A language course abroad goes further when you arrive ready: you are placed in the right class from the first day, you understand more of what happens around you, and you spend your weeks abroad improving instead of catching up. Here is what to prepare, in order, and an option many students do not know about: starting online with the same school before you travel.

1. Know your level (roughly) before you book

Schools describe their classes with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). You do not need an exact level to book, but a rough idea helps you choose the course and the number of weeks. Two free ways to estimate it:

• The CEFR self-assessment grid of the Council of Europe: short descriptions of what you can do at each level, for any language.
• For English, the free Cambridge English «Test your English».

When you book on LanguageBookings.com you choose your level in the form; the school uses it to plan your class.

2. The placement test: what to expect

Most schools check your level with a placement test, on the first morning or online before you arrive. It usually combines a written part (grammar, vocabulary, reading) and a short conversation. Do not prepare it as an exam: the aim is to put you in the class where you will learn most. If after a day or two the class feels too easy or too hard, tell the school: changing class is normal.

3. Practise in the weeks before you travel

• Listening every day: podcasts, series or radio in the language, even 15 minutes. The first days abroad are hardest for the ear.
• Speaking: a language exchange partner (tandem) or a friend who speaks the language. Practise the situations of your first day: introducing yourself, the transport from the airport, your accommodation, shopping.
• Useful vocabulary: numbers, dates, directions and the words of your daily routine.
• Beginners: learn the alphabet, pronunciation and basic greetings before you arrive. You will follow the first lessons much better.

4. Start online with your school before you travel

Some of the schools on LanguageBookings.com also teach live online group classes: the same school, its teachers and its method, from home. A few weeks online before the trip has clear advantages:

• You arrive with a better level, and you can start in a higher class.
• You already know the school and how it teaches when you walk in on the first day.
• You only pay for the course: no flights, accommodation or visa for those weeks.

And if you cannot travel this year, an online course with a school abroad is also a cheaper way to keep learning with native teachers. Some examples:

• German evening course online with F+U Academy of Languages in Heidelberg: Tuesday and Thursday, 18:30-20:00 Heidelberg time.
• Online General English (A1-B2) with Speak Up London: 6 hours a week, small online groups.

See all of them on online language courses with real schools. Each course page shows the school's time zone and converts the class times to your own time.

5. Documents and practical details

Check early whether you need a visa for your destination and course length (the official immigration website of the country is the reference), what health insurance you need, and what the school includes (materials, registration fee, placement test). If you have questions about a course, ask us before booking: we answer in your language.

Booking with LanguageBookings.com

Online and in-person courses are booked the same way: you only pay a deposit, which is part of the course price, and with a card it is only authorised until the school confirms your place. If you find the same course cheaper on the same terms, we match the price.

Updated 3 November 2026 · Facts from official sources and the press (linked at the end)

Ireland is changing how it checks English language schools. TrustEd Ireland (the International Education Mark, IEM) is the new state quality mark of QQI, and from the end of 2026 it replaces the ILEP list: only schools with the mark will be able to take students who need a study visa or permission. On 3 November 2026 only 5 English schools have it, three of them on LanguageBookings (Emerald Cultural Institute (Dublin) and International House Dublin (Dublin) and Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre (Galway)); the rest are waiting for decisions due in the last quarter of 2026. In 2026 several schools closed after being removed from the ILEP, in one case after a dispute over refunds to students whose visa was refused. Here is what is confirmed, which of our schools have the mark or are on the ILEP, and what to check before you pay.

We are a booking platform for language schools. We only repeat what the sources say and link to them; rules can change, so always confirm on the official pages before applying for a visa.

What TrustEd Ireland (IEM) is and why it matters

TrustEd Ireland is the brand name of the International Education Mark, a quality mark created by Irish law and run by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland), the state agency for education quality. To get it, a school goes through a check of its finances, legal structure and business plan, needs quality procedures approved by QQI, must follow a code of practice that covers the student from enrolment to the end of the course, and receives an inspection visit (QQI, 5 August 2026).

Why it matters to you: the mark is voluntary, but QQI says schools need it to recruit students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland who need a study visa or a residence permission of more than 90 days. And schools with the mark pay into a Learner Protection Fund run by QQI: if the school cannot finish your course, you may be moved to another school or receive a partial or full refund of recent fees (QQI, 5 August 2026).

Timeline

What the ILEP is. The Interim List of Eligible Programmes is the official list of courses that allow a student from outside the EU to get study permission (Stamp 2) in Ireland. It is published by Immigration Service Delivery (Department of Justice) and has been closed to new schools since 2025. English courses on it last at least 25 weeks with at least 15 hours of classes a week. In the file of 17 September 2026 there are 65 English language schools (Immigration Service Delivery: ILEP).

Schools that closed in Ireland in 2026

Refunds after a visa refusal. Students from outside the EU pay the course before applying for the visa. If the visa is refused, the school must return the money (minus a handling fee announced in advance) within 20 working days, and keep advance payments in a separate account; on 17 April 2026 the Department of Justice reminded the schools of this by letter. The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) knew of 30 cases in 10 schools, about €60,000 owed (RTÉ, 22 April 2026; The PIE News, 24 April 2026). In court, Erin College said its visa-refused students had grown from 33 in 2023 to 456 in 2025 (The Irish Times, 10 August 2026).

