David & Tracy Thirlaway
September 24th, 2009
David & Tracy live near the historical town of Hastings, on the south coast of Great Britain. They have a wealth of experience as a host family and really enjoy passing on their knowledge when hosting foreign language students.
David & Tracys Profile & Contact details
How long have you been teaching English as a foreign language?
I started hosting students in 1989 but qualified as a teacher of English in 1974.
What types of students do you most like teaching?
Those students with a real desire to learn and participate in family life.
Tell Xilfee about you and your family
We are David, Tracy and Summer [born 1997]. David teaches English for most of the year but also visits a prison where he acts as an advocate. Tracy is a mobile hairdresser. Summer started Secondary School in August 2009. We are a fun loving family that enjoys hosting students. Many of our students have stayed with us on a number of occasions and we have made some wonderful friendships.
What do you like about Xilfee?
Really nice and clear website, very friendly and professional.
Do you speak any languages in addition to English?
A little French!
Describe the accommodation you offer
We live in a forgemasters house and attached bothy [for the apprentices] built in 1695. It is a four bedroomed property that abuts a lake and has views of Sandhurst windmill. It is a very tranquil setting and ideal for nature-lovers. Students have the choice of either a double room or a single room. The double room has a private w.c. and washbasin. The house offers a number of quiet areas for private study.
Where in England are you?
We live in Sandhurst, Kent, an area of outstanding beauty. Sandhurst is a small village but fortunately has a number of facilities including supermarket, post office, pub, beauty salon, garage, newsagent, tearooms, two churches, recreation ground hosting football and cricket teams.
There are many places of interest locally including Bodiam Castle, Scotney Castle, Canterbury, Sissinghurst gardens, Batemans [Rudyard Kipling’s home], Cranbrook [featuring the tallest smock mill in Britain], Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Maidstone.
Hastings pier & beach
Scotney Castle
What are your interests and hobbies, individually and as a family?
Travelling, visiting historical places, playing and listening to music, cooking and maintaining our house and garden!
Do you have any amusing, nice or interesting stories about students?
Following a breakdown with another family, we hosted Beatrice, a 16-year-old girl from Milan. She proved to be a lovely student and has now visited us on six occasions, even staying with us over Christmas. Her elder brother has also visited twice and in 2010, her younger brother is coming to stay with us. In 2008, despite our warnings, Beatrice decided to work in London during her Summer holidays. Although her family had paid an agency a considerable fee to make arrangements for her, Beatrice found herself sharing substandard accommodation with twelve other people and no prospect of employment. She phoned us and we brought her to our home where, highly relieved, she stayed for two weeks!
Canterbury Cathedral
Bodiam Castle
We love playing music
And listening to music too!
What would you cook as a favourite ‘dish’ on a special occasion?
David would cook his vegetable lasagne, which is always popular with students
Tracy would cook her chicken stuffed with Saint Agur cheese and wrapped in Parma ham.
Apart from the UK! Where is your favourite place in the world & why?
Lanzarote, we visit our favourite hotel every year in April
Can you do the tango?!
David thinks he can but many would disagree!
What are your favourite sayings and why?
Esse quam videri, it sums up our philosophy of life
As a family, what things make you laugh?
Each other generally!!
What would you like to do as a couple but never had the money, the time or the courage?
We really must visit Rome but seem to keep putting it off!
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