PeopleLink -- More Homestay Information

More Home Stay Information

Homestay area: PeopleLink specializes in opening new homestay areas. At the present time programs are offered all over the United States and Canada. PeopleLink defines an area by the name of the closest major city, e.g., San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia. However the actual homestay communities are located anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 1/2 hours from the major city.

Student placement: PeopleLink offers several different types of placement. "Regular" placement guarantees no more than one double placement per ten student participants, unless the agency or students request otherwise. "All Single Placement" guarantees there will be one student placed in each family. "All Double Placement" guarantees all students will be placed two in each home.

Class content; classes are usually taught by PeopleLink Teacher Guide's who specialize in teaching the skills needed for a language immersion program. PeopleLink has developed and written an English language textbook, "Creating a Global Neighborhood Through Language" to enhance the classroom experience. It is designed to teach culture and language through conversation and to aid the student in developing confidence with spoken language skills. Homework is assigned to the students each day. All homework is to be done verbally with the host families and is discussed the next day in class. The teacher guide to student ratio is never more than one teacher to 17 students allowing the teacher to give the students the attention they need.

Study center: Classes are held in a location central to the host family homes. Most often a meeting room or classroom at a church is used. Other facilities that are commonly used are library or community meeting rooms, recreation centers, schools, clubs, business conference rooms etc. The specific Study Center used is at the discretion of the Teacher Guide.

Teacher-Guide preparation: Seminars on teaching English As A Second Language and the successful operation of a homestay program are provided by the directors and staff for all Teacher Guides. In addition, Teacher Guides are provided with a reference book which covers all aspects of the program. The Field Coordinator and office staff are "on call" to assist the Teacher Guide with any problems or questions s/he may encounter in the course of the program.

Role of the Teacher-Guide (TG): the TG, works directly with the students and host families, interviewing all prospective host families in their homes. This process usually lasts from one to two hours. The family submits an application to host including the names and phone numbers of two references from the community. Only after the successful completion of the interview, contacting the references and receiving positive referrals is the family invited to host. During the homestay the Teacher Guide acts as a liaison between the student and host family.

In addition the Teacher Guide is responsible for the following:

meeting the students upon arrival
locating a Study Center
organizing the mini-orientation on arrival day
organizing the Host Family Orientation
organizing Welcome and Farewell parties
arranging student transportation
teaching English As A Second Language
accompanying the students on all full-day trips and half-day activities
conducting afternoon activities, cultural exchanges and sports afternoons
escorting the students to the airport for departure