“One language sets you in a corridor for all times. Two languages open each door alongside the way.” –Frank Smith, a contemporary psycholinguist
Language immersion journeys present a useful alternative to not solely turn out to be bilingual but in addition to achieve in-depth knowledge of one other nation and culture. That can improve your life professionally, personally, and even mentally and spiritually.
After all,66% of job recruitersactively search for multilingual or bilingual talent. Additionally, if you journey abroad and study a foreign language, you canform lifelong friendshipsand relationships.
Studying languages overseas can evenbenefit your well being and intellect. Being bilingual can forestall cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s illness, in accordance with theAmerican Council on Science and Health.
Now that you know the importance of speaking a second language, let’s talk about language immersion journeys worldwide that may allow you to turn out to be bilingual.Here, we’ve put collectively an in depth listing of thebest programsfor studying languages abroad.
What Do Language Immersion Trips Involve?
Before we dive into the applications, let’s talk about what you’ll do when youtravel abroadfor a language immersion trip.
Generally speaking, you’ll take classes for a number of hours every day. Outside of class, you could volunteer, work, intern, or take other lessons (depends on the program). For example, certaingap yearlanguage immersion applications will embrace a lot of cultural actions so that you can practice the language in a pure setting.
The level is that this: During the journey, you’ll be learning every step of the best way, whether you’re chatting with locals on the market, learning grammar in school, or visiting a museum.
There are plenty of programs on the market, from trips for newbies to programs designed for these growing full fluency. FromVietnameseto Swahili toItalian, you’ll find a program for any goal language.
Here’s just a small sample of the variety of packages out there:
Finally, notice that many language immersion programs supply tutorial credit. As you look via programs, examine to see if you can acquire faculty credit score and inquire with your university if they’ll be able to transfer those credits. If you’re a student, this is a wonderful benefit of learning languages overseas. Don’t miss out on it!
Recommended Language Immersion Programs
Established in 2007,International Volunteer HQsent over 100,000 volunteers overseas in just over a decade. Recognized as one of the reputable volunteer overseas organizations, establishments and firms like UCLA, Northwestern University, Salesforce, and Microsoft have all volunteered with IVHQ.
Known for having avariety of volunteer abroad packages, IVHQ additionally boasts some great language immersion trips worldwide. Read below!
Spanish Service Learning Course
Accredited by the California State University, Monterey Bay, you cangain college credit via this Spanish course. You’ll also add volunteer overseas expertise to your CV/resume, as it’s a required a part of the course. Volunteering projects embrace childcare, healthcare, development and renovation, instructing English, and special needs care.
When volunteering, remember to put your Spanish abilities to the test. Note IVHQ provides this course in three places:
Past college students have wonderful things to say in regards to the course, like Sarah, who journeyed to Guatemala:
“Guatemala itself is a wonderful place to be, but it’s truly the people you meet in Guatemala that enrich your experience! The local group are fantastic and offer nice alternatives to be taught Spanish and take benefit of out of your time in Guatemala.”
To join the Spanish Service Learning Course, you have to commit 4 weeks to a volunteer program (see pricing above). In addition to that payment, your Spanish classes will cost $880.
Altogether, that price is fairly reasonable, contemplating you possibly can acquire tutorial credit score and your meals and lodging are coated. Also, the possibility to offer again to the communities you go to could be a life-changing experience.
Do you wish to become bilingual in one of these superb cities?Get all of the course particulars here!
Volunteer and Learn Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Want tolearn Portuguese and volunteer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?IVHQ has you covered.
Volunteer initiatives include teaching English, childcare, group improvement, and sports teaching. Your work helps Rio’s most deprived kids and households, and you’ll notice your impression immediately.
Not solely are these volunteer tasks a good way to converse with locals in Portuguese, however you additionally get access to very reasonably priced Portuguese classes as a volunteer. The programs offer you a truly immersive surroundings in which you can work in the direction of fluency.
During free time, Rio de Janeiro, a huge seaside city filled with culture and leisure, calls you to have the time of your life. Dive in!
