Immersion Homestays in the USA and Canada

Live and Study at Your Teacher’s Home – English private tuition

This is the most effective way to make rapid progress. You will live with your teacher who will give you private lessons adapted to your goals and needs. In this way, you share his or her daily life and activities and experience a real 24-hour immersion in the language.

You have the possibility to follow a general language course, i.e. a course focused on a specific subject or exam preparation. It is also possible to combine your courses with options (sports, activities, culture).

Destinations

USA: Chicago, Denver, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Miami, New England, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Orlando

Canada: Toronto, Vancouver

Teachers are not usually located in the town centre, as we put greater emphasis on their quality and competence over geographical location. We would kindly ask you to choose 3 regions of preference on your enrolment form.

A personalized approach to reach your goals

This personalised formula ensures rapid progress and the achievement of your objectives. It is aimed at all profiles and all ages – young people, students, adults or retired people – and at all objectives – personal, academic or professional (preparing for an exam, catching up on school work, a head start, travelling, attending an international conference, etc.). Your teacher adapts his or her courses to your needs, lets you work on your weaknesses and helps you achieve your goals quickly.

As the only student at your teacher’s home you have no contact with other foreign students and no opportunity to speak your mother tongue. The intensity of the courses and the total immersion in a different culture imply a strong investment and motivation of the participants.

Experienced and qualified teachers

All our teachers are experienced and have the required university qualifications. They all followed specific training and were chosen for the quality and hospitality of their welcome. In addition, they are supported by a network of pedagogical experts who draw up teaching methods and organise ongoing language training. If necessary, they can be contacted during their stay.

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 adapted to your profile, whether you are a child, a teenager, a student, a professional or retired.

You will be the only student hosted in your family! This guarantees that you will have no contact with other speakers of your native language and there is no best way to improve your skills and get immersed in the language. But this also requires a good motivation and a great involvement on your part.

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 supervision” option is available for students under 18 and compulsory for children aged 15 or under. This guarantees that the younger student is in the constant presence of an adult.

English courses: the basics

Lesson length: 60 minutes
Schedule: flexible, depending on the availability of the teacher and your wishes. You can choose a balanced distribution of your lessons during the week or you can organize days without lessons to explore the region. This will have to be agreed with your teacher.
Placement test: takes place on the first day of your lessons. An online test prior to departure is also available
Language level: all levels
Certificate of completion and progress report at the end of your stay (on request)
Options: specialised vocabulary, closer supervision (mandatory for under-15s) (see tab “optional extras”)
Qualifications: all the teachers hold a university degree and/or an equivalent qualification, and/or a recognised teaching certificate
Number of students per homestay: you will be the only student per homestay. Very rarely, one or two other students of a different nationality may be staying with your teacher.

We offer both standard language programmes and Language & Activities programmes, ideal for practising your target language in a broad range of situations.

English

Choose from 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of private language lessons per week.

Optional extras

Specialized vocabulary/exam preparation
Closer supervision

English & Activities

This programme includes 10, 15, 20 or 25 hours of lessons per week plus 5 hours of general activities per week. You can decide on your activity schedule with your teacher on arrival. This programme is a good way to put your English into practice. All activity fees are included in the price (transport, entrance fees, etc.) Option available for all destinations.

Some of the many activities available include: visits, Bus Tour, picnics, cinema outings, swimming, mini golf, restaurant outings, Pubs (if 18+)…

This option is especially recommended for young learners as this is a fun way to learn the language and reap the rewards by practicing during fun and engaging activities.

This option consists of a combination of 15, 20 or 25 hours of English course according to the standard program and 3 sports sessions per week. Entrance fees and transportation to the activities are included for you and the guide. The cultural visits generally take place with your teacher but occasionally you may visit with another member of the host family.

The sports sessions last about one hour. If they are done in groups (of approximately the same level), the activity may take longer. They will be supervised by professionals, family members or a local organiser.

It is important to communicate your sports level to us at the time of registration.

USA

Basketball
- New England (Boston)

Horse riding
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Includes all the necessary equipment

Golf
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Includes golf kit rent (clubs, balls), golf course rent, individual sessions (approx. 1 hour in length), practice, transport to and from the golf course

Surfing
- Hawaii (3x1H)
- San Diego (1/2 day)
Tennis
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Orlando

Canada

Horse riding
- Toronto (3x1H)
- Includes all the necessary equipment
Tennis
- Vancouver (3x1H)
- Includes all the necessary equipment

This option consists of a combination of 15, 20 or 25 hours of English course according to the standard program and 3 of the cultural visits mentioned in the weekly schedule.

