In the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), you do not need any language knowledge to start volunteering, and a more specific volunteer profile might be drawn up if the nature of the tasks of the activity or the project context justifies it. Volunteers gain a foreign language used as a tool in daily life, not as a lesson (shopping, explaining something to a colleague, talking to a doctor), and often some of the host country's language. Online Language Support is a service designed to help you improve the language you will be using for the volunteering tasks. Our guide on what the European Solidarity Corps is explains the programme.
Last updated: November 2026.
Do you need to speak the language before you go?
No: in European Solidarity Corps volunteering, you do not need any language knowledge, and a more specific volunteer profile might be drawn up if the nature of the tasks of the activity or the project context justifies it. Most projects accept participants with basic English. Our guide on who can apply goes through the other conditions.
What language support do you get in the European Solidarity Corps?
You get Online Language Support, a service you can access with your EU login and use to join online courses already before your departure. The courses are hosted on a learning management platform of the European Commission called EU Academy. Volunteers, including those in Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas and Humanitarian Aid Volunteering, and participants in Solidarity Projects can receive language learning support through Online Language Support.
If the working language or level is not covered by Online Language Support or if you need additional assistance, your host organisation can support your language learning through organising formal or informal lessons. For participants in Volunteering Projects, a specific grant of 150 EUR linguistic support may be provided if the required language or level is not available in Online Language Support yet, only for activities lasting 60 days or more. Our guide on Online Language Support explains how to use the courses.
How do volunteers actually learn the language?
In an ESC project, volunteers gain a foreign language used as a tool in daily life, not as a lesson (shopping, explaining something to a colleague, talking to a doctor), and often some of the host country's language. There are few problems with language itself, but it pays to learn at least enough of the local language to manage at the local market or greengrocer. Language learning is a side benefit; the core of the programme is volunteering, contributing to the community and solidarity.
One volunteer in Volunteering Teams wrote: "Living and working in such an international environment helped me improve not only my English but also my communication skills in general".
Our guide on useful apps and tools for volunteers lists language apps. Our guide on making local friends covers more ways to practise with people, our guide on the benefits of ESC explains what you gain, and our guide on culture shock and homesickness helps with the hard days.
Does a language count on your CV and Youthpass?
Yes: multilingual competence is one of the eight key competences used in Youthpass. On your CV, include skills: languages and level, digital skills, and social skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership. Our guide on Youthpass on your CV explains where to write it, and our guide on what Youthpass is explains the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Online Language Support free?
Yes: participation in the European Solidarity Corps is free of charge for the volunteer, and you can also access a range of free services, including Online Language Support. Our guide on Online Language Support has the details.
Can I learn another language than the project language?
Yes: you can use Online Language Support also to learn other languages, with no restrictions concerning the number of courses and languages.
Do I need a language certificate?
No: you do not need any language knowledge, and a more specific volunteer profile might be drawn up if the nature of the tasks of the activity or the project context justifies it.
Where can you find a project?
Youth Works Hub has a Match page that finds projects suited to you: it asks 8 questions and shows the results as a swipeable deck of cards, and using Match requires creating an account on the site.
Our guide on Volunteering Teams explains the group format.
Related pages: Online Language Support · making local friends · useful apps and tools for volunteers · Youthpass on your CV · Volunteering Teams
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