Our schools in Ireland: TrustEd and ILEP

With the TrustEd Ireland mark (5 schools in Ireland on 3 November 2026, TrustEd Ireland: check your English language school): on LanguageBookings you can book Emerald Cultural Institute (Dublin) and International House Dublin (Dublin) and Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre (Galway). The other two are Liffey College (Dublin) and Patrick’s English Academy (Cork).

On the ILEP, waiting for the TrustEd decision. These schools on LanguageBookings are on the ILEP file of 17 September 2026. Not having the mark yet does not mean anything bad: most Irish schools applied and are waiting for QQI’s decisions, due in the last quarter of 2026. If you need a visa for a course starting in 2027, ask the school whether it has applied and check the official list on the date you apply.

We have removed from LanguageBookings the schools that closed (Erin College, Limerick Language Centre and ICOT). For prices and courses, see our guide to English courses in Dublin 2027 and all schools in Ireland.

What to check before you pay

• If you need a visa or a stay of more than 90 days: the exact course must be on the ILEP today, or on the TrustEd list when the ILEP ends. Check it yourself on the official pages (TrustEd Ireland: eligible courses for study visas; Immigration Service Delivery: ILEP), not only on the school’s website.
• Refund if the visa is refused: ask for the refund policy in writing before paying: how much is kept as a handling fee and in how many days you get the rest (the rule is 20 working days).
• Learner protection: ask which protection covers you if the school closes (the TrustEd Learner Protection Fund, or the scheme the school uses while it is on the ILEP, such as the Protection of Enrolled Learners of English Education Ireland members, English Education Ireland). It usually covers classes, not flights or accommodation.
• Where your money goes: advance payments linked to a visa must be kept in a separate account; ask the school to confirm it.
• The school still exists: search for its name in the news, not only its website, before paying a long course.

When you book on LanguageBookings, your card is only authorised: we charge the deposit when the school confirms your place, and you pay the rest to the school. You get our LanguageBookings discount, and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

Is a school without TrustEd unsafe?

No. On 3 November 2026 only 5 English schools have the mark because QQI has not finished deciding; most schools applied in the 2025-2026 window. What matters now is that the school and your course are on the ILEP and, from the end of 2026, on the TrustEd list.

I am from the EU. Does TrustEd affect me?

You do not need a visa, so the mark is not required for you to study. It is still useful: the schools with the mark are inspected by QQI and pay into the Learner Protection Fund.

My course starts in January 2027 and I need a visa. What do I do?

Ask the school in writing whether it has applied for TrustEd and whether your course will be on the list, and check the official lists when you apply for the visa. If the school does not get the mark, ask in advance what happens to your money.

Can LanguageBookings help me choose?

Yes. Tell us the city, the dates, the weeks and whether you need a visa, and we will send you options with 2027 prices and tell you which ones are on the official lists.

Compare the schools above and book with our discount, or ask us for a quote: we reply within 24–48 hours.

Sources

• QQI, 5 August 2026
• TrustEd Ireland: check your English language school
• TrustEd Ireland: eligible courses for study visas
• ICEF Monitor, August 2026
• Immigration Service Delivery: ILEP
• RTÉ, 22 April 2026
• The PIE News, 24 April 2026
• The Irish Times, 10 August 2026
• Cork Independent, 9 October 2026
• StudyTravel Network, 24 September 2026
• Limerick Post, 21 September 2026
• English Education Ireland

Read on 3 November 2026. Unconfirmed claims circulating online (price rises, number of visas) are not included because we found no source for them.

We have 22 summer language camps and junior summer programmes with 2027 prices at 9 schools in 5 countries, for children and teenagers from 5 to 17. 11 are residential camps with accommodation, meals and activities in the price (from €1,833.30 for 2 weeks); the others are day camps and junior courses, some of them with a host family that accepts minors. Below: dates, ages, what is included, how the students get from the airport, and the documents a minor needs.

This guide is for students who travel on their own, alone or with one or two friends, not for school groups. We update it every week with the 2027 prices that schools send us.

Residential summer camps: accommodation, meals and activities included

The simplest option for a child travelling on their own: one price, fixed dates, and the school looks after the student day and night. Prices are for the whole stay shown in brackets.

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one).

Day camps and junior summer courses with a host family for minors

Lessons and activities during the day; the student sleeps with a host family that the school selects for minors, booked separately. The host family price is per week.

Programmes for children travelling with their family

Day camps and junior courses at schools with no accommodation for children of that age, and camps open to all ages and families: they suit families who travel together or a teenager staying with relatives (the parent can take a course at the same school, see our guide for families).

By age: what there is for each age group

Number of programmes that accept each age, and the lowest price per week with our discount (in euros; residential camps include accommodation, the others do not).

How children travel to the camp on their own

In 8 of the 11 residential camps the airport transfer is included in the price; in the others, and in the day camps, the school offers it from €56 one way. For a child travelling alone, book it even when it is optional, and send the school the flight details. Airlines have their own rules for unaccompanied minors (ages, escort service and its price): check them before buying the ticket.

