Do you want to learn English or French and work part-time? See the list of countries where this is possible and the conditions for each of them.

For many people it is important to have the opportunity to work part-time when they travel abroad to learn a language in immersion. And most people are looking for destinations where they can study English or French and work part-time. Indeed, these are the two most common languages that people want to learn.

On this page you will be able to read the countries where this is possible, as well as the conditions that apply in each destination.

Why choose a country where you can learn a language in immersion and work at the same time?

The linguistic and cultural aspect

Having the opportunity to look for a part-time job is a great opportunity to experience a complete language immersion. Indeed, by working you will very often be in contact with locals. And it will give you a lot of opportunities to meet new people, which can sometimes be a bit difficult when traveling to a new country where you know no one. But above all it will allow you to constantly practice in the language. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn about the work culture of the country where you will carry out your language stay. And it will bring you unique learning that will open your mind considerably.

The economic aspect

On the other hand, it can obviously be a great help for those who have more modest financial means. Indeed, the income from a part-time job will allow you to pay part of your expenses of everyday life in the country where you will study. However, you should be aware that you cannot rely on a “potential” job to support yourself and to pay for your English or French course. Whatever the destination, the language course must actually be paid in full at the school before travelling and starting studies. In addition, one of the prerequisites for obtaining the visa is to demonstrate that the student has sufficient financial resources to cover all his expenses during his stay. Please note, however, that it is possible to be sponsored with respect to this financial evidence (by a family member or otherwise).

It is also important to be aware that in any country, schools do not find jobs for their students. It is therefore always the student’s sole responsibility to find a job if he wishes to work. And employment has nothing to do with language school. However, many of them have “job clubs”, which offer help with cv and cover letter writing services, and advise on where to look.

And finally, it is important to note that the jobs that foreign students find are most of the time positions that do not necessarily require a lot of qualifications. These are often positions in hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, etc.

In which countries is it possible to learn English or French and work at the same time?

The countries where foreign students can work part-time while studying English are: England (EU citizens only), Australia, Canada (citizens of certain countries only, and under certain conditions), Ireland and New Zealand.

The countries where foreign students can work part-time while studying French are: Canada (citizens of certain countries only, and under certain conditions) and France.

Learn English and work in England

We work with English schools in Cambridge, Brighton and London that offer a job placement or internship service.

This service is only available for Europeans.

Indeed, only citizens of the European Community and the Swiss can legally work while studying in the United Kingdom.

These are either unskilled paid jobs or unpaid skilled internships.

In both cases, the work experience takes place after completing the English course, and not at the same time.

It is mandatory to have reached an intermediate-high level of English in order to be placed. Thus, one of the first steps before registering will be to do an exam to assess your level. In this way, it will be possible to recommend the amount of weeks of English courses needed before the second part of the program (work/internship) can be started.

Regardless of the level of the student, he will first have to take a course of at least 4 weeks. And it may be more depending on the result of the level test.

• Paid employment program: the minimum duration of employment is 3 months and the maximum duration is 12 months. These are always unqualified positions in hotel and catering, for which you must have a minimum of experience. Students can be placed anywhere in the UK, and sometimes in somewhat isolated locations, often in Scotland. Please note that schools do not offer placements in London. The exact location will depend on the work opportunities at that time.

• Program with unpaid internship: the minimum duration of the internship is 4 weeks and the maximum duration is 6 months. The longer the internship, the easier it will be to find an interesting position.

→ English courses in England

Learn English and work in Australia

If in addition to taking English courses in Australia, you want to have the opportunity to work part-time to experience a more complete language immersion, this is possible under certain conditions.

In Australia, the student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week. And to get it you have to register for a full-time English course (minimum 20 hours of lessons per week). Thus, with this visa you will be free to look for a paid job once you have started your studies.

Read the details on the conditions to work while studying in Australia on the Australian government page.

