Job Discussion Forums

[zondervan]

Hoping somebody out there can offer some advice,

I want to try and arrange some homestays for short periods and possibly over longer periods, i.e 6 - 12 months, if the initial homestays are a success. I live in a small town near to 2 large cities. My town has a train station and decent bus routes so getting to a language school in one of the nearer cities would not be a problem. I am trying to arrange this on behalf of my parents (I will be moving out soon) who have two spare bedrooms available. The house is very old and beautiful (at least that's what all my former Japanese students tiold me when they saw pictures of it it) and right on the edge of the town overlooking the countryside.

I think it would be ideal for a homestay. We had some families stay last year while they were taking courses at the local college. This was only for a couple of weeks and they were sent to us by the college. How would I go about go about arranging homestays without going through agencies. I hear middlemen always take a big cut of the money paid by the student and want to avoid this if possible. My ex girlfriend who was Japanese said her homestay family received 100 pounds a week for her being there. The homestay was also in a quite a rough area, (friends I know who lived there agreed on this) and the family made little effort to speak to her and used her as a free babysitter. She also said they always gave her microwave meals and stuff out of tins. Is this treatment of homestay students common?

I'm sure my parents could do much better than this and could definetly use the money. Can anyone suggest where I can begin my research? Any suggestions? I checked the forums but couldn't really see that much relevant information.

Thanks in advance

[spiral78]

You might try contacting the language schools you mention and find out whether they offer homestay placement services for their students - or if they can put you in touch with whoever does do this.

I do not know about the U.K., but larger/better language schools here in Canada do offer homestay placement services.

[lolwhites]

You don't say where in the UK you are, but I second spiral's advice to contact the schools directly. When I was in Bournemouth, local language schools were crying out for host families in the busy summer months.

Unfortunately, it's a bit of a lottery as to how good your host family will be, as your ex found out. If possible you can avoid problems by booking your course outside the summer; the schools will have fewer students and will be able to use their "regular" host families. During the school holidays, when the big parties of kids come over, the schools can be so busy that they find it really hard to house all their students and have to turn to the more, er, insalubrious providers.

[poof]

Yes, the language schools seem to have advertisements on their boards to see if anyone can offer homestays in the region.

You might also consider putting notices up on university noticeboards, too.

Why does it necessarily need to be a language student, though?

[tarte tatin]

Hi

I have worked in all areas of the EFL industry and was also a host family for five years.

If your parents live near language schools they should contact them directly. You say they live near two other cities - I should warn you that host families any distance from school are only used during the peak summer months.

Homestay will be 90 to 100 pounds per student and possibly more in July and August. The usual deal is breakfast and evening meal on weekdays and all meals at weekends, although some schools also run a bed and breakfast option. Some schools provide the service free, others take an extra 10 pounds a week or so, for the school.

The accommodation officer will inspect the house prior to placing students and the bedrooms should also have a desk.

The other option is to advertise independently in shop windows (my neighbour does this then she can meet and vet the students before accepting them).

Good luck I hope your parents get nice students.

[canadashirleyblue]

zondervan
microwave meals and tinned food is pretty normal fare in the UK. Real food could be an added bonus.

[Bebsi]

Zondervan,

Don't be too averse to the middlemen. I see your point, and some middlemen are indeed ripoff merchants, but remember that reputable agencies, while they charge a commission, will send you much more business.

70% of a lot is better than 100% of little or nothing!!

I actually know people looking for short-term homestays (2-4 weeks), why not PM me?

And no, I'm not a greedy middleman!! I would insist on fresh food however, not junk, canned or microwave food.