Gap year
Take the time to learn a new language abroad
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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.
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:
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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.
Why choose your next journey with ESL
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.
Get the price difference refunded if you find a better deal for the same programme with another agency or directly with the school.
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.
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 program, 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.
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.
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.