Before booking: supervision and authorisations

• Supervision. Ask the school who looks after the student outside class, what time they have to be home, which activities are supervised and the 24-hour emergency number. We ask for you if you prefer.
• School consent form. Schools usually ask for their own form signed by a parent or guardian, with medical, allergy and diet information and an emergency contact. We pass everything on to the school when you book.
• Travel authorisation and documents. Many countries ask minors travelling without their parents to carry a letter or form signed by them, and some have an official procedure. Requirements depend on the country of departure and the destination: check the official websites of both (police, foreign ministry, embassy) well in advance, including whether a visa is needed.
• Insurance. Health and travel insurance for the whole stay; some schools require it.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

General guidance only, not legal or immigration advice. The requirements for minors travelling alone (authorisations, documents, visas) depend on the countries involved and the airline and can change: check them with the official sources of each country and with the airline, and the school's conditions with the school.

More guides

• Language courses for under-18s travelling on their own 2027
• Language courses for families 2027

Frequently asked questions

From what age can a child go to a summer language camp abroad?

Our programmes start at age 5. Residential camps, where the child can travel without a parent, accept students from 10; for younger children there are day camps for families who travel together.

How much does a summer language camp cost in 2027?

With accommodation, meals and activities included, from €917 to €1,976 per week with our discount, depending on the country and the camp. A day camp or junior course costs from €179 per week, plus accommodation if the child does not travel with the family.

Is the airport transfer included?

In 8 of the 11 residential camps, yes. In the others it is booked as an extra; the tables above show its price.

Tell us the student's age, the course and the weeks, and we will check with the school the accommodation, the transfer and everything it needs for a minor.

Many schools sell more than lessons: a language course with a cooking class, an art-history module, a hiking day, surf lessons or a work placement built in. Today we list 129 such courses in 51 schools and 13 countries, all with a 2027 price list and in destinations we recommend.

We update this page every week with the 2027 prices and the courses loaded since the last update.

Language and cooking, food and wine

The classic pairing, above all in Italy, France and Spain: cooking classes, tastings and markets, with the language used for real. (from €350 per week)

Language and art, history, photography and design

Art-history modules, drawing and painting workshops, photography, fashion, music and literature taught in the language you are learning. (from €220 per week)

Language, culture and excursions

Courses that add cultural lessons, visits and excursions: a way to see the country while you study. (from €52 per week)

Language, dance and music

Flamenco, salsa, tango, guitar or opera lessons next to your language classes. (from €315 per week)

Language, hiking, climbing and outdoors

Walking, climbing, cycling, horse riding or skiing in the afternoons, with the language as the common thread. (from €305 per week)

Language and sport: padel, golf, tennis

Racket and club sports combined with a language course. (from €409 per week)

Language, surf, diving and water sports

Surf, scuba diving, windsurfing or catamaran on the coast, with the language classes in the morning. (from €315 per week)

Language, yoga and wellness

Yoga, spa and wellbeing programmes next to the course. (from €290 per week)

Language with volunteering or an internship

Language lessons plus a placement in a company or a volunteering project: useful for your CV and for practising outside the classroom. Check the visa rules that apply to you before booking. (from €463.50 per week)

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). The price shown is the shortest stay with a 2027 price (the weeks are in the table); longer stays usually cost less per week. Activities are as described in each course page; ask us if you need the weekly timetable.

How to choose

• Check how much of the week is language: a course with 20 lessons plus two activity afternoons is not the same as 10 lessons plus a full programme.
• Find out whether the activity is included in the price or paid on the spot (equipment, entry fees and guides are often extra). The course page says what the school includes; if it is not clear, we ask the school for you.
• Pick the season for the activity: surf, hiking, water sports or skiing depend on the month, and some courses run only on fixed dates.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

More guides

• Language and cooking courses abroad 2027
• Language and art courses abroad 2027
• Language and hiking courses 2027
• Language courses for families 2027
• Insurance for language courses abroad 2027

Frequently asked questions

Which activities can I combine with a language course?

Today we list 129 courses in 51 schools: language and cooking, food and wine, language and art, history, photography and design, language, culture and excursions, language, dance and music, language, hiking, climbing and outdoors, language and sport: padel, golf, tennis, language, surf, diving and water sports, language, yoga and wellness, language with volunteering or an internship. The list changes as schools load new programmes.

How much does a language course with activities cost?

The cheapest in this list is about €52 per week (Conversation course with cultural immersion (5 hours a week), El Carmen Spanish School); programmes with several activities or private lessons cost more. Prices are the schools' 2027 prices, and you see the LanguageBookings discount when you book.

Can I do an internship or volunteering during the course?

Some schools offer it as part of the course (see the section above). Whether you are allowed to work or volunteer depends on your nationality and visa, so check it with the school and the embassy before booking; we ask the school for you if the course page is not clear.

Tell us the language, the activity and the dates, and we will check availability with the school.

Learning a language around a table is one of the oldest tricks there is: you need the words for ingredients, you ask questions at the market, and the teacher is also the person who tells you when the sauce is ready. Today we list 22 language and cooking courses in 15 schools and 5 countries, all with a 2027 price list, starting at about €350 per week.

We update this page every week with the 2027 prices and the courses loaded since the last update.

What is it?

A language course plus a cooking, food or wine module run by the school or a partner. The format varies: a weekly cooking class after the morning lessons, a market visit and tasting, a full gourmet programme, a wine route or even a barista course. Most of the courses here are in Italy, with some in Spain, France and a couple of English-language programmes in Toronto and New York built around food.

