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Junior Language Stay students
(Groups of under 18's visiting the UK for 1-4 weeks, with tuition)
Requirements and Guidelines for our host families
hosting Junior Language Stay students.
General Introduction
1. Our students are here to learn and practise English. Families should
therefore have English as their main spoken language. Students of the same
nationality will normally be accommodated 2/3 students in the same family,
unless requested otherwise.
2. We would like our students and they are expecting to live as temporary
members of the family. Except in special circumstances, previously agreed with
us, no more than three students can be placed in one room. There must be no
other foreign students, of the same mother tongue as our student, from any other
school or organisation, in the family at the same time. They must always be of a
different “mother tongue”.
3. It is important that you are friendly and make the students feel 'at
home'. Please try to include the students as much as possible in normal family
life. It is important to eat with your students whenever possible. If they want
to eat at different times to you, please spend time with them talking about
their “day” whilst they are eating. They should be encouraged to spend time in
the evenings downstairs with the family watching T.V. etc. when they are at
home. Some evenings activities are arranged for them so they will have dinner
and dash out so please make sure you and they know when to be back.
4. Houses should generally be clean and tidy and in a good state of
repair and decoration throughout. It is extremely important that your house is
“safe”. Please do safety checks regularly. If any student has an accident in
your house you could be held responsible if you were found negligent in safety
issues. A smoke alarm is essential - an extra one located in students’ bedrooms
also stops secret smoking. Please advise us if you are doing any major
redecorating or building work, whilst accommodating our students, which may
affect their stay.
5. Students are required to be punctual in attending lessons so houses
should not be more than 30 minutes travelling distance from the school.
6. Families are sometimes expected to pick their students up from a
central meeting point and as they have often been travelling for a long time it
is usually a good idea if a meal or snack has been prepared for them according
to their time of arrival. Always offer a drink please.
7. We do not ask families to provide all students with a front door key
but if you feel comfortable about this with your students it may make life
easier for you. We suggest a £5 deposit for a key returnable on its return.
8. Students make their own way to the school each morning, however on the
first day we would be grateful if families could give them clear instructions
how to get either to a Central Meeting Point or to the school. Students should
arrive at school by 9.15am on the first day of the course. It is important that
you know the exact location of our school in Greenwich. The address is :
259 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich,
SE10 8NB (next to main post office)
9. We would be grateful if you could supervise a reverse charge call for
those students who would like to let their family know that they have arrived
safely if necessary. This is done by ringing the international operator 155 (no
charge) and asking for a 'collect' or 'reverse' charge call. In general students
are advised NEVER to use the family's telephone without first asking permission
and that all calls must be paid for. Please insist on being paid immediately.
The Greenwich School of English cannot be held responsible for any telephone
charges. Many families have now taken out “call barring” with their telephone
operator. This secures your line in your absence and we suggest you investigate
this.
10. If the student breaks or damages anything, please inform
Donnybrook/the school before they depart. We are unable to help you with
reimbursement of this if your student has already left.
11. In the event of a non-arrival we will try to place another student
with you for the same period as soon as possible.
12. If you have any problems with a student, which you are unable to
resolve, please contact us as soon as possible. We will try to assist you and
your student to resolve the situation. However if you are then not happy to keep
them or when we cannot persuade the student to stay, we reserve the right to
remove a student immediately and accommodation will be paid for on a nightly
basis. If payment has already been received by you, we will require that the
overpayment is refunded to us.
13. In case of illness please contact your family doctor if possible or
take your student to the chemist or hospital casualty and inform the school
immediately if your student cannot come to school to report their absence.
14. Students should occasionally be free to admit their friends at
reasonable times if previously arranged with the host-family.
15. When you receive confirmation of your student(s) you will also
receive details about whether they are allowed out in the evenings and until
what time.. Please read this carefully and do not let your students out later
than advised. You will have details of the leaders telephone number so please
use this contact if you have any problems with this. This will also be the
emergency number should you need it. If students do not come home by the advised
time please telephone to report this (and to cover yourself) .
16. Please ensure all students know how to use your
bath/shower/toilet/hot water as the controls may be different to what they are
used to.
17. Young students must not be left alone in the house without
supervision by you or another responsible person (aged 16+). Please make sure
they know anyone else who is in charge (if not yourself)
18. No excessive drinking of alcohol by host parents whilst hosting
students (or drinking of alcohol by students themselves). Also no drugs must be
brought into the house by any family member or student.
19. Group leaders are responsible throughout the stay providing families
keep to the guidelines. If you do NOT keep to the guidelines and anything
happens to you students you could be held responsible.
20. Non smoking families but even those who do allow smoking should make
sure students understand your house rules about this and know where they can go
to smoke (eg in the garden)
Bedroom
1. Students should each have a single bed. The room should be of an
acceptable size.
We do suggest you waterproof your beds to prevent accidents. Also an extra
blanket would be appreciated as some students feel the cold, especially those
from hot climates.
2. There should be a good natural light as well as adequate electric
lighting.
3. There must be hanging space for clothes and storage space for personal
items. If possible a drawer/cupboard should be lockable. Please advise your
student where to keep their valuables.
4. Other basic furniture should include: a mirror, a small table for
study, a chair, a bedside lamp and a waste paper bin. If there is not possible
for a table in the room students should have somewhere quiet downstairs where
they can do homework.
5. The bedroom should have adequate heating included in the basic price.
6. Bed linen should normally be changed once a week. Some students don’t
bring towels so please provide one if necessary.
7. Light washing should be done at no extra charge for juniors if
requested
Bathroom
1. Students must have reasonable use of hot water (once daily use of
bath/shower) at no extra cost. Most students prefer a shower so we recommend
that you have either an electric power shower or a plumbed in shower over your
bath. An additional shower cubicle for those families with space would be a real
asset especially for those who have a growing family and regularly accommodate
students. Investing in a shower of any description will make life much easier
for everybody in the house as it is much quicker and more economical on the hot
water.
2. Please ensure female students know how to dispose of sanitary items
hygienically.
3. A separate toilet is also fast becoming “a must”. If you have any
spare space we thoroughly recommend an extra “loo”.
Meals
1. A substantial breakfast should be provided for the student every day,
unless he/she requests otherwise. We suggest cereal, toast with butter/jam and a
hot drink. Some students may like to try an English breakfast at the weekend if
this is usual for your family.
2. Students should have one main meal per day, usually a hot one in the
evening. This should consist of a main course and a desert. Students receiving
full-board should also be provided with a reasonable and varied packed lunch.
This should be 2 rounds of sandwiches (4 slices of bread or 2 rolls), filled
with cheese, egg, cold meat etc, a packet of crisps or a slice of cake or
biscuit (e.g. club or penguin), a fruit and a drink. The drink can be squash in
a small refillable bottle. It does not need to be a can or carton unless you
prefer this. (3 food items + a drink)
3. If a student gives reasonable notice of missing a main meal, then a
cold snack or sandwiches should be provided if requested.
Communicate, be cheerful and welcoming!
Students generally respond in a likewise manner. Remember many are nervous in a
stranger’s home, particularly if it is the first time away from home on their
own.
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