Minimum Requirements

Room Requirements

The student should be allocated an adequately-sized bedroom with natural light, which is in a proper state of cleanliness and repair.

The room should be equipped with an adequately-sized bed, hanging and drawer space for clothing and a desk/table and chair for study. Where a desk and chair are not available in the bedroom, the student should have access to this elsewhere in the house. If using a bunk bed for over 14s, adult size bunk beds are required. 

The room should be adequately heated, lit and ventilated.

Homestay providers should provide the student with clean bed linen and towels minimum every two weeks. There must also be an adequate supply of blankets or duvets.

Students should not be expected to vacate their room at any point during their stay, except in an emergency.

Student's privacy should be respected in their bedroom.

No more than four students should be accommodated in the same bedroom - providing bedroom is still sufficiently spacious for students to be comfortable, with enough space for their luggage and wardrobe. 

No more than four students (paying guests) should be accommodated in the same household. This includes students from other schools.  You must notify us of any additional visitors, paying guests present in your home during the time of hosting our students. 

On request you should be able to provide students with a lockable drawer or mini safe to keep their valuables safe. 

The student's health and safety should be considered at all times. Beds should have sufficient space around them to allow safe access without any falling or trip hazards.


Access to Facilities

The homestay providers should launder a reasonable amount of clothes for the student each week or provide access to a washing machine, ironing and drying facilities at no extra cost.

The student should have access to a bathroom and is free to expect a minimum of one shower / bath per day.

Internet connection is essential for our students to complete homework, keep in touch with family and friends at home and follow their activities all published online.  Please check with your internet provider if you  have limited or unlimited internet package.  Any arrangement to use facilities, such as telephones, internet should be made directly with the student and reimbursed by the student. The school will not enter into correspondence with the homestay provider or student regarding expenses incurred by the host family.

Student's are expected to maintain general tidiness in the bedroom.  Students under the age of 18 should not be responsible for cleaning their bedroom, but are expected to keep the room tidy (clothes off the floor) for the room to be vacuumed and dusted once a week. Bins should be emptied once a week or as and when they are full. Communal areas such as kitchens (including fridges) and living rooms should be cleaned once a week. 

Any rules regarding use of facilities must be made clear to the student at the start of their stay. 

Students over the age of 14 may be allowed to be on their own in the house for a short period of time. Students should be aware of the house rules and must not engage in any activity that might put themselves or the household at risk (e.g. cooking). You may provide students aged 14 and over with a house key, at your own discretion. Please note that Languages United cannot be held liable for lost properties. 


Meals

Homestay providers should provide half board  (breakfast and cooked evening meals) Monday to Friday and full board (breakfast,  packed lunch and cooked evening meal) Saturdays and Sundays.  Whenever possible,  students and hosts  should eat their meals together.

Please ensure that you give the students good-sized portions and hearty meals. Meals should be balanced, nutritious and varied.  

Arab Muslims will generally only eat Halal meat. Pork and pork products are completely prohibited. 

For dietary supplements please refer to our Home Stay Rates.

We ask homestay providers to provide students with a packed lunch for their journey home. 

Languages United will endeavor to match families and students with similar dietary requirements. 

Any special dietary requirements will be discussed with the home family prior to a student being placed with them.

Exposure to English and Immersion

English should be the language of communication within the homestay home when hosting a student. 

Students speaking the same native language should not be accommodated in the same home unless this has been authorised in advance in writing by Languages United. 

Students should be treated as members of the family as far as possible and given the opportunity to take part in family life and practise their English conversation. The host family and student are expected to share the same common living areas of the house.

Students will have lessons and various activities during the week and may often have cultural trips at the weekend. They will however have at least one rest day over the weekend which they will spend with the host family to ensure an immersive experience into British family culture.

Any arrangements made directly between the host family and the student are the responsibility of those parties.

Values

Homestay providers are expected to have a caring and friendly attitude to students. 

Students as well as homestay providers are :

Transport

Homestay providers are kindly asked to:

Insurance

Please ensure you have adequate insurance cover for breakages or damage. Languages United cannot be responsible for refunding or replacing any items damaged by the students. This must be organised between the homestay provider and the student and claimed on the student's insurance where student liability is proven. We are happy to liaise and assist but please do contact us when the student is still with you as claims once the student leaves are difficult to settle


Home visits

Your application to host is subject to a home visit, when a member of our Welfare and Accommodation Team visit your home and conduct an initial assessment of your suitability by going through a questionnaire and inspecting your home ( the very least the communal areas and student bedroom., bathroom) 

Host families agree that a representative from Languages United will be able to visit the home on a pre-arranged basis before and/or during the homestay period.  We reserve the right to conduct a spot check.  Host families agree to all accommodation being inspected every two years.