Who it suits

Anyone who already cooks or likes eating well and wants a reason to practise out loud: couples and friends travelling together, adults who do not want a school-style holiday, people who struggle with classroom-only study and learn better by doing. You do not need to cook well; the cooking class is where the vocabulary sticks, not an exam.

A typical week

As an illustration of how these programmes are usually organised (the real timetable is on each course page): language lessons in the morning, a cooking session or a market visit on two afternoons, free time and an excursion at the weekend. Some courses put the food at the centre and the lessons around it; others are a standard language course with one or two food sessions added. Check the proportion in the course description.

Courses and prices 2027

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). The price shown is the shortest stay with a 2027 price (the weeks are in the table); longer stays usually cost less per week. Activities are as described in each course page; ask us if you need the weekly timetable.

Tips before you book

• Check whether the ingredients, the meal you cook (you usually eat it) and any wine tasting are in the price, and whether the cooking class is in your language or in the school's.
• Tell the school about allergies and dietary needs when you book; we pass it on if you ask us to.
• Book the school's accommodation or a flat with a kitchen if you want to keep cooking after the course.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

This is one part of our guide to Language courses with activities 2027, which also covers art, sport, surf, dance and internships.

Frequently asked questions

Which language is best for a cooking course?

Italian has by far the most options in our list, mostly in Tuscany, Venice and Liguria, followed by Spanish in Andalusia. French (Normandy) and English (Toronto, New York) have fewer. Choose the language you want to learn first and the food second.

Do I need a certain level?

Most schools take beginners in the language lessons, but the cooking part may be taught in the target language, so ask the school how it works at your level. We ask for you if the course page does not say.

How much does it cost?

The cheapest course in the list is about €350 per week (Venetian Civilization and Cuisine, Istituto Venezia). Programmes with several activities or private lessons cost more. Prices are each school's 2027 prices; you see the LanguageBookings discount when you book.

Tell us the language, the activity and the dates, and we will check availability with the school.

More guides

• Language and art courses abroad 2027
• Language and hiking courses 2027
• Language courses for families 2027
• Insurance for language courses abroad 2027

If you would rather talk about a fresco than about the weather, these courses are for you: language lessons in the morning and, in the same language, art history, painting, photography, literature or the history of the place where you are. We list 24 language and art courses in 16 schools and 4 countries, all with a 2027 price list, from about €220 per week.

We update this page every week with the 2027 prices and the courses loaded since the last update.

What is it?

A language course with an arts module: art history (medieval, Renaissance), fresco or watercolour workshops, photography walks, fashion, cinema and music, or history and literature courses taught in the target language. Most are in Italy (Florence, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Lucca, Turin, Milan), with some in Granada and Salamanca, plus themed English programmes in London and New York.

Who it suits

People who travel for museums, churches and old streets and want to understand what they are looking at: adults on a learning holiday, retirees, teachers, students of art or history, and anyone who has done a standard course and wants more interesting content to practise with. Intermediate learners tend to get the most out of it, because the content is richer than a beginner can follow, but ask the school about your level.

A typical week

As an illustration (the real timetable is on each course page): morning language lessons, then an art-history class or a workshop on two or three afternoons, with visits to a museum, church or historic centre the same week. Courses that are mostly content, such as "Italian history" or "Italian literature", are usually a few hours a week of that subject next to the language lessons.

Courses and prices 2027

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). The price shown is the shortest stay with a 2027 price (the weeks are in the table); longer stays usually cost less per week. Activities are as described in each course page; ask us if you need the weekly timetable.

Tips before you book

• Check whether museum and church entrance fees, materials and guides are included; they are often extra.
• Look at the dates: some art courses (for example a specific historical period) run only on fixed weeks.
• Ask how much of the class is in the target language and whether there is a minimum level.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

This is one part of our guide to Language courses with activities 2027, which also covers art, sport, surf, dance and internships.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the best places to combine language and art?

Florence has the most options in our list (several schools with art-history courses), followed by Arezzo, Montepulciano, Lucca and Orbetello in Italy, and Granada in Spain. For English there are themed programmes in London and New York.

Can I do the art course in one week?

Many of the courses in the table have a one-week price, which is the one shown; the number in the Weeks column tells you the shortest stay with a 2027 price. Longer stays usually cost less per week.

How much does it cost?

The cheapest course in the list is about €220 per week (Spanish and Latin American Literature (10 lessons/week), Instituto Mediterráneo Sol). Programmes with several activities or private lessons cost more. Prices are each school's 2027 prices; you see the LanguageBookings discount when you book.

Tell us the language, the activity and the dates, and we will check availability with the school.

More guides

• Language and cooking courses abroad 2027
• Language and hiking courses 2027
• Language courses for families 2027
• Insurance for language courses abroad 2027

Some people learn better on their feet. These courses pair language lessons with hiking, climbing, cycling, horse riding, truffle hunting or a few hours on the slopes, so the practice happens outdoors. We list 15 language and outdoor courses in 7 schools and 3 countries, all with a 2027 price list, from about €305 per week.

We update this page every week with the 2027 prices and the courses loaded since the last update.

What is it?

