In a vast market, this blog gives you 4 clear ways to reduce your search.
How to Find the Right Adult English Language Holiday
This guide helps you begin your search for an adult English language holiday in the UK — so you know where to start, what to look for initially, and how to refine your options before you compare quality in depth.
Here, we help prospective learners make sense of what they find online when searching for language school holidays.
It offers 4 simple starting points in your search, plus guidance on how to read between the lines of websites, spot quality indicators, and avoid misleading offers — so travellers can choose a language holiday that genuinely supports learning rather than just selling a course.
Search Google for an Adult English Language Holiday in the UK, and you’ll get 1000+ options.
This blog exists to help you refine what you are looking for.
When you refine your search, you’ll be able to find the right language holiday for you.
” I found you by chance”.
” We didn’t know where to look!”
“I didn’t know holidays like yours existed”
Former client quotes
It is hard to find an English holiday to match your needs
(Where do you start looking?)
Here!
This page will help.
The Classroom Myth
You may think you need to sit in a classroom, but you don’t.
Here at Blue Noun, we think that’s a TERRIBLE way to spend a holiday – but perhaps you don’t. The truth is that all adults have unique learning needs. If you are studying for an exam it is more likely to be the right option, otherwise – get some real world English practice into your holiday.
4 Ways to Begin Finding Your Match
Way 1: Look for Your Availability
If you have no flexibility with dates, begin by contacting language schools with the dates you want to learn.
Independent language coaches tend to have good networks.
If they can’t help you, ask them to recommend someone they trust.
Way 2: Search by Destination
If you want an English language holiday in the UK, don’t forget that Scotland, N. Ireland and Wales all have good homestay options.
No, you won’t catch the accent! Find out more.
Way 3: Know Your Budget
1:1 coaching options will be more expensive than sitting in a classroom with 30 other students.
What student-teacher ratio is ideal for you? And what can you afford?
Top Tip: A high course price is not synonymous with excellent quality.
→ Read our guide to knowing the quality indicators of a language holiday offer.
Way 4 Search Your Level
And be clear on what you want to achieve in your time.
Some results are more tangible than others.
Be open to less tangible results also being progress. A language holiday can be transformational if it takes the fear out of speaking English – or kickstarts you on a path to enjoying English acquisition.
Tip: Different methods suit different language levels.
Beginners need the most structure.
Advanced-level English holidays don’t even have to open a course book!
Further Tips
Resources to help you match your English language holiday needs.
Ask Yourself, if You Want an Urban or Rural Holiday
Do you want to explore landscapes or pubs?
Do You Want a Traditional Classroom (not us) or Adventures (hell yes!).
Go Corporate (and Homogenous) or Risk an Independent Language School?
Do you want to work with a corporate language school with a system that teaches in the same way, to all clients, or trust an independent language school or host, for a personal experience?
Blue Noun is an alternative to the big language schools.
Know the Marketplace
Big corporations dominate Google searches for language training holidays. It’s BIG BUSINESS.
Some platforms, like Language Course Net offer listing and booking systems: bear in mind they take 30% commission, so book directly when you can.
If you are looking for a small, personalised service ask for recommendations on Linkedin, or search using hashtags.
Don’t just be a number, become a friend.
Look Up the Location
Can you fly direct from your nearest city?
Does the language school offer a pick-up service?
Check the language school's Client Testimonials
→ Did those previous clients like the same kind of experiences as you would?
→ And did they make language progress?
Do You REALLY Want a Homestay?
Language homestays can be great for getting intensive English coaching, but for many, that’s uncomfortably intensive.
How do you switch off and relax?
Small language schools can offer you comparativly private 1:1 coaching, but arrange for you to have a comfy bed with a community host, letting you relax in the evening.
Ask an English Teacher
Choosing the right adult English language holiday in the UK can be tricky. Most folks do not know where to start their search.
If you have had English lessons recently ask your teacher for a recommendation.
Often, we work with people through personal recommendations from other English teachers who tend to know what’s hot and what’s not in the ELT world.
