Guidance for students

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Guidance for language students

The information below is for guidance purposes only. The suggestions we make are based on experience and best practise, they are not binding and cannot be enforced.

However, we recommend that where possible you apply these guidlines / standards to ensure that both parties are happy.

To shrink / expand the information in each section click on the graphic

YOUR INTRODUCTION TO XILFEE

Thank you for choosing Xilfee. If you have browsed through our site you will see that we offer you the chance to select your own host family for a stay in the UK. You may be looking to follow a one-to-one course to improve your language skills, or interested in an exchange visit, or just a cultural visit to the UK.

Xilfee offers you the chance to organise, directly with your targetted host a visit to the UK. You can find a host who meets your criteria, organise what type of course you wish to follow, the start and end date, how many hours tuition you want and any other details. It really is up to you and the host. Of course, having done this you will also get to know a little about your host prior to arriving - removing that nervous feeling of stepping of a bus to a sea of strange faces in a strange country.

Opting for a one to one English language course, you will be keen to improve your English language skills quickly and effectively. Students have a far greater exposure to the English language by taking individual lessons. When in a group situation and surrounded by other students speaking their own language, progress is slower.

As guest in a one to one English home stay, you will be able to learn about the British way of life and to develop a relationship with the culture and the people as well as the English language. This makes language learning more personal and enjoyable. The opportunity to speak English both during the formal lesson period and as a guest in the home results in the unique effectiveness of this course.

Expect your errors to be corrected in a friendly, personalised way, and that your hosts time and knowledge to be utilized to best advantage. Individual attention and full immersion in the target language is of course very attractive and conducive to excellent results.

Most home tutors have had the experience in teaching in Primary or Secondary schools or in Further education. Others have had experience in teaching EFL in language schools. Teachers ideally should have either a state recognised teaching qualification - e.g. Bachelor of Education, Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), English or foreign language teacher with QTS status - and (unless a range of EFL experience can be demonstrated) a 30 hour TEFL course, or TEFL certificate (RSA or Trinity College).

The personality and commitment of the tutor and the support of the family are also important factors in this form of teaching. Also, parents know that their child will enjoy the security of a family environment.

We hope your experience as a student will be a rewarding and enjoyable one. Upon the completion of your stay, please be so courteous as to fill in the online Feedback form so that other potential students can view your opinion of the course, the host family and the place you stayed.

Sincerely

Xilfee

STANDARDS OF ACCOMMODATION

Xilfee would expect that a good level of accommodation should be provided in a clean & tidy home. A basic guideline would be the following: -

A clean and tidy home in good repair, warm and well ventilated.
A bedroom with drawers and wardrobe space, a desk/table with chair. If the room is to be shared it should be with a child of the same sex and roughly similar ages, and this should be made clear to the student prior to their visit.
Students should have a proper bed - not a blow up bed or mattress on the floor or lilo etc.
Bunk beds should be avoided for over 16's.
Use of a bathroom/showroom.
Full board accommodation for the duration of the stay (3 meals per day MUST be provided).
Family meals together, especially the evening meal.
Bed linen and towels and clean replacements once a week.
Provision of laundry facilities.
A quiet room with a table to work on (such as a dining room) which is suitable to conduct the lessons.
A pleasant and welcoming environment in which the student can mix and relax with your family.
A bin. This is particularly important for girls. Please show them where to put used sanitary towels etc.
The language the student wishes to learn should be used as much as possible.
This is not a service for finding au-pairs or cleaners - DO NOT expect your student to do your housework.

Where students / hosts wish to deviate from this, it should be discussed & agreed with the other party.

Try to discuss with your host what you like to eat at each meal time. One meal per day should be taken as a family, and the diet should be balanced. If packed lunches are required once again indicate your preferences to the host family.

ACTIVITIES

Apart from tuition your host may consider doing other activities. Any trips to places of interest or participation in sports / activites are at your hosts discretion. If you have any thoughts on such activities, or are unable to do certain activities please discuss these with your host family prior to your trip. This will ensure that nothing is planned which you or your guardians do not want to do or find unacceptable.

