We found 44 courses that prepare for a named official exam in French, German or Italian at 16 schools in 16 cities, all with 2027 prices: 13 for the DELF and DALF in France, 28 for Goethe, telc, TestDaF, DSH and other German exams, and 3 for Italian certificates. With our discount, four weeks of DELF/DALF preparation start at €950 (French in Normandy - International House Rouen, Rouen), four weeks of German exam preparation at €480 (did deutsch-institut Berlin) and four weeks of Italian at €1,885.75 (Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Milano, Milan).

Which exam is which

French: the DELF (A1-B2) and DALF (C1-C2) are the French Ministry of Education's diplomas, run by France Éducation international, and do not expire; the TCF is a test from the same body. German: the Goethe-Zertifikat (Goethe-Institut) and the telc exams cover all levels; for university admission in Germany the usual ones are the TestDaF, the DSH (set by each university) and the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Italian: the CILS is issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, the CELI by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia and the PLIDA by the Società Dante Alighieri. Exam fees and dates are set by these bodies and the exam centres, not by the schools: check them on their official websites before booking.

DELF and DALF preparation in France

13 courses at 7 schools. The lowest price per hour is €16 (French in Normandy - International House Rouen, Rouen). Several schools offer the same «Premium» format (26 group lessons plus 4 private lessons a week); Toulouse and Bordeaux also run two-week courses for B2 and C1 on fixed dates, and the Bordeaux ones include a mock exam and the exam, according to the course name.

Goethe, telc, TestDaF and DSH preparation in Germany

28 courses at 6 schools. did deutsch-institut runs the same five courses at the same price in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, on fixed dates: Goethe B2/C1 exam training lasts 3 weeks (€1,000 for the standard version) and the TestDaF course (7.5 h a week) costs €500 for four weeks. In Heidelberg, F+U combines its intensive course with DSH, TestDaF and telc C1 Hochschule preparation; in Mainz, Verbum Novum has short telc courses for every level, preparation for the Studienkolleg entrance exam and for the language exam for doctors and dentists.

CILS, CELI and other Italian certificates

Only 3 Italian courses name the exam: CILS or CELI in Sanremo, CELI (group plus private lessons) in Sicily, and the AIL diploma in Milan. Many other Italian schools prepare for the CILS or CELI within their general courses: ask us and we will check with the school.

Prices for a course starting in March 2027 (or on the first 2027 date), without registration fee, material or exam fee. Hours = lessons × lesson length. Per hour = school price ÷ total hours. Some did courses cost more in July and August. 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).

How to pay less

• Check the exam dates first and book the course so that it ends just before the exam session; the fixed-date courses are designed for that.
• Compare the price per hour, not the weekly price: courses with fewer hours look cheap but may not be enough for a C1.
• Registration for the exam is usually separate: ask the school whether it is an exam centre and whether it can register you.
• 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

• DELE preparation courses 2027
• IELTS preparation courses 2027
• Cambridge exam preparation 2027 (B2 First, C1 Advanced)
• Intensive German, French and Italian courses 2027
• French courses in France 2027
• German courses in Germany 2027
• Italian courses in Italy 2027

Frequently asked questions

How much does a DELF, Goethe or CILS preparation course cost in 2027?

With our discount, four weeks start at €950 for French (DELF/DALF), €480 for German and €1,885.75 for Italian. The exam fee is not included.

Is the exam fee included?

Generally not: the fee is paid to the exam centre. The exceptions are the courses whose name says so (for example the DELF B2 and DALF C1 courses in Bordeaux «+ Mock + Exam»). Ask us before booking if in doubt.

Which German exam do I need for university?

It depends on the university: the usual ones are the TestDaF, the DSH and the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, and many also accept the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (and some the C1). Check the requirements of your university before choosing the course.

Do I need to know the exact level before booking?

It helps: each exam course is designed for a level (B2, C1...), and the schools ask for a minimum level. Tell us your level when you ask for a quote and we will check with the school that the course fits.

