A student of mine was at the beach and wanted to talk to a guy she liked. In class we played a game: “What would you actually say?”. Her real first sentence was: “Hola… eh… sorry… do you… hablas… English?”. And of course he answered “Sí, sí” and the conversation went to English. We laughed a lot. But it shows something important: very often we are the ones who open the door to English.
5 reasons they switch to English
- Politeness. They see you struggling and want to make it easier.
- They want to practise. Many Spaniards spent years studying English and rarely get to use it.
- Speed. In a busy bar or shop in the centre of Madrid or Barcelona, English is faster for them.
- You hesitate or mix. Long pauses, “sorry”, “eh…” in English: they read it as “English is easier for you”.
- Tourist mode. In very touristic places, staff switch automatically for anyone who looks like a visitor.
How to keep the conversation in Spanish
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Podemos seguir en español? Es que estoy aprendiendo. | Can we keep going in Spanish? I’m learning. |
| Prefiero practicar español, si no te importa. | I’d rather practise Spanish, if you don’t mind. |
| Más despacio, por favor, que quiero entenderte. | Slower, please, I want to understand you. |
| A ver cómo lo digo… | Let me see how to say it… (buys time without English) |
| ¿Cómo se dice…? | How do you say…? |
More tricks that work
- Open strong. “Hola, buenas, ¿me pones un café con leche?” in one go sounds confident.
- Don’t apologise in English. Say “perdona” instead of “sorry”.
- Go a few streets away from the tourist centre. Neighbourhood bars switch less.
- Offer an exchange. If they want English practice: “Diez minutos en español y diez en inglés, ¿vale?”
Related: languages spoken in Spain, how to stop freezing when you speak and where to practice speaking Spanish.
Want them to stay in Spanish?
In a 30-minute Roadmap call (symbolic price: $20) we work on the fluency and confidence that keep conversations in Spanish.
Book my Roadmap ($20) →FAQ
Why do Spaniards reply in English when I speak Spanish?
Usually to help, to practise their English, or because they’re busy in a tourist area. It’s rarely a judgement of your Spanish.
How do I ask someone to speak Spanish with me?
“¿Podemos seguir en español? Es que estoy aprendiendo.” Most people are happy to.
Is it rude to keep answering in Spanish?
No. Answering politely in Spanish is the best way to keep the conversation in Spanish.
Do people in Spain speak English?
Many younger people and people in tourist areas speak some English, but Spanish is the everyday language.
How do I stop people switching to English?
Open with confident chunks, avoid English fillers like “sorry”, and ask clearly to continue in Spanish.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$20 symbolic price · 30 minutes · with Mónica
Want to speak Spanish like this, not just read it?
Book your Spanish Speaking Roadmap call (symbolic price: $20). We find what is blocking you and the fastest way to start speaking real Spanish.
Book my call ($20) →