Many of you are wondering how to pay less for a language course. You are especially wondering if you are paying the right price ! And how to organize a stay at the best price ?
To begin with, according toUNOSEL (Union Nationale des Organisations de Séjours Éducatifs, Linguistiques et Formation en langues), you should know that depending on the length of your stay, the price varies between 500€ and 2000€ for a week in England. It’s a wide range, you might say ! And indeed, depending on the services requested, your objectives and your travel priorities, the price range for a language stay is large.
What if we told you that it is possible to pay less ! That you can save a lot of money on your budget ! In this article, let’s discover together 10 tips to know to organize a language stay for a small budget while respecting your learning objectives.
Opt for cheap destinations
Some destinations will increase the cost of transportation as well as the cost of living. It is also important to know that life in a capital city is more expensive than in a less touristy place. We advise you to considerSpain. It’s a cheap destination and you can improve your Spanish skills there. It is also possible to progress in English in an English host family based in Spain 😉
Note : Tapas and flamenco from 375€ per week Full board on Linguifamily, a great opportunity for a language stay at a good price while enjoying the sun.
Choose a visa-free destination
In addition to the price of the visa, you will save a lot of time and energy by choosing destinations that only require an ID card or passport. These include all 28 countries of the European Union, Malta,Argentina, Mexico, etc. The list of possible destinations is long and offers plenty of opportunities to stay.
Linguifamily advice : We recommend that you consult the French government for updates on entry requirements for these countries.
Reserve well in advance.
As for the vacations, reservations made 6 months in advance allow you to have the choice. At Linguifamily, 80% of the reservations for the summer 2022 language stays are closed at the end of April. There is always the possibility of finding a language stay at any time, but the choice of dates and location will be more limited. Anticipate the best !
Compare prices
You want to pay for your stay at the best price ? To do this, we advise you to compare the prices charged by the language school organizations. They are numerous and do not offer the same types of benefits and guarantees.
To find the best fares for your travels, consider using the price comparison website : Skyscanner.fr for air travel and Omio for rail travel.
Please note : At Linguifamily, you can pay for your language stay with your vacation vouchers . They offer the possibility to save some money on your stay.
Going out of season
July and August are the two most popular months for language stays. To leave at a low price, think of leaving out of season. For schoolchildren, stays are possible during the winter vacations, in spring and even in autumn. The transport rates are often cheaper. For adults, stays are possible at any time.
A good idea for high school students : with a shortened school year ending in mid-June, high school students can go away for 3 weeks without encroaching on the popular months of July and August, for which choices are often more limited.
Be flexible on the dates of your stay
To save money, avoid leaving on the same days as vacationers and business people. By train or by plane, the staggered departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are more advantageous. Also opt for early morning departures !
Please note : At Linguifamily, host families are also flexible and can welcome you at any time. Don’t hesitate to ask them.
Organize your own language stay
Nowadays, with digital tools, nothing is easier than organizing your own language stay. To find your way among all the offers and travel information, to consult the reviews, to find advice and good plans, to prepare your stay, to book your tickets, Internet is at your service. Without the middleman, you can pay up to 40% less for your language stay.
Here are some digital tools that can help you : Google Maps, Skyscnanner, Omio, Diplomatie.gouv, Linguifamily (with the translation function integrated in the platform).
Prefer countries in the euro zone to limit costs
When traveling abroad, withdrawing money or paying is bound to incur bank charges and exchange fees. Using an ATM or paying with your credit card can quickly cost you. By staying in the euro zone, you avoid commissions because withdrawals are governed by the same rules as those made in France and are free if they are made in your bank.
Opt for a no-fee bank card
Outside the Euro zone, we advise you to opt for a bank card that avoids paying fees. Most online banks and neo-banks are very favorable for travel abroad and their offers are really cheap (more information here).
Going to France
Language stays in France are on the rise and have increased in popularity since the confinements. For a weekend, a week or more, the cultural and linguistic immersion is total. A real good plan to save money, this formula allows you to live an immersion without going abroad. Staying in an English school or immersion to learn Chinese, stays are available all year round in France.
Now you have all the information you need to organize a language stay at the best price. With all these tips, you can save money and get away for very little. All you have to do is pack your bags and enjoy your stay.
And if you need any help in preparing for your language stay, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist you in organizing your stay.
Contact us via the chat accessible on the platform or send us a message using the contact form .
