Xilfee News Feed

Homestay tutor organiser from the heart of England (Shakespeare country) Lorna Allen, tells Xilfee about her business, her aspirations and a funny story too!

Lorna’s Profile & Contact Details

Lorna how long have you been in business?

I started the business in April 2008

How did you become involved in running a homestay business?

I have had a successful career working with vulnerable children and their parents in the Social Care sector.

In 2000 I became a host family and then a local organiser for another organisation.

As a family, we enjoyed hosting and teaching foreign students so much that I resigned from work in 2007 to develop my business.

When you set up your business, did you have a specific aim?

I wanted to offer a more personalised service to students.

I could see that the larger homestay companies were unable to listen to individual students’ needs and so many students were disappointed with their homestay experience.

Language homestays are typically 2 weeks in length so it’s important that students make the most of their short time in the UK and are comfortable with their host family.

I spend a lot of time carefully matching each student to their host family and ensure that the student receives a detailed family profile and photos of the host family and their home before booking.

Tell us about where you are or what you can offer….

We’re based in the Heart of England (Shakespeare country) and we can offer personalised English language courses in your private tutor’s home. We offer general English, Business English and Exam Preparation English courses.

All courses include full board accommodation in a private bedroom, 1:1 tuition, 24 hour learner support and certificate of attendance.

We can also offer accommodation only homestays (with or without meals) and farmstays (with or without lessons).

We also offer 4-8 week Summer School Programmes in conjunction with a local language college.

Why would I choose you if I was looking for a language course/homestay tutor/ student to teach etc?

We’re small and so are able to offer a truly personal service to all students.

We really care about our students’ homestay experience and are especially careful with our younger learners.

We ensure that all host tutors who accept young learners are police checked (CRB), we stay in touch with learners via telephone and offer young learners a welfare visit during their stay.

If you’re looking for something that we don’t currently offer, we’ll try our very best to accommodate your needs.

What other services do you offer?

We now offer farmstays (with or without an English course)

Tell us about you and your family and if they are involved with your business, how?

I’m a single parent of two great kids – Jolande aged 20 yrs and Jadon, aged 16 yrs. Jolande is a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) and Jadon will be starting a course in electronic game design in September ’09.

Ours is really a family business as Jolande is my company secretary and, in her spare time, helps out with admin and goes with me to interview new host families etc.

Jadon is the IT expert in the family and assists with the website, my host family database and generally helps me out with “techie” stuff.

Do you have any amusing stories?

When I was a local organiser, I had to organise a trip for a group of Spanish Naval Officers. They came to the Heart of England region, had a fantastic homestay but on the morning of their departure back to Heathrow airport, the minibus failed to turn up.

They had to get back on time as they were back on duty and due to sail from Spain the next day.

I had a nightmare trying to arrange alternative transport for them and once I’d found a number of car drivers that could make the 2 hour journey, I had to make frantic calls to the airline and beg them to accept the Naval Officers’ late check in.

It all turned out well in the end as they caught the flight.

When I think about it now, it’s quite amusing but at the time, it was terrifying.

What are you most proud of in business/personally?

Personally, I’m most proud of the 2 wonderful children that I’ve raised.

In business, I feel really proud when I see the progress that students make in such a short time.

Their confidence really grows as they are fully immersed in the English language and British culture during their stay.

What/who are you specifically looking for currently?

We’re looking for people who are really eager to improve their English and experience life living in a British family.

We find that learners who are open to new experiences are the ones that make the most progress.

Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn and share information about your own culture!

We welcome group bookings and learners who want to combine their English language homestay with a leisure activity such as golf, horse riding etc.

What do you like about Xilfee?

The site is well designed and it’s immediately apparent that the owners know their stuff when it comes to the homestay sector!

The ability to upload photos and videos is great for host families and students alike.

It’s a site that benefits everyone!

What is your favourite work and why?

I really enjoy meeting our learners as they come from diverse backgrounds.

I make a point of meeting all learners during their homestay whether it be at the airport or inviting them for a meal.

Who are your favourite type of customers and why?

Definitely the open minded learners as they are open to new experiences that enrich their language homestays.

I recently took a French learner to a Cuban salsa class, a Caribbean restaurant and a Pentecostal Church service.

She had a fantastic time and she’d she’ll never forget the wonderful experience that she had!

Tell us about a typical week……

I never have a typical week and that’s what makes my job so interesting!

I do try to balance my online business with face to face networking and interacting with my learners.

What do you like to do out of work?

Salsa, salsa, salsa!

What is the single best thing about your work and why?

Hearing about my learners’ exam passes after their homestay.

What one thing would you like to do if you had the chance for;

Pleasure? – I’d like to experience a French or Spanish language homestay

Business? – I’d like to be able to extend my business beyond Western Europe.

What are you looking to achieve from you Xilfee profile?

I’d like to recruit more students and more top quality host families.

How many/which languages do you speak and how did you learn them?

I speak ‘school girl French’.

I started learning French at primary school and passed an ‘O’ level in French at 16.

When the children were smaller, we had French au-pairs and that added to my learning.

What is your favourite saying and why?

A friend in need, is a friend indeed!

I’ve certainly needed the support of my friends during the past couple of years whilst developing and launching my business.

Which is your favourite language and why?

French – it just sounds so beautiful.

What is your favourite country and why?

Rhodes – a great combination of history, beaches, scenery and nightlife.

Would you encourage other people to take up a language and if yes, why?

Yes – in this age of globalisation, it would be foolish not to learn another language.

In your opinion, when is the best time to learn a language?

It’s best to learn when you’re young and uninhibited.

Name some of the best things that can happen /have happened to you, because of learning a language!

I was able to ask directions when lost in Paris.

I’m able to eavesdrop on conversations between French speaking people.

I can read and understand the instructions on a fancy bottle of face cream!!

Name your favourite food.

Chicken – I just love it!

Lorna’s Profile & Contact Details