A language course with an outdoor activity attached: walking and talking tours in Tuscany, hiking or rock climbing around Granada, a hiking or horsemanship day from Cádiz, cycling and truffle hunting near Bagno di Romagna, nature and sport in Sardinia, or skiing alongside French lessons in Morzine in winter. The activity is usually in the afternoon, and in some programmes the guide speaks only the target language.

Who it suits

People who would rather not spend the afternoon in a classroom or a cafe: walkers, climbers and skiers who want to learn the language of the place they like to go to, couples and friends with a shared hobby, and anyone for whom a week of sitting down sounds like too much. Fitness requirements vary a lot by programme, so ask for the difficulty level.

A typical week

As an illustration (the real timetable is on each course page): language lessons in the morning, a guided walk, ride or climbing session on one or two afternoons, and a longer outing at the weekend. Winter ski programmes usually fit lessons around the slopes, with a half day of French and the rest on the mountain.

Courses and prices 2027

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). The price shown is the shortest stay with a 2027 price (the weeks are in the table); longer stays usually cost less per week. Activities are as described in each course page; ask us if you need the weekly timetable.

Tips before you book

• Check the season: hiking and riding are best outside the hottest months, and ski courses run only in winter.
• Ask whether equipment (boots, helmets, ski pass, horse) is included; it is often paid separately.
• Check insurance: mountain and riding activities may need cover that a basic travel policy does not include.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

This is one part of our guide to Language courses with activities 2027, which also covers art, sport, surf, dance and internships.

Frequently asked questions

What if I have never hiked or ridden before?

Many programmes take beginners, but the level varies by activity. Tell us your experience when you ask for a quote and we check with the school.

Which languages can I learn this way?

Italian (Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Sardinia) and Spanish (Andalusia) have most options in our list, and there are French winter courses in the Alps.

How much does it cost?

The cheapest course in the list is about €305 per week (Winter Intensive French Course (10 h) + time to ski, Alpine French School). Programmes with several activities or private lessons cost more. Prices are each school's 2027 prices; you see the LanguageBookings discount when you book.

Tell us the language, the activity and the dates, and we will check availability with the school.

More guides

• Language and cooking courses abroad 2027
• Language and art courses abroad 2027
• Language courses for families 2027
• Insurance for language courses abroad 2027

Whether you need insurance for a language course abroad depends on three things: where you go, how long you stay and which passport you hold. For a few destinations it is a visa condition (Australia, Ireland for non-EEA students, a Schengen visa); in others it is simply the sensible thing to do, because a hospital bill abroad or a course you cannot start can cost far more than the policy. This guide sets out the official rules we could verify, what the European health card does and does not cover, and what to check in a policy.

When is insurance compulsory?

The table summarises the rules that apply to students. They change, so always confirm on the official page and with your school before you buy anything.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC and GHIC)

If you are insured in an EU state, the EHIC gives you the same rights to public healthcare as people insured in the country you visit, whether you are on holiday, on a business trip or studying abroad, for treatment that cannot wait until you get home. UK residents use the GHIC, with similar limits (GOV.UK). The official EU page is explicit about the limits:

• It does not cover private healthcare, only the public system.
• It does not cover rescue and repatriation: for transport home after a serious illness or accident you need separate insurance.
• It does not cover planned treatment abroad.
• You get the same treatment and the same co-payments as local people, and you may have to pay first and claim later.
• It does not cover cancelled courses, lost luggage or a delayed flight.
• Non-EU nationals cannot use it in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (with some exceptions).

Source: Your Europe, European Commission.

Travel insurance or health insurance?

They are different products and a course abroad may need either or both.

Course cancellation and the school closing

Cancellation insurance normally pays only for the reasons listed in the policy (such as your own serious illness or a close relative's) and usually not for a change of mind. Read the list of reasons, the deadline to buy it (often soon after you book) and whether it covers the course fee that is already paid. Check separately what happens if the school itself closes: some policies do not cover it, so ask the insurer before relying on it. Before buying, also read the school's own refund policy, which is the first line of protection.

Many schools sell their own insurance

A number of the schools in our catalogue offer insurance with the course, include it in a long-course fee or make it compulsory, and in Australia schools can arrange OSHC for you. Buying from the school is simple and may be required for the visa paperwork, but it is not always the cheapest or the widest cover. Ask what exactly it covers and compare it with a policy bought on your own.

Checklist before you buy

• Does your visa or the school require insurance, and in what form (language, minimum amounts, start and end dates)?
• Does the cover last from the day you leave until the day you return, including the days before and after the course?
• Does it include medical care, hospital, repatriation and the medical limit you need?
• Are pre-existing conditions, regular medication and sports or activities you plan covered?
• What is the excess (deductible) and do you have to pay first and claim later?
• What does it say about cancelling or interrupting the course, and about the school closing?
• Keep the policy number and the emergency phone number where you can find them without Internet.

Need insurance for your course?

LanguageBookings.com is not an insurer or a broker and we do not recommend a particular company for now. If you tell us your destination, dates and nationality we can point out what the school and the visa ask for. Your question also helps us decide whether to offer this service.

Need insurance for your course? Ask us

Sources

• Irish Immigration Service (students)
• GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge
• Identità Malta: study FAQ
• Government of Canada: study permit
• Australian Government: OSHC
• US State Department: J-1
• EU Visa Code, Reg. 810/2009, art. 15
• Your Europe: EHIC
• GOV.UK: GHIC

Rules checked on 28 October 2026 on the pages linked above. They change often; the official page and your school have the last word.

