Summary of Language Courses

Intensive language courses are available for all abilities of students. As classes are arranged by ability as opposed to by age or nationality, there is always a suitable class.

Courses range from beginners up to post university level and professional courses for those who require language skills for work.

Classes for complete beginners tend to start once a month as opposed to every week. Please enquire for further details if you are interested in a beginners’ course.

Summer Camps are suitable for students of all abilities from complete beginners upwards in France and Spain. In Germany the European Common Framework of Reference, A1 is the minimum expected (a basic level of German typical of a young student of the language).

Every year we have many students who travel on their own. It is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people from around the world. The language schools are bustling places with people from around the Europe and from further afield.

It does not take long to meet people in you lessons or those in other classes at the school through the social activities. Many of our students report that they make good friendships and these sometimes bring future opportunities to travel.

Travelling alone can be a great way to demonstrate independence, which is great for your CV or university applications.

If you would like to travel as a pair, or with a small group of friends we can certainly arrange this. We would simply ask that you let us know when you enrol so that we know.

Students can stay in the same residence (16+ in Spain, 18+ in France and Germany) or with the same host in a homestay. Alternatively, some students prefer each to have their own hosts to maximise the opportunities to practise their speaking and listening.

Sometimes in your homestay there may be other students from the language school. It can be a nice way to meet other students – we arrange it so that they are not another first-language English speaker to ensure that the common language in the household is the one that you are studying.

A lot of our students make their decision based on whether they like the sound of the city. Paris, is very different to Montpellier for example. Madrid is different to Malaga. It depends what you want from your trip. We are happy to advise. The size of the city may be a factor in your decision.

Another consideration is how you intend to travel. Our schools are almost all accessible by air from their local airports. Some destinations have more frequent flights than others from UK airports. You may also consider travelling by Eurostar or you may be in Europe already and looking for a train connection. Again, we are happy to advise. You may want to look at which airports in the UK are convenient for you to travel from and which destinations they serve. You can use Skyscanner.net to help you here.

All our schools are outstanding and you will have a great time wherever you choose to travel!

You will take a pre-assessment prior to your course starting. This is either on the morning you arrive or in advance, sometimes online in advance. You will carry out a short oral test on arrival too. Don’t panic – it is not high stakes testing, just a short chat with one of the teachers welcoming you to the school.

Your classes are arranged by ability. If you stay for multiple weeks, the students in your class may change.

If you elect to take extra modules, these may be with different students just like when you take different subjects at school.

If you travel with a friend, there is no guarantee that you will be in the same classes but if you are of similar abilities then it is certainly possible and you can request this at the school if necessary.

You may be interested in finding out more about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages which is used in all language schools across Europe.

All students attending an agreed minimum percentage of the course will receive a certificate of attendance and proficiency stating the number of lessons taken and the level of language achieved. These will refer to your level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

This varies from school to school and depending upon which course you opt for. However you can refer to our guide of what to expect in a typical week at a language school.

Almost every course will have lessons in the mornings from approximately 09:00 to 13:00 and there may be additional lessons if you have opted for them either before these lessons or in the afternoons. These may include 1:1 lessons or additional classes such as pronunciation, extra grammar, workshops or culture.

Some students take our hybrid Work and Study package which couples morning lessons with a work placement in the afternoons.

We highly recommend homestay accommodation. This is ideal for students who want to make the most out of their stay abroad and immerse themselves in the language.

You can find out more about staying with a host family in our Guide to Host Accommodation.

For students over 16 travelling to Spain or 18 travelling to France and Germany, there is the option to stay in the school residences or shared apartments in many locations. Alternatively, we can recommend local hotels or hostels.

All of our hosts are carefully chosen by an accommodation officer at each language school. They visit them on a regular basis and know them very well. Hosts vary, and could be couples with children, older couples whose children have left home or single women. If you have any dietary requirements then please let us know at the time of booking through your application on Babel. Students are allocated taking into account their preferences where possible but please bear in mind we can never guarantee any request as it depends on hosts availability, and those students who have severe allergies, or dietary requirements have to be allocated as a priority with hosts who are able to accommodate them.

You can find out more about staying with a host family in our Guide to Host Accomodation.

Host accommodation is included, where booked, from the Sunday before your course starts on the Monday, until Saturday after your course finishes on the Friday.

You need to ensure that you arrive at sociable hours. Usually between 8am and 8pm is fine. If you are looking at flights independently and want to check then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Students aged 18 and above are free to come and go as they please. We ask students to respect meal times and to be quiet when coming home late.