Students should be covered by your own insurance (please provide a copy for your host family), you will see what you are covered for from this information and whether or not the activities you have planned or are planning, are included.

Generally, insurances cover a range of activities apart from those such as ‘dangerous sports’. Provided you take adequate and sensible precautions and/or use a bona fide place for the activity, you should be covered.

Remember, all visits are taken at your own risk, you should take all neccessary precautions to reduce the liklihood of accidents and injuries and make sure that you have taken out a good insurance policy.

CANCELLATION OF A BOOKING

Host
If a host cancels and the student has paid a deposit or for transport of a flight, the host should reimburse the cost of the transport (at cost) and send the full deposit back. This should be done within 7 days of the host cancelling. If you do not return monies within 7 days, we reserve the right to take your details off the database without a refund and will not necessarily allow you to resubmit in the future.

Of course, there may be occasions whereby the cancellation is unavoidable and you may wish to move the course date and rearrange. This is strictly at the discretion of the student and it is up to you and the student to arrive at a mutual agreement. We take cancellations by the host very seriously as this undermines the spirit and viability of the website. If we think the student has been treated unfairly, we may get involved and costs may be charged to the host family or tutor if they are shown to have been acting with negligence, fraudulence or inappropriately.

Student
If a student cancels and the student has paid a deposit, it is normal to take 25% of the fee (or the deposit paid) and if the cancellation is made within 7 days or less of the start of the course, then the full 100% of the course is owed.

COURSE CONTENT & COMPOSITION

Where you have agreed for tuition to take place, the tutor is expected to provide the following: -

A tailored individual course of high quality.
Lessons conducted in a structured, professional manner & on a one-to-one basis.
Lessons to take place in a quiet distraction free environment, and between normal 9am - 5pm working hours.
Tuition hours should NOT include time spent on informal conversations - i.e. whilst visiting a supermarket, or watching the television
Discuss with the student which area of your language they wish to improve in and what level of ability they feel they have. They may also have ideas about what they want to do, and can start to prepare for your lessons.
Measure the students progress by carrying out Ability Assessments at the beginning & end of your course - it will allow lessons to be planned effectively and demonstrate progress.
Carefully planned lessons, taking into account the students wishes on where they want / need to improve, and their ability.
Carefully choosen teaching materials, subjects and texts for duscussion, and prepared exercises.
Materials such as pens, pencils, paper & folders for the student to use.
A fun & memorable course.

It is assumed you will be looking to improve in one (or several) of the following topics: -

Conversational fluency.
Better comprehension.
Improved pronunciation.
Wider vocabulary.
Topics for a specific exam.
For communication in business.
For an English partner.
Improved job prospects.
Because their parents have sent them.
Because they are struggling with English at school.

Teaching material may come in many forms, and may include some of the following: -

A good comprehensive Grammar handbook is essential.
Grammar exercises.
Examples of Prepositions.
Examples of Tenses.
Examples of Structure.
Text books.
Newspapers.
Tapes.
Specialist text books for specialist subjects (Law, IT, Science, Business etc).

A typical day of teaching could include: -

Written work - Exercises, short essays, keeping a list of new words in their context. This should all go into ta daily diary, also include what has been learned during their visit, including highlights and weaknesses. This will demonstrate how much you have improved when you & the tutor look back over the diary before departure.
Multiple-choice questions to develop systematic grammar skills on a daily basis.
Dictation - reading aloud from newspapers or magazines, correcting pronunciation mistakes and extending vocabulary. This is an excellent way of improving vocabulary, pronunciation and confidence all in one. Wherever possible material should be familiar or interested fro the student. You will be amazed how you improve over your stay from two sessions of ten minutes of reading out aloud each day.
Use of grammar and tenses - taken from written material or derived from informal conversation with your host. From your day-to-day conversation, the tutor should be able to quickly spot what your weak areas are; and will gently correct them, even if lesson time is officially over! This will enforce what you have studied during the day.
Conversation guided by the topic of the day/grammar lesson.
Completion of a diary.

We recommend that you keep a diary, this is a great reminder to how much fun you have had during your lessons and is also a good guide for your parents / guardians. The diary can include postcards of visits, local maps, and bus pass / tickets.

