How to choose the perfect language course and destination: the complete guide

If it's clear to you that this is the year to start your adventure abroad but you don't even know where to begin to choose your language course and destination, we give you all the keys in this post.

Taking the leap to study languages in another country is a very wise decision to make, because not only will you give your CV a significant boost that will allow you to stand out from other candidates when applying for internships or jobs, but you will also live an incredible experience in which you will learn the language of the country and fully immerse yourself in its culture. If you're still not sure where to study, here are some tips to help you choose your ideal language course and destination. Let's get started!

How to choose your language experience abroad step-by-step

In this section we give you the steps to follow to choose the perfect language course and destination for you. At each step we give you the opportunity to stop, take your time and explore the rest of the sections of the post, where you'll find all the information you need to make your decision. Go at your own pace!

1. Choose a language. First of all, are you decided on the language you want to study? If so, that' s great, but if you don't you might want to consider the pros and cons of studying each language. Would you like to give French a go as you've never managed to learn it? Or maybe you want to experience something new with languages like Italian or Portuguese? Does the idea of standing out from the crowd by knowing a lesser spoken language appeal to you? Then German or Polish could be your best option. The choice is up to you!
2. Choose the destination that suits you best. All right, you've already chosen your language, brilliant! Now what's next? Well, it's time to choose your destination. If you have chosen a language that is only spoken in one European country or you are more interested in the type of course than the destination, then great! You can move on to the next point and choose your ideal course. If the language you want to learn is spoken in several countries, then it's time to find out a bit more about them. Don't know which destinations offer your chosen language? Well, read on and we'll give you all the information you need to choose the perfect destination for you.
3. Choose your course. Only a few decisions to go! Depending on the type of experience you are looking for, there will be different course options to choose from. Whether you're interested in learning the basics of the language and making the most of your time on an intensive course, an official language exam preparation course or an adapted course with people your own age, you're spoilt for choice! If you're not sure, don't worry! Below, in the course section, we give you all the information you need to know to choose the perfect course for you.
4. Request further information. All that is left is to choose your ideal course with all the keys we give you and request information to make your dream of studying languages abroad a reality. At Erasmusu Education we will advise you free of charge and without any obligation so that your experience is a ten out of ten.

The best destinations to study languages abroad

Choose your ideal destination to study English

English is your pending subject and you want to improve it? Then let's choose your destination!

United Kingdom

If you're looking to study in a multicultural environment, have hundreds of activities to do so you never get bored and you've always been curious about English culture... The UK is the place for you!

Get right into the life of a big British city by studying English in London, or if the capital is too much for you, perhaps Edinburgh, Oxford or Cardiff are just what you need: historic cities with lots of culture a plenty of leisure activities. If you prefer smaller, cosier cities in which to learn English, Leeds will surprise you! And if you like being close to the sea, you always have the south of England and its wonderful beaches: Bournemouth is your destination without a doubt!

Ireland

You may want to go a little out of the ordinary when choosing your destination to study English, because it''s not all about the UK!

If you'd love to study English in a friendly environment, with great green spaces close by even when you're in the city and endless activities to do, the Emerald Isle is your next destination!

Lose your way through Dublin's historic streets and immerse yourself in the culture of the city that gave birth to Oscar Wilde and has enchanted artists and writers such as Bram Stoker, the author of the novel "Dracula". Or perhaps you prefer the tranquillity of the south of Ireland by studying English in Cork, Ireland's second city. Discover the many pubs, the wonderful traditional music and the friendliness of the Irish people and you will have an unforgettable experience!

Malta

Maybe you're looking for good weather and a beach nearby. Well, it's possible! Malta is the perfect alternative for those who don't fancy the weather in the British and Irish Isles.

Study English in a multicultural environment in sunny St. Julian's or St. Ġwann and enjoy all that the island of Malta has to offer: a centuries-old history, a unique climate, great entertainment and an amazing nightlife.

The best destinations to study Spanish and Italian

If you want to learn one of the most spoken languages in the world, choose your favourite city in Spain and learn Spanish for once! If you are more interested in Italian culture and gastronomy, there is no doubt: an Italian course in Italy itself is what you need.

Spain

Spain is much more than flamenco and paella; this country is so incredibly diverse that the north and south are like different countries. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in Spain.

