There are approximately 70 different languages spoken in Colombia, however, about 99% of the inhabitants speak Spanish. Of the other indigenous and creole languages spoken, there are fewer than one million speakers in total. There is some political controversy in Colombia surrounding bilingualism in educational policy because the definition of bilingualism is limited to Spanish and English, rather than honoring indigenous languages.
Most people at the school are native Spanish speakers, the majority from Colombia. Our teaching faculty is almost an even split between locals and expats. Many of the members of the teaching faculty are bilingual or taking classes to gain proficiency. While being bilingual is not a requirement, many people feel learning Spanish allows them to make better connections with students, families, and local faculty/staff. Almost all of the support staff and many of the Spanish language teachers feel uncomfortable speaking in English, even though they may have very high levels of understanding. Many faculty meetings are held in English and translated into Spanish or vice versa (either translating sequentially or simultaneously). You will hear Spanish all day on campus - in the halls, in the cafeterias, even in small group discussions within your classroom.
At TCS, we are constantly seeking to understand the needs of stakeholders, the identity of our students, the reality of our host country, and the expectations for supporting language development. We are working to make more clear expectations for English and Spanish language use on campus - it is a complex issue with the simplest answer being our goal is to be intentional about when and how certain languages are being used.
Again, speaking in Spanish in not a requirement for teachers, but for those who are learning or already have proficiency, they report feeling more comfortable and better connected to all members of the community. For those who are interested, the school offers excellent, subsidized Spanish classes in the city. You'll receive more information about this opportunity during Orientation.
Over the last ten years, as safety has increased and infrastructure has significantly improved, more and more tourists are coming to Medellín. With that, in more touristy areas, like Poblado, you will find many restaurants, stores, and many medical clinics where varying levels of English are spoken. We can also provide you with a list of medical professionals who are multilingual, and faculty often share contacts of different people who can conduct business in English.
All that being said, Medellín is still not an international city like Bogotá. You may find yourself in situations where communication is dependent upon Spanish. So, have your Google Translate and hand gesture skills at the ready, or bring a friend! Colombians are very patient with language learners and are very grateful to foreigners who try to speak Spanish. You might barely get out the words, "Hola, ¿Cómo está?" and get a warm smile with praise like, "Wow, that's so great that you speak Spanish!"