“My English isn’t good enough.” — This is often the first objection that prevents young people from taking the plunge. Too shy to speak, afraid of not understanding, worried about not finding a job… This fear is understandable. But it’s also, in the vast majority of cases, overestimated. Here’s why — and how to leave with peace of mind even if you’re not bilingual.
The short answer: there is no minimum level required to obtain a Working Holiday visa in Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. The visa does not test your English, nor does it require an IELTS or TOEFL score. As long as you meet the age and nationality requirements, you are eligible.
In practice, a distinction must be made between two things: the level of education required to live there, and the level required to work there. Both are much more attainable than one might imagine.
Ordering in a café, grocery shopping, using public transport, talking to housemates… all of this can be done with basic English. Gestures, context, and goodwill more than compensate for any gaps in knowledge. After a few weeks of immersion, the routines become second nature.
The sectors accessible to Working Holiday Visa holders—hospitality, farm work, maintenance, logistics—do not require perfect English. Understanding basic instructions and communicating simply with colleagues is sufficient. Our local partners (Job Assistance) know employers accustomed to hiring international candidates.
That's where the magic happens. In just a few weeks there, your brain adapts at a speed that years of school lessons never allowed. Why? Because English is no longer just a subject—it's your language of survival. You need it to eat, sleep, work, and laugh. The stress of "making mistakes" gradually disappears.
If your language level is a real concern, our Complete Package is for you. It includes several weeks of English classes at a language school as soon as you arrive, before you even enter the job market. It's the best of both worlds: you arrive, settle in, learn in a structured environment, build a network of international friends—and start working a few weeks later with much more confidence.
✅ No minimum level is required to enroll. Language schools welcome all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners who want to refine their accent.
Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand accents can indeed be surprising at first. But after a few days of active listening, your ear will adjust. In a professional setting, instructions are repeated, shown, and demonstrated. Don't hesitate to ask for repetition—it's not only accepted but expected of an international worker.
In a hostel or an international shared apartment, everyone's in the same boat. Working Holiday Visa holders come from France, Germany, Japan, Spain… English is the common language, and no one's there to judge your level. The most lasting friendships often form in this context, precisely because people let loose.
With a Working Holiday Visa, you won't be arriving alone. A transfer will be waiting for you at the airport, accommodation will be booked, and an on-site information session will welcome you from your very first days. Our local partner—experienced in hosting French-speaking Working Holiday Visa holders—is there to help you in French if needed.
Going to the other side of the world alone seemed so stressful—especially with my level of English. But in the end, everything went incredibly well, and I felt well supported and advised by Maëlle. A life-changing experience!
I went to Australia with very basic English. A month later, I was working in a restaurant and I understood everything. The progress is real and rapid.
Even if you only have a few weeks, here's what really helps:
Switch your apps to English
Phone, social networks
Series in original language with subtitles
English subtitles!
Podcasts & music in English
Every day, a little
Speak English every day
Even alone, speaking aloud
🎯 The goal: not to become bilingual before leaving — it's to loosen up your brain and feel a little less paralyzed at the idea of speaking.
Your current level of English isn't an obstacle—it's a starting point. Thousands of Working Holiday Visa holders leave each year with an intermediate or even beginner level and return with English they're proud of. What makes the difference is the desire to take the plunge.
To find out which program best suits your level and goals, start with a free information session via Zoom. Our team will answer all your questions — in French, of course.
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
