How to learn a new language before moving abroad

Moving to another country inevitably means immersing yourself in a new linguistic world. To settle in as smoothly as possible, it pays to start learning the language before you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. Here are some less obvious tips to help you do exactly that.

1. Learn what you'll actually need in the first two weeks

Most people start out by focusing on basic phrases or grammar. But in the early days, it's far more useful to master specific situations. Picture your first day after the move: a trip to the shop, the commute to work, a conversation with your landlord or the barista. Draw up a list of the phrases and expressions those moments call for. It will give you confidence from day one, when you're facing real-life tasks.

2. Practise in context

Don't stop at memorising words - anchor them in context. If you need vocabulary for work, for instance, dive into relevant material: read professional articles and discuss the topics you'll deal with every day. Words and phrases stick faster when they're tied to real tasks.

3. Listen to native speakers and echo them in real settings

One of the quickest ways to absorb a new language is to mimic how native speakers talk. Find podcasts, YouTube videos or recorded conversations on subjects that interest you, and listen every day. But don't just listen - repeat the phrases after the speakers, copying their intonation and rhythm. This sharpens your pronunciation and gets you used to the natural pace of speech.

4. Keep grammar minimal

Don't try to master every grammar rule at once. Remember that in everyday conversation people mostly rely on simple constructions.

5. Build a language environment from afar

Use today's technology to create your own mini language environment before you even move. Make friends through social media or language apps, and talk with native speakers over chat or video calls.

6. Work on your reactive speech

When you hear questions in a new language, it's not enough to understand them - you need to respond quickly. Train yourself to react to standard phrases. Make a habit of answering lines like "How are you?", "What do you think of this?" or "Where is…?". Rehearsing these exchanges will help you handle most everyday situations with ease.

7. Keep up with current language trends

Language is a living system that never stops changing. Use social media such as TikTok or Instagram to stay on top of contemporary expressions and up-to-date slang.

8. Translate whatever surrounds you

Try translating the everyday things around you into the new language: restaurant menus, street signs, product descriptions in the shop. This trains your ability to interpret on the spot and helps you pick up the vocabulary you're sure to use in daily life.

9. Language clubs and online meetups

Join expat communities or language clubs in advance, where you can practise with native speakers or fellow learners.

10. Try the "borrowed context" technique

Try talking with native speakers using their context rather than your own. If you're planning to move to Spain, for example, don't discuss your favourite dishes - talk about traditional Spanish ones instead. This lets you practise the language while learning a great deal about the culture of your future home.

What language level citizenship requires in 2026

Language matters not only for daily life but also for documents: most countries require proof of level at naturalisation, and sometimes already for permanent residence. Requirements have tightened in recent years; France, for example, raised the bar from B1 to B2 in 2026. Below are the language requirements for citizenship in the countries our clients most often move to.

What the levels mean and how long they take

A2 is everyday communication: shops, doctors, renting, simple letters. B1 is free conversation about work, study and plans, and understanding news and instructions. B2 is confident speech on complex topics, formal letters and debate. By the widely used estimates of Cambridge University's exam board, reaching A2 from zero takes about 180-200 hours of guided learning, B1 350-400 hours and B2 500-600 hours. At 6-8 hours a week, B1 takes about a year, so language for citizenship is best started with the move, not six months before applying.

How to plan language around your programme

First find out at what stage the country tests language. Spousal reunification in Germany needs A1 German before the visa, citizenship needs B1, while citizenship by investment programmes, for example in Turkey or the Caribbean, need no language at all. Then count the years until you can apply for citizenship and split the path by level: A2 for renewing your residence permit, B1 for permanent status or the passport. Take the exam at a centre whose certificates your country recognises and keep the original: a copy is often not accepted for naturalisation. School-age children usually pick up the language faster through school, while adults without a language environment benefit from intensive courses and practice tests in the exam format before sitting it.

If you have no time to learn a language

Some countries require no exam for a passport: Serbia, Uruguay and citizenship by investment programmes. There are also age exemptions: in Canada applicants aged 55 and over do not take the language and knowledge tests. Murblz specialists match a country to your language level and timeline, check which certificates it recognises and plan the path from residence permit to passport so that language does not cause a refusal. More options are in the second citizenship catalogue.

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