My daughter and son in law are considering moving to Lanzegrotty. She is doing Spanish lessons, SIL not bothered. Surprises me how many British expats never bother to learn the lingo of the country they're in. Just assume that the locals all speak English.
Day to day you can get by with just basics. Pointing at menus, having the same drink all the time and buying food in supermarkets paying by card. The difficulties start when things go wrong. Health, detained by officials, car breakdown, in fact anything breakdown, overcharge on utility bill ( one town has a large number of folk who have been vastly overcharged on their water bills)
A vet we used, confided how her stomach is turned everytime she hears Hyyarr . In our local village, the locals wont use the outside area until the rude British expats go as they refuse to speak In Spanish to the staff.
My recommendation ronny is for them both to learn. Even with the basics, it is a far better experience.