Guide to Language Schools
The best way to experience a foreign destination is to learn about and embrace all that makes it special. If you really want to have a taste of local life, take it a step further and learn the local language too. You’ll find it easier to get around, and will have many people to practice the language with.
Imagine yourself savoring national dishes, dancing to local radio hits, mapping the city by taking public transportation, shopping the neighborhood markets -- and understanding it all. Explore within country borders and ask locals for their top recommendations; soak in the culture and you’ll grow with every adventure.
This is your chance to go beyond free mobile apps and Google Translate! Attend a language school abroad and you’ll learn from native speakers and immersive experiences, at an even faster rate!
Learning a new language is such a fun way to get to know a new city and foreign country. While it may seem intimidating at first, the benefits of speaking two or more languages will quickly outshine any trepidations you might have.
Visit Go Overseas’ library of language school tips and advice written by international program alumni and travel experts.
Where to Learn a New Language
If you’re looking for a country to learn a new language, you’re in serious luck. There are thousands of languages spoken around the world, and the most popular ones include Mandarin Chinese, English, German, Spanish, and Arabic.
The locations and languages are endless:
- Head to South America to practice Spanish or Portuguese
- Travel to Europe to practice French, German, or Spanish
- Choose Asia to learn Chinese, Hindi, Russian, or Arabic
You can learn a language abroad with a private language program, enroll in a local university, take online classes, or fully immerse yourself in local culture. The way you learn it is entirely up to you!
Benefits of Language Schools
Not only does learning a new language grant you an advantage in school and on your resume, it also makes traveling a heck of a lot easier! When you are able to ask for directions, order food, and haggle the markets in the official tongue of a destination, you gain respect and better prices.
Besides the fact that multilingual professionals with a qualifying education often earn more money in the workforce, the likelihood of scoring an international job (or gig that pays you to travel the world) is pretty high.
Language learning also exercises our brain, improves our memory, and open doors to cross-cultural understanding. Learn more about the benefits of learning multiple languages.
Choose Your Language School Program
With heaps of language school options, how do you know which one is perfect for you? Choosing a school in your home country is hard enough, selecting one abroad is a whole different ball game.
When searching for language schools abroad, consider your overall goals:
- How proficient do you want to become?
- How much time can you dedicate to learning a new language?
- What is your budget?
Use a language school database, like Go Overseas, and search language programs abroad, sorting by country or language. When you come across a list of suggested international language programs, assess their ratings, read individual reviews, and confirm the program’s application requirements.
Costs of Language Schools
It can cost as little as a plane ticket and booked hotel -- and as much as a few thousand dollars -- to learn a language abroad. The truth is, many travelers who have already mastered beginner language basics find fully immersing in a foreign country and local culture to be one of the best ways to learn a language abroad. But that doesn’t work for everyone.
If you are like many others, you might be used to English being spoken and unsure of whether you’d fare well in a new country without speaking the local language. You might even be afraid to try (in fear of saying the wrong thing). This is where a language program abroad is perfect for you.
The expense of language learning greatly depends on how long and often you take language classes, and how popular the program is. A language program in Central America, for instance, usually costs $300-$600 per week, and includes housing and some meals.
Language Immersion
Ask any multilingual traveler and they’ll agree that language immersion is the best way to master a new language.
Immersion brings you right in the heart of the community and culture, and teaches you situational colloquialisms that a language textbook could never fully explain.
Language immersion is also a great way to get comfortable with speaking at a normal pace and listening to different accents (beyond your instructor).
Is language immersion better than learning a new language in the classroom? Some would say yes, but we think a combination of both will get you speaking a new language quicker and more consistently.
How Go Overseas Works
Go Overseas is your trusted source for travel abroad programs: here you can browse and discover thousands of vetted providers. Just like a trusted travel buddy, we want to help you find the right information and feel excited and confident about your first or next culturally immersive trip overseas. We know sometimes having an abundance of options can be overwhelming, so we have a few tips on how to use Go Overseas to find the perfect transformative travel program for you.
Browse 16,000+ programs: Narrow your search results by using filters, such as program type, location, and length.
Read 46,000+ Reviews: Real people have gone on these programs, and have experiences to share. Read alumni reviews on any program that interests you to get an idea of what it's really like to be on the ground, overseas.
Read 5,700+ Interviews: For any program that really sparks your interest, read personal stories and in-depth accounts from travelers like you. If you'd like to reach out and hear more from the traveler who left an interview, let us know and we'll help connect you.
Browse community photos: Pictures of food, accommodations, adventures, and people (oh, the friends you'll make!) in program community galleries will help you visualize yourself abroad.
Wish List 💙: Not ready to commit to a program? Click the Wish List heart icon to bookmark programs and save them for later. Then, compare programs side by side.