Fancy experiencing the hustle and bustle of the big city and having endless things to do while improving your Spanish? Then Madrid or Barcelona may be your best options: multiculturalism, art, monuments... but each with its own charm!

If, on the other hand, you are more into a medium-sized city with history, a wide range of leisure activities and an incredible gastronomy, you have three options, each one in a different part of the peninsula: Valencia, Bilbao or Seville.

You may also want something different from the usual. Salamanca is a university city with a lot of history where you can learn Spanish with one of the best accents in the country.

If this is not important to you and you just want to have a great time and enjoy your free time to the fullest in the south of the country, Cadiz or Malaga are for you. In Andalusia itself you also have Granada, one of the most touristic cities in the country with a centuries-old history and a magical atmosphere.

To give you even more alternatives, in Murcia and Alicante you can enjoy the good weather in the southeast of Spain, incredible beaches and a varied gastronomic offer.

Italy

If your dream is to study Italian while discovering ancient monuments, getting lost in the streets of a great city and always having something to do, Rome is the city for you. The Eternal City has so much to offer that we don't know where to start, but as we don't want to give you spoilers, you'd better find out for yourself! Modern Turin, on the other hand, offers you the hectic life of a big city combined with a great cultural offer and a refined gastronomy. If you are also a fan of architecture, this is the city for you!

If you don't fancy big city life, but you're an art lover and would love to see famous artworks in person without missing out on incredible Italian cuisine, Florence is your destination. But if you're more of a fashionista, or would love to discover a city where the modern and the ancient blend seamlessly, Milan welcomes you with open arms.

You may have convinced yourself that southern Italy is the place for you, so Salerno, southeast of Naples, is your best option for living in a city by the sea, enjoying the gastronomy of the south of the country and discovering amazing places.

You may also want to study Italian in a more peaceful environment, so we have what you are looking for: Recanati, a small town full of culture, historic buildings, with incredible views from its "Hill of Infinity" and surrounded by nature, so you can learn Italian in the best environment.

Charming destinations for learning French or Portuguese

Do you want to choose a language to fall in love with just by pronouncing it? Then there's no doubt about it! Both French and Portuguese are two languages that are in great demand and will delight anyone's ears. Shall we see the ideal destination for you?

France

Studying French in Paris is a dream that many people aspire to, because nothing compares to the City of Light, right? Its art, its architecture, its romanticism... If you're looking for all this plus culture and never getting bored, Paris is definitely the city for you.

However, if you want to get away from the bustling capital but study French in a city full of history, have a variety of leisure activities on offer and meet people like you, Bordeaux or Lyon are your best options. And if you love the location of the latter city, but prefer a little more tranquillity in a place that looks like something out of a fairy tale, Annecy is your ideal place to learn French.

If you prefer the south of France and fancy living by the sea while improving your French, Nice or Montpellier will certainly allow you to do this and much more. But if you prefer the calm of the countryside, Toulouse will give you just what you need in a city in the south of France: art, culture and gastronomy.

The north of France can be perfect if you prefer charming places, so why not study French in Rouen, the capital of Normandy? You'll fall in love with its medieval style! And if you prefer a city of this style, but further south, your destination city is undoubtedly Tours, in the heart of the Loire River, where you can discover a multitude of castles and incredible landscapes.

Portugal

We love Portugal and everything that has to do with this country; its language, its lifestyle, the word "saudade"... everything makes us want to learn Portuguese and live there for a while, right? Well, this is your chance!

If you are dying to learn Portuguese, what better way to do it than in one of the cities that more and more people choose to live in because of its quality of life, cultural offer and first-class gastronomy? Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, will not leave you indifferent: its bridges, its iconic trams, its slopes... Here you will find sea, mountains, incredible places like Sintra and everything you need to enjoy a unique experience while you improve your level of Portuguese.

If, on the other hand, you feel like enjoying the advantages of the capital, but in a smaller size, Porto is for you! The city offers a wide range of leisure activities, exquisite gastronomy and a varied cultural offer that will keep you entertained.

The best cities to learn German or Polish

Have you decided to study German this year, or would you prefer to learn Polish? Whatever your preference, here are the best destinations to give your language skills a boost.

