Study English Before a Working Holiday in Australia, Canada or New Zealand

Planning a working holiday in Australia, Canada or New Zealand? The English you bring with you decides which jobs you can apply for, how quickly you find one and how much you enjoy the year. Many travellers spend a few weeks or months studying English in the Philippines first: the classes cost far less than in the destination countries, most courses include daily one-to-one lessons, and you arrive ready to talk to employers from day one. Here is how to plan it.

Visa rules change and depend on your passport, so this article does not replace official advice. Always check the current conditions on the government websites we link below.

Why your English level matters on a working holiday

A working holiday visa lets you travel and work, but it does not find you a job. Employers in cafés, hotels, farms, shops and offices hire the people they can understand and trust on the first phone call. Better English usually means:

• More choice of jobs. Customer-facing work in hospitality, retail and tourism needs confident everyday English.
• Easier interviews. Many first interviews are short and informal. You need to understand quick questions and answer clearly.
• Fewer problems with contracts, rent and bank accounts. You will read job offers, rental agreements and safety instructions in English.
• A better year. Friends, flatmates and colleagues are much easier to make when conversation is not hard work.

Depending on your nationality, some working holiday programmes also ask for proof of English. Requirements differ by country and change over time, so check them before you plan your course length.

Why prepare in the Philippines

English is an official language of the Philippines, so you practise all day, not only in class. At Paradise English you study with classmates from over 80 countries, and English is the language everyone shares. Courses cost far less than in Canada, Australia or New Zealand, and that difference pays for something those countries rarely offer: one-to-one lessons every day.

One-to-one time is exactly what working-holiday preparation needs. Your teacher can focus on the situations you will meet abroad instead of a fixed textbook.

What to practise before you go

Tell your teacher about your plans on the first day. In one-to-one lessons you can work on:

• Your CV or résumé in English: clear sentences, the right words for your experience and a short cover letter.
• Job interviews: answering common questions, talking about your strengths and asking good questions back.
• Phone calls: calling about a job ad, a room or an appointment, when you can't see the other person's face.
• Workplace English: taking orders, polite requests, small talk with customers and understanding instructions.
• Everyday admin: opening a bank account, reading a rental agreement, talking to a doctor.

Group classes give you the other half: speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary with people from many countries and many accents, which is good practice for a multicultural workplace.

Which course fits a working holiday?

• Intensive English: 5 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day, 35 lessons a week. Our fastest route to fluency, and the most popular choice for students preparing for a job, a degree or a move abroad. 4 weeks cost $1,017.
• General English: 4 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, 25 lessons a week. A balanced day with time for the island. 4 weeks cost $801.
• IELTS, TOEIC & Business: 2 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day, focused on an exam or on business English. Useful if you need an English test score for your plans. 4 weeks cost $795.
• Budget English: 2 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, if you need to keep your savings for the trip. 4 weeks cost $591.

Not sure where you are starting from? Take our free five-minute English level test.

How long should you study?

It depends on your level now and the jobs you want. As a rough guide:

• 4 weeks is a strong refresh if you already get by in English and want to speak with more confidence.
• 8 weeks gives you time to build real fluency and practise interviews properly. 8 weeks of Intensive English cost $2,037.
• 12 weeks suits students who are starting from a lower level. 12 weeks of General English cost $2,441.

The longer you stay, the less you pay per week: every week after the fourth costs less, for example $205 for General English. Add your room, the registration fee ($130) and the Special Study Permit (about $200). Our guide to the cost of a month in the Philippines adds it all up.

If you stay longer than 29 days, you will also need to extend your tourist visa in the Philippines. Our office organises visa help every week; read our guide to the Special Study Permit and visa extension.

Where to check the working holiday rules

Each country runs its own programme, with its own age limits, list of eligible passports, quotas and application dates. Check the official sources:

• Australia: Working Holiday Maker programme, on the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
• Canada: International Experience Canada (IEC), on the Government of Canada website (canada.ca).
• New Zealand: working holiday visas, on the Immigration New Zealand website (immigration.govt.nz).

Apply directly through these official channels. Be careful with websites that charge high fees for a simple application.

A simple plan

1. Check that your passport is eligible and when applications open.
2. Take our level test and choose your course length.
3. Ask us for a free quote with your dates.
4. Study on Boracay, and use your one-to-one lessons for your CV, interviews and phone calls.
5. Fly on to your working holiday ready to apply for jobs from the first week.

FAQ

Can I prepare for a job interview in my English classes?

Yes. Tell your teacher your goal, and your one-to-one lessons can focus on interview questions, your CV and phone calls. Our IELTS, TOEIC & Business program also covers business English.

Do I need an English test for a working holiday visa?

It depends on your passport and the country. Some programmes ask some nationalities for proof of English, others don't. Check the current rules on the official government website before you apply.

How long should I study before a working holiday?

Four to twelve weeks gives you time to make real progress before you fly on. Four weeks is a good refresh; eight to twelve weeks give you time to build real fluency, especially if you start at a lower level.

Can I study in the Philippines on the way to Australia or New Zealand?

Yes, many travellers combine the two. Plan your flights, the 29-day visa on arrival and any extension together, and check the visa rules for your passport.

Ready to plan your route? Read our complete guide to studying English in the Philippines, compare every course on the 2026 price list, or contact us for a personal quote.