Riiiiing! Last period is a wrap, but you’re about to embark on your most epic lesson yet—high school language immersion programs. These programs are one of the coolest and most effective ways to master a language. You could sign up for high school study abroad summer programs and round up some college credits. Or, jet off to a super cool locale with language immersion summer camps! And that’s just scratching the surface.
Spain, anyone?
Getting caught up in the allure of foreign travel? We feel ya, ace. Studying a language abroad means lots of skill development, cultural immersion, and all-around good times. Just remember, you will still need to put in time and effort for studying. Whether you’re wrapping up your freshman year or battling some major senioritis, language immersion programs for teens are a bomb diggidy way to liven up your studies (and your summer break). Here’s our picks for the best language immersion program picks for high school students this year.
What makes the best high school language immersion programs?
How do you pick the best language immersion programs for high school students? What should be your non-negotiables? Grab your notepad and jot down these pearls of wisdom. If your program has these gems, you’ll be in good hands overseas and well on your way to becoming a master linguist!
- Cultural excursions. Say sayonara to how you thought you could learn lingo and get ready to take your language lessons to the streets! Strong high school language immersion programs are packed with plenty of opportunities for students to get knee deep into the local culture. From buying street food to ziplining through the jungle, cultural excursions are a great way to practice a language. Plus, they provide a nice balance to classroom hours. Pick a program with a good dose of outdoor activity built in and you’ve got yourself a winner.
- Frequency. Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning a new language. That’s why the best language immersion programs for high school students place a high value on consistent language classes. Thinking about French immersion programs for high school students? That means daily French lessons and plenty of homework to keep your skills developing strong (cutting class is out of the question!). Also, the longer your language program, the more you will absorb. So, if you have time for full summer language immersion programs, go for it!
- Organization. The top high school language immersion programs have detailed schedules of day-to-day student life organized down to tee! And, if they’ve got the schedule posted to their website months in advance that’s an even better sign. You want a program with a nice mixture of language classes, cultural immersion, social events, and downtime scheduled in. Sign up with a program that lays your day-to-day routine out on the table. This will give you an idea of what to expect and shows the program means business!
- Good support. Now we know you think you’re grown, but even you will want some support while overseas. Maybe this will be your first time traveling solo. Or, you just might want some social support while exploring a new country. That’s where picking a language immersion program with a strong support system for students is clutch. The best programs have 24/7 on call support to help you with everything from in-country orientation to being your shoulder to cry on during homesickness. They’ll make sure you are comfortable in your new home away from home!
- Stellar reviews. There’s no better measure of a program’s quality than from the mouth of the babes! Seriously, read through those high school language immersion program reviews. They’ve got the dibs on how effective and fun (of course!) programs like language immersion summer camps are.
Language immersion programs keep getting better and better—what’s trending?
Not bad for a language classroom IMHO.
Worried about if there’s a good enough high school summer immersion program out there for you? Looking for travel abroad summer programs for high school students that combine Chinese and economics? Don’t sweat. Nowadays, high school language immersion programs are even more tailored to meet the needs of teens. Here are some dope features they’re offering:
Specialized programs. Does business or the arts feeling like your calling? Want to learn a language but still develop your passion? Today, you can find language immersion programs custom-made to meet multiple educational goals. So, you can totally study Mandarin in the mornings, and attend a graphic design workshop in the afternoons. These programs neatly combine language studies with your other interests in one great educational package!
Private immersion programs. Looking for a more cozy approach to your language studies abroad? Sign up for a private language immersion program for a truly meaningful cultural experience. You will get to learn the local language right in the home of your own private tutor to learn one-on-one—no lazy days here!
Gap year options. Who says high school language immersion programs have to end with the summer? More and more high school students are choosing to parlay their language immersion program into several months or even a year abroad before college! That’s right, language immersion gap years are all the rave. So, if you’re ready to take the leap and return home with some major skills under your belt, a language immersion gap year is a good deal.
Mornings spent brushing up on your Hindi in India... afternoons spent testing out Arabic on the back alleys of Morocco... Studying with summer language immersion programs for high school students near the beach? Today’s language immersion programs offer tons of exciting ways to develop your favorite language. So, no matter where your linguistic interests fall, there are plenty of super cool programs to choose from.
