Making conversation with your international student

Making conversation with your international student - tips and activities

Welcoming junior international students into your home is a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and friendship. We provide our students with an immersive experience into the British culture and homestays are a crucial part of that experience. 

We find that student hosting fits in well around work and other commitments and all we ask from our homestays, apart from providing bed and food, is to make your students feel welcome and to involve them in some conversation over dinner time and some Sunday activities that the family normally does.

Conversation starters

• Hobbies and interests: Ask them about their favourite things to do back home. Do they play sports, listen to music or have any unique talents?

• School: Chat about their classes and how they're adjusting to a new school system. Ask them what they learnt in school that day.

• Food: Explore the world of cuisine! Ask them about their favorite foods from home and try cooking a dish together and plan a trip to a local market to find the ingredients.

• Movies & TV: Pop culture is a great way to connect. Watch a movie together and discuss the plot or characters.

Remember: Keep it simple and focus on building rapport. Use visuals like pictures or show them around your house to help explain things.

Quick & easy activities

• Games night: If you are a fan of board games, dust those off! Classic games like Charades or Pictionary are easy to learn and fun for all ages.

• Sunday shopping trip: Need groceries? Turn it into an adventure! Explain different brands and answer any questions they have about what you're buying.

• Movie marathon at home: Pick a genre everyone enjoys and have a cozy afternoon with popcorn and snacks.

• Walk the dog: If you have a furry friend, take your student along for a walk in the park. This is a great way to get exercise and practice conversation in a relaxed setting.

Involving the whole family

• Family traditions: Include your student in your family's weekend routines, like game nights or movie nights.

• Arts & crafts: Get creative! Involve them in a family art project where everyone can share their styles if crafts are your thing. Get them to make a prop for one of the evening parties eg. a mask for the Masquerade Ball.

• Sports day: If you are a sporty family, especially with younger children and teenagers, organize a friendly game of soccer or frisbee in the park. Active play is a fun way to bond and doesn't require perfect English.

Remember: The most important thing is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. By incorporating these simple activities into your routine, you'll be fostering friendships and helping your student feel comfortable in their new home away from home.

Grading your language

When conversing with non-native English speakers, it's important to grade your language so that they understand. Here are five tips to help you do this:

1. Use Simple Vocabulary: Stick to common words and avoid slang, idioms, or complex vocabulary that might be confusing.

2. Speak Clearly and Slowly: Articulate your words clearly and slow down your speech rate to give the listener time to process the language.

3. Use Short Sentences: Construct sentences that are concise and straightforward. This makes it easier for the listener to follow along.

4. Check for Understanding: Periodically check if the person understands you. You can do this by asking simple questions or encouraging them to summarise what you've said.

5. Be Patient and Encouraging: Show patience and be encouraging. If they struggle to find the right words, give them time to think without interrupting or finishing sentences for them.

The goal is to communicate effectively, not to test their language skills. Adjusting your language grading can make a significant difference in the quality of your conversation.