Book your exam course through LanguageBookings: our discount, nothing to pay upfront and our price match.

In 2027, four weeks of Turkish in Istanbul or Izmir cost €880, four weeks of Chinese in Beijing CNY 12,580 (about €1,689) and four weeks of intensive Thai in Phuket THB 33,550 (about €896). These are the 2027 prices of the schools that have already sent them to us, in destinations that the travel advice of the US and UK governments does not advise against. Below you have every course with hours and price per hour, accommodation, complete budgets and the schools whose 2027 prices are on the way.

In short

• Chinese (Mandarin), 4 weeks: CNY 12,580 (about €1,689) in Beijing, small groups; CNY 16,632 (about €2,233) for the intensive course in Yangshuo.
• Turkish, 4 weeks: €880 (20 lessons a week) or €1,320 (30 lessons), the same in Istanbul and Izmir; €2,480 for 12 weeks.
• Thai in Phuket, 4 weeks: THB 33,550 (about €896) intensive; THB 7,400 (about €198) for a light course of a few lessons a week.

Three languages compared

Hours are real hours (lessons × minutes per lesson). Your price is what you pay when you book with LanguageBookings: the school price minus our discount. The price per hour is the school price divided by the hours (4 weeks).

The Chinese schools charge in yuan (CNY) and the Thai school in baht (THB); the euro amounts are approximate and change with the exchange rate. Course materials are included or optional.

Chinese in China: Beijing and Yangshuo

LTL Mandarin School - Beijing teaches Mandarin in small groups in Beijing, also combined with one-to-one lessons. Omeida Chinese Academy is in Yangshuo, a small town surrounded by karst mountains in the south of China, with an intensive course that adds cultural classes: CNY 4,200 for one week. Prices for 4 and 12 weeks:

Over 50? LTL Beijing has a Club 50+ programme of two weeks starting on 10 May 2027: CNY 13,474 (about €1,809) without accommodation, CNY 26,960 with homestay and CNY 29,594 with a 3-star hotel.

Accommodation in Beijing and Yangshuo

Budget for 4 weeks

Turkish in Türkiye: Istanbul and Izmir

Turkish Language Center - Istanbul and Turkish Language Center belong to the same school and charge the same: €880 for 4 weeks of the intensive course and €1,320 for the super-intensive one. Lessons last 45 minutes and groups have at most 9 students:

Accommodation in Istanbul and Izmir

Budget for 4 weeks in Istanbul: intensive course at your price €827.20 + the cheapest homestay €1,280 = €2,107.20. In Izmir the cheapest option costs €1,280, so the total is €2,107.20. Hotels are priced per week.

Thai in Thailand: Phuket

Patong Language School is in Patong, on the island of Phuket. It has three Thai courses: a light one with a few lessons a week, a two-week foundation course and an intensive course (THB 33,550 for 4 weeks). Lessons last 50 minutes:

The school has not given us 2027 accommodation prices: ask us and we will send you the options with the quote.

And Arabic?

We do not publish 2027 Arabic course prices in this article yet. The 3 Cs Training Centre, in Sfax (Tunisia), teaches Arabic and its 2027 prices are on the way: ask us for a quote and we will reply within 24-48 hours.

Other schools (2027 prices on the way)

We are waiting for the 2027 prices of these Chinese and Turkish schools; you can ask us for a quote and we reply within 24-48 hours:

• Mandarin Zone School (Beijing)
• SN Mandarin (Shanghai)
• Shanghai Mandarin Garden Language & Culture Center (Shanghai)
• That's Mandarin Shanghai School (Shanghai)
• Mandarin Inn Chinese Language School Shanghai (Shanghai)
• Hanbridge Mandarin (Shenzhen)
• Taiwan Mandarin Institute (Taipei)
• Babil International Language School (Antalya)

Visa

Whether you need a visa, and which one, depends on your nationality, on the country and on the length of the course. Check the website of the embassy or consulate of China, Türkiye or Thailand in your country before booking.