They know what will suit you and get you the breakthrough you need.
Don’t just trust a quick Google.
Trust an expert.
Are YOU an ELT Professional? Join our affiliate scheme and get rewarded for sharing our holidays.
4 Numbers to Compare between Language School Holidays
Their maximum number of students
(we have 3).
What costs are included
(for example, we include all travel and admission tickets and activities and £6 towards food per day).
How expensive is any non-included accommodation?
Ours is £25 per person, per night.
How many contact hours are guaranteed.
Make sure this is with a trained teacher or equivalent expert (for example, we match you with artists and makers).
Client Testimonial
“From the very first moment I’ve loved the warm atmosphere and Ruth’s passionate way of inspiring enthusiasm for the English language. Her innovative approach of bringing English to life in a vibrant and motivating way gives me a whole new feeling for the language.
The teaching methods are varied and practice-oriented, with real-life experiences and opportunities to use the language in everyday situations and participate in the local environment. I feel like I’m not only improving my language skills, but also meeting great people and getting to know Scottish culture and way of life up close – which is exactly what I was looking for!
The beautiful surroundings of Crieff provide the perfect backdrop to relax and unwind while learning the language at the same time. Lunch with a stunning view of Dysart Harbour, trips into the Highlands, a cold swim in Loch Earn, an inspiring performance by Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie McLean at Perth Concert Hall, delicious food, a great homestay host and lots of chats with lovely people – so far, every minute has been an enriching experience!
For me, Ruth is more than just a teacher and a coach, she is an incredibly kind and attentive person I can truly connect with. With her infectious enthusiasm, her empathy and her great sense of humor, she has helped me to overcome barriers and – in just a few days – express myself more freely and authentically in English”.
Words by R.F.
YOUR Language Holiday
Embarking on an adult English language holiday in the UK offers a unique opportunity to enhance your language skills while immersing yourself in rich culture.
By choosing a language holiday that resonates with your interests and needs, you set the stage for a transformative journey that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
Embrace this chance to learn and explore by choosing an environment that celebrates personal growth and cultural discovery.
Good luck with your search!
Photo Credits
The photos on this page were taken by a recent client during a 1-week English immersion holiday with us here in Scotland (except the cats, and they are part of the language hub too).
Our Guides to Find Your Next Step
What's the Next for My English?
A supportive space to find your next step
Help Choosing a Language Holiday
Choosing the right English language holiday can be confusing.
Check out our guides to help you ask better questions and invest well.
Thank you for this information. I am enquiring on behalf of Inna, our Ukrainian refugee who has been living with us for 3 years now. She arrived without a single word of English and has attended various short English classes run locally as well as using DuoLingo. But she is still really struggling to learn better English and we still usually have to resort to online Google translate on our phones for any complicated or important conversations. She is desperate to improve her English, but perhaps her age (56) and minimal education makes it more difficult for her. She is very frustrated. She is also quite shy.
She has a job (manual work in a small business making roller blinds) which she copes well with as there is a young Russian employee who was educated in England (secondary and university). She is due for some holiday (two weeks at a time maximum) but doesn’t have anyone to go on holiday with (she has sometimes been away with me). She would like to explore Britain more, especially towns and cities. But this is hard on her own and without much English. So to combine a holiday with intensive English tuition seems an excellent idea! But she would definitely need accommodation. As she is only earning the minimum wage, she can’t afford expensive holidays. Basically, she can go on holiday at any time – but she has to fit in with the other employees who always book their ho9lidays well in advance, so limiting her choice of dates!
Could you please advise? Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Margaret, I’m glad you found us. We only help beginner levels in April every year as we specialise in conversation coaching and it sounds like Inna needs the basics – which she would get in a more traditional, classroom-based holiday. Have you looked at online lessons? They can be flexible with schedules and convenient. If you are looking for week-long holidays on a budget, then a rough guide is the more people in the class the cheaper will be. Some universities run them with 20+ students at a time. I can recommend an online English teacher if you choose that route.