When speaking to your host / tutor, be sure that you fully understand what they are saying to you, don't be too embarrassed to admit that you do not understand.

HEALTH & WELFARE

Health
Occasionally, students fall ill, European students should carry an E111 with them; make sure you have it ideally before visiting a doctor or the hospital. We strongly recommend that all students take out an insurance before departure from their own country. It may be that your host insists on this condition and may require that you provide them with a copy before arrival. Otherwise, as a worse case scenario , you may be left for some time, a sick or ill student with no immediate means of support. Always plan for the worse case scenario, it very rarely happens but you will be totally sure that you are covered should anything happen.

Safety
Should you go out on your own (obviously you need to be of a suitable age) make sure they know where you are staying (a map downloaded from the computer is an excellent start) and if you are to catch a bus, go with your host for the first journey so you know where to get on and off. Look for landmarks so that if you do lose your way, you can look out for a familiar house or shop etc.

Arrange a time when you plan to return and write it down so that you and the host both understand you are talking about the same time. Remember if you don’t return at the appointed time your host will become worried and may come looking for you or call the Police.

Make sure you have exchanged mobile telephone numbers and you also have your hosts landline number. Check youhave credit on your mobile phone and that it is charged and you have brought a charger (and UK socket adapter) with you.

It is very important to make sure that you understand the host and they understand you. Don't pretend to understand your host to avoid embarassment. You will be far more embarassed and upset if things go wrong and you cannot find help, you will also cause upset and anxiety to your host. The bottom line is, if you get lost and you have not taken adequate precautions or made 100% sure your host understood you, you are in a strange country and may have considerable difficultly in getting back to your hosts home.

It is a good idea to write useful numbers and your hosts address down on something which you can easily carry around without losing. This may sound trivial, but many students get lost, lose their map, mobile etc, just from a simple bus trip into the local town. Again, think of the worse case scenario and cover all eventualities.

INSURANCE

Your host is expected to have insurance cover for all types of accidents, and we would likewise expect students to take out relevant Travel insurance to cover for all forms of accidents, loss / damage of property and illness.

Xilfee does not accept any responsibility for accidents, injury, illness, loss of property, damage to property or any other costs incurred by either the host or student during these course or visits.

PAYMENT & FEES

What to pay
It is up to the individual host or tutor to set a scale of fees. When deciding what to pay it is sensible to take into consideration several factors including: -

Hosts experience; if tutoring.
How much demand there will be for the hosts services.
Ability in any subjects you want to specialise in.
Where the host lives - the cost of living is more in the South of England than the north, local facilities may be better, location of tourist attractions etc.
Can the host cater for a particular interest i.e. horses and horse riding.
Does the host have children who will make a particular effort to welcome a student of a similar age.
Will the host be able to dedicate all their time to you.
The type of accommodation.
What skill level you wish to be taught for your language - the more skilled you are the better the tutor needed to improve you.
The hosts feedback reports - better / more feedback indicates a better / more experienced host who may be worth paying more for.

Deposit
Speak to your host on the telephone several times before expecting to pay a deposit. We suggest paying a deposit when you book. This may be from 10% up to the full amount depending on how close to the date of the stay the booking is made. Don’t be surprised to be asked for a deposit, your host will have initial costs they have to cover (food, travel expenses etc). However, check the hosts profile before paying too much on the deposit, good ratings show they are established and are not going to take your deposit and then disappear.

The remainder of the balance can be paid as agreed with your host. Remember that once you have paid this it will be difficult to retrieve if your host disappears or you have a dispute and have to end your visit early. You will also have to consider having some funds available to cover unexpected costs which may arise in the event of having to finish your trip early (cost of new travel tickets etc), obviously the need for this decreases throughout th trip. Balanced against this is the consideration of the student carrying around potentially large sums of money. Perhaps the best way would be to agree with the host to pay installments at the start of each week. One way to be sure of a successful arrival is to remain in frequent contact throughout the booking and ensure that you both have the correct dates and collection time and place etc.

