5 Proven Tips to Learn a Language Faster as an Au Pair — Anna’s Story

Meet Anna.

She’s 23, a fresh graduate with no work experience yet — but a head full of dreams. Her goal? To take a gap year, improve her English, travel the world, and discover who she really is.

When most people think about becoming an au pair, they picture the basics: looking after children, preparing meals, playing games, helping with homework. But the truth is… being an au pair is so much more.

It’s a full cultural and language immersion. A chance to step into a new family, a new way of life, and a new perspective on the world.

Anna experienced this firsthand. After her au pair adventure, she shared how living with a host family gave her unforgettable memories and improved her langauge skills faster than she ever imagined.

Her biggest lesson? Progress depends on dedication. The more you put in, the faster you’ll see results.

1. Living in the Language, Every Day

Anna’s secret was simple: She was surrounded by the language every single day. When we travel, it’s easy to stick with people who speak our own language, but if you really want to learn something new, you have to step outside your comfort zone.

By making the effort to speak English in her daily life, even when it felt challenging, she quickly started picking up new words, expressions, and ways of speaking without even realising it.

2. The Little Teachers with Big Lessons

One of the most rewarding parts of Anna’s experience was teaching English to the children in her host family. What she hadn’t expected was how much they would teach her in return.

Kids are some of the best language teachers, they don’t judge, they’re curious, innocent, and full of energy. When they didn’t understand something, Anna had to find creative ways to explain it, which pushed her to expand her vocabulary. In the end, they were giving her daily Spanish lessons.

3. Immersion Everywhere

It wasn’t just about the time spent at home. Every trip to the supermarket, every TV show playing in the background, and every street sign became an opportunity to learn. The more she experienced real culture life, the faster the language started to stick.

4. Building Confidence

In the beginning, Anna felt shy about speaking. But over time, daily conversations with her host family helped her gain confidence. They understood her level and never expected perfection. Making mistakes became part of the process.

5. Asking, Talking, Trying

Don’t be afraid to talk, ask questions, and try. Even if your sentences aren’t perfect, communication is the goal. People will appreciate the effort and help you improve.

6. Learning Beyond Work Hours

Anna also made sure to keep practicing outside of her au pair duties. Here are the most used apps that kept her learning fun and consistent:

Top 3 Apps

1. Gymenglish – Fun, interactive exercises to improve grammar and vocabulary.
2. Elevate – Great for boosting reading, writing, and communication skills.
3. MakesYou Fluent – Perfect for daily speaking practice and learning naturally.

Enjoy the Ride

The biggest piece of advice we can give you is to enjoy the moment. Be yourself, stay flexible, meet people from all over the world, explore your surroundings, and keep track of your progress.

You might be surprised at just how much your language skills can grow in only a few months and remember, your progress will also depend on your level of dedication.