We found 18 Cambridge exam preparation courses (B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency) with official 2027 prices at 13 schools in 13 cities. 9 can be started any week: the cheapest is at LILA* Language School Liverpool in Liverpool, at ≈ €1,360 for 4 weeks, and per real hour of class the cheapest is ACE English Malta (€16.89 per hour). The other 9 run on set dates and last 4 to 16 weeks; the lowest price per week is at Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre in Galway (4 weeks for €810).

Courses on set dates in 2027

These courses start on a given day and last a set number of weeks. Start dates and prices come from each school's 2027 price list; euros at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026 for schools that do not charge in euros.

School price for the whole course, without registration fee. Your price with the LanguageBookings discount appears when you choose the date on the course page.

Courses you can start any week (4 weeks)

Sorted by price in euros. Real hours are lessons × minutes; the last column is the school price for 12 weeks.

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). Not included: registration fee, materials and the exam fee (ask the school or us), accommodation and travel.

More 2027 guides

• IELTS preparation courses abroad
• English courses in Malta
• English courses in Dublin
• English courses in London
• The UK city by city
• English courses in Cape Town

How to pay less

• If you have time, a fixed-date course gives you a closed programme with a start and end date; if you are short of time, the courses you can start any week let you choose exactly how many weeks to book.
• Compare the price per real hour, not per lesson: among the courses you can start any week it goes from €16.89 to €23.05.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Cambridge exam preparation course abroad cost in 2027?

Among the 9 courses you can start any week, 4 weeks cost from ≈ €1,360 to ≈ €1,940, without registration fee, materials, exam fee or accommodation.

How long are the courses?

The set-date courses in this guide last 4 to 16 weeks. The others can be booked by the week; how many you need depends on your level and the exam you choose: tell us and we ask the school.

Is the exam fee included?

Not in the prices in this guide. The fee and the exam dates depend on the exam centre: ask us and we check it with the school.

Do I have to pay everything when I book?

No. With LanguageBookings your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school.

All 2027 English course prices, school by school, are in our 2027 price index. Tell us which exam and when you want to take it: we reply within 24–48 hours with the course that fits.

In 2027, four weeks of business English abroad cost from ≈ €910 (3D Academy, Cebu) to ≈ €3,080; in Europe the cheapest is €1,160 (Clubclass Residential Language School Malta, St Julians). Business Italian starts at €1,500 (L'Italiano Porticando, Turin) and business Spanish at €995 (Colegio de España, Salamanca). These are the 37 business courses with an official 2027 price list at 29 schools in 22 cities, with the hours of class, the price per hour and the maximum class size of each one.

Prices for 4 weeks (or 2, when the school only sells fixed 2-week courses) starting in March 2027, in the school's currency and in euros at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026. Lessons last between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the school, so the price per hour (in euros) is the fairest comparison. Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one).

Business English: 2027 prices

24 courses in 8 countries, ordered by country. The «€» column is the school price for 4 weeks (or 2) in euros.

Kings Hall's course (10 hours in the afternoon) is added to a morning course. The English Studio, ACE and inlingua also sell business courses combined with private lessons: ask us for the price. The two Mentor courses in Los Angeles prepare for the TOEIC; each course page has the detail.

The cheapest full-time business English course in each country (4 weeks)

• UK: Newcastle International School - NIS (Newcastle Upon Tyne), £1,300 (≈ €1,550), €21.19 per hour
• Malta: Clubclass Residential Language School Malta (St Julians), €1,160, €19.33 per hour
• South Africa: Good Hope Studies (Cape Town), €1,855, €18.55 per hour
• USA: Mentor Language Institute - Hollywood (Los Angeles), US$1,272 (≈ €1,140), €19.01 per hour
• Canada: English Encounters (Burlington), CA$2,280 (≈ €1,460), €17.50 per hour
• New Zealand: LSI Language School Auckland (Auckland), NZ$2,460 (≈ €1,260), €12.58 per hour
• Philippines: 3D Academy (Cebu), US$1,018 (≈ €910), €7.83 per hour

Business Italian in Italy: 2027 prices

Seven courses in Turin, Sanremo, Rome and Milan. At L'Italiano Porticando the business lessons are added to a General Italian course (20+5 or 15+5 lessons a week).

Dilit's Business Italian is a 2-week course with fixed start dates. The three Leonardo da Vinci schools charge the same for 4 weeks; in Turin the lessons last 60 minutes and in Rome and Milan 45, which is why the price per hour differs.

Business Spanish in Spain: 2027 prices

Six courses in Málaga, Pamplona, Salamanca and Granada, including a Spanish for Engineers course in Pamplona and a course preparing the business Spanish certificates in Salamanca.

Escuela Montalbán sells its Business Spanish by the week (the table shows 2 weeks). Instituto Mediterráneo Sol's Commercial Spanish (10 lessons a week) is added to a general course.

