One of SOL’s activities is running English language courses in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Bideford for school, college and adult groups from Central and Eastern Europe. SOL’s students are accommodated with local English families. Due to the large number of students attending our courses, we always need to recruit more host families.

Staying with a host family is a very important aspect of the students visit. The time spent with the families in the evenings and on Sunday gives the students a vital opportunity to gain confidence in speaking English.

Most groups require 6 to 9 nights accommodation normally starting on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday and leaving in the end of the following week. Groups attend courses throughout the year and each time we will confirm with our host families their willingness to receive a student or students. On arrival families are asked to allow them to make a short phone call home. Many families like to host more than one student. Even when two students speak the same language, we do insist on English being the langauge of the home.

On weekdays and Saturdays, students attend their course at a central location (Barnstaple, Tiverton or Bideford) from 8.45 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Families are asked to provide a packed lunch and ensure the safe transport of the student to and from the centre each day. At home bed and breakfast and an evening meal are required. Students will have their own bedroom and have access to some privacy and quiet in another room. In the evenings and on Sunday, students stay with their host, the families are asked to involve them in any activities they feel able to take part in. Unless it has been specifically agreed in advance with SOL, students will not be meeting their friends in the evenings, instead students are encouraged to talk with their host families, read or study.

If families encounter any rare difficulties, the contact telephone number of the lead teacher will be clearly written on the bottom of the programme, which is given to the families upon the groups arrival. We pay our families for providing accommodation and meals. If you are interested in becoming a host family, please contact SOL’s office in Barnstaple.



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