Making your payments
For information on transferring money internationally, speak to your own bank and compare their prices with companies such as Western Union who operate such transactions. One of the cheapest methods of payment can be via PayPal but you need to have an account set up in advance.

Remember, we don’t recommend or endorse any of these but these are companies that we have used successfully in the past.

If you are concerned about your host’s viability, you can contact us via emailing info@fromallaroundtheworld.com and for a fee (email for today’s cost) it is possible to find a little more information on the risk and viability of your student.

We continually update this list, so please refer back to it again.

REPORTS & RATINGS

Reports
Please fill in two daily time sheets, which identify what you have been working on with the host and the time of the lessons. It is extremely important that the form is signed at the end of each lesson by you together with a comment by each of you. If you each keep a copy, at the end of the stay the you will each have a full report outlining the progress of the student during the visit. The student can show this to their parents and the host can use it as evidence of their work.

In the very rare case of a dispute between student and teacher regarding hours taught, this will show an accurate & agreed record of hours, signed by both student and teacher.

Ratings
As Xilfee develops, the ratings (or feedback) section of the site will become increasingly important. By filling in a form you can help others to gain an understanding of waht the host / tutor offers and how good they are. Please be honest and as accurate as possible.

SCREENING HOSTS

Don’t be too worried about choosing your host. Trust your own instincts. You will be able to weed out the unsuitable hosts and find the ones you like, down to the ‘ideal’ host. Don’t be afraid to turn a host away if you don’t feel that they are right for you, this is one of the main benefits of Xilfee; you get to do the choosing, not a third party who is desperate to place as many students as possible because they have a deadline to meet.

Feel free to make contact through the Xilfee contact service with lots of hosts before you upgrade to premium membership. Many of them will say NO to you (don’t be downhearted, its not personal) but some will say yes and you will start to see a pattern of the type of hosts who are interested in you.

Once you start gaining some interest in your profile, you will need to take Premium Membership to be able to access the hosts directly and take bookings. Don’t wait too long, it could mean someone else who has joined, gets your booking instead.

Speak to your hosts before deciding whether they are suitable for you. Most families will now have access to the internet, for those users who have webcam try Eyeball Chat - it's FREE, and you can see as well as speak to your host. Otherwise you could use something like Skype, although this does carry a membership payment. There are many other providers too who will give you FREE access to conversations over the internet, its just a matter of finding what works best for you.
It is really important to LOG IN on a regular basis as this brings you to the top of the search results. Most people, hosts included, will only search the first few pages, then make a few applications log off and then LOG IN again later in the day. So you see it is really important to LOG IN frequently and keep yourself near the top of the search results to gain maximum exposure.

STAYING SAFE

Be sensible, if you are a single female, don't choose single male hosts. If you feel uncomfortable about taking a particular host, don’t go there, if you have booked, request the return of your deposit as soon as possible and explain to them your reasons. It is never too late to cancel, although you may be liable to lose your discount or pay an additional fee (you may have prevented the host from taking another booking). An alternative may be to see if you can take a friend with you, although this HAS to be at the hosts discretion.

Don’t expect male and female students to be accepted by the same host at the same time unless yoy are a couple or siblings we do not expect our hosts to act as guardians in this way.

STUDENTS

Who is your student?
Xilfee accepts students from 10 years old through to adult. Students may have varying degrees of fluency and may have studied English for any period, but should have a basic knowledge of English. For younger students, parents should appreciate that they are putting their children into an English speaking household, meaning they have no opportunity to speak their own language, and that they will not be part of a large group of foreign students. In an English homestay, children and adults alike enjoy the security of an often family environment. Many children like to stay in host-families where there are children of a similar age.

As a student of 17 to 25 year of age you have probably already attended group language courses and now, face examinations and career choices which rely on your language skills. One to one course are particuarly effective in improving and preparing your for these challenges.

Students aged over 25 years and adults, have different challenges wher language acquisition becomes an important career step (we have a complete cross section of occupations and professions) With little time to spare, you may not want to return to a school situation with a classroom of students of mixed ability who are often younger. You will appreciate the more personal and intensive exposure of the One to One course.