The cheapest business courses per hour of class

Full-time courses only, school price in euros:

1. 3D Business English Course — 3D Academy, Cebu: €7.83 per hour (35 × 50 min)
2. BASIC AND SUPERIOR CERTIFICATE OF BUSINESS SPANISH — Colegio de España, Salamanca: €9.95 per hour (30 × 50 min)
3. English for Business — LSI Language School Auckland, Auckland: €12.58 per hour (30 × 50 min)
4. Spanish for Business — Pamplona Learning Spanish Institute, Pamplona: €14.08 per hour (25 × 55 min)
5. Spanish for Engineers — Pamplona Learning Spanish Institute, Pamplona: €14.08 per hour (25 × 55 min)

How to pay less

• Compare the price per hour, not per week: a 30-lesson course can cost less per hour than a 20-lesson one at the same school.
• If you only need some business vocabulary, a general course plus a few business lessons a week can be enough, such as Business English (10 hours, afternoons) or VI. Commercial spanish.
• Malta and Ireland have business English courses for less than many UK cities, and the school price is in euros (no exchange rate risk if you earn in euros).
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a business English course abroad cost in 2027?

Four weeks of full-time business English cost between ≈ €910 and ≈ €3,080 at the school, before accommodation. Business Italian starts at €1,500 and business Spanish at €995.

Are the classes small? Are they only for adults?

16 of the 37 courses accept only students aged 18 or over, and 6 have at most 6 students per class. Across all of them, the maximum ranges from 4 to 25 students.

Can my company pay, or can I get an invoice?

Write to us before booking with what you need (company name, invoice details, dates) and we will confirm it with the school.

Why are some prices in pounds or dollars?

Each school sets its prices in its own currency. The euro amounts are approximate, at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026; you pay in the school's currency.

Every course in the tables links to its page, where you can check the dates and book with our discount.

Updated 27 October 2026 · Prices from each school's official 2027 price list

We looked at the minimum age, class size and 2027 price of 65 English schools in 9 countries. 47 accept students aged 16 (or younger) on their standard course; 10 are adults-only (18+), and the cheapest of them is AClass Academy of English in Pembroke, at €740 for 4 weeks. The cheapest standard course overall is at Gateway School of English (GSE) in St Julian's: €620 for 4 weeks. Also below: 11 programmes designed for people over 30, 40 or 50, 10 schools with classes of 8 students or fewer, and studios for those who want their own place.

Country by country: minimum age and lowest price

For each school we count the minimum age of its standard general English course (the cheapest with 14 to 30 lessons a week). The price is for 4 weeks of tuition; homestay is the cheapest single room, per week. Euros at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026 for schools that don't charge in euros.

The minimum age is the one the school gives for the course. Course price without registration fee or materials.

Adults-only courses (18+)

At 13 schools there is at least one general English course with a minimum age of 18 or more. Below, the cheapest at each school, for 4 weeks, with the maximum number of students per class.

Programmes for 30+, 40+ and 50+

Some schools run courses designed for people over 30, 40 or 50 (it says so in the course name), often on set dates. The price is for the shortest length the school sells.

All the over-50 programmes (Spanish, French, Italian and German too) with their 2027 dates are in our guide to language courses for over-50s.

Small classes: 8 students or fewer

On the standard courses of the schools in this guide, the class maximum ranges from 6 to 25 students. At 10 schools there is a general English course with 8 students or fewer: here is the cheapest at each.

Living on your own: school studios

Many adults prefer not to stay with a host family. These are the studio options the schools sell together with the course, the cheapest in each city, priced per week.

Some studios have a minimum stay or a shared bathroom: it says so in the name. There is often also an accommodation booking fee, shown on the school page.

Price guides by destination

• Malta: what an English course costs in 2027
• Dublin (and Cork, Galway, Tralee)
• London
• The UK city by city
• Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle
• United States
• Canada
• Cape Town
• Where it is cheapest to study English in Europe

How to pay less

• Check the start date: 11 of the 65 standard courses in this guide have a higher summer rate. The tables use the price for a start in March 2027.
• If you work, look at the afternoon or part-time courses: 25 schools in this guide have them, and at 21 they cost less than the standard course.
• Compare the weekly price at 4 and at 12 weeks: at 53 of the 65 schools, each week costs less if you stay 12 weeks.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

Are English schools abroad full of teenagers?

It depends on the school and the season. Of the 65 schools in this guide, 47 accept students aged 16 (or younger) on their standard course and 10 only from 18. Courses for younger teenagers (juniors) are usually separate and are not part of this comparison.

Are there courses for people over 30, 40 or 50?

Yes: this guide lists 11, from 30+ to 50+ programmes, plus a few adults-only courses. Many run on set dates, so it pays to book early.

How many students are there in a class?

On the standard courses of these schools the maximum is 6 to 25 students per class. If you prefer a smaller group, look at the mini-group courses in the table above.

Do I have to pay everything when I book?

No. With LanguageBookings your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school.

All 2027 English course prices, school by school, are in our 2027 price index. If you have questions about age, classes or accommodation, write to us: we reply within 24–48 hours.

Updated 27 October 2026 · Prices from each school's official 2027 price list

We have the 2027 prices of 48 intensive English courses (at least 22.5 hours of class a week) at 42 schools in 17 destinations. The cheapest 4 weeks cost ≈ €660 at Cape Town School of English (Cape Town); the lowest price per hour is €6.57, at Cape Town School of English (Cape Town); the most expensive course costs ≈ €2,630 for 4 weeks. The most intensive course has 36 hours a week. Below: the cheapest option in each destination, every course with its real hours, and how much the extra hours cost compared with the standard course of the same school.

