half) all speak English. Yes, you hear friends and family speaking Spanish to each other while out shopping, but store clerks always speak English first to everyone, and switch to Spanish only if the customer seems to prefer it. At least half the employees who deal directly with customers or clients cannot speak any Spanish at all.