And if you are between 18 and 31 years old and are a citizen of an eligible country, you can also apply for a “Work and Holiday” or “Working Holiday” visa. These visas allow you to stay in Australia for one year, and to work or study there. Among the countries that are eligible are: Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Spain, United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay.

→ English courses in Australia

Learn English or French and work in Canada

You will only be able to study English or French and work in Canada at the same time if you get a Working Holiday visa. With a tourist or student visa, this is unfortunately not possible. And the “Working Holiday” visa is only available to citizens of certain eligible countries.

Or, if you’re interested, we work with some schools in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, which offer programs that combine English or French classes with volunteering at a non-profit organization. But please note that these are not programs with which volunteering can cover any cost. In fact, there is even an additional cost for the volunteer placement service. The idea is above all to have international experience and not to be able to pay for part of your stay. Contact us if you are interested in receiving the details.

If you really want to study and have work experience in Canada, another option is to study English at first (until you reach an intermediate-high level) and then do a co-op program (study + work or internship) in another field. Below are examples of co-op programs offered by some of the schools we work with in Canada (Contact us for more details, including pricing):

Co-op programs in the field of hospitality, hospitality, tourism and customer service:

• Advanced Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Management in Vancouver. Duration = 28 months (4 months study + 4 weeks break + 4 months study + 4 weeks break + 4 months study + 8 weeks break + 12 months paid co-op + 2 weeks capstone).**
• Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Management in Vancouver. Duration = 15 months (3 months study + 4 weeks break + 3 months study + 8 weeks break + 6 months paid co-op + 2 weeks capstone).**
• Co-op Certificate in Professional Customer Service in Vancouver. Duration = 9 months (4 months study + 4 weeks break + 4 months paid co-op + 2 weeks capstone).
• Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Management in Vancouver or Toronto. Duration = 96 weeks (48 weeks studies + 48 weeks paid work experience).
• Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Sales & Marketing in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 weeks studies + 24 weeks paid work experience).
• Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Operations in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 weeks studies + 24 weeks paid work experience).
• Co-op Diploma in Customer Service in Vancouver or Toronto. Duration = 48 weeks (24 weeks studies + 24 weeks paid work experience).**
• Co-op Certificate in Hospitality Skills in Toronto. Duration = 26 weeks (12 weeks studies + 12 weeks paid work experience + 2 weeks post-placement study).**
• Co-op Diploma in Essential Skills for Hospitality, Service & Tourism in Vancouver, Toronto or Whistler. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).**
• Co-op Diploma in Foundation of Food & Beverage in Whistler. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).**
• Co-op Diploma in Hospitality Management in Vancouver. Duration = 24 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Co-op Certificate in Hospitality Management in Vancouver. Duration = 12 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience).
• Co-op Certificate in Hospitality Marketing and Sales in Vancouver. Duration = 6 months (12 weeks Study + 12 weeks paid work experience).

Co-op Programs in Administration and Commerce:

• Co-op Diploma in Commerce and Marketing in Vancouver. Duration = 30 months (4 months study + 8 weeks break + 4 months study + 8 weeks break + 4 months study + 8 weeks break + 12 months paid co-op + 2 weeks capstone).
• Co-op Diploma in Business Management in Vancouver. Duration = 18 months (4 months study + 8 weeks break + 4 months study + 8 weeks break + 6 months paid co-op + 2 weeks capstone).
• Co-op Diploma in Business Communication in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 weeks academic study + 24 weeks paid work experience).**
• Co-op Diploma in International Business Management in Vancouver or Toronto. Duration = 48 weeks (24 weeks studies + 24 weeks paid work experience***).
• Co-op Diploma in International Business and Management in Vancouver, Toronto or Whistler. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).
• Co-op Diploma in Digital Marketing in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).
• Co-op Diploma in Business Management in Vancouver. Duration = 18 months (24 weeks Study + 32 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Co-op Certificate in Business Management in Vancouver. Duration = 12 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience).
• Co-op Diploma in International Trade in Vancouver. Duration = 24 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Co-op Certificate in Trade Management in Vancouver. Duration = 12 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience).

