Do I have to attend a language course as an au pair?

Why is it important to attend a language course?

Au pairs usually have a basic knowledge of the language spoken in the host country. Attending a language course will help au pairs improve their language skills, making it easier to communicate with the host family and thus to integrate more effectively into family life. Furthermore, a language course gives au pairs the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Language schools usually have a cultural programme as well, providing opportunities to learn about many aspects of life in the host country.

Who pays for the language course?

Usually, au pairs pay the fee for their language course by themselves. However, their host families may wish to contribute financially. In some countries, such as Germany, it is compulsory that families help with the financing of the au pair's language course. In any case, host families should allow their au pairs enough time to participate in a language course. They may also help them find a suitable course.

How to find a language school as an au pair

Tatiana attended herself a language school during her au pair stay in Madrid (Spain) and she found it so helpful, that she wanted to share her tips with you.

Where to find a suitable language course

We highly recommend to ask your host family about language schools in their surroundings. If they do not know either, you can always look in google maps their address and then look for language schools nearby.

In general, there are public institutions such as the Volkshochschule in Germany, the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas in Spain or the Università Popolari and Centri Territoriali Permanenti (CTP) in Italy, which offer courses on an economical basis. Alternatively, universities are also a good place to look for an available course.

Finally, there are plenty of private language centres where au pairs can find a suitable course. AuPairWorld has partnered with LanguageCourse.net to help search for private language schools all over the world.

Upon completion of their language course, au pairs may take an exam and receive a certificate to document their successful completion of the course.

Next steps

After finding a language course, talk to your host family about your future schedule and how it matches the language course times. We recommend you to have flexible languages classes as far as possible. Agree as well with your host family what's the plan in case one of the children is ill and who has to stay home.