Preparing for a language course abroad calls for a minimum of organisation, whether you are going yourself or preparing your child's trip. Several things need to be planned ahead: the choice of destination, the language school, accommodation on the spot and certain administrative formalities.
A language course abroad is a rewarding experience that allows you to make rapid progress in a foreign language while discovering a new culture. To make the most of this experience, it is important to prepare your project several weeks, or even several months, in advance.
Here are a few essential pieces of advice for organising your language course abroad in the best possible conditions.
A useful, well-organised trip
The first step is to choose the destination and the language school that best match your goals. Some destinations are particularly popular with Belgian students, such as England, Ireland, Malta and Spain.
It is also advisable to choose a serious organisation and recognised language schools holding international accreditations. These certifications generally guarantee the quality of the teaching, the supervision of students and the reliability of the programme.
Before departure, certain administrative formalities may be necessary. For example, it is important to check that your identity card or your passport is still valid for the duration of the stay. For some destinations outside Europe, a passport will be compulsory.
If your stay includes accommodation with a host family, it can be useful to get in touch with them before departure. This is often a way to get to know each other, to ask a few questions and to arrive in better conditions.
Finally, remember to choose a course programme suited to your level and your goals. Some schools offer intensive courses, exam preparation or programmes combining language lessons with cultural activities.
Do you need a visa for a language course abroad?
Whether a visa is needed depends mainly on the destination chosen and the length of your language course abroad.
For European destinations such as Spain, Ireland and Malta, Belgian students can generally travel simply with a valid identity card. The administrative formalities are therefore relatively simple.
For some more distant destinations such as the United States, Australia and Canada, on the other hand, a visa or a travel authorisation may be needed depending on the length and the type of programme chosen.
It is therefore advisable to find out early enough in order to prepare the necessary administrative steps and to avoid any unpleasant surprises before departure.