Project fees start at simply $495 for 2 weeks. When you apply, merely specify you need to take Portuguese lessons.Get started on IVHQ’s site!
Volunteer and Learn Italian in Naples, Italy
Ciao!
Ready to study Italian?Head to the Campania area in southwest Italy, the place you’ll have the ability to volunteer and take Italian courses. And, in fact, you need to discover the history and artwork of Naples when you’re not busy.
As a volunteer, you’ve the option of instructing English, aiding in an after-school program, or working on environmental tasks targeted on preserving UNESCO websites. During volunteer hours, take benefit of the opportunity to converse in Italian. Your Italian capabilities will actually turn out to be useful while working.
During non-volunteer hours, you presumably can take formal Italian courses with IVHQ’s native group. You’ll both have the morning or afternoon free for courses.
Interested? Project fees start at $685 for two weeks.Apply on IVHQ’s site!Remember to notice you want to take Italian classes.
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Plan My Gap Year, an award-winning journey and volunteer abroad organization, locations greater than 4,000 folks in applications every year. Founded in 2011 by volunteers for volunteers, PMGY options significant, reasonably priced initiatives, including language immersion trips.
Check out two of PMGY’s language immersion applications overseas below:
PMGY Ecuador Spanish Language Immersion Program
ThisSpanish immersion program in Quitowill do extra than simply train you grammar, verbiage, and dialect. You’ll also be taught so much about slang and the method to have interaction in natural conversations! How cool does that sound?
Each Spanish class has 2-5 college students and you’ll take classes for four hours every day (Monday-Friday). You’ll keep in a volunteer apartment in central Quito. Note you don’t need to know any Spanish to join this system, but having an excellent basis beforehand will let you learn rapidly.
When you’re not in a class, check out the city and apply your Spanish with the pleasant locals. PMGY organizes salsa classes, trips to close by mountains, and Ecuadorian delicacies courses so that you simply can immerse yourself within the culture and higher be taught the language.
So, are you prepared to check Spanish in Ecuador? Fees begin from $624 for one week.Sign up here!
PMGY Peru Language Immersion Program
Hola!
Journey to Cusco, Peru with PMGY, and learn Spanish as you immerse yourself in local Peruvian tradition. Take four hours of class every day. And when you’re outdoors of the classroom, practice your Spanish within the museums, eating places, markets, and elsewhere.
Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire. This metropolis sits within close vary of Machu Picchu. To get essentially the most out of this system, explore the culture and websites. It will allow you to higher understand Peru and give you the proper environment for enhancing your Spanish.
Does an journey to Peru sound good?Apply for this language immersion program here!
Founded in 2003,Maximo Nivelspecializes in volunteer, train, and research abroad packages in Latin America, all with an educational component. Projects sort out challenges in education, wildlife and environmental conservation, and development. If you want to be taught Spanish overseas in Latin America, absolutely take a look at what Maximo Nivel has to offer.
Maximo Nivel’sSpanish immersion tripsreceive significantly excessive reward, and swimsuit everybody from college students to working professionals. If you’re in school, know you could possibly acquire tutorial credit (check together with your school). See more particulars below!
Native Spanish Program in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru
Gain tutorial credit score,speed up your profession, or simply immerse your self in another tradition when you join Maximo Nivel’s Native Spanish Program. Recognized as one of the most intense and skilled Spanish immersion programs in Latin America,notable aspects of the courseinclude:
1. Customized instruction:Get one-on-one tutoring in your area of labor or research. For instance, you’ll be able to take medical Spanish or Spanish for business.
2. Small group lessons:Regular programs have 2-8 students. That means far more individualized attention.
3. Super intensive programs:You get the choice to take 6 hours ofSpanish classeseach day.
4. Activities past the classroom:Spend time with a language companion by way of theTandem Language Exchange Program, which provides you the chance for meaningful intercultural trade. You could make a lifelong good friend and you each can become bilingual! Sightseeing, shopping, and more throughout free time may also improve your Spanish abilities.
