Live a language & a culture – Improve your language skills through practice

Live a language and a culture from inside by sharing the everyday life of a welcoming host family who cares to share with you his/her lifestyle.

Our lifestyle homestay programme is the most natural way of learning and improving your language skills. You share the everyday life of your host and practice the language through conversations and activities of your choice.

This immersive experience is ideal for those who want to learn through practice and do not want to follow the traditional “sit-down” lessons.

Having fun while you learn is the best way to remember what you learn!

  • Cork
  • Dublin
  • Galway
  • Limerick

We would kindly ask you to choose 2or 3 regions of preference on your enrolment form.

Note: Host families are not usually located in the town centre

You are hosted in a family (single room, full-board) and you practice 15h, 20h, 25h or 30h per week of the activities of your choice with a family member. The choice of activities is listed below. All are offered in 5-hour blocks.

Flexibility and communication are the keys to a successful immersive experience, as well as open-mindedness and willingness to adapt to a different way of life!

To get the most out of your stay, we recommend you have an A2 level at least in the language chosen.

An exceptional welcome

The family offers you a warm and comfortable environment and has been carefully selected to meet your expectations. If you follow a special diet or have specific wishes (smokers or not, presence of children or not, etc.), it is important that you let us know when you register. There will always be a family suitable to your profile, whether you are a child or a teenager, a student or a professional or retired.

A closer supervision for the younger students

Many children or teenagers participate in this type of programme as it offers a safe environment within experienced and caring families. The student’s investment is fundamental to the success of the stay.

The “Closer supervison” option is available for the students uner 18 and compulsory for children aged 15 or under. This guarantees the young student is in the constant presence of an adult.

Our immersive porgramme is recommended to children and teenagers that are mature enough, independent and sociable.

Supplement for this option: please see “Dates and prices”

The activities

You can choose 15h, 20h, 25h or 30h weekly

Cooking (5h): Cook typical dishes with your host, discover the culinary culture, then enjoy the dishes you
have just cooked with your host family. Return home and prepare what you have learnt to cook for your own family, bringing back a feel and a taste of the country and host family visited.

Filmography (5h): Films are the perfect way to improve your comprehension skills and understanding
of different accents. They are also a good reflection of the culture and characteristics of a country. Your host will help you through challenging passages and discuss the story, the characters and their motivations with you.

Constructive Conversation & Debates (5h): Have animated discussions about politics, history or sports, talk about authors or artists and their work. Watch the news & talk about it with your host, compare it with current affairs in your own country and feed the debate. Learn to effectively participate in ‘themed’
discussions in a language of choice.

Walking tours (5h): Take a town walk to see iconic landmarks and hear the story behind with those that live there and know. Hike through the beautiful countryside and explore coastal paths. Practice your conversational skills while visiting the area, experiencing your host’s life and environment in a unique way.

Board Games (5h): Learning through games (scrabble, chess, vocabulary, card games, monopoly, etc.) is
a great method to learn a new language not only because it is relevant to all age groups, it is also a magnetic and entertaining way to get people together and start conversation. A great opportunity to socialize with family and friends.

Shopping (5h): Visit local markets, fairs, shopping centres, famous shopping streets or typical shops, with your host. Different cultures feature different shopping habits. The consumer behaviour of a
country gives you a good insight into its culture and people.

Theses options can be added to the programme

Special diet & Special Needs

We welcome students with special needs and special diets providing we have been notified of these in advance.

Supplement: see “Dates and prices”

Private Bathroom

Accommodation with your own private bathroom. 20% reduction per person on a shared programme.

Supplement: see “Dates and prices”

Shared accommodation

Share your host family (same programme, same level and same dates) with a friend or relative and benefit from a 20% discount.

Reduction : 20% for each participant

Senior

Participants aged 60 years and older get a discount on the entire stay between October and May.

Dicsount: 5%

Christmas period and/or New Year

It is possible to follow a program during the Christmas period. A surcharge is applied to stays on days 24, 25 and 26 December or 31 December and 1 January. If you are staying during both Christmas and New Year, the surcharge will be applied twice. The supplement includes activities such as New Year’s Eating, counting down to the New Year, going to see the fireworks, a city walk, and shopping.

Supplement: see “Dates and prices”

Travel

Arrivals: Sunday

Departures: Sunday

(7-night stay – some families are flexible on arrival and departure days)

Arrival airports and train stations: 

Information about the nearest airport or station will be provided with the details on your host family. You will be picked up and dropped off by your host family, local organiser or by a private driver (usually by car, though occasionally by public transport).

If you decide to travel to an alternative airport or station, or if you arrive before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., an additional fee will be charged. Students under 16 must book pick-up and drop-off, except if you inform us in advance that they are accompanied by their parents.

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see “Dates and prices”)

Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course (approximately 8 days after we receive your deposit).

Visa Information

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page. 

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.


Dates & Prices 2021

Course start dates: every week, year-round

Prices 2021

All registration fees and taxes included

WPCS 42.0.3
Language and culture Immersion (homestay, full-board & activities) - price per week
Number of hours/RegionsDublinOther regions
15 hours 1.295 1.145
20 hours 1.495 1.345
25 hours 1.695 1.545
30 hours 1.895 1.745
Extra fees (per week)
Closer supervision option (compulsory -15) 150
Christmas or New year 180
Private bathroom 145
Special needs and special diet 150
Extra night 120
Transfer (each way) 85

Prices include:

  • The chosen programme
  • Homestay accommodation, single room, full-board
  • All taxes and registration fees
  • Assistance by the regional coordinator

Prices do not include:

  • The journey and transfers
  • Possible supplements
  • Possible extra nights
  • Visa fees, if any
  • Optional insurances

Note: Share your host family (same programme, same level and same dates) with a friend or relative and benefit from a 20% discount.