7 Popular Types of Language Programs Abroad

All the best ways you can learn a language abroad

Learning a language is an excellent way to expand your horizons. It’s more than verbal communication. Learning, or starting to learn a foreign language at home is a nice start. Take that extra step. Give yourself a leg up. Learning a language abroad is like opening the largest pair of French doors you have ever seen into a different culture, lifestyle, and the literature. Swing those doors wide open and introduce yourself to a whole new world.

Universities often host immersive language programs abroad, especially in the summertime.

Language says so much about people—the expressions they use and their manner to say them. When we think about learning a language we often think of fluency. But it’s more than memorizing all those fancy grammar rules. To understand a language, it’s imperative to understand the culture. And to understand a culture it’s imperative to understand the language. Not so fast, Speedy Gonzales. Don’t forget about cultural fluency as well. Understanding the language is only a piece to the puzzle.

Being fluent can mean that you have the opportunity to score a job. Or to study in a different country. To travel freely. And a great way to exchange with those near and afar. Here are some things to consider if you’re planning to study a language abroad.

7 ways to learn a language abroad

We all learn differently. And language learning is no acception. There are many different ways to learn a language abroad. From private institutions, to universities, to one-on-one courses—one might actually be better for you than another. Choosing the appropriate type of language program abroad will have you speaking like a native in no time! Here are some of the best ways to learn a foreign language abroad:

1. At an international university

Chances are you’re a university student. Why not continue your language studies at another university, but abroad? Many students continue learning foreign languages abroad at host universities. These type of programs are the most popular for existing college students. Odds are, your current institution has existing partnerships with universities abroad. Studying abroad to learn a language is one of the most efficient and effective ways to learn a language. 

• Pros: Many universities have excellent track records and are well organized—they are safe choices. They typically facilitate the transfer of credit back to your host institution and provide services that help with your arrival and adjustment. Think visa services, housing, and university-sponsored events. Being a university student also gives you automatic access to the university network, which might be useful for your not only your language studies, but also your future academic endeavors.
• Cons: Expensive. Many of these universities have pretty price tags. With language programs abroad, students also run a high risk of being placed in classes with only other foreign students. It can be difficult to engage with the locals and other university students. The decision to learn languages abroad can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

[5 Amazing Study Abroad Universities You May Have Never Heard Of]

Going back to school has its perks!

2. At a dedicated language academy/school

Specialized language schools and academies are just that, specialized! Their bread and butter is language education. That being said, they are usually really good at what they do. These type of language programs abroad put great emphasis on speaking skills. They care about how you speak and help teach practical language skills. They may offer less theory and history compared to their university counterparts.

• Pros: Oral, written, and listening skills are often all equally emphasized. These programs give you the skills you need to continue your life in that foreign context. Their goal is to get you out in the community communicating. They also have more flexible class schedules ranging from weeks to a whole year, and often have smaller class sizes that allow for meaningful learning (no slacking here!) without the intensity of a one-on-one program.
• Cons: Your host university might not accept certain programs if you’re interested in transferring credit back home. You also might find the constant influx of students coming and going to be difficult to manage amidst your studies.

[Here’s How to Choose the Right Language School Abroad]

3. With a tutor / one-on-one

Having a one-on-one tutor can make a world of difference when you learn a foreign language abroad.

This is a top-shelf opportunity to study language abroad. Working with a tutor is your key not only to learning the language, but to discovering the culture as well. Tutors are an excellent way to receive personalized teaching support. Learning a language abroad one-on-one is great if you have a busy or irregular schedule. Often times, tutors will meet you for your lessons. This is a great option for busy individuals.  

• Pros: It’s all for you! You’re the captain of this ship. Personalized teaching directly targets your linguistic needs. You will have more opportunities to orally express yourself than if you were in a classroom-setting. You can even find tutors who specialize in your personal goals, such as business-related vocabulary of a foreign language or someone who excels at teaching reading and writing. The possibilities are basically endless! When you study language abroad like this, you get to sip the champagne of language learning opportunities. Cheers, mate.
• Cons: It’s. All. You. We can learn a lot from our peers in a group or classroom setting. Working individually with a tutor lacks a group dynamic. Courses can vary dramatically from tutor-to-tutor. As many people offer to teach their language, feel free to shop around until you find the instructor that will suit your needs the best.  

