How Workaway Can Help You Improve Your Language Skills
When I decided to utilize Workaway after graduating from university, I had two goals: to make connections while traveling and to practice French. I’d studied the language in high school and university but had limited experience putting my skills to use.
I had visited France once before, on a week-long trip with my dad to Paris and Toulouse. And while plenty of people, particularly in the capital, spoke English, I realized that nothing can truly prepare you for real-time practice of a foreign language.
You can study as many vocab cards as possible and conjugate hundreds of verbs on paper. But, there isn’t any replacement for trying to explain to a railway agent that you missed your connection and need a new ticket. Or for frantically trying to figure out which tram will take you to the airport when you’re short on time.
“Learn by doing” is best when improving language skills and Workaway is a fantastic resource to help you improve, maintain, and practice. As we’ve covered before, volunteering abroad requires daily practice, exposure to various accents, and often full immersion. All of which is immensely helpful in learning a language.
I had huge success and absolutely recommend Workaway as the ultimate language immersion program! If you’re still not sure, read my anecdotes below about my time practicing French in various countries.
True immersion
You’ll likely stay with a family or in a community outside touristy centers such as Paris, Barcelona, or Mexico City. So the chances that many (or any) people will speak English will be much lower. You’ll be forced to flex your foreign language muscles constantly.
For example, the first Workaway I did was with a couple in the south of France who needed help running a B&B out of their home. They didn’t speak more than a few words of English. In addition, their accents took me a minute to get used to (more on that below).
First thing in the morning I’d eat breakfast in the kitchen with Patricia, my host mom, before helping with (primarily French-speaking) guests during the day. In the evening, meals were with her, her husband Bernard (who spoke no English at all), and usually some of the guests. Additionally, the radio playing throughout the house was French, as were the television programs we watched at night.
My brain and ears were inundated with French almost 24/7. I’m so glad I didn’t have the safety net of a host who spoke English. In the month and a half I spent with them, my confidence and comprehension in French skyrocketed
Daily practice
Workaway isn’t just a few-hour class where you leave the language until the next time. You will speak, listen, read, and maybe even write in it every day. In Morocco, even more so than in France, I was so happy to have French skills, even if I wasn’t 100% comfortable.
The two main languages, Arabic and French are essential for having a smooth visit to the country. The ability to communicate in at least one saved me major headaches. A fact I further appreciated after an afternoon of playing interpreter for an Australian guy who needed accommodation and couldn’t communicate with guesthouse owners. Lucky for him, I was willing to help, but I’m so glad I was never in a similar position.
And that B&B gig I mentioned above? I played interpreter for a weekend when an American couple arrived and Patricia, my host mom, panicked and called me over whenever they needed something. This occurred at the end of my stay and served as a nice example of how far I’d come from the shy American girl who could barely manage past “Bonjour” on her first day!
Accent exposure
You might end up somewhere with an accent you didn’t learn in the classroom. This is great for expanding your knowledge but can prove tricky at first.
For example, the accent in the south of France, particularly around Marseille is very different from the Parisien accent or the more neutral one I learned studying French in the U.S.
On my first day in Marseille, before I took the train to my host, I went to a bakery.
“Je prends un pain au chocolate, si vous plaît”
“I’ll have a chocolate croissant, please,” I said, very chuffed that I managed to do so.
“Jusktjsljlktjkelseszjf;” — That’s not what the girl behind the counter said, but it’s all I heard. She repeated two or three times, even after I offered a tentative “oui” just to get out of the stressful, and honestly slightly embarrassing situation.
I mean, I thought I had at least a low-intermediate level in French!
It didn’t get any better once I arrived at my hosts. Beyond “bonjour,” “hello” and “ça va,” “how are you?” Each morning, conversation was strained. I’m sure my hosts were panicking just as much as I was, me about not being able to speak French, and them, about having invited someone to help them out that they couldn’t understand.
Thankfully, after a few days, my ears adjusted and we were all extremely relieved. I’m sure it was quite funny for them to see me learn French essentially overnight!
Expanding your Vocab
Whether you’re working as an au pair, helping run a hostel, or on a farm, you’ll probably learn words that would have never come up in a traditional classroom setting. In Quebec, I was constantly having whiplash about what word to use, as the vocabulary often differs drastically from France.
For example, “stationnement” instead of “parking” for parking lot and “blonde” and “chum” instead of “copaine/copain” for girlfriend and boyfriend.
Not to mention, they also use a lot more English words than other French-speaking countries, as Canada is bilingual!
So there you have it, of all the (often humorous) ways I struggled, but eventually succeeded in my language French journey. I loved using Workaway to do so, and can’t recommend it enough!
About Sydney
Sydney is a writer and international education professional from Seattle. She began her travels at age 16 while visiting an aunt in Australia and hasn't stopped since. She discovered Workaway in 2017
