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A great way to quickly learn a language (and all the quirks of the local dialect, which textbooks and apps often don’t cover) is to learn that language abroad! Foreign language courses at international language schools will be a lot more effective than that language learning app you never open anymore. Why? Because you can put all of those verb conjugation charts into use after class to see how those idiomatic expressions hold up with locals. In order to learn a language, you need practice. A lot of practice. Language programs abroad have you covered!

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Linguistic Horizons

How to Study at Language Schools Abroad

Overview

What are language schools?

International language schools are pretty much what they sound like. They’re designated institutions or organizations that specialize in the instruction of one or multiple languages, which pretty much always includes the local language. They offer highly effective lessons, as well as plenty of opportunities for practice, if you want to learn a language abroad.

The benefits of learning a language abroad

The biggest benefit of learning a language abroad is immersion! Learning Spanish in Madrid is a lot different than learning it in a classroom at home. Everywhere you go in your host country, you’ll be exposed to the language you’re trying to learn. Even a trip to the grocery store will be a language learning experience!

Other benefits of taking language courses abroad include increased confidence and feelings of capability, new perspectives, a greater understanding of intercultural communication, and maybe even new ways of thinking.

Getting Started

How to learn a language abroad

Learning a language abroad can sound intimidating to many people, especially when you’re a complete beginner. However, whether you’re a novice or have already started studying your target language, you can absolutely benefit from language immersion programs abroad.

Here’s how to learn a language abroad:

Choose a language. If you don’t know what you want to study, you might be wondering how to choose a language to learn when there’s so many to choose from. A good way to choose is by thinking about your academic or career goals. Do you want to work in Spain? Study first edition Russian literature? Take business trips to Beijing someday? Figuring out what you want in the future will help you pick a language to learn.
Choose a destination. Some languages, like Spanish, are spoken in dozens of countries around the world. Many languages also have different dialects and accents within their many homes. If you’re learning a language for school or work, then your destination choice will probably be a bit more obvious. Otherwise, you may want to research your options before selecting a course in order to find the best fit for you.
Set goals. Most likely, you can’t stay abroad forever to learn your new language, which is why you need to make the most of your time. Whether you’re going abroad for two weeks or two years, you need to set language goals for yourself. Do you want to be fluent? Reaching such a speaking level will take dedication and commitment, while gaining conversational skills may be more attainable in a shorter amount of time.
Find language courses. Once you know what you want to learn and where, it’s time to look at language programs abroad! The best programs will have lots of positive reviews, and be well-established within their host community. Be sure to ask your program advisor about the opportunities they provide to practice your new language skills.

Duration

How long does it take to learn a language through immersion?

How long will it take you to learn your target language? If you’re looking at intensive language courses abroad, immersion will be a huge part of the curriculum. Three months of uninterrupted language immersion will do wonders for your speaking and comprehension skills.

However, if you don’t have three months to commit to learning a language abroad, even two weeks of language immersion can take a beginner up to conversational levels. The trick is to avoid being passive in your language learning journey! You’ll need to be actively practicing nearly all day, every day, if you want to really make a difference in your language learning. If you want to be fluent, the longer your immersion lasts, the better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To learn a language abroad, you'll first need to choose which language you want to learn and where you want to learn it. After, you'll apply to language programs in that destination, pay program fees, book a flight, and be on your way!

How to Learn a Language Fast and Fluently While Abroad

Think about your goals for language acquisition. Are you trying to be a more competitive job applicant? Or do you just want to be a more intentional traveler? The languages you should learn will change depending on what you want to achieve.

How to Choose Between Foreign Language Schools Abroad

You can learn a foreign language pretty much anywhere! Some of the best language programs in the world are in Spain (for Spanish), Morocco (for Arabic), France (for French), and China (for Mandarin).

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Some of the most useful languages to learn are Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic, due to the amount of native speakers across the world. Being fluent in one or more of these languages will advance your career and improve the quality of your travels!

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Latest Program Reviews

The Best School For Foreigner's Looking To Learn Mandarin!

June 18, 2025by: Michael Ullman - United StatesProgram: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin

That's Mandarin has been amazing from beginning to end in helping me improve my Chinese Mandarin skills. Everyone has been so helpful throughout the entire process from enrollment and VISA handling to my arrival in Shanghai. The teachers are outstanding and the lessons are so effective in helping student's improve their Chinese Mandarin in a fun way! Highly recommend this school for anyone looking to learn Mandarin！

The Best School For Foreigner's Looking To Learn Mandarin!

June 18, 2025by: Michael Ullman - United StatesProgram: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin

Better than expected

June 18, 2025by: Alin Palaghita - RomaniaProgram: Intensive Chinese Group Class in 5 Cities | That's Mandarin

My chinese knowledges improved so much in such a short time. I am grateful for the activities this school is doing. I went to order fruits, to order food and I learned how to play Mahjong and wear Hanfu.

Latest Interviews

Mustafa Osman Ali

That's Mandarin

Alumni

Actually, my job in my country had been suspended due to war circumstances. Therefore, I decided to travel to be with my wife while she pursued her Ph...

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Mert Saracoglu

That's Mandarin

Alumni

My inspiration to go abroad stemmed from a desire to broaden my horizons by experiencing different cultures firsthand. I enjoy immersing myself in new...

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