You’ll be fine! The majority of ILP volunteers don’t speak the local language and have a fun and successful semester. It is helpful to learn a few key phrases and words to help you get around and connect with the people around you, but it isn’t required. Especially with apps like Google Translate which can help you get over the language barrier, you can get by without knowing the local language.

Also, your Local Coordinator and local friends you meet can help you with the language barrier. In the past, Local Coordinators have helped ILP groups buy train tickets or make reservations over the phone.

If you’d like to learn the local language, we say go for it! Not only will it enrich your semester abroad, but locals you meet really appreciate that you’re attempting to speak in their language (even if you’re still learning). And of course, it can be helpful when buying a train ticket, shopping, and ordering food. Many Local Coordinators arrange opportunities for ILP volunteers to have the chance to attend culture classes which often include some basic language lessons. However, you’ll have plenty of free time to use for your own language study if you’d like to learn the local language.

As far as volunteering goes, classes are held entirely in English using ILP’s methodology. We’ll show you strategies to holding a lesson and interacting with your kids even if they don’t speak any English yet. Even if you do speak the local language, you’ll be asked to speak only in English while teaching.

Volunteers who serve at the Romanian orphanage (and are not teaching English classes) often learn a few basic Romanian phrases to help communicate a little easier with the children there.