Frequently asked questions

Which of these languages is cheapest to study per hour?

With 4 weeks at the school price: intensive Thai in Phuket about €13.43 an hour, Turkish €14.67, Chinese in Beijing about €21.11 and in Yangshuo about €24.81.

In which currency do I pay?

The Chinese schools charge in yuan, the Thai school in baht and the Turkish school in euros. Euro amounts for yuan and baht are approximate, at the exchange rate of 7 November 2026.

Do I have to pay the whole course when I book?

No. When you book, only the deposit, which is part of the course price, is authorised on your card. If the school accepts the booking, the deposit is charged and you pay the rest directly to the school; if not, nothing is charged.

See all courses of Chinese in China, Turkish in Türkiye and Thai in Thailand and book online with the LanguageBookings discount: you pay nothing upfront and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

How much does a language course with accommodation cost in 2027? We added up, for 203 language schools in 19 countries, four weeks of each school's cheapest standard course (with our discount, the registration fee and compulsory material) plus four weeks in a single room with a host family (194 schools) or in a residence or shared flat (161 schools), including the accommodation fee. The cheapest package with a host family is €1,306 at Kingsbrook Idiomas (Barcelona); the median is €2,140. Accommodation is, on median, 52% of the total.

How we calculated the packages

All prices come from each school's official 2027 price list loaded on LanguageBookings, for a course starting in March 2027. Course: the cheapest general course of 15 to 30 lessons a week (no evening, exam, business, junior or one-to-one courses), at the price you pay with us. Accommodation: the cheapest single-room option of each type, with whatever meals it includes (shown in the tables); twin and shared rooms, hotels and hostels are left out. Where the school charges in another currency, we show it and its approximate value in euros at today's exchange rate. Some schools charge more for accommodation in summer: check the dates on each school page.

The cheapest package in each country

Four weeks of course plus four weeks of accommodation, all fees included. Countries in order of their cheapest host-family package.

4 weeks, single room. The meals depend on the option (see the next table): a self-catering room is not comparable to half board.

The three cheapest packages with a host family, by language

Course (your price + registration + compulsory material) and host family (4 weeks + accommodation fee), side by side.

City by city: Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom, Malta and Germany

The cheapest package in each city of the five countries people search for most with accommodation. Italy and France have their own guides (links below).

Host family or residence: which is cheaper?

Of the 152 schools that offer both, the residence or shared flat is cheaper in 68, by a median of €200 over four weeks; in the rest the host family is cheaper. It depends a lot on the country (residence or flat cheaper / schools with both): Argentina (2/2), Uruguay (2/2), Chile (1/1), Spain (36/42), Japan (4/5), Germany (5/9), Italy (6/12), South Africa (2/4), New Zealand (1/2), United States of America (1/3), Malta (2/9), Ireland (2/12), France (2/14), United Kingdom (2/31), Canada (0/2), Costa Rica (0/2). Keep in mind that the residence is usually self-catering, while host families often include breakfast or half board.

How much the accommodation weighs

In the median package, accommodation is 52% of the price, and in 110 of the 194 schools with host families four weeks of accommodation cost more than the course itself. Meals make a difference: in the 33 schools that offer a single room with a host family both with half board and without meals, half board costs a median of €60 more per week (€260 over four weeks). 94 schools add an accommodation placement fee to the host family, from €20 to €313; it is included in all our totals.

How to pay less

• Compare the total, not the course: the cheapest course is not always the cheapest package, because accommodation is often half of the price.
• If you can cook, a self-catering room or a shared flat is usually the cheapest option; if not, add the cost of eating out before choosing.
• Book the accommodation with the course: the school takes care of the placement and of the arrival day, and you avoid paying a deposit to a private landlord.
• 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.

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: flights, airport transfer, insurance, public transport and personal spending.

