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Gap Year (2+ months)

Learn a language, live new experiences & change your life forever

Gap Year course: Take the time to learn a language

Our long-term courses are as varied as they are efficient in providing rapid learning progress! Living and learning a language for an extended period of time in a different country to your own opens the door to a plethora of new experiences and expands your comfort zone. Ready to start your adventure?

Long-term language courses

We’re proud to partner with first-class language schools offering a wide range of courses. Whatever your age, goals and level, we have a course for you!

General courses

It’s a fact: there’s no more efficient way to learn a language than using it and being exposed to it in different contexts every day over a length of time. This is precisely what our general courses offer you – the opportunity to receive outstanding language lessons as well as endless opportunities to put your new skills into practice. And that’s how you cement knowledge!

Exam Preparation courses

An official language certificate is a key asset. Its advantages include standing out from the crowd in a sea of job applicants, enabling you to get a fulfilling job at an international company or being able to opt out of the language test to enter university abroad. Our ESL partner schools have plenty of experience in preparing students to obtain official language certificates. Among their course selection, you can choose specific exam preparation courses to give you all the confidence you need on the big day.

Work & Study

These programs combine a general language course with an internship, a paid job or a volunteering program. Putting your language skills to the test in a real-world situation is priceless, and you’ll be amazed at how much your fluency improves as a result!

Courses for 30+

These courses offer a more mature study environment than a standard adult language course (which is available to anyone aged 30 or over). If you need English mainly for the less formal areas of professional life, as opposed to for a specific professional goal, this course is a great fit.

Professional diplomas

Get a certificate or diploma through exciting vocational training in specific fields of study like business or health and beauty. Studying in your target language is the perfect way to achieve fluency in different real-life contexts and, at the end of your stay, you’ll have a distinguished diploma as a testament to your hard work!

Blended Learning

More and more students are finding in blended learning the perfect approach towards their language learning. The reason is simple: doing an online course is a fantastic way to warm up before your departure so you’re extra prepared for the experience. Likewise, choosing to do an online course after your on-site studies will guarantee you keep up all of your newly-acquired skills!

Our Gap Year destinations

Choose the destination that suits you best. From amazing beaches in Australia to beautiful mountains in Canada – we have it all

Gap Year England

Gap Year USA

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Gap Year Australia

Gap Year Canada

Gap Year Malta

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Gap Year New Zealand

Gap Year Ireland

ESL gap year courses

Taking a gap year with ESL means making time from your studies or work to spend from a few months to a year abroad, improving your language skills and exploring a new country. While it is a “gap” in your studies or career, it certainly won't be a missing space in your CV! You’ll return home with a new set of language skills and life experience that will help you for years to come.

Benefits of a gap year language program

Making the time for a long term course is not always simple, but it certainly pays off in the long run! Here’s just a little of what to expect from your gap year abroad:

Increased career prospects
Educational growth
Incredible boost to your language skills
Unforgettable experiences and memories
A deeper cultural understanding and worldview
Increased career prospects
Personal growth

Why you should choose ESL for your year abroad

A lot of planning goes into a language course, that’s why it’s important to choose the right company to help you navigate it! With more than 25 years of experience and a 97% recommendation rate from our customers, booking your year abroad with ESL means leaving your trip in the right hands. Here are just some of the ways we’ll help you have the journey of a lifetime:

You will have access to our portfolio of only the best language schools across the world, with guidance from our team as to which will best fit your goals

Our expert advisors will guide you through every single possibility of your trip – forget about browsing through endless options and comparing dozens of websites

Aside from your lessons, we’ll make sure you have every aspect of your gap year planned to perfection, from your accommodation to your trips and activities.

We will be by your side every step of the way: before, during and after your gap year.

You’ll have access to exclusive discounts and offers to help you make the most of your travel budget.

Our students often ask:

If I need a visa for my year course, will ESL handle it?

ESL can help you with the process of obtaining a visa, as this will depend on the country you plan on visiting and the length of your stay. For example, if you hold an EU passport you will not need a visa to study in the EU, and most countries – excluding Russia, Egypt and China – allow for stays of up to 12 weeks as a tourist. However, you will be responsible for paying any visa fees.

How long will I spend abroad on a long-term course with ESL?

In a long-term language course, you’ll immerse yourself in language learning every day, as you adapt to living in a new country. Our courses can be personalized according to your preference, so you can spend as little as three months or as long as one year studying abroad.

How many people will be in my language course with me?

Typically, language classes will not include more than 15 students – the average is 8 to 12. In these classes, you’ll benefit from some personalized help from the teacher and get to practice your skills in smaller groups.

Do you have further questions about studying abroad with ESL?

Top-rated and award-winning agency

Our free and personalised services are consistently top-rated on Google, and 97% of our clients recommend us to their friends and relatives. In addition, ESL is a Lifetime Award winner after being voted Best Agency in Europe 5 times at the ST Star Awards.

Best price guarantee

Get the price difference refunded if you find a better deal for the same programme with another agency or directly with the school.

Free counselling and A-Z services

Our teams are experts in language travel and their experience in the industry is both professional and personal. Our free and personalised services go beyond the pre-departure stage – our counsellors will be at your disposal before, during and after your stay.

Quality control

We select partner language schools according to strict criteria – high-quality facilities, small class sizes at a range of levels, great location, first-class teaching and an exciting activities programme, among other aspects. We regularly visit partner schools as it is very important for us to maintain a strong relationship with our partners and to keep up with local developments.

Thousands of student reviews

We systematically gather opinions and reviews from thousands of students who chose ESL to go abroad. All reviews are thoroughly checked to ensure authenticity and are added to our school pages so as to provide future students with first-hand details and facts.

A wide range of quality accommodation options

Our portfolio also includes a large variety of accommodation types, so we can offer each one of our students the most suitable option. From homestays and student residences to private and shared apartments, all our accommodation types are carefully selected for a comfortable and convenient experience abroad.

Special offers

Get the best deal for your language stay

See all special offers