5. Host family stay:Expect to practice your Spanish from daybreak till dusk. The welcoming family will set up a snug setting for putting your Spanish to the take a look at.
Course fees for the Native Spanish Program differ by class type and placement.See the worth charts on Maximo Nivel’s website.All are reasonably priced. For instance, four weeks of personal lessons for two hours per day value the next:
1. Cusco, Peru($540): Tour Inca ruins in and round this ancient city; hike in the Sacred Valley
2. San Jose, Costa Rica($1,230): Explore the taking place capital, which incorporates San Jose Central Market, the National Museum, and the National Theatre; the encompassing forests make for a cool day journey
three. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica($1,380): Dive into all the brilliant thing about Manuel Antonio National Park, which also has spectacular beaches
4. Antigua, Guatemala($390): Check out the Spanish colonial buildings and see the close by volcanoes
Ready to take your Spanish to the following level?Apply to the Native Spanish Program here.
Around since 1992,Projects Abroadis one of the trusted names amongst volunteer and examine abroad organizations. They place more than 10,000 folks overseas every year, a testomony to the quality of their packages. Major publications like the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN have all featured Projects Abroad.
When it comes to language immersion trips worldwide, few supply the variability Projects Abroad does. Take a have a glance at two of theirstudy overseas programsbelow:
French Language Course in Saint-Louis, Senegal
Bonjour!
Learn French as you expertise life in Senegal, a West African nation with an unbelievable historical past, distinctive culture, and tons of pure sights. You’ll live in Saint-Louis, a city identified for its beaches and French colonial architecture. And you’ll attend French classes with different college students every day. Lesson plans are tailor-made to your pursuits and level so as to progress rapidly.
During free time, follow French with your host household, explore town (and use your French skills), and hang around together with your classmates. Expect to speak French nonstop!
Already packing your bags?Apply on Projects Abroad’s site! Course fees start from $1,870 for one week. Note the worth will get cheaper per week the longer you keep and study (i.e. four weeks is $2,605).
Mandarin Chinese Language Course in Shanghai, China
Want to journey overseas and learn Mandarin? Thengo to Shanghai with Projects Abroad. Gain insight into Chinese culture as you take every day Mandarin courses and traverse the massive metropolis of Shanghai. Whether you’re strolling along The Bund (Waitan) or trying Xiaolongbao (steamed bun), you’ll have the chance to follow and enhance your Chinese.
Since Mandarin is such a useful talent, a trip like this provides enjoyable and professional improvement. You might improve your CV and construct your career.
So, ready to review abroad in China?Fill out the appliance here! Course charges begin from $2,670 for one week ($3,805 for four weeks).
GoAbroad recognizedGoEcoas the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization in 2015. With more than a hundred and fifty neighborhood, education, and environmental tasks, as properly as loads of cultural trade initiatives, it’s easy to see why GoEco is so well-regarded. They’re also affordable and have great in-country help.
If you wish to travel overseas and study a foreign language, GoEco has several applications value considering:
Study Spanish and Work with Children in Buenos Aires, Argentina
When it involves destinations for learning languages overseas,Buenos Aires is hard to beat. Sign up for this program, and research Spanish within the mornings and volunteer with children from underprivileged backgrounds in the afternoon. During volunteering time, you probably can test your Spanish as you help and play with the children.
As you learn Spanish, you’ll immerse yourself in all features of Argentinian tradition. Learn how to tango, view famous artworks, follow your Spanish at the bars, and extra.
If you’re able to expertise a city full of flavor,apply todayand be in your way to Buenos Aires (fees from $1,400 for 2 weeks).
Study Japanese and Volunteer on a Farm in Otaki Village, Nagano, Japan
Lend a hand at a conventional Japanese farm whilestudying Japanese in Otaki,a village identified for its forests and skiing. In addition to working as an agriculture volunteer, you’ll take part in Japanese classes and cultural activities, like an origami tutorial, sushi making lesson, and trekking to famous sites.
Through farm work, cultural change, and taking structured Japanese classes, you’ll have the prospect to enhance your Japanese quickly. This program additionally lets you expertise traditional village life.