Students are accepted all year around. The minimum course is 13 nights; you may choose to stay for longer if you wish. It is usual to require between 10 and 50 hours of tuition per week, this is always agreed between parties beforehand. Most students stay 13 nights but there is no limit to the duration.

Peak seasons are April, during the summer holidays, the October holidays and Christmas. It is up to you when you choose to travel but be aware that the bulk of students travel during our holiday periods.

As a company, we made a decision to take all ages from ten years and up. This is particularly to encourage bookings from mature students including business people, up to retirees arriving as a couple, who are able to come out of season.

No distinction is made on the grounds of colour, race or religion. You must, at all time respect your host different cultural background and behave accordingly when in their home.

If you are under 18 years of age a responsible adult must be present at all times, and they must not be leave you alone at any time unless permission from the parent / guardian is granted.

Unlike many other organisations, Xilfee offers potential students a choice of teachers and they will choose hosts from the online database available on the World Wide Web. It is very important when filling out your application that you take time to include as much information in as simple English as possible in order provide an accurate picture of yourself.

Information about your hobbies and interests and language skill is very important. If you are wanting to progress in a certain career and require your tuition to tailored for this please make this clear. An applications you receive from host will be based on the information held in yourt profile.

Good photographs, including a one of yourself and any showing your interests or personality, are of particular interest.

Taking a work placement whilst studying
Generally, if you are from an EU country, you are allowed to work in the UK at the same time as studying. You may wish to do this to pay your tutoring fees; or as a way of becoming completely immersed in the British way of life and an opportunity to improve their career prospects once back home. Generally, students who work will stay for a period of several months instead of weeks. Click for more advice on whether a student is allowed to work in this country.

Going out
The advise and wishes of the students parents will be sought during the organisation of any student visit. If the host is in doubt about the activities of a student they can also contact your parents / guardians during the visit. The final say lies with the host.

Generally the following is accepted during a home stay visit: -

DAYTIME: If you go out during the day once teaching time is over, it is expected that you will be back for mealtime.

EVENING: There is a certain etiquette concerning one to one stays; i.e. you accept the general rules of the house (these should be made very clear by email before you arrives) and should abide by them. By accepting you a host agrees to be your custodian during your stay.

STUDENTS UNDER 16: Going out in the evening is strictly forbidden. Host will be very strict on this issue and call the students parents if this is disobeyed.
STUDENTS AGED 16 - 18: Can go out with an adult.
STUDENTS 18 - 21: Host will have to decide whether or not you can go out during the evening, return to the hosts home no later than 11pm.

Smoking
You may be a smoker, or have your parents’ permission to smoke, but you must comply with the rules of the hosts home. If smoking is not allowed, this will be enforced. If it is allowed it is recommended that you check whether your host wants you to smoke outside.

Please be aware that UK laws now state that smoking is NOT allowed in any enclosed public space - DO NOT expect to be allowed to smoke in any building or on public transport. Failure to comply with this makes you liable to an on the spot fine.

Vehicles & driving
We advise that you do not operate any of you host families motor vehicles (including cars, motorcycles, scooters or water vehicles) even if in possession of a driving license. If you have a valid driving license then you may hire your own motor vehicle, at your own expense (You will need valid insurance documents & drivers license as well as be over 25 years of age).

Contacting your host prior to your visit
Most families will now have access to the internet, for those users who have webcam try Eyeball Chat - it's FREE, and you can see as well as speak to your host. Otherwise you could use something like Skype, although this does carry a membership payment. There are many other providers too who will give you FREE access to conversations over the internet, its just a matter of finding what works best for you.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Planes, Trains, Boats, Coaches or Motor Cars
Are all ways of you getting to your hosts accommodation. It is up to you and the host to arrange the details but if you want the host to book any of the tickets, ensure that you make the payment for this first, so they are not left with a ticket if you then cancel.

Some useful websites with regard to booking transport are: -

www.wizzair.com
www.easyjet.com
www.bmibaby.com

Things to remember: -

Be clear on the best method of getting to your hosts home
You should both know all the details of trains / planes / coaches & ferries taken (Numbers, Departure & Arrival times etc).
You should both have contact numbers for each other in case of emergencies / changes of plan on the journey.