Detailed guides by destination

• Spanish courses in Spain 2027
• Spanish in Valencia 2027
• Spanish in Madrid 2027
• English in Dublin 2027
• English in Malta 2027
• English in London 2027
• German courses in Germany 2027
• Italian courses in Italy 2027
• French courses in France 2027
• Cheapest places to study English in Europe 2027

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 4-week language course with a host family cost in 2027?

With the schools on LanguageBookings, from €1,306 (Kingsbrook Idiomas, Barcelona), with a median of €2,140, including the course with our discount, the registration fee, compulsory material, four weeks in a single room and the accommodation fee. Flights and insurance are not included.

Is a residence cheaper than a host family?

About half the time: of 152 schools with both options, the residence or shared flat is cheaper in 68. Residences rarely include meals, so compare like with like.

How much more does half board cost?

In the 33 schools that offer a host family both with half board and without meals, a median of €60 more per week.

Is there an accommodation fee?

In 94 of the 194 schools with host families, yes: a one-off placement fee. Our totals include it, so you can compare packages directly.

Book course and accommodation through LanguageBookings: our discount on the course, nothing to pay upfront and our price match.

Choosing a language school abroad comes down to ten checks: accreditation, real class hours, class size, the total price, accommodation, age rules, visa, cancellation and refund terms, what happens if the school closes, and the warning signs. This checklist covers each one with the questions to put in writing before you pay. We list 440 schools in 48 countries, and 356 of them show at least one accreditation on their profile; we explain below why that is a starting point, not a guarantee.

1. Accreditations: which ones exist and what they tell you

An accreditation means an outside body has checked something (teaching, premises, management) against a standard. Memberships of associations are different: some check, some only require a fee. Ask which one the school has and look it up on the body’s own website. The main ones we see in our schools, with how many of our 440 schools list each on their profile:

• British Council / English UK: UK. The British Council inspects English teaching centres; English UK is the association of UK centres. Ours: 57 list the British Council and 40 list English UK.
• TrustEd Ireland (QQI): Ireland. The new state quality mark for English schools; today only a few schools hold it (3 of ours). Details in our guide to TrustEd Ireland and school closures guide.
• Eaquals: International. Accreditation of language education providers, any language. Ours: 23.
• IALC: International. Association of independent language centres; members must pass a quality assessment. Ours: 50.
• Instituto Cervantes: Spain and Latin America. Centres accredited by the Instituto Cervantes to teach Spanish. Ours: 65 list it; check the school appears in the Instituto Cervantes list of accredited centres.
• Qualité français langue étrangère: France. The French label for schools teaching French as a foreign language.
• ASILS: Italy. Association of schools of Italian as a second language. Ours: 28.
• Languages Canada: Canada. National association with a quality assurance scheme. Ours: 19.

Two cautions. First, our profiles show what each school reports (and what we have checked for some); we do not audit every logo, so look the school up on the official list before you rely on it. Second, a missing accreditation is not proof of poor quality: some good schools are small, new or in countries where no scheme applies. It just means you should ask for other evidence: reviews, how long the school has operated, and the questions below.

2. Real hours of class: 45, 50 or 60-minute lessons

“20 lessons per week” sounds the same everywhere but is not. 20 lessons of 45 minutes are 15 hours; of 50 minutes, 16 hours 40 minutes; of 60 minutes, 20 hours. A visa or an exam may require a minimum number of hours, so ask for the lesson length and the weekly total in hours. Also ask whether optional afternoon sessions, one-to-one lessons or “activities” are counted in the figure.

3. Class size and level

Ask for the maximum and the average class size, not only the maximum, and whether they change in July and August. Ask how the level is assessed (a test before you arrive or on day one), how often you can change group, and how many nationalities share the class if speaking practice matters to you.

4. Accommodation

Compare like with like: host family, student residence or shared flat. Ask for the travel time to the school, meals included (half board, breakfast only, none), private or shared room and bathroom, how many other students live in the home, the deposit, the minimum stay, and the cost of arriving or leaving outside the usual Saturday–Sunday changeover. If you need a specific date, check that the school accepts it. Our price guides show courses with accommodation: for example Dublin (English course in Dublin) and Malta (English course in Malta).