Sound amazing?Register with GoEco today(from $890 for one week).
A Broader Viewopened their doors in 2007 with a dedication to serving to those who want it most. They now have more than 245 abroad programs, together with study overseas packages.
A Broader View has positioned greater than 20,000 volunteers, students, and interns abroad of their first 12 years. If you want totravel abroad and learn a foreign language, undoubtedly have a look at their various language immersion journeys.
Volunteer and Learn Spanish in Cartagena, Colombia
Travel toColombia’s gorgeous Caribbean coast, the place you’ll take Spanish lessons and volunteer with disadvantaged kids within the metropolis. A Broader View partners with local tutors to provide one-on-one or one-on-two Spanish classes. The curriculum might be primarily based off your input and language needs, whether meaning extra grammar lessons or boosting vocabulary. This ensures you can enhance quickly.
When you’re not in a class, you’ll have the best surroundings to sharpen your Spanish. When you volunteer, converse in Spanish with the youngsters. And whenever you exit in Cartagena, use your Spanish to speak with locals. From the seashores to the markets to the classroom, this study abroad program presents full language immersion.
Ready to turn into bilingual?Sign up on A Broader View’s site(from $995 for one week).
Volunteer and Learn Spanish in La Ceiba, Honduras
Want to learn Spanish in La Ceiba? A lovely Caribbean port city in northern Honduras,La Ceibaputs you within the good environment for studying Spanish. First, you’ll get one-on-one tutoring with a native Spanish speaker and licensed instructor. You might help determine your own syllabus so that your wants are best met. Lessons concentrate on grammar, pronunciation, and dialogue. And you’ll be able to improve in all elements of the language (writing, reading, listening, and speaking).
Second, when you’re not in a category, you’ll volunteer in La Ceiba at a school, baby care center, or medical clinic. While doing good, you’ll additionally get to talk loads of Spanish!
Does the Honduras language immersion program appear proper for you?Apply here today(fees from $995 for one week).
Founded in 1989,Frontieris one of the prime organizations for travel overseas programs at present. In their first three a long time, they positioned greater than 103,000 college students and volunteers in overseas applications. To date, they’ve published greater than 600 analysis papers—a testomony to their total dedication and professionalism.
For learning languages abroad, few top Frontier. Whether you want to learn Spanish inMexicoorPanamaor travel overseas toSenegalto learn French, Frontier comes able to serve. Their program in France is particularly nice for bettering your French (check particulars below).
Learn French in Lyon, France
Immerse yourself in a fast-paced learning environment, one the place you’ll have the ability to actually turn out to be bilingual by the point you permit. For this program, you’llstudy French a top language school in the coronary heart of Lyon. The instructing staff consists of highly-qualified native academics who know tips on how to help these studying French as a second language. Expect your studying, writing, grammar, and conversation skills to progress at a powerful rate!
Lyon, the second-largest city in France, offers the right setting for finding out French. The city has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the city’s wealthy cultural heritage and make lifelong French pals during free time. You’ll hone your French skills as you enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
Interested to be taught more?Head to Frontier’s site!Know charges start at $795 for one week.
Ready for Your Language Immersion Trip?
Now that you realize all about language immersion trips worldwide, you’re ready to choose a program, pack your bags, and depart. No matter the language you want to study, your budget, and your location preferences, you can be a part of an overseas program that suits your needs.
To streamline your search course of, tryAbroadly, Volunteer Forever’s reserving platform. You can seek for language immersion journeys worldwide in minutes based on your preferences. All examine abroad programs have been vetted for safety and quality. Also, when youapply to a program through Abroadly, you’re automatically entered for the possibility to win a $500 scholarship. How superior is that?
For more assistance on selecting a language immersion program and decreasing costs associated with learning languages overseas, check out our different assets. See the hyperlinks below!
From fundraising tips to French language immersion trips, we’ve covered it all:
Best Volunteer Abroad Programs
French Language Immersion Programs
Spanish Immersion Programs
Volunteer and Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
Picking a Program and Fundraising on Volunteer Forever
