UK Tel: 01209 211 800
Intl Tel: +44 1209 211 800
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the other language students like?
They will be a real mixture of people! However they will all have one thing in common
... a desire to improve their language skills.
The average language student has prior knowledge of their target language, plans to stay for around 3 weeks and extends a course for a further week, is Western European and is around 22.6 years old. Which, like most averages tells you very little about the rich and diverse individuals you will ACTUALLY meet on a language course abroad.
Certainly you can anticipate the majority of language students will be in their late teens through to their mid 30's. If you are considering a language course with a specific age limit such as the Over 50's course or a Summer programme aimed at 16 to 20 year olds, you will already have some idea of what you are walking in to. However, even on these language courses our partner colleges attract students from a wide range of nationalities and linguistic abilities.
As a rule of thumb, German, Dutch, Swiss German and Scandinavian students are represented; whilst American, South American and Japanese students will probably be present but in lesser numbers. The British will be in the minority (as with any golden rule there are a couple of exceptions). The colleges would love more British students but it is to your advantage that this is not the case. If you really require a break from the local language, do not panic; it's odds on that the majority of your fellow students will be all too capable of speaking superb English, as their second, third or fourth language!
CESA can also help you identify the most popular colleges for the type of people you feel you will be most comfortable with;
Students considering a Gap Year course before (or after University)
Students in their 40's/50's etc who want to relax and have fun whilst studying a language, whilst NOT being surrounded by 17 year olds!
Students who need to improve their language skills for business reasons
Students who are complete beginners in a language
Students who have reached an advanced level and want to be on a course that will push them linguistically
So please ask!
Return to: FAQs.
Course Finder
