Your Questions Answered
What is a Host Family?
A host family provides a safe and welcoming environment to a foreign student, provides a private bedroom, three meals per day, and integrates the student into their daily life. Language tuition and/or activities may also be included in the program booked, which varies from one student to the other.
Why become an Influent host?
Hosting a foreign student is a mutually beneficial experience that offers personal, educational, and social rewards. It is a great way to learn about other cultures whilst sharing your own; teach your own language to students from all over the world, playing a part in their educational and language-learning journey, which can make a big difference in their success. Hosting is a flexible way of earning income from home. As a freelancer, you decide when to work and whom to host.
Who are the full-immersion language students?
We have students of all ages (children, teenagers or adults), backgrounds, nationalities and levels. Influent students want to use their free time to learn new languages in total immersion. Some of them take private lessons, others only activities, some both.
How long does a homestay last?
Homestays vary from 1 week to 2, 3 or more weeks and can include from 10 to 25 hours of private tuition per week on full board accommodation with or without activities or visits.
Who is a typical host?
First of all, an enthusiastic person who has a passion for sharing their daily life with a foreign student. Hosts can vary from the traditional family with two adults and one or more children, to one-parent hosts, couples without children or with older children who have left home, or hosts who live alone.
What qualifications are needed to teach students?
A teaching qualification (TEFL, TESOL, PGCE, etc.) and/or a university degree (any academic subject) and a minimum of 2 years teaching experience
What if I don't have a qualification to teach?
No problem, you can still host a student who books our Lifestyle program. No formal lessons are required, just to share your daily life and various activities with the student during their stay.
Who will be my point of contact?
We have a team of Regional Managers who live in all the areas where we have hosts. You will be put in contact with the closest one to you to help and support you with each placement. They will be on hand before and during the student’s stay to advise you where necessary and assist should any issues arise.
How much can I earn?
It depends on the program, the number of hours of tuition, if there are any activities, the type of activities, the duration, and your location. The payment will be detailed on the booking proposed to you
Can I host a student if I don't speak their language?
Yes, you can. The goal is language immersion, so communication is usually in the local language to help the student improve.
Is there an age limit for host families?
There is generally no age limit, but families must be able to meet the student's needs and provide adequate support.
What do I need to do during a homestay?
All you need is to be able to offer 2 to 6 hours of language lessons per day (when booked) with or without activities or visits, a comfortable private bedroom, 3 home-cooked meals per day, and friendly conversations to help your guest to improve his or her language level. You welcome the student as you would a friend or relative in your home. Our students are all unique and the program they choose will vary, therefore the Regional Manager will communicate this with you clearly prior to you agreeing to accept a booking.
How do I apply to become a host family with Influent?
If you haven’t already done so, you can email us at host@influentme.com with your contact details and we will put you in contact with the Regional Manager closest to you. They will send you a host family application form. Upon receipt of your application they will contact you to arrange a meeting.
What is a Host Family?
A student booking is presented to hosts for approval by email before they are proposed for a particular student’s stay. We do get bookings year round, adults and children. Once you are registered with us and your Regional Manager has met you, you can be considered for any suitable booking that fits in with your availability. Most students will choose a home tuition program, consisting of one-to-one language lessons, full board (three meals per day) with the family, and a single private bedroom. We have many other programs and extra options, which will be explained by the Regional Manager.