On Arrival

TUTORS & HOSTS

Who teaches
If there is more than one person in the house who can tutor you, you should make the choice of who does the tuition. There is no problem with several people being involved if you are aware and happy with this.
Qualifications
The qualifications tutors can have vary from country to country. Whilst there is no expected qualification for our tutors, we would expect that they have at least obtained a TEFL certificate. These basic 20-30 hour weekend courses provide a lot of help for tutors of English.

Host Family
All members of the host family living in the home when the student stays should be indicated on the application form. They should all work together to provide a friendly and welcoming home to the student. Where the student requests an individual bedroom, their privacy should be respected with regard to this room.
Criminal Record Bureau Checks
These are not essential, however may provide an added degree of credibility to the host and peace of mind for a student and their parents / guardians. If the host has one of these, it should apply to whomever will be providing the tuition to the student.

Social Life
Students must be integrated as much as possible in the social life of the family. You must make every effort to fit in with the host family at all times. Take the opportunity to mix with all members of the family. Share all family meals. Get involved in family activities, i.e. swimming, tennis, outings, shopping, walking etc. Find out about the local area and amenities.If there are other students from your home country staying in the area, try not to socialise as this is not in your best interest with regard to learning the language and deviates away from the purpose of the one to one visits. However, if their are other English students who are interested in meeting you this is an excellent way of practising your language skills.

Additional services
We do not recommend hosts offer any additional services or facilities other than those agreed with the student prior to their visit. DO NOT try to borrow any money, or use of any motor vehicles. If the host is happy for you to use the telephone or internet that is fine, you should abide by the guidelines placed on its use.

Hosts going away during your visit
You should not agree to stay with a host if they are going away for any period of your stay unless you are over 21 and you have agreed this in writing before paying a deposit. Never entrust yourself to another family unless over 21, not even temporarily, unless you have agreed in writing with permission from one of your parents or if it is an extreme emergency. Remember, the host has agreed to be your guardian and host and is contracted to follow this obligation through to completion of your visit.

Tolerance and the right to withdraw your offer
The host has the right to withdraw their offer of invitation should the student become intolerable. Any rules must be made clear in the initial offer of acceptance. A verbal warning and a date for leaving will be given should the intolerable behaviour not cease, followed by a written warning and eviction. In this case no refund of monies is due from the host.

TRAVEL VISAS

It is easy to take students within the European Economic area as EU residents may travel freely within the EU without any restrictions. Students from outside this area will require visas for entry into the UK. Be aware of the problems this may cause, some hosts will be unwilling to take students who require visas due to the problems associated.

For further help visitUK Visawebsite, or the British Foreign Officewebsite.

There are 27 countries within the EU, these include: -

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PROFILE

It’s just as important to us as it is for you to get the best response from your profile. It’s completely free to enter your profile on our database but you will not get great results unless you put some effort into your profile.

Hosts accept students for a variety of reasons but one common area is that they are all looking for to help students to study the English language. If they want to host foreign language students each day only to go out socialising in the evening, Xilfee would not be the place to look.

Armed with this information, make your profile as interesting, welcoming, exciting and colourful as possible. Good photographs are very important, ideally show yourself in at least one photograph. You may also choose to show your family, your home, places you have visited and other interesting photographs which outline your character. The more pictures you show with you on, the more likely you are to have requests from hosts who are suitable for you. The site allows you a maximum of six photographs, which you can change at any time via the My Account Panel.

We have put the video clip facility on the site so that you can take clips of your daily life. Hosts are not expecting to see a professional film but rather a clip of you, your family, your pets, your house, funny moments, family moments etc. Don’t forget you can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your language skills and as your potential host may not have read all the information available in your profile, they will be looking for a student who they immediately feel comfortable with and can relate to and pictures and video are very powerful. Time spent on your profile and then continually logging in and adjusting the wording, photographs etc, will be well worth the effort.

It is extremely important for you to indicate what the benefits are of a host accepting YOU. There are many competing profiles, what makes YOU stand out? What makes YOU different? What will YOU do to make you ABOVE average?

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