What counts as an intensive course

Each school uses the word «intensive» in its own way, and a «lesson» lasts 45 minutes at some schools and 60 at others: «30 lessons» can be 22.5 hours or 30 hours. So we count real hours (lessons × minutes) and include every general English group course with at least 22.5 hours a week, whatever its name. A standard full-time course has 15 to 20 hours.

Not included: courses that mix group and private lessons, exam courses (see our guide to IELTS preparation courses), business English, teacher training, junior and online courses. Prices are each school's official 2027 list prices.

The cheapest intensive course in each destination

Price of 4 weeks of course in euros (converted at the rate of 19 October 2026 when the school charges in another currency), sorted from cheapest. The price per hour is the lowest of the destination, which is not always the cheapest course.

List price of the course; registration fee, materials and accommodation are extra (see each school's page). Not included: flights, airport transfer, insurance, public transport and personal spending.

All the intensive courses, with real hours

The 48 courses sorted by the price of 4 weeks in euros. «Your price» is what you pay booking with us.

Twin English Centre Dublin has a −40% offer, Converse International School (San Diego) a −15% offer and RCIIS (Toronto) a −25% offer on these courses: the list price and the price per hour are without the offer, «your price» includes it. Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one).

Intensive or standard? What the extra hours cost

Each intensive course compared with the standard course of the same school (4 weeks). In 43 of the 48 comparisons, each extra hour costs less than an hour of the standard course: if you can handle the pace, the intensive course gives more class time for less money per hour.

Full guides by destination

With all the courses (not only intensive), accommodation and full budgets:

• Malta
• Dublin
• London
• the UK city by city
• Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle
• Canada
• the United States
• Cape Town
• where English is cheapest in Europe
• IELTS preparation courses (including intensive ones)

How to pay less

• Compare price per hour, not price per week: among intensive courses it ranges from €6.57 to €25.24.
• The extra hours are often cheap: at RCIIS - Royal Canadian Institute of International Studies, each extra hour of the intensive course costs €1.78, against €14.87 per hour of the standard course.
• Stay longer: at inlingua Malta, the weekly price of the intensive course falls from €260 (4 weeks) to €180 (12 weeks).
• If 30 hours a week is too much, many schools have a middle option (24-25 lessons): see each school's page.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an intensive English course abroad cost in 2027?

4 weeks cost from ≈ €660 to ≈ €2,630 (list price of the course). The cheapest by country: Ireland €1,000 (ISE Ireland), Malta €760 (Gateway School of English (GSE)), United Kingdom ≈ €1,520 (Cavendish School of English) and North America ≈ €1,010 (CLLC Toronto, Toronto).

How many hours a week is an intensive course?

In this guide, from 22.5 to 36 real hours a week. Look at the length of the lesson (45 to 60 minutes depending on the school), not only the number of lessons.

Is an intensive course worth the extra money?

In money terms, usually yes: for 43 of the 48 courses the extra hours cost less per hour than the standard course. The other question is whether you want more class time or more free time for practising outside class: that depends on you.

Is there a minimum age?

Most of these courses accept students from 16 or 17. 5 schools accept only adults (18+) on their intensive course: AM Language, AClass Academy, Mentor Westwood, ACE English Malta, Easy School of Languages.

Compare all destinations in our 2027 English course price index, or ask us for a quote for your dates: we reply within 24–48 hours.

In 2027, a two-week language course for teachers abroad costs from €495 (Colegio de España, Salamanca) to ≈ €1,670 at the school. Here are the 23 teacher courses with an official 2027 price list at 14 schools: English for teachers and CLIL in Ireland, Malta, the UK and New Zealand, refresher courses for Spanish and German teachers, and a CELTA. 6 of them are designed by the school for Erasmus+, and 6 of the 21 two-week courses cost €800 or less, the amount that the 2026 Erasmus+ course-fee rate would pay for ten days.

Prices for 2 weeks (1 week when that is the only length), in the school's currency and in euros at the exchange rate of 19 October 2026. Lessons last 45 to 110 minutes depending on the school, so we also give the price per hour. The «Host family» column is the cheapest single room at a host family for one week, as a reference for your budget. Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one).

English for teachers and CLIL: 2027 prices

Courses to improve your own English and your teaching in English: methodology, CLIL (teaching a subject in English), primary and secondary, dyslexia and interactive whiteboards. Atlas also has a course for administrative and academic staff.

Slaney's courses in Wexford start on fixed dates; ask us for the 2027 calendar. LSI Auckland's second course adds 10 private lessons a week to the group lessons.

Courses for teachers of Spanish in Spain

Three refresher courses for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language, in Granada, Salamanca and Valencia.

Instituto Mediterráneo Sol's course is for non-native teachers. Hispania's is a one-week course with fixed dates and 110-minute sessions.

Courses for teachers of German in Germany

did deutsch-institut runs the same two-week teacher training in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt, at the same price.

Becoming an English teacher: CELTA

If you want to start teaching English, Good Hope Studies in Cape Town offers the CELTA Course (Cambridge teacher training, 4 weeks full-time): €1,730 at the school, €1,643.50 with our discount, plus a €60 registration fee.

Paying with an Erasmus+ grant