How serious is it if I don’t speak Spanish?

I’m hoping to do a workaway in South American soon. I’m concerned because I don’t speak Spanish.

I’ve been exposed to Spanish a lot and can understand a little bit, my father is from Chile and we’ve gone to Chile a couple of times together. However, I’ve always just felt like such a tourist with my family, and I really want to connect more to the land and people and learn. I feel as if I keep seeing workaway hosts say they want only Spanish speakers, not all of them of course, but I’m feeling nervous like I shouldn’t go if I’m not at least half decent at Spanish.. but I also feel like I don’t know how much I can learn if I’m not immersed.

I’m really a newbie who is just trying to push myself and do something brave at a confusing time in my life where I have some freedom while I’m still a youngish (25F) adult. I’m curious if any Americans or non fluent spanish speakers have been traveling in Chile (or elsewhere) and what was your experience?