How Teens Improve Their Foreign Language Skills on a Summer Abroad Program
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To truly master a language, nothing beats daily practice and interaction with native speakers. This is where CIEE's high school language immersion programs shine, offering an unparalleled opportunity for teens to study a foreign language while living abroad.
Below we share general highlights of CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Language Programs, including what you'll learn and program outcomes.
How the High School Summer Abroad Language Programs Work
Here’s how CIEE’s blend of classroom learning, cultural immersion, and hands-on practice sets you up for success in improving your foreign language skills.
1. You Get Placed in a Fun and Challenging Language Cohort
Before you arrive, you'll take the Avant STAMP 4S test to assess your current skills. This test places you in a class that challenges you appropriately. When you arrive, a local language instructor will confirm your placement through an oral interview to ensure you're right where you need to be. If you need to change levels, don't worry—you can switch within the first week to ensure you're getting the most out of the program.
The Local CIEE staff and Program Leaders are there to support and encourage you every step of the way!
2. You Live with a Local Host Family
The magic of language learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. You’ll stay with a local host family, offering a daily immersion into the language and culture. As part of the program, you’ll take a language pledge to strictly use the foreign language both in and out of class, and your host family will honor that pledge by speaking to you in the local language.
From shared meals to conversations about your day, you’ll practice what you learn in class in real-life settings. This constant exposure helps you understand cultural nuances, and your host family is committed to helping you improve your language skills.
3. Your Classroom Learning Meets Real-World Experiences
Your language learning happens in two key environments:
- The classroom
- The community
You'll spend three hours each morning in structured lessons taught by local instructors using a communicative, task-based approach. Then, in the afternoons, it's time to practice what you've learned by heading out into the local community with specific tasks that mirror your classroom learning, such as engaging in conversations with locals, navigating public transportation, or ordering food in the target language.
4. You Have the Option to Earn College Credits and the Global Seal of Biliteracy
Upon completion of the program, you'll have the chance to retake the STAMP test to measure your progress. If your scores meet the criteria, you could earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized credential that showcases your language proficiency.
Additionally, you can choose to earn college credits depending on your academic performance, giving you a head start on your future studies.
Read our blog on The Impact of CIEE 2024 High School Summer Abroad on Language Proficiency.
A Day in the Life of a CIEE High School Summer Abroad Language Program
Curious about a typical day in a CIEE high school summer abroad language program? Let's walk through it!
Morning Language Classes
Each weekday, you'll spend 3 hours in an interactive language class led by local, native-speaking instructors. The classes focus on real-life language use, helping you build vocabulary and confidence through communicative tasks. You'll also work on weekly projects designed to align with your language level—such as creating a personal profile or a field report—allowing you to apply what you've learned.
Afternoon Immersive Language Learning
Every afternoon is an opportunity to step out of the classroom and practice your new language skills. Most programs include two daily immersive activities:
- Community Conversations: Put your language skills to the test in real-world situations. Whether chatting with locals at a market in Barcelona or ordering food at a café in Tokyo, these 45-minute sessions help you engage with the community and build fluency.
- Cultural Activities: Participate in cultural activities that complement your language learning. These experiences could range from visiting historical landmarks like cathedrals and museums to more hands-on activities like salsa dancing or local art workshops.
Weekend Excursions
On weekends, you'll go beyond the classroom to experience your host country's rich culture and history. These excursions might take you to iconic landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Mayan ruins in Mexico. You'll also discover hidden gems, like local markets or smaller cultural sites, that offer a more authentic glimpse into the daily life of your host country. Whether hiking through lush landscapes or exploring bustling city streets, each weekend adventure helps solidify your understanding of the language and culture in an exciting, hands-on way.
Accommodations, Transportation, and Safety in High School Summer Abroad Programs
CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Programs are designed to provide a safe, immersive, and enriching experience. Here's a quick look at the program logistics.
Homestay Accommodations
In CIEE’s High School Summer Abroad Language Programs, you’ll stay with a carefully-vetted local host family.
Each family undergoes a thorough screening process, including background checks, interviews, and home visits, to ensure a safe and comfortable living space. Your housing includes meals, access to laundry, and WiFi, providing everything you need to fully immerse yourself in the culture while feeling at home.
Safety and Support
Your safety is CIEE's top priority. The program includes 24/7 on-site support with staff who have long-standing local relationships. One CIEE Program Leader accompanies each group for approximately every 10 to 12 students to provide guidance and support and help connect what you're learning in the classroom with your new surroundings.
You're never on your own—during "free time," you'll always stay with at least one other peer, keep your phone charged, and check in at your accommodations with your Program Leader by a set curfew time each night.
Additionally, the program provides comprehensive medical and travel insurance covering any accidents or illnesses. Learn more about CIEE safety protocols to see how we ensure you have a safe and enjoyable summer abroad.
Consider a Foreign Language Immersion Summer Abroad
CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Language Programs let you dive into a new language through real-world practice and cultural experiences—all while having the time of your life.
Explore our programs and start planning your language adventure today!