5. Age rules

Many adult courses start at 16 or 18, and under-18s usually need a junior course, written consent from a parent and approved accommodation. Ask the minimum age for your course, whether teenagers and adults share classes, and who is responsible for a minor outside class hours. See our guide to courses for under-18s travelling alone.

6. Visa and entry rules

Visa rules depend on your nationality, the country, the course length and the weekly hours, and they change. Use only the official government page of the destination (for example gov.uk/student-visa for the UK) and ask the school three things in writing: whether your course meets the visa requirements, whether it will issue the enrolment or invitation letter you need, and what it refunds if your visa is refused. In Ireland, check the school against the official lists: see our guide to TrustEd Ireland and school closures.

7. Total price: how to compare offers

A “from €X per week” price is rarely what you pay. Add up, for the same dates: tuition for your number of weeks (longer stays often have a lower weekly rate), registration fee, books and materials, exam fees if you want a certificate, accommodation and any meals, airport transfers, high-season supplements, insurance and the visa fee. Divide by the weeks to get the real weekly cost, and only then compare. Our country and city guides do this sum with the schools’ 2027 price lists: see the 2027 price index and, for example, English course in Dublin.

8. Cancellation, changes and refunds

Read the school’s terms before paying and ask in writing about these points:

• What is non-refundable (registration fee, deposit) and until when you can cancel for free.
• The cost of changing dates or shortening the course, and what happens to unused weeks.
• What is refunded if the school cancels or the course does not run, and within what time.
• Refund if your visa is refused, and which documents they will ask for.
• What the school does if you fall ill or have to leave early, and whether your insurance covers it.
• How much you pay before arrival and how much on arrival, and by which method.

9. What if the school closes?

Schools do close, sometimes suddenly. The less you pay in advance, the less you can lose, so prefer paying a deposit first and the rest on arrival when the school allows it. Ask whether the school belongs to a refund or learner protection scheme and whether your fees are held in a protected account. Ireland has just created such a fund with the TrustEd mark: read how it works and which schools closed in 2026 in our guide to TrustEd Ireland and school closures. Pay with a method that leaves a record, keep every receipt and email, and check your travel insurance for school-failure cover.

10. Warning signs

• They ask for the full amount in advance by transfer to a personal account.
• No company name, address or registration number, or only a free email address.
• A price far below every other school in the same city, with no explanation.
• Promises about your visa result, or “guaranteed” visa letters.
• Pressure to pay today, or refusal to put terms in writing.
• The accreditation logo appears on the site but the body’s own list does not include the school.
• Photos that appear on other schools’ sites, and no reviews you can verify.

Questions to send the school before you pay

• Which accreditations do you hold, and where can I check them?
• How long is a lesson, and how many hours per week in total?
• What are the average and maximum class sizes on my dates?
• What is the total price for my dates, including fees, materials and transfers?
• What are the cancellation and refund terms, including visa refusal and school cancellation?
• What protects my money if the school closes?

How LanguageBookings helps

You can compare schools by city and course type, see 2027 prices in one place (for example in Ireland: English courses in Ireland), and book course and accommodation in a single reservation. When you book, your card is only authorised; the school accepts or declines, and the deposit (our commission) is charged only after it accepts. Many schools carry our LanguageBookings discount. Tell us the city, dates, weeks and age, and we will send options in 24–48 hours. Not sure whether to book through us or directly? Read LanguageBookings or direct with the school?.

Frequently asked questions

Is an accredited school always better?

Not always, but it means someone outside the school has checked part of its work against a standard. It is a good filter; reviews and clear written terms complete the picture.

How many weeks should I book?

It depends on your goal and budget. Longer stays usually cost less per week, but check the cancellation terms before committing to many weeks; for a first stay, some people start with a shorter course.

Is it safer to pay the school directly?