Entrance fees and transportation to the activities are included for you and the guide.

The cultural visits generally take place with your teacher but occasionally you may visit with another member of the host family.

USA

Chicago : Millennium Park sightseeing, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago History Museum, Magnificient Mile Shopping, Museum of Contemporary Photography, festival or seasonal event, Chicago Cultural Centre, Design Museum, DePaul Art Museum
Hawaii : Tour of Iolani Palace, King Kamehameda’s statue, Mission homes tour and museum, Kawaiha’o Church and grounds, Governor’s Mansion (si disponible), the historic Chinatown district
Los Angeles : Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, The planes of Fame Air Museum, Museum of Art, Discovery Science Centre, Surfing Museum, Getty Centre / Getty Villa Museum, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary Ocean Liner Tour, Shopping in Beverly Hills or Hollywood
Miami : Metromover Ride, Little Havana & Calle Ocho, Museum of Art & Design, Lincoln Road Mall Shopping, Perez Art Museum & downtown, Wynwood Street Art, Artechouse & Miami Beach, Vizcaya & Coconut Grove
New England (Boston) : Museum of Science, Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts, Campus Tour, Museum at Harvard, MIT Museum, Boston Tea Party Museum, local museum
New York :
- Rockefeller Center to St.Patrick’s Cathedral down 5th Ave to Abercrombie & Fitch and visit the Museum of Modern Art
- Wall Street Financial District to the Wall Street Bull, visit of the National Museum of the American Indian, Staten Island ferry to view Statue of Liberty
- Central Park to John Lennon Memorial Strawberry Fields and Dakota Building, visit of the Natural History Museum
- Shopping in 34th street, view Empire State building, Macy’s department store, Madison Square Garden
- China Town and Little Italy
- Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center, 125th street shops and Apollo Theatre
San Diego : Birch Aquarium, Gia Institute, Museum of making Music, Agua Hedionda Discovery Center, Sight seeing trolley tour (San Diego Harbour, Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa park visitor center, Coronado Island, Old Town historic park, Boat on wheels (tour through San Diego Street + cruise on San Diego’s bay)
San Francisco : choose 2 visits between those 4 :
- California Academy of Sciences & Aquarium
- Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure OR The Alcatraz Island Tour (doit être réservé minimum 1 mois à l’avance)
- Aquarium of the Bay
- The SF Exploratorium or The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Canada

Toronto : The ROM, CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada OR 2 of the anterior visits + 1 visit between those : the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo
Vancouver : Stanley Park, Granville Island, Museum of Anthropology, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Aquarium, Classical Chinese Garden, Art Gallery, Grouse Mountain, Gastown, Capilano Suspension Bridge

This option consists of a combination of 15, 20 or 25 hours of English course according to the standard program and the listed activity, once a week. Admission and transportation to the activity is included.

The sessions are individual and last approximately 1 hour, unless otherwise stated. Your teacher, a family member or a professional organization organizes these activities.

United States

Hula lessons
- Hawaii: 2x1H30
Theme Park
- Los Angeles : Full-day excursion to Disneyland or Universal Studios or Knott’s Berry Farm
- Orlando: Full-day excursion to Disney World or Sea World or Harry Potter Universal
- Chicago: Full-day excursion to Six Flags Amusement Park
- San Diego: Full-day excursion to Lego Land including the waterpark and the aquarium or Safari Zoo Park or Sea World including shows or Whale watching adventure

Canada

Theme Park
- Toronto: Full-day excursion to Wonderland Amusement Park

” Specific vocabulary/preparation of exams” Option

Your teacher will put together a course to prepare you for an exam (such as Cambridge First Certificate, Proficiency, TOEIC or TOEFL) or a course for learning specific vocabulary for school subjects (mathematics, geography, literature) or technical terms in professional fields (medicine, engineering, law, computer science, architecture, tourism, etc.). Please note that the carefully selected teachers are not necessarily engineers, doctors or lawyers.

Please note: the program is only there to prepare the exams, so you will not take the exams on site. The teaching material is only provided for the above exams. For any other exam, you will need to bring your own teaching material (books, copies of previous exams or other necessary documents for preparation).

Surcharge : see ” Dates & Prices “.

” Closer supervision ” Option

This option guarantees the presence of an adult (teacher or other adult member of the family) at any time of the day, throughout the stay. This option does not include any activities and only ensures the supervision of an adult. This option is compulsory for young people under the age of 15 and is strongly recommended for participants under the age of 18.

Surcharge : see ” Dates & Prices “.

