Become a Host / Host Family
for Students

Become a host / host family for students and earn up to *£780 per week in low season, £980 in summer season, and **£1,300 if you are a Private Foster Family! As well as earning extra money, hosting students is a great way to bring new cultures into your home. If you’re interested, then please complete our Homestay Application Form and we’ll be in touch.

*Earnings based on accommodating 4 students with special dietary requirements. Students offered are based on a variety of factors including demand, distance from school, suitability, etc. Students are not guaranteed

**Earnings based on Private Foster Family accommodating 4 junior students with special dietary requirements for a minimum of 4 weeks. Same factors above apply.

1. Complete the following documents in full

2. Submit these documents via the contact form below

Please complete all the fields below, otherwise your application will not be successfully submitted.

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    3. Our Accommodation Officer will get back to you as soon as possible.

    For our latest host family rates, please read the Homestay Handbook above

    Once you have read and completed the above forms, please send to: [email protected]

    How to become a host, or host family for students

    We have some requirements for hosting international students. You’ll need to be located in one of the following areas:

    • Southbourne
    • Bournemouth
    • Christchurch
    • Boscombe
    • Pokesdown
    • Littledown
    • Hengistbury Head

    Hosts / Host families need to be around to help our international students adjust to a different way of life. You’ll be their friend and guardian during their stay at the school.

    Please see below the criteria adapted from the British Council Homestay Guidelines.

    All hosts and host families should provide the following in order to be suitable for hosting students:

    • Hosts and host families should make our international student’s feel like a full member of the household, eating together and sharing the common living areas.
    • No more than four international students will be accommodated in homestay accommodation at any one time.
    • The house should represent a proper state of cleanliness and repair.
    • There should be adequate heating and lighting.
    • A sufficiently spacious bedroom with natural light, equipped with an adequately sized bed and adequate hanging and drawer space for clothes.
    • Appropriate privacy from members of the opposite sex.
    • A table for private study or a table in the house they can use to study.
    • Sufficient washing facilities and access to a bathroom, with baths or showers available daily.
    • A change of towels and bed linen each week and an adequate supply of duvets or blankets.
    • A light load of laundry once a week.

    If you have any questions about becoming a host for students, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated Accommodation officer: [email protected] or visit our Contact Us page!

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

    When you become a host or host family for students, we expect the following:

    • To welcome students into your home and integrate them into your family life
    • Explain English traditions and customs such as queuing, manners etc.
    • To provide healthy, nutritious and filling meals
    • To inform us if your student cannot attend school due to illness etc.

    For more detailed information about what we require, please read the latest Homestay Handbook on this page.

    Unsupervised curfews for under 18’s vary – our school policy is:

    • 10, 11 and 12 year olds are not allowed out in the evenings without supervision
    • 13 and 14 year olds can stay out until 21:00
    • 15 year olds can stay out until 22:00
    • 16 and 17 year olds can stay out until 23:00

    You will receive payment for your student one week in arrears and usually on a Friday.

    Student arrival on a Saturday or Sunday – Payment will be made 1 week after student arrival.

    Student mid-week arrival – If student date of arrival is mid-week, payment is different. Payment will be processed on the Friday following their arrival.

    Students aged 16+ should be given a key. We do not recommend giving under 16’s a key, as they should not be in the house unsupervised.

    Emails will be sent confirming your students arrival. If your student is in a group, text messages will be sent also.

    Yes, but students from other schools must not share rooms with our students.

    • Students over the age of 18 must not be in the same accommodation as under 18’s, even if they are in separate rooms.
    • Students from our school must not speak the same native language as a student from another school, even if they are a different nationality. For example: You should not accommodate our Spanish student with an Argentinian student from another school at the same time, as their native language is Spanish.

    Hygiene problems mostly occur with younger junior students. They are away from home and would usually be told by parents when to wash their clothes or have a bath. You have a duty of care to be tactful and encourage them to have regular showers/baths. Also remind them to give you their laundry once a week.

    If you have more concerns and are unsure what to do, please contact our Welfare Officer at [email protected]

    • When students are more than an hour late from activities and have not contacted you. If you cannot locate your student, or their group leader, then leave a message on the emergency phone.
    • Serious injuries or accidents
    • Personal emergencies which mean your student will need moving to a new host family immediately.
    • Please call office during office hours for general enquiries, arrival times and complaints. Do not use emergency phone.

    It is up to you if you allow your student to use the kitchen. Some students like to cook their hosts’ meals as a thank you.

    This is standard for many European countries, middle eastern countries, as well as some others. Communication is the best solution. Either place a sign in your bathroom, or simply explain to your student that toilet paper should be flushed.

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    meryem katılmış profile picture
    meryem katılmış
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
    The teachers at the school and the overall education system are very successful, and they are really attentive and caring towards the students. In class, lessons are taught in a very natural way without using phones or any kind of technology. For now, I’m really happy with everything.☺️👌
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    Renata Fontana profile picture
    Renata Fontana
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
    Una scuola meravigliosa! Abbiamo portato 3 classi del liceo linguistica per 10 giorni full immersion. È stata una bellissima esperienza...da ripetere assolutamente! Staff splendido!
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    Emilia Heinzmann profile picture
    Emilia Heinzmann
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    Very good school, especially Josh, Paul and Charlie.
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    fabrizio zitoli profile picture
    fabrizio zitoli
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    Best school I’ve been so far, as a guest theacher, in 10 years of different stages around Europe. Perfect organization, staff educated and accurate. Every stage can face some problems, but they are very ready to solve it, they ask for feedbacks and their supervision keep you safe and easy
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    عبد العزيز العنزي profile picture
    عبد العزيز العنزي
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    I had a great experience at this school. The teachers are professional, kind, and very supportive. The classes were organized and helpful, and I improved my English a lot. I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to learn English. Thank you for everything!
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    ناصر الداود profile picture
    ناصر الداود
    Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
    It was an amazing experience at Southbourne English Language School. The staff were always kind, helpful and professional. I learned a lot, improved my English, and always felt comfortable in class. The school atmosphere is positive and welcoming, and everyone treats you with respect. I'm so grateful for everything they've done for me, and I'll never forget my wonderful time here. I highly recommend anyone who wants to learn English in a warm and friendly environment to choose a Southbourne Thank you to all the Southbourne Institute staff! From Nasser 🇬🇧✨
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    Student Testimonial

    “I feel like they are my family, and to describe them as anything other than my family would not be right.”

    I have been staying with the same host family for the last 10 years. I feel like they are my family, and to describe them as anything other than my family would not be right.

    Graciela - International Student from Argentina