Language Programs in South Africa

Molo! Sawubona! Ndaa! Hallo! In South Africa, you have 11 official languages and an array of dialects to choose from to say “hello” (no, a lion’s roar does not count as one of them). From English to indigenous tribal languages, South Africa is a prime spot not only to study a new language in a classroom setting, but also to put your skills to practice in real life interactions. Not to mention, there are mountains to hike, waves to surf, nature in its purest form to explore (safaris!), traditional dishes to taste, and vibrant cities to discover in your free time. With its culture, history, and adventure, South Africa provides a perfect backdrop for language study abroad.

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2 Language Courses in South Africa

SweetEscapes

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365 Ultimate Gap Year

Sweet Escapes offers a year-long gap year experience in Africa, combining professional training with cultural immersion. Spend your time in Eswatini completing your TEFL or TESOL certification, gaining the skills to teach English anywhere in the world. The remainder of the year is yours to explore, with flexible add-on adventures across Southern Africa, from wildlife safaris and cultural tours to adrenaline activities and beach escapes. The program includes shared accommodation, weekday meals during training, a guided city orientation, and job placement support.

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Plus Taalreizen

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Learn English Outside Europe

At Plus Language Travel, learning a foreign language becomes a lasting experience. Our programmes go beyond the classroom, offering cultural adventures that help you grow personally and socially. You’ll not only improve your language skills, but also connect with fellow students from around the world. In vibrant Vancouver or stunning Cape Town, we provide more than just a course—we offer a complete journey. You’ll be guided by local staff at the language school and supported throughout your stay, creating a safe and welcoming environment for learning and exploration. Each destination includes a customised all-in-one package. This typically covers your flight or train journey, local transfers, accommodation, meals, insurance, engaging leisure activities, your language course, a placement test, and a certificate of participation. Whether you choose the urban energy of Vancouver or the coastal beauty of Cape Town, your language trip will be enriching, exciting, and unforgettable.

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A Guide to Language Programs in South Africa

Locations

South Africa has diversity that spans the geographical spectrum. From the ocean to grasslands, wherever you decide to pursue language programs in South Africa will determine the prominent languages heard

Cape Town is a large coastal city that offers a wonder of sights, cuisines, people, and history. Take a hike up Table Mountain, feast on local Cape Malay dishes, and head to Long Street to shop amongst the crowds. Throughout the city, remnants of apartheid have been preserved, but to get a more in-depth historical encounter, peruse through the District Six Museum and the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. With its location in the Western Cape, Afrikaans and English are both the common languages of study in Cape Town.

Port Elizabeth is known as the “Friendly City,” so if this is your first time abroad, this community will make sure you have a good experience. Head to the beaches after language courses for some surf and sand or take a long weekend excursion through the much-traveled Garden Route for lush green hiking and ecotourism. As part of the Eastern Cape Province, Xhosa, the second most common language in South Africa, is widely spoken in Port Elizabeth

If you’ve ever sung the intro of The Circle of Life at the top of your lungs (correct or not) you were singing in Zulu. Zulu, the most common language spoken in South Africa, is heavily spoken in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Here, you’ll meet a population of people with profound cultural pride. When you aren’t experiencing Zulu traditions throughout local villages, encounter South Africa’s famous Big Five on safari or take a boat out into the ocean to catch the migrating whales.