You do not need to be bilingual, but you must be able to follow classes. The tests schools ask for, and how to improve before you leave.
It is one of the first questions families ask: "Is my English good enough?" The good news is that you do not need to be bilingual. But you must be able to follow classes, understand a coach and pass a language test.
The tests schools ask for
Most schools and universities ask international students for an English test. The best known is the TOEFL. Others, such as the Duolingo English Test or IELTS, are accepted by many schools.
Each school sets its own minimum score. Before you sign up for a test, check which one the schools you are interested in accept, and the score they expect.
Why it matters so much
- Admission: without the required score, your application can be held up.
- The visa: the embassy interview is often in English.
- On the court: understanding the coach's instructions and communicating with teammates.
- Fitting in: making friends, keeping up in class, feeling at home faster.
How to improve before you leave
- Watch your series, NBA games and videos in English, with English subtitles.
- Listen to podcasts, especially about basketball: you pick up the vocabulary of the game.
- Speak, even with mistakes. Speaking is what holds most people back, and it is also what improves fastest.
- Practise the test format: timing, question types, written sections.
- Start early: a few months of regular work make all the difference.
And once you are there?
Everything speeds up. Surrounded by English all day, in class and at practice, most players improve very quickly in the first months. Some schools also offer English classes for international students.
Our support
On our team, Marine prepares our players for English and the TOEFL, with lively sessions adapted to each level. Want to know where you stand? Book your free call.