Other co-op programs:

• Co-op Diploma in Social Media Marketing in Vancouver. Duration = 24 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Co-op Diploma in Project Management in Vancouver. Duration = 24 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Co-op Diploma in IT (Information Technology) in Vancouver. Duration = 24 months (24 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study + 24 weeks paid work experience + 12 weeks Study).
• Web Developer Professional Co-op Diploma in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).
• User Experience (UX) Professional Co-op Diploma in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).
• User Interface (UI) Design Professional Co-op Diploma in Vancouver. Duration = 48 weeks (24 Week Study Term + 24 Week Co-op Work Experience Term).

*These programs are with unpaid internships
**These programs require only an intermediate level of English (while the others require an intermediate-high or advanced level)
***Unpaid in Toronto

If your level of English is already high enough, you can directly enroll in a co-op program without having to take English classes first. In this case you will have to carry out an exam (which we will send you) in order to assess your level.

It is also possible to study one of these diplomas/certificates without an internship being included in the program. And you will also have the opportunity to look for a part-time job for the duration of your studies. But in any case you can not depend on a possible job to pay for the program because the cost of it must be paid before starting and even before arriving in Canada. In addition, you will need to provide proof of financial solvency to obtain the student visa. The minimum that must be proven is 833 Canadian dollars per month (in addition to the cost of the program and the round trip air ticket).

→ English Courses in Canada

Learn French and work in France

For the past 25 years France has been the world’s leading destination for tourists of all nationalities. And it is of course the number one destination to learn the French language in immersion.

And the advantage of France is that foreign students have the right to work part-time while they study French, subject to a few conditions.

Indeed, the student visa in France allows you to work up to 964 hours per year (60% of the legal annual duration). And to obtain this visa it is imperative to register for a French course of at least 20 lessons per week. You will therefore have the opportunity to look for a part-time job while you take a French course if you wish.

As far as citizens of the European Community and the Swiss are concerned, they have the right to work without any conditions.

You can read all the conditions for foreigners who wish to study and work in France on the website of the French administration.

→ French courses in France

Learn English and work in Ireland

If you are looking for a country where you can work while you study English, Ireland is a very good option.

Foreign students do have the right to work in Ireland when they are enrolled in an English course.

The rules vary depending on the student’s country of origin. For European citizens, there are no restrictions.

And as for non-Europeans, they must register for an English course of at least 15 hours per week and a minimum duration of 25 weeks. In addition, by enrolling in a 25-week course, you will be able to legally stay in Ireland for an additional 2 months, so 8 months in total. During these 8 months, you have the right to work part-time (20 hours per week) at any time. And you will have the right to work up to 40 hours per week during certain defined periods (provided you do not take classes at that time). These defined periods are: June, July, August, September, and from December 15 to January 15. But if you take a course during these periods, you will be able to work part-time.

Ireland is an ideal destination for citizens of many countries who do not need a visa to enter. See the full list of these visa-free countries to enter Ireland and find out what steps are needed.

The minimum wage in Ireland is 9.80 euros per hour.

Read all the necessary conditions to work during your studies in Ireland.

→ English courses in Ireland

Learn English and work in New Zealand

If in parallel with your English studies in New Zealand, you want to be able to work part-time to live a more complete linguistic immersion, you will have the opportunity. However, there are certain rules to follow.

Indeed, in New Zealand, with a student visa it is possible to work (20 hours per week maximum). And as a prerequisite you must register for a course of at least 20 hours per week, for a duration of at least 14 weeks.

The minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$17.70 per hour.

It was the New Zealand government that determined the conditions for working while studying in New Zealand.

If you are between the 18th and 35th birthday, another option is to apply for a Working Holiday visa that allows you to stay in New Zealand for a year, and work or study.

→ English Courses in New Zealand