4. With a host family

Learn languages abroad with a group of people that will inevitably become meaningful relationships in your life. Living with a host family is the ultimate cultural experience. It’s more than the language. It’s the cuisine, the habits, a family’s art of living. What happens at home, in some cultures, is drastically different from what goes on in public. Living with a host family can dramatically take your language skills to the next level, too. It’s a great way to learn niche vocabulary in an intimate environment. Who said you can’t learn anything from “your” little brother or sister!

• Pros: You’ll be exposed to real, practical phrases and lingo that you might not learn in organized classes. To that end, the cadence of the language will also sound more natural and less forced. It’s also a great opportunity to learn expressions, which are crucial to becoming fluent. Host families can provide you with insider insight as you discover their city or village. You can learn some of the culinary, too. Mm!
• Cons: It’s risky! You never know who you might be placed with. Now, families are usually screened and some host foreign students frequently. That being said, you might have to adapt your lifestyle dramatically to live peacefully with your family. It’s more than a single roommate, it’s an entire family—including a mom who might give you a curfew!

[7 Benefits of Homestay Programs]

5. While working or teaching English abroad

Teach English in China and walk away fluent in Mandarin. It’s possible! Learning a foreign language abroad while working or teaching is a feasible way towards fluency. Maybe you’re hired because you are a native English speaker, but you often have multiple opportunities to learn from your peers. If you’re working or teaching in an international context, you are bound to encounter the local language at the office or in the classroom. Become the student yourself (it’s humbling and a good reminder) and tackle the beast known as second language fluency.

• Pros: You’re already there! Maybe you moved for the job, but why not immerse yourself in the local language, too? This can be a way to better connect with your students, colleagues, and new local friends, not to mention a great way to beef up that resume even more upon you return.
• Cons: You might spend a lot of time speaking English. Many people that have studied English love to speak it, and you’re the perfect opportunity for them to practice. Also, when learning the language isn’t your M.O., you might not be as motivated to learn the language on your lonesome.

[Travel for a Living—I’m Doing It, You Can Too!]

6. While doing an international volunteer project

If you’re already volunteering abroad, why not make a point to actively learn the local language?

Learning or practicing a language while volunteering abroad is certainly a feasible option. Volunteer placements are most often directly in the community. You can almost be sure that you will be exposed to the local spoken language. Some volunteer programs even offer language lessons free of charge. 

• Pros: Most volunteer programs allow you to work directly with and in local communities. This can be an excellent way to practice your spoken language and get to know beneficiaries/co-volunteers in an entirely new, exciting, and, perhaps most importantly, deeper level.
• Cons: There’s a chance that you will be with other foreign volunteers, and therefore you risk passing your time while communicating in English. Volunteering alone might not be enough to truly learn a language abroad. If you do have the chance to speak a foreign language odds are it will be only oral practice. It’s hard to learn grammar just through soundwaves! Writing and reading are important elements in the language learning process.

[How to Learn a Language Fast and Fluently While Abroad]

7. While studying abroad

People study abroad for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes students head out to learn a foreign language abroad. Many programs have language requirements, but not all of them. Others might choose programs because they are in English. Studying abroad is an excellent way to up your foreign language skills. It’s beyond the classroom and learning becomes part of nearly all aspects of life in a foreign-language context. In some cases, like Arabic, the language most often learned is not the spoken-language on the ground. Studying abroad will give your practical language experience. Here’s a thought-provoking article If you’re interested in learning a foreign language while studying abroad.

• Pros: You’re already in the student mindset, learning a ton and taking classes in a foreign place. Why not tack on some meaningful language learning options and courses, too? Absorb, observe, practice! Hard language skills are the cherry on top of your “what I learned while abroad” cake, and can help make future job interviews or grad school applications a cinch.
• Cons: Study abroad programs are geared to foreigners. You might find yourself interacting very little with the local community and culture. Be sure to be diligent to engage with the community to avoid this from happening.

[How to Get Money to Study Abroad]

Next steps to attending language programs abroad

Where will you go to study language abroad?

Maybe by now you’re well on your way and it’s a matter of when, where, and with whom now. There are tremendous amounts of ways to learn a language abroad, and more than one way to do it. Do your research! Compare and contrast programs. Find what will be best for you. Here are some additional resources to help you decide how you are going to learn a language abroad. Oh, and if you’re an adult eager to learn a foreign language abroad, this article is just for you.

Left. Left. Left. Right. Left. Smoothly march your way into learning that foreign language abroad.

Fluency is in your future!

Learning a language abroad will enrich your experience. Being able to understand the slightest nuances of a culture while communicating with locals is one way to drive right in. With a little effort, and a lot of patience, you’ll be well on your way to learning a language in no time.

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