Students under the age of 18 require written parental consent to go out in the evening after evening meals with the host. We ask parents/carers to suggest a sensible curfew. (Schools usually suggest a time on the form that you are requested to complete as part of the booking process.)

On summer camps for young students there is normally 24-hour supervision with the exception of some remote supervision during excursions to small towns or tourist attractions or when students are travelling to and from school.

Where small adjustments are needed such as avoiding strawberries for a mild allergy reasons or avoiding certain foods out of preference (like brussels sprouts, for example), you can simply inform us on your application and we will make sure that the host knows to avoid these foods during your stay.

If you have a more severe allergy please let us know through your application.  It is important we know this as soon as possible so that we can allocate hosts appropriately. Where slight adjustments to the food served are needed these can usually be made in most homestays. If more significant changes are needed we may seek a specific host who can cater for your needs.

If you carry an epi-pen (or similar) for allergies, we will inform the host in advance.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten Free and other specific diets can usually be accommodated. In some locations there may be a charge for a special diet to be provided. Again, please let us know of any requirements early in your application. 

Where small adjustments are needed such as avoiding strawberries for a mild allergy reasons or avoiding certain foods out of preference (like brussels sprouts, for example), you can simply inform us on your application and we will make sure that the host knows to avoid these foods during your stay.

If you have a more severe allergy please let us know through your application.  It is important we know this as soon as possible so that we can allocate hosts appropriately. Where slight adjustments to the food served are needed these can usually be made in most homestays. If more significant changes are needed we may seek a specific host who can cater for your needs.

If you carry an epi-pen (or similar) for allergies, we will inform the host in advance.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten Free and other specific diets can usually be accommodated. In some locations there may be a charge for a special diet to be provided. Again, please let us know of any requirements early in your application. 

Some host families have pets. If you have a preference to avoid staying with a host with pets or without pets, please let us know via your application.

Flights

If you are travelling on an Intensive Language Course, Summer Camp or Work and Study course, we request that you arrange your own flights. We request that you do not book these prior to receiving confirmation from us that your course is booked. As part of your application on Babel, we will request the details of your flights so we can liaise with the host to let them know when you will arrive.

Transfers

Transfers vary depending upon the city to which you are travelling. We can arrange host transfers or private transfers by taxi in some cities. Alternatively we are able to advise on or purchase public transport transfers for you. Booking a taxi on arrival is also an option. We also work with a transport partner for Airport Transfers if you would like to book your own transfers independently.

Please check your particular package as transfers are included with host accommodation in some destinations.

For summer camps, transfers are included and students are always met on arrival at the airport and returned on departure to the airport.

Arriving / Onward Travel

Some students travel to the language school destinations from other trips abroad or make onward travel from the school afterwards. We are happy to advise as necessary.

If you opt to stay in a homestay your host will assist in providing you the route to the school. They are used to having students stay with them and will know the best way to get to the school. The journey will be anything from 5-30 minutes and may involve some public transport but a lot will be close by within walking distance. Where public transport is required you will need to allow a small amount of money to cover this.

Travelling whilst abroad is all part of the experience. It will help you get to know the city and feel more independent. With mobile phones and Google Maps nowadays it is easier than ever to find your way around an unfamiliar city until you feel at home there.

If you opt to stay at the school residence (18+) then they are usually within a short walk of the school.

The destination, duration of your trip and number of lessons you want will alter the cost of your programme. The time of year tends not to impact on the cost but flights may be more expensive in the summer or at other peak times.

The cost of transfers can increase the cost of your trip but it is possible to make substantial savings depending on how confident you are at travelling. We are happy to advise and are able to add transfers at a later stage of booking if necessary.

Please refer to specific course pages in which you are interested for more detail.

We suggest about €150 for a week long course. Bear in mind you have to buy your own lunch each day (host accommodation is usually half-board). Students staying in self-catering residences also need to allow for breakfast and evening meals.

Students may require public transport to get to their language school and/or work placement (for Work and Study courses) although many are very central to residences and homestays. Students should budget a small amount of money for this but will know before they go if it is necessary.

If students want to join in with all the activities available through the language schools and buy presents for their friends at home etc, you may need to budget more spending money.

Each school offers a varied programme of activities each week. Some of these are free, some are very cheap and only cost the admission fees (museums, monuments, galleries…). Some will be more expensive – weekend excursions can cost about €30 but are usually good value and can involve a whole day out, admission and transport.

On your first day at the school you will be given a timetable of activities that will take place during your stay. You are free to take part in as many or as little of the activities as you choose.

Summer Camp

On summer courses for young students all of the activities are included in the price. Any optional extras will be highlighted before booking.