Do You Need to Speak the Language to Do a Gap Year Abroad?

First up, here’s a quick snapshot of Andégo’s gap year abroad program:

• Andégo has two gap year durations: a semester (six months) or a full academic year (10 months) in France or Mexico.

• Andégo partners with 50 schools in France and 11 schools in Mexico–including elementary, middle, and high schools–where participants intern as English language teaching assistants.

• Participants receive full room and board, a monthly stipend, and (if applicable) up to eight academic credits that can be transferred to any university.

So does Andégo have a language requirement?
Andégo does not have a language requirement...So don’t let your current language ability determine whether or not to go for it!

Will a base level of French or Spanish help you adapt more quickly to life abroad?
Of course. But Andégo believes the willingness to dive into life abroad is more important than anything else.

Will your host school expect you to speak their language?

Every partner school utilizes language assistance a little differently. In fact, several schools actually prefer participants who don’t speak their language!

How can you teach students without having a base level of French or Spanish? 

Your overall goal as a teaching assistant is to get students excited about the English language. Robert notes, “Since the focus is on spoken English, participants often do a lot of group work that involves games, art projects, singing, and playing with students in English. It’s just really about helping students realize that language is about connection and sharing.”

Can you build community abroad while you’re learning the language?
Andégo encourages participants to join clubs and activities (including sports, music, theater, and activism) while living abroad. This enables participants to build community even if they don’t have the language ability to walk up to someone and strike up a conversation.

Is it really possible to learn a language from scratch during your gap year abroad?
Absolutely. In fact, one of Andégo's former participants struggled during the French language portion of his interview. Robert recalls, “I could just tell how genuine, kind, and open he was though, so I knew he’d do well abroad. And then during his year in France, he blossomed because he allowed himself to (in his words) 'sound like an idiot and be totally lost' [...] His internship took place in a French elementary school. A lot of participants think, ‘My French isn’t very good, so I should teach at an elementary school.’ You have to remember though that elementary school students usually don’t speak any English. He just fully embraced that, however, and navigated his way through play. Not only did his school absolutely adore him, but his French also skyrocketed. That really just encapsulates the reason behind language: It allows us to have these incredible connections with people.”

Will gaining language skills help you in the long run?
Yes, learning a new language will increase your confidence and allow you to interact with the wider world. It can also open doors academically and professionally. Robert explains, “Anyone who’s had a similar experience will instantly recognize the courage it takes, and how that translates into everything you approach [...] I’ve frequently heard employers in different industries say, 'I can teach you the ins and outs of my industry, but it’s those intangibles that can’t be taught.' Same goes for jobs that require language knowledge [...] An immersive experience like this solidifies and anchors that language [...] One of the big things our interns have heard during job interviews is that their time abroad is what set them apart.”

Read our full interview with Andégo Founder Robert Zenck, or join an upcoming info session to explore whether Andégo is right for you.