In general terms, it is not compulsory for au pairs to attend a language course. Only in some countries, such as France, au pairs must enrol in a language course. Attending a language course, however, it is always recommended because of the many benefits it offers you as an au pair.
Au pairs usually have a basic knowledge of the language spoken in the host country. Attending a language course will help you improve it, so that you can communicate more easily with your host family and thus, enabling you to integrate into the family much faster. Furthermore, a language course gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Language schools usually have a cultural programm as well, so you can integrate even more easily into life in the host country.
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 financially their au pairs in with the 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.
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.
HOW TO FIND a language school as an au pair | AuPairWorld
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 at a reduced price. Alternatively, universities are also a good place to carry out your search.
Finally, there are plenty of private language centres where you can find a suitable course for you. AuPairWorld has partnered with LanguageCourse.net so that you can find private language schools all over the world.
Upon completion of their language course, au pairs may take an exam and receive a certifate if they pass.
After finding a language course, talk to your host family about your future timetable 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.