10 Best Foreign Language Programs

Itching to take your foreign language skills to the next level? One of the best ways to fast-track your language learning is to immerse yourself in a foreign language study abroad program!  

Whether you’re a beginner or Heritage speaker, CIEE offers 100+ incredible foreign language programs across 30+ amazing locations around the globe, giving you plenty of ways to earn foreign language credits, polish your language skills, connect with international community members, and experience a country’s local culture firsthand. Ready to let language learning commence? Let’s go! 

What is the Best Program to Learn a Foreign Language? 

If you’re on the hunt for the best foreign language learning program, read on as we list 10 of our students’ favorite language learning programs abroad. While identifying the best foreign language programs is quite subjective, these top picks can help inspire what foreign language you should study and where! 

Best Chinese Language Study Abroad Programs  

As the world’s second most widely spoken language, more than 1.3 billion people speak Mandarin Chinese as their mother tongue. Given Chinese has been spoken for 3,000+ years, this is a critical and smart foreign language to get under your belt! 

Intensive Chinese Language (Beijing)  

*Program not currently active. Please check out other programs in the region.

Spend a semester immersed in the Chinese language at CIEE’s prestigious partner school, Peking University (PKU), where you’ll hone your intermediate or advanced Chinese language skills. In addition to expanding your proficiency in Mandarin, you’ll explore Beijing, one of the world’s leading centers for culture, politics, finance, business, education, and research. 

Program details: 

• Length: 15 weeks 
• Credits: 16 semester hours/24 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Environmental Conditions and Public Perception in Contemporary China 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit The Forbidden City, a palace complex that was the political and ritual center of China for 500+ years 

Accelerated Chinese Language (Shanghai) 

Advance your Chinese language skills by at least two levels during this immersive language program in Shanghai, China’s largest city by population. At CIEE Shanghai, you’ll enroll in three classes per semester, including two accelerated courses focused on rapid language acquisition.  

Program details: 

• Length: 15 weeks 
• Credits: 15 semester hours/22.5 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Modern Chinese History 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Zhujiajiao, the best-preserved traditional water town in Shanghai, lined with stone bridges, cobblestone lanes, and canals 

Best Spanish Language Study Abroad Programs 

As one of the most popular languages in the world (with 20+ countries declaring Spanish as their official language and 500+ million Spanish speakers worldwide), Spanish is one of the most practical and common foreign languages to learn. Whether you want to study Spain’s Spanish dialect or Latin America’s Spanish dialect, CIEE offers six different places to study Spanish! 

Read More: 6 of the Best Spanish Speaking Countries to Study Abroad in 

Summer Intensive Spanish Language (Alicante)  

Spend eight weeks of your summer improving and advancing your Spanish language skills in Spain’s beautiful port city, Alicante! Designed for intermediate or advanced Spanish learners, this intensive language program will immerse you in the sounds, culture, and community of Spain, giving you an authentic taste of Spanish life. 

Program details: 

• Length: 8 weeks 
• Credits: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $8,850 
• Featured Course: Intermediate Conversation 
• Excursion Highlight: Go on an overnight trip to Granada, a lovely Spanish city situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains known for its medieval architecture 

Summer Intensive Spanish Language (Buenos Aires) 

Spend your summer becoming fluent in Spanish while connecting with Argentinians as you explore the modern metropolis of Buenos Aires! This language program is designed to immerse you in the Spanish language while learning about Argentina’s history, culture, and local life.  

Program details: 

• Length: 8 weeks 
• Credits: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $8,450 
• Featured Course: Intermediate Spanish Language I: Oral Communication and Culture 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Colonia in Uruguay, a historic city facing Buenos Aires across the Río de la Plata estuary 

Best Arabic Language Study Abroad Programs  

With more than 400 million Arabic speakers worldwide and more than 20 countries designating Arabic as their country’s official language, Arabic is a great and highly desirable foreign language to learn! 

Advanced Arabic Language (Amman)  

Take your Arabic to the next level in Amman, the most populous city of Jordan and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. Designed for students with advanced language skills in Arabic, at CIEE Amman you'll study a combination of language, history, and literature courses, entirely taught in Arabic. 

Program details: 

• Length: 16 weeks 
• Credits: 16 semester hours/24 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Advanced Topics in Arabic Conversation I 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Petra, a famous archaeological site dating back to 300 B.C. 

Summer Arabic Language (Rabat) 

Diversify your resume and experience with one of the most sought-after language skills in today's job market: Arabic. Designed for students who want to polish their Arabic language skills, this summer language program brings you to the enchanting city of Rabat, where you'll study, live, and explore Moroccan life. 

Program details: 

• Length: 8 weeks 
• Credits: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $8,950 
• Featured Course: Colloquial Moroccan Arabic - Beginning I 
• Excursion Highlight: Venture to Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco and one of the most important economic centers in Africa 

Best French Language Study Abroad Programs  

The world is home to more than 300 million Francophones, with nearly 30 countries designating French as their sole official language. From the obvious (France) to the surprising (Morocco), CIEE offers four distinct places to study French abroad.  

Read More: Top 4 Places to Study French Abroad 

Summer Intensive French Language (Rennes)  

Spend eight weeks of your summer developing a deeper understanding of French history, culture, and society while polishing your intermediate to advanced French language skills in Rennes.  

Program details: 

• Length: 8 weeks 
• Credits: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $8,850 
• Featured Course: Intermediate French Oral Communication 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique island topped by a gravity-defying abbey 

Language + Culture (Toulouse)  

Earn credits in art, history, music, and gastronomy while practicing your French language skills! At CIEE Toulouse, you’ll come to appreciate the city’s small-town charm and strong community-focused culture. 

Program details: 

• Length: 16 weeks 
• Credits: 15-18 semester hours/22.5-27 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Intercultural Communication and Leadership 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit a local farm to explore the goat cheese production process 

Best Russian Language Study Abroad Programs  

While only four countries around the world designate Russian as their official language, more than 250 million native speakers and 120+ million non-native speakers practice the language, making it a useful and highly desirable language to learn. 

Russian Language + European Studies (Tallinn)  

Spend a semester living and learning in Tallinn, Estonia where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical similarities and differences between Russian cultures and their native cultures while improving your Russian language skills. 

Program details: 

• Length: 16 weeks 
• Credits: 12-18 semester hours/18-27 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Russian Language – Conversation Advanced I 
• Excursion Highlight: Go on an overnight trip to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, which is a modern Scandinavian city just two hours away by boat 

Summer Intensive Russian Language (Tallinn) 

Spend your summer fast-forwarding your Russian language to the next level! Designed for intermediate or advanced students, this program offers in-depth language training in Estonia’s historic capital where 35% of residents have Russian roots. 

Program details: 

• Length: 8 weeks 
• Credits: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $8,450 
• Featured Course: Advanced Conversation 
• Excursion Highlight: Explore Tallinn’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Europe's best-preserved towns from the Medieval Period 

Study Language Learning Programs Abroad 

Now that you’ve been introduced to some of CIEE’s best foreign language programs, it’s time to take your language learning studies global. Whether you want to learn or advance your skills in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, Japanese, or more, CIEE has you covered.  

Take the next step by finding the right foreign language program for you today! 

EXPLORE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS