Tips on finding the right language school

You love traveling? Maybe even staying in one place for a bit longer than just a few days in order to feel the atmosphere?  You adore shopping at the supermarket around the corner, bargaining at the local market and flirting with this cute bartender working at your new favorite café? There is just one problem: Communication. Speaking the local language facilitates a lot of things, from finding friends to asking for the way. It quite simply brings you that much closer to really getting to know a culture.

photo by Franco Folini

Luckily there is light at the end of the communication barrier tunnel. What you need is – language school. Rather than googling the subject and signing up for the first program that pops up, it’s worth looking into things a bit more, following these tips:

  • Compare prices – searching for a language school, you will quickly notice that there can be big differences in the price of the course. Get well informed with what is included and which extra costs might be involved.
  • Language schools usually offer a variety of accommodations: home stay with a local family with or without board; a pension, an apartment with other students, etc. Beware of all the pro’s and con’s in advance. Staying with a host family may help you improve your language skills, but could also might limit your personal freedom if you like to stay out late or bring home friends from school.

photo by Julia Leiby

  • Tis one may sound pretty obvious, but consider beforehand where exactly you want to go. Depending on what language you’re looking to study, the list of options might be obvious. If you want to learn French for example, you probably will go to France. But studying in Paris or a other smaller city might make a big difference to you. By the way, for anyone really interested in studying in France, I can personally recommend this school. They have different locations all over France and at least in Bordeaux, where I took a three-week-course last year, the atmosphere was amazing: students from all over the world trying to speak French between themselves even outside the school, a good offer on leisure activities, as well as great and passionate teachers.

photo by Geir Halvorsen

For more information about learning a language abroad, have a look at this blog.

By the way, if you want to improve your English, I can recommend this school in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Besides staying at a wonderful place…

photo by Laya Gerlock

… the school is relatively cheap and follows a great concept: here, you don’t just pick a course from a catalogue, you actually get to have an in-depth chat with a counsellor who then recommends courses tailered to your interests. You can choose between conversation, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and so on.  And of course, it also offers classes in all kinds of surfing!

If you have more recommendations on language schools abroad, let us know!

*Post written by Franziska Gutsche

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vineyards, Relaxation and Star Gazing: A weekend in Alentejo, Portugal

Image
Vineyards, Relaxation and Star Gazing: A weekend in Alentejo, Portugal Portugal | Europe Published: May 2018 | Partner content produced on assignment with Lonely Planet + Booking.com In south-central Portugal, to the right of show-stealing Lisbon and above the summertime fun of the Algarve, the underrated and understated Alentejo region packs a punch. Technically two regions, Alto and Baixo translating to higher and lower, The Alentejo is awash with Roman and Moorish history, designated dark sky star-gazing reserves and countless grapes hanging from vines ready to be turned into one of Portugals greatest exports, and my favourite refreshment, wine. The visitor count might not be as high here as other parts of the country, but that is very much its charm. Cruising along a near-empty motorway for a weekend escape, the rolling green countryside of vineyards with the odd castle provided a refreshing vacation from the bustle of the city. I was on a mission to unearth a unique plac
Read more

20 Best Places in Asia you Must Visit

Image
Bali Whether you’re soul searching or just looking for a place to unwind and ditch reality, Bali is a spiritual oasis worthy of a visit a handful of times in your life (and believe me – once you’ve been the first time, it is difficult not to return!) You can read our full guide to Bali here . Kyoto Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and as such has a great amount of history and culture to discover. You’ll need at least a few days to discover all this city has to offer – from the Bamboo forrest to the famous Fushimi Inari shrine which features a seemingly endless line of torii gates. Tokyo The capital of Japan, Tokyo has built a name for itself as one of the quirkiest capital cities in the world. From cat cafes to robot dance parties, there really isn’t anything that hasn’t been thought of and become an unexpected hit. Hong Kong There is no other city in Asia that blends the East and West quite as seamlessly as Hong Kong. Although you will
Read more

Where to Find Your Zen in Hawaii

Image
This refreshed Hawaiian property moves the focus to health. After a four-year hiatus, the Lodge at Koele in the tropical highlands of Lanai has returned as the Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, a Sensei Retreat. “Sensei guides” trained in nutrition, fitness, and spa therapies design custom itineraries for guests of the Four Seasons’ first all-inclusive wellness enclave. Three-night minimum stays emphasize movement, nourishment, and rest – key pillars supported by as many as 16 exercise classes a day, 30 spa treatments, a menu created by acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and 96 tranquil rooms. Guided hikes, beach excursions, and cultural lectures supplement on-property activities in two movement studios, onsen soaking tubs, and ten private hale , or spa cottages. Wellness, island-style, at the new Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele. Virtuoso travelers receive a $100 resort credit.
Read more