Guidelines and Etiquette for hosts

As a host, you instantly become a stand in ‘parent’. You should therefore provide a warm, caring home and show genuine interest in your student’s welfare.

Creating a comfortable and friendly environment is the key to a successful and positive homestay experience.

Day to day life

You should share your daily schedule with your student. Let them know your work hours, what time to expect you home and what time you usually serve dinner etc.
Encourage your student to share their daily schedule/plans with you as well. Communication both ways is important.

 

Interacting with your student

Students may need some extra attention in the first few days as they settle in and get used to a new environment.

 

Some students may be shy to speak English at first and may take time to build confidence.

Make sure to speak slowly and clearly. If students are struggling to understand verbally, sometime writing it down for them to read can be helpful. Using a translator app such as Google translate is also handy.

 

Encourage your student to talk about their day. Ask them about school, or anything they did after class.

Encourage your student to spend time in shared spaces around the house, such as the kitchen/dining or lounge room and interact with family members. They can’t practice their English hiding away in their room.

However, sometimes students may need to study or just need some down time. Try to help them find a nice balance.

We understand life gets busy and you can’t be around 24/7 however is it essential to make an effort whenever you can. You should sit and share an evening meal with your student as often as you can.

 

Conversation starter ideas:

Have you travelled abroad before?

What do you study in your home country?

What is your favourite food?

Do you have a small or large family?

What are your hobbies?

What would you like to do or see in Australia?

 

Privacy

Please respect your students’ privacy. You should always knock before entering their bedroom, do not just walk in. Please let students know ahead of time, if you wish to put laundry in their room or vacuum while they are out, etc.

 

House keys

Students should be provided with a key so they can easily come and go when they need to. You may need to explain house security to younger students, and reminder them to always lock the door when they leave.

 

English

English should be spoken in the home at all times. Most students are here to learn English, and it is important for them to hear and practice English in the homestay.

It can be upsetting and feel unwelcoming for a student to constantly hear a language they do not understand.

 

Food

You should aim to provide a healthy balanced diet. A suggested menu plan for a day could include bread, eggs, cereal and fruit for breakfast; leftovers or sandwiches and fruit for lunch; and meat, noodles, pasta, rice and vegetables for dinner.

Milk, fruit juice and water are the recommended beverages. You are not expected to supply soft drink. Instant noodles, muesli bars and supermarket cake or biscuits could provide easy after school snacks.

 

Encourage the student to try your food style whilst keeping in mind their cultural background. Ask your student about their food preferences. You may like to take them shopping occasionally but do not get lured into purchasing luxury ingredients.

 

Above all, you should remember that many students are still teenagers and young adults.  Happiness can simply mean a full stomach. If this means the purchase of an extra dozen eggs to add to a simple rice dish, then so be it.

Remember good food and English conversation is what all students crave.