Germany

If you want to study German in Germany, you've come to the right place! You have a wide variety of destinations to choose from for your language course abroad. Let's take a look at them!

Berlin, the country's capital, is for you if you want to learn German in a large modern city, full of art, history, music and where historical monuments combine perfectly with modern buildings and contemporary architecture.

On the other hand, if life in a huge city like Berlin doesn't appeal to you as much, perhaps Frankfurt is the place for you. You'll be able to enjoy the city's leisure activities while learning German with other people like you in a modern city.

If you would like to discover the north of Germany, we suggest Hamburg, one of the most important cities in the country. The city is crossed by hundreds of canals and offers everything from old, charming, typical northern houses and monuments to modern infrastructures. You'll love it!

And if you prefer to visit the south of the country, explore the nature of the Bavarian region and discover charming castles and monuments, Munich is your destination.

Poland

If you want to study Polish but feel you need to take it a step further by learning abroad, what better way than to book a language course in Poland?

If you love big, lively cities, varied architecture and a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, you'll love Warsaw. More and more students are choosing the capital of Poland to study Polish, because you could never get bored in this historic city full of cafés, soviet style, Gothic and Neoclassical buildings and its Market Square with its pastel-coloured façades. Warsaw will make you fall in love with it!

If you prefer the charm of the south of the country, then Kraków is the place for you. Known as a student city, its medieval centre and Jewish quarter will surprise you. There's always plenty to do here, from relaxing in the many shopping areas, to practising Polish with friends in leisure areas and even going on day trips to discover nearby historical sites such as Auschwitz and learn more about the country and culture.

However, if you prefer a little more peace and quiet, our suggestion for you is Lodz, in the centre of the country. This city will surprise you with its ancient and modern architecture and industrial past, its colourful streets and its urban art, present in every corner of the city.

What type of language course suits you?

Whether you have already decided on your destination, or you prefer to first choose the type of course that suits you best, let's get to it!

Language courses by duration

If you are more concerned about the length of the course, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If you want to discover the destination while improving your level, a standard course may be for you. If you have finished your studies or want to take a gap year to study languages and travel, choose a long-term course to immerse yourself in the culture and life of the country.

If, on the other hand, you need to make the most of your time to prepare for an exam or take a course within a certain number of weeks, then an intensive or super-intensive course is your best option. But if you work or study in your destination city and can only dedicate a few hours a week to language study, then a part-time course will certainly allow you to make progress without having to change your routine.

Language courses by level

Depending on your level, you will have a range of both general and specific courses available for you to choose from. If the course specifies that it is for all levels, great! On the other hand, check carefully if the course you are interested in accepts your level as many of them only accept a range of levels. There are also specific courses for certain levels, such as courses for beginners, or courses for a specific level according to an official exam. Check carefully!

Language levels are usually classified as follows:

• Beginner (A0-A1)
• Basic (A1-A2)
• Intermediate/upper-intermediate (B1-B2)
• Advanced (C1-C2)

However, it is possible that this classification changes depending on the school or language, so if you need help, our Erasmusu Education agents will be able to help you and advise you on how to choose your ideal course.

Language courses by purpose

If your goal is to learn a language for a specific purpose, you should consider which of these would be of interest to you. From general language learning to preparation for becoming a language teacher, you need to know what your purpose for learning the language is.

Some of the options for language courses by purpose are as follows:

• General language course
• Business / Professional language course
• Academic language course
• Exam Preparation Course
• Teacher Preparation Course

Language courses by age

On the other hand, age can sometimes be a determining factor in choosing the type of course you need, but don't worry! There are courses for all ages and you will be able to study the language you've always wanted to, whatever age you are.

Generally, you can find courses for these age ranges:

• Language courses for young people under 18
• Language courses for adults
• Language courses for 50-55+

Erasmusu Education: Find more than 450 courses in over 50 cities!

Now you have everything you need to choose your ideal course and destination! We hope this post has been useful for you to choose your language course abroad and have a once in a lifetime experience.

Remember that on Erasmusu Education you have a wide variety of language courses in more than 50 cities to choose from. Don't forget that you can request information about any course you are interested in without any commitment and we will advise you completely free of charge. Take the plunge and prepare the language experience you have always dreamed of!

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