” Special diet ” Option

If you follow a specific diet, it is important to mention it before departure so that the teacher can adapt to it. If the diet requires many adjustments from the host family, such as gluten-free, halal, etc. a surcharge will be charged.

Surcharge : see ” Dates & Prices “.

” Special needs “ Option

Some teachers have been prepared, and have adapted their homes, to accommodate students with physical disabilities (e.g. visual or auditory impairments), emotional or behavioural disorders (e.g. ADHD), or learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia). If you wish to make use of this, please let us know in advance. This option offers a stay adapted to the specific situation of the participant.

Under no circumstances does this supplement provide for any medical care that may be required.

Surcharge : see ” Dates & Prices “.

“Five stars”: Luxury service Option

This option is especially for business courses and professionals, and for their families, who want more comfort. The “Five stars” program includes a private bathroom and special meals and more attention for the student.

Surcharge : 100% of the price of the chosen course

Shared accommodation

It is possible to take lessons in pairs, threes or fours with other participant(s) of your choice, provided they choose the same dates and have the same language level.

You get 20% discount for each student if you leave with two and 25% discount if you leave with three or four.

Seniors

Students aged 60 years and older get an additional discount on the entire stay between October and May.

Discount : 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.

Surcharge : see ” Dates & Prices “.

Travel

Arrivals: Sunday

Departures: Sunday

(7-night stay – some teachers 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 teacher and 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 price list)

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

Dates 2021

Course start dates: every week, year-round

Prices 2021

All registration fees and taxes included

Standard program - Price per week
Program / Price per week according to region	10 hours	15 hours	20 hours	25 hours	30 hours
Canada	€ 1.380	€ 1.455	€ 1.655	€ 1.855	€ 2.055
USA (EXCEPT NEW YORK)	€ 1.450	€ 1.525	€ 1.725	€ 1.925	€ 2.125
USA (NEW YORK)	€ 1.500	€ 1.575	€ 1.775	€ 1.975	€ 2.175
Combined program - Price per week
Language & activities program	Canada	USA (Except New York)	USA (New York)
10h lesson + 5h activity	€ 1.570	€ 1.640	€ 1.690
15h lesson + 5h activity	€ 1.770	€ 1.840	€ 1.890
20h lesson + 5h activity	€ 1.970	€ 2.040	€ 2.090
25h lesson + 5h activity	€ 2.170	€ 2.240	€ 2.290
Language & sport program
Sports supplement per week	Tennis	Horse riding	Basketball	Golf	Surfing
Canada	€ 280	€ 410	-	-	-
United States	€ 290	€ 290	€ 290	€ 290	€ 460
Language & culture program
Destination	Canada	USA (Except New York)	USA (New York)
Supplement 3 cultural visits per week	€ 340	€ 320	€ 450
Supplement 3 cultural visits per week for the 10h lessons programme	€ 240	€ 220	€ 350
Language & leisure program
Destination	Hula Lessons(USA)	Theme park (Canada)	Theme park (San Diego	Theme park (Chicago)	Theme park (Los Angeles/Orlando)
Activity supplement per week	€ 260	€ 230	€ 290	€ 310	€ 420
Optional supplements (per week, unless otherwise stated)
Additional night (Canada)	€ 140
Additional night (United States)	€ 150
Transfer (Canada (one way)) *	€ 100
Transfer (USA EXCEPT NEW YORK (per trip)) *	€ 105
Transfer (USA NEW YORK ** (one way)) *	€ 130
Transfer (USA NEW YORK *** (per trip) *	€ 160
Exam / Business Preparation	€ 130
Closer supervision (obligatory -15 years)	€ 150
Christmas or New Year supplement	€ 145
Private bathroom option	€ 180
Special diet	€ 150
Special needs - Handicap, dyslexia, ADHD	€ 150

*Round-trip obligatory for 16 years and younger.

** from JFK airport

Prices include:

The chosen program
The courses and use of the teaching material
Stay in an individual room with your private teacher
Full board
All taxes and registration fees
Assistance by the regional coordinator
Level test, participation certificate and internship report (on request)

Prices do not include:

The journey and transfers
Possible supplements (” Specific vocabulary/preparation for exams “, “Closer supervision”, stay ” Five Stars “)
Supplements for end-of-year celebrations during stays (24, 25, 26, 31 December and/or 1 January)
Possible extra nights
Visa fees, if any
Possible optional insurances

Discounts

If 2 students with the same level wish to stay together and follow a course, each of them receives a 20% discount.
If a person wishes to accompany the participant and share the room, but does not wish to take lessons, this person benefits from a 20% discount.