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The best high school language immersion programs of 2024
Hujambo, bonjour, ni hao, hey you! It’s time to dig into some seriously bangin’ high school language immersion programs. Go with these guys and you’ll get the best mix of travel, language development, and even some volunteering or service learning mixed in if you’d like. Ready to put in some class work overseas and reap some out of these world overseas benefits? Then these high school study abroad programs are just for you:
1. TFT: Paris & the South of France - French Language—10.0 rating
Buttery baguettes, high fashion, and fireworks at the Eiffel tower. Ooh la la! Join TFT’s three week high school language immersion program and you’ll come back some très bien vocab under your belt! Your days will be spent learning French and exploring the cosmopolitan streets of Paris and the Côte d’Azur region! Between the 30 hours of French classes and daily cultural outings, you’ll be become a connoisseur of the language!
2. Nacel Educational Travel High School Exchange—9.81 rating
Kicking it with your host sis, beach days in Italy... more of that per favore! Study Japanese language and pop culture or finesse your German with Nacel’s language immersion programs. You’ll live with a friendly local family while you attend a local school. Plus, all Nacel students get a free e-learning course before they arrive in-country! Whenever you need some guidance, your very own volunteer representative will be there for support. Keep in mind, some program requires students to have at least two years of language study to join.
- Where? Japan, Italy, France, Germany, France
- Focus: Language immersion, homestay, e-learning, student exchange
- Related: Read Nacel reviews here
3. GVI’s Language Immersion Summer Camps—9.76 rating
While we love a romance language, there are so many more lingos to be learned! So, if you’re looking to pick up some lesser spoken vocab, consider a Nepali language immersion program. Or, consider high school Spanish immersion programs to study Español in tropical Costa Rica program. With GVI, you’ll learn the language, help with local projects, and be submerged in local culture. This program has a top notch rep for high quality language immersion programs for high school students.
- Where? Nepal, Costa Rica
- Focus: Nepali or Spanish language immersion, cultural immersion, community service
- Related: Read GVI reviews here
4. High School Special with Projects Abroad—9.45 rating
Up for a thrilling fusion of service and language learning in South America or Africa? With Projects Abroad’s High School Special programs you can brush up your Spanish, French, or Arabic while making a meaningful impact on the local community. Their French immersion programs for high school students will take you to Senegal’s island town of St. Louis. Or clean up your Spanish with their high school Spanish immersion programs in Mexico or Peru.
Your days will be a mix of language lessons and community service activities like cleaning or volunteering with kids or the elderly. And don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of chances for sightseeing since the program includes lots of mini trips.
5. CIP High School Language Exchange Program—9.0 rating
Did you know that one in five people in the world speak Chinese? So if you’re ready to join the ranks, CIP is a fantastic program to dive right in! You'll take Mandarin lessons at a Chinese high school, along with subjects of your interest, like communications, entrepreneurship, or even Chinese politics. How do afternoons cooking dumplings (yum!), practicing kung fu moves, and testing out your calligraphy skills sound? Most Mandarin lessons will be taught at a local high school and you’ll be bunking in a dorm. That means plenty of opportunities to make some cool new Chinese friends.
- Where? China
- Focus: Mandarin language immersion, travel, community service
- Related: Read CIP reviews here
Runner ups
6. SPI High School Homestay & Volunteer Language Immersion
SPI is an international education organization with over 30 years of experience directed by passionate educators, parents and study abroad advocates. We believe students who study abroad in high school develop empowering, lifelong skills as they build fluency in another language and gain global perspectives. Our primary goal is for students to return home with a heightened sense of self-awareness and confidence through a unique, authentic and meaningful experience abroad. In-depth language immersion is our primary focus as multilingual graduates increase their future opportunities for both professional and personal enrichment in today’s fast growing globalized world.
7. Carpe Diem’s Caribbean Isles Semester
Dancing, orishas, and the best Cuban sandwiches of your life! Head to Cuba and add the perfect touch to your Spanish studies. With over 20 years of experience, Carpe Diem’s Caribbean Isles Semester will blow the lids off all your expectations. Through workshops, social outings, adventure travel, and community service, you’ll quickly fall in love with this Caribbean cultural hotspot. This program even offers a student directed travel component. You and your new pals will get to plan your own expeditions!
[Browse ALL high school language immersion programs]
Effort + immersion = magic!
Wahoo! You're going to be fluent in a second language soon!
Just when you thought you couldn’t do another term of elementary Spanish class, you stumbled onto these incredible language immersion programs for teens. Just a few steps outside of your comfort zone and a plane ride or two away lies language immersion programs waiting to be explored. With a good dose of effort on your end to actively use the language, you’ll return home with some new skills and a few more notches on your adulting belt. Added bonus: these programs will look fantastic on your college applications!
So, if you’re ready to put a fresh spin on your education, apply to high school language immersion programs. Then pack your favorite translating dictionary and soar!
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