Why take a language holiday abroad?
Thursday, 26th March 2009
Everyone has different ideas about what makes a good holiday.
For some people, the pure unadulterated relaxation of lounging on a beach or by a pool for a week is all they want in a vacation. Other people use the time off as a way to learn something new, or to stimulate a part of their brain or body that they don’t often get to use…
I’m probably the worst kind – I convince myself (and any would-be travel buddy) that all I want is a beach holiday in the sun. In reality I get sunburnt. I get badly sunburnt. And I get bored. Very bored.
The result for any companion I imagine is highly irritating. Long-suffering travel partners now know better than to bring that book they’ve been desperate to read for six months. As for a blissful afternoon snooze on the sand, forget it! Give it an hour and a half and the mewlings of a red, sweaty, and most probably hungry individual will begin…along with demands to move to the shade, or more likely the beachside bar.
Fortunately for my friends and family, this denial of my suitability for hot locations and low factor suncream is finally waning, and over the last few years I have opted to take a language holiday as my main break.
For me, language courses abroad are a perfect option. They allow me to re-kindle my language skills in a relaxed environment, to meet friendly and like-minded people, to visit new and interesting places, and even…dare I say it…to spend a few hours (armed with some factor 85) on the beach.
In times like these when we are forever being advised to ‘upskill’, foreign languages are a great asset for anyone in a vaguely international environment. It can be hard to find time outside of work to take classes or teach yourself a foreign language, so choosing to take a language holiday can certainly be a good alternative.
Some people may be put off by the prospect of spending their free time in a classroom environment, but language programs abroad generally offer an entertaining, relaxed and informal way to learn. In addition, anyone who feels they’d like to couple lessons with something more ‘fun’ could always opt for a language and activity holiday – there are plenty of options for this, including watersports, golf and tennis. For the less active amongst us there is even the possibility to try your hand at a spot of cookery or wine-tasting – extremely useful skills too, although perhaps less suited to the workplace!
More about language holiday destinations
Tags: language course, course, language, languages, location, mexico, germany, cuba, italy, france, spain
Posted by Laura Harrison 2009-03 under Types of Courses,
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