Many people look forward to exploring the world on their "Big OE" some time during their late teen years or early twenties. Some choose to travel from country to country and others like to spend a bit longer in each place, perhaps living and working among the people and immersing themselves in the culture. It’s great learning for life, building resilience and respect for people from other backgrounds.

One interesting idea is to turn your Big OE into a language learning venture. If you would like to learn English, attending courses at one or more of the language schools situated in cities around the world is the perfect way to travel the globe and improve your education at the same time. You’ll also make great friends among the other people you meet who are learning English on their travels as well.

Studying English at a language school in a country where English is spoken is the perfect way to make quick progress in the language. When you’re not in class you’ll be practising English in practical day-to-day environments. You’ll also be exploring the cities and towns around you as a traveller, visiting museums, galleries, tourist venues and beaches.

The beauty of being involved with a language school while you do your OE is that many of the activities you want to do on your travels will be organised as part of the English learning experience as well. So you’ll have a readymade group of friends to accompany you as you explore new places – all with the same aim to learn English along the way.

Many English classes in language schools around the world are organised into small modules of days or weeks, which will suit the overseas traveller perfectly. You may also be able to link in with a language school that has learning centres in various cities around the world, which means you can follow a programme while you travel and visit the language centre to book in for some classes when you are in that city.

Your OE is a great time to make friends, see the world, experience other cultures and have the opportunity to immerse yourself in other languages. If English isn’t your first language, it makes sense to combine your OE with a decision to learn English along the way. What a great way to travel the world, improve your education and prepare for your future at the same time!