The risk depends on how much you pay in advance and on the school, not on who receives the payment. Whichever route you choose, keep your payments small until the school confirms your place, and keep written records.

Compare schools in your city on LanguageBookings, or ask us for a quote: we reply within 24–48 hours.

Sources and notes

Accreditation bodies: see the links in section 1. Visa: official government pages of each country. Figures about LanguageBookings come from our database on 4 November 2026: 440 live schools in 48 countries; accreditation counts are what schools list on their profile.

The school’s list price is the same whether you book directly or through us. What changes is who you deal with, how the payment is split, and what extras you get. On LanguageBookings you pay a deposit (our commission) to reserve and the rest to the school; you get the LanguageBookings discount where the school allows it, one reservation for course and accommodation, and help in your language. The school’s own conditions (cancellation, rules, refund) do not change. Here is the full picture, including when booking directly may suit you better.

The price: what is the same

The prices on LanguageBookings are the school’s own price lists, loaded from the documents the schools send us. We do not add a mark-up on top of the school’s price. The school pays us a commission, which is why you are not charged for our service on top of the course. Prices do change when a school updates its list, so a new list or an offer on the school’s website for your dates may differ from what we show: send us the link and we will check it.

How a reservation works, step by step

• You choose course, dates, weeks and (if you want) accommodation, and send the booking.
• With a card, your card is only authorised, not charged. (PayPal works differently: the payment is taken when you pay; the payment page explains it.)
• We send the booking to the school, which accepts or declines it. We reply to you as soon as the school answers.
• If the school accepts, the deposit is charged: it is our commission, and it is part of the course price, not an extra. If the school declines, the authorisation on your card is released.
• You pay the rest directly to the school, in the way and on the dates the school states.
• We do not collect the whole course fee: only the deposit.

Important: once the school accepts the booking, the deposit is not refundable. Before that, if you change your mind, tell us. The school’s own cancellation and refund terms apply to what you pay the school.

What you gain by booking through us

• Comparison: schools by city and course type, with 2027 prices side by side (see our 2027 price index).
• The LanguageBookings discount on the schools that allow it. It is shown on the course page, so you see the price before you book. A few schools do not allow discounts; for those, a booking includes a free eSIM with data for your destination instead of a discount (conditions on Why book with LanguageBookings).
• One reservation for course and accommodation, instead of arranging each separately.
• Help in your language before and after you book.
• A second pair of eyes on dates, level and visa questions: we ask the school for what is unclear.

Price guarantee

If, within 48 hours of your booking and before the school confirms it, you find the same course (same school, dates, weeks, class hours and accommodation) cheaper on the school’s own website or from another agency, send us the link or a screenshot and we will match the price. It does not cover group offers, returning students or special agreements with the school.

What does not change

You study at the same school, with the same teachers, class size, rules and timetable. The school’s conditions stay the same: its cancellation and refund policy, its payment dates, its accommodation rules and what it needs for a visa. We are an intermediary, not the school: we pass your booking on, we do not teach the course or run the accommodation. To judge any school, use our checklist for choosing a language school.

When booking directly may suit you better

• You already know the school and have a contact there you trust.
• You are a returning student or a group with an agreement the school only offers directly.
• The school sells something we do not list for your dates, such as a special programme.
• You prefer to pay the whole amount to the school in one go and deal with one party only.

If none of these applies, compare the school’s price for your dates with ours; if ours is lower or equal, you lose nothing by booking through us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay more by booking through LanguageBookings?

No. The course price is the school’s list price, and the deposit we charge is part of that price, not an extra.

What if the school declines my booking?

With a card you are not charged: the authorisation is released, and we can suggest other schools or dates.

Who do I contact if I have a problem during the course?

Start with the school, which runs the course and the accommodation. If you cannot solve it, write to us and we will help you talk to the school.

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

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 34 summer language camps and junior summer programmes with 2027 prices at 13 schools in 7 countries, for children and teenagers from 5 to 17. 17 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 12 of the 17 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 12 of the 17 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).