The Best Short Gap Year Programme for 18–20-Year-Olds? Why We Built LGN Beyond (and How It Compares to EF)

Short answer: for an 18–20-year-old who wants a short gap year of about two months in an English-speaking country, LGN Beyond is, in our view, the strongest option available – because it is the only one built entirely around one closed group of 18–20-year-olds, with teaching, five city trips, supervision and everything else included in one price of €10,900. Large language-school chains such as EF and Kaplan are the better choice if you want a language other than English, a stay longer than three months, or the freedom to start any week.

We run LGN Beyond, so we are not neutral. That is why this page sets out the comparison factor by factor, with what the big providers publish themselves, and is clear about where they are stronger.

What counts as a "short gap year"?

A short gap year is a structured break of roughly six to twelve weeks, usually in autumn, after finishing school. It suits students who want a real experience abroad – better English, independence, travel and new friends – without spending a whole year away. Our article Does a gap year have to last a whole year? explains the options in more detail.

LGN Beyond vs EF and big language schools at a glance

Factor	LGN Beyond	Large language-school chains (EF, Kaplan and similar)
Who it is for	Only 18–20-year-olds who have finished school	Broad age bands – EF Language Abroad is for 16–25, Kaplan's long courses start at 16, and the same providers also run courses for adults
The group	One group that arrives together and stays together for eight weeks	Rolling start dates, often every Monday, so classmates change week by week
Length	A fixed eight weeks, 20 September – 12 November 2027	Flexible, from two weeks to a year
Setting	Queen Ethelburga's campus near York, with everyone living on site	Mostly city-centre schools
Accommodation	On campus with the group, included	Host family, residence or shared apartment, chosen and priced separately
Teaching	Four weeks of intensive English (25 hours a week), then Academic English, Business English, Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship – each with a certificate	General, intensive or exam English, with a wide choice of course types
Travel	Five two-night city trips included: London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and the Lake District	A weekly activity programme; longer trips are generally booked on top
Price	€10,900 all-inclusive – only flights and spending money are extra	Quoted per week and built from options; EF's terms list an enrolment fee (USD 195–295) and course materials separately
Supervision	A programme manager living on campus, staff on every trip staying in the same hotel, and a police record check for every participant	School staff and student services; students live independently in their accommodation
Track record	Five years of residential camps, 200+ five-star reviews, 5.0 on Google and Trustpilot	Decades of experience and dozens of destinations – EF cites 60 years and around 50 campuses

Six reasons we believe LGN Beyond is the best short gap year option

1. Everyone is 18–20 – and stays together

This is the biggest difference. In a city language school, an 18-year-old can share a class with a 35-year-old professional one week and a new group the next. On LGN Beyond, the whole group is the same age, starts on the same day and finishes on the same day. That is where real friendships – and most of the confidence young people come home with – are built.

2. One price that really includes everything

€10,900 covers accommodation, meals, teaching, certificates, five two-night city trips, insurance and airport transfers. Flights and spending money are the only extras. With modular pricing, families often only discover the full cost once accommodation, meals, activities, transfers and fees are added up. Our checklist How to choose a gap year programme abroad shows how to compare like for like.

3. More than general English

After four intensive weeks, participants move on to Academic English, Business English, Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship, each with its own certificate. That gives students something concrete to show universities and employers – not just "I did a language course".

4. Britain, not just one city

Two months in one city shows you one city. LGN Beyond includes two nights each in London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and the Lake District, with free time to explore, so participants see England and Scotland properly.

5. Freedom with a real safety net

Participants are adults and are treated as adults, with free evenings and weekends and their own choices on trips. Behind that sits a programme manager who lives on campus, staff who travel on every trip and stay in the same hotel, and a police record check for every participant, paid for by us. For parents, that combination is hard to find elsewhere.

6. Built by a team families already trust

LGN Beyond is created by the team behind Let's Go Native's international camps: five years of residential programmes, more than 200 five-star reviews and a 5.0 rating on both Google and Trustpilot.

When EF or another big language school is the better choice

To be fair, a large language-school chain will suit you better if:

• You want to learn French, Spanish, German, Italian or another language, not English.

• You want to stay longer than three months, or for a full academic year.

• You need to start on a specific week or choose an exact number of weeks.

• You want to live in a big city such as London, New York or Sydney.

• You are over 20, or want to study alongside adults.

If what you want is English, independence, travel and a peer group of the same age in one short, well-supported block, LGN Beyond was built for exactly that.

How to compare prices fairly

Ask every provider for a written total for the same eight weeks, including: course and certificates, accommodation, all meals, trips and activities, airport transfers, insurance, enrolment and material fees. Only then compare. The lowest weekly price is rarely the lowest total.

LGN Beyond runs from 20 September to 12 November 2027 for 18–20-year-olds, with an English level of B1 and free online preparation if you need it. Places are limited because the group is deliberately small.

Discover LGN Beyond

LGN Beyond is new. The team behind it isn't. LGN Beyond is run by Let's Go Native. Our English camps for young people have more than 200 five-star reviews from parents and a 5.0 rating on Google and Trustpilot. Read what parents say or discover LGN Beyond.

More guides for students and parents

• The Best Gap Year in England for 2027: LGN Beyond, 8 Weeks That Prepare You for What Comes Next

• What to Do After School If You Don't Know What You Want to Study Yet

• How to Improve Your English After School (Without Spending All Day in a Classroom)

• Is Taking Time Out Before University a Good Idea? Pros, Cons and What to Do With It

• Gap Year Ideas: 10 Options After School Compared (Cost, Length and What You Gain)

• Does a Gap Year Have to Last a Whole Year? Short Gap Year Options in England Compared

• How Much Does a Gap Year Abroad Really Cost? A 2027 Budget Guide for Parents

• How to Choose a Gap Year Programme Abroad: 7 Things to Look For (2027 Checklist)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best short gap year programme?

For 18–20-year-olds who want English, independence and travel in about two months, we believe LGN Beyond is the best option, because it combines a closed group of the same age, real teaching with certificates, five city trips and full supervision in one all-inclusive price. For other languages or longer stays, a large language-school chain is usually a better fit.

Is LGN Beyond better than EF?

They are built for different things. EF offers huge choice – many languages, destinations, start dates and lengths. LGN Beyond is a single eight-week programme only for 18–20-year-olds in England, with one group, trips and supervision included. If that is what you want, LGN Beyond is the more complete package.

How much does LGN Beyond cost compared to EF?

LGN Beyond costs €10,900 all-inclusive for eight weeks; only flights and spending money are extra. Large language schools quote prices per week based on the options you choose, so the fairest comparison is to ask for a written total for the same eight weeks with accommodation, meals, trips, transfers, insurance and fees included.

Who is LGN Beyond for?

It is for 18–20-year-olds who have finished school and want a short gap year with English, travel and independence. Participants need an English level of about B1, and free online preparation is available for students who need it.

Is a two-month gap year worth it?

Yes, if it is well structured. Eight weeks of intensive English, certificates, travel and living independently can give a student most of what a long gap year offers, while leaving time to work, travel or prepare for university for the rest of the year.

Do I need a visa for LGN Beyond?

It depends on your nationality. Many European students can come to the UK as visitors for a short course, but rules change, so always check the official UK government guidance. We provide an invitation letter for participants who need one.