How many nationalities do we have at the school?
Every year Anglo-Continental welcome students from 70+ different countries.
What is the average number of students at any one time?
During the months of June, July and August: 550 – 1100.
Outside the summer months: 300 – 650.
How far are the homestays?
Between 5 minutes walk and 40 minutes by bus.
Why do homestay families welcome students from Anglo-Continental?
Anglo-Continental has an excellent reputation for looking after our host families. As a large school open all the year round, we can offer our most popular families students throughout the year. This means we have regular contact with the families. Plus, as our fees are on the higher side, as one host family once told us “Anglo-Continental attracts a better class of student!”
In addition, our dependable and detailed administration system allows us to provide our homestay with reliable information regarding the students we allocate to them, something that has been mentioned to us on numerous occasions when we are compared with other schools in the area.
How does a family become an Anglo-Continental homestay?
All homestay are selected under the criteria laid down by Accreditation UK (British Council and English UK). If a family is interested in hosting students for Anglo-Continental, they can send their initial enquiry via the Anglo-Continental website (Accommodation → Become a Host family → Online Homestay Enquiry Form). Once initial contact has been made and, provided that the address falls within an acceptable distance from the school with adequate transport links, the Anglo-Continental Homestay team will then contact the potential host family and send them an application form. If the homestay feels that they wish to continue, they will complete the application form which supplies us with information we require concerning their property, their family, their interests and confirms the facilities they can provide. It will also ask the homestay to provide a gas safety certificate, fire escape plan and risk assessment, as well as names and contact details of two referees. On receipt of their application, assuming all details are acceptable, we will arrange for a Viewing Representative to visit the property and see all the rooms in the property. This visit will confirm that the details given on the application form are correct and will also allow us to judge the atmosphere of the home, the personality of the family members and the opportunity for our students to further their studies by way of conversation. The conditions for the provision of homestay accommodation is detailed in the Homestay Handbook available to all on the Anglo-Continental homestay webpage.
Once the visit is complete, the report of the viewing representative along with the application will be considered and only then will a final decision be made on the acceptance of the homestay.
How do we select an Anglo-Continental homestay for a student?
When we receive a request for homestay accommodation from a student we take into consideration the information we receive about their personal requirements and any preferences they may have. Particular areas of interest to us are:
- Food and dietary requirements particularly related to religion
- Medical requirements
- Allergies
- Religious persuasion
- Pets in the homestay
- Children in the homestay
- Smoking
- Specific interests
Once we have a ‘profile’ of the student we can exercise a more detailed search of our homestay database which will help us to make the best possible allocation.
“OK, a homestay has been approved but how do you make sure everything is going well for the first student?”
If a student is placed with a new homestay, we will interview the student during his/her first week to ensure that the student is comfortable in the home.
What happens if problems occur within the homestay?
We encourage our students to tell us about any problems that might arise, and we try to resolve them by discussing these issues with the homestay.
Is there a member of staff that the students can talk to about a ‘sensitive’ issue?
Yes, we have a fully trained Student Support Team at Anglo-Continental who can provide confidential help and advice.
What is different about an Executive homestay?
An Executive homestay provides:
- A spacious and comfortably furnished single room, either with an en-suite bathroom or with the exclusive use of a shower or bathroom.
- Internet access.
- A varied three-course evening meal with a glass of wine or beer.
- A full laundry service (washing and ironing).
What is different about Young Learners’ homestay (10 – 16 years)?
- 10-13 year olds may not leave their accommodation without the supervision of an adult.
- 14-16 year-olds may only do so with the written permission of their parent or guardian. If they have permission to go out unaccompanied, they must be back home by 22.00 hours.
- Our homestays have the number of our 24-hour emergency telephone should they become concerned about a late return of their student.
- Young Learners will normally share a twin-bedded room with another student of the same sex who has a similar age but, where possible, not of the same mother tongue unless requested. i.e. sharing with a friend or sibling.
- Homestay will attend to their students’ laundry as they would for members of their own family without extra charge.
- All families that provide accommodation to Young Learner students are required to sign a declaration regarding suitability to foster children privately under the Childrens Act 1989 (Part IX), stating that there is no reason why they, or any member of their family over 16 years of age, should not take care of Young Learner students.
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly an Enhanced CRB check)
All families that accommodate students under 16 years of age will be required on an individual basis to complete an online application in order to obtain an Enhanced DBS check. Anglo-Continental will pay for the Enhanced Disclosures to be obtained and we will process the application. The DBS checks will need to be completed for all family members over the age of 18 years.
What is the ratio of staff to students on Young Learners Courses?
Young Learners Courses staff ratio to students: 1:7
What is the difference between V-2.20 and G-1.20 as both offer 20 lessons per week and are offered to students over 16 years?
Course V-2.20
- Available during June, July and August.
- Students are aged 16 – 20 years.
- Operates an alternating timetable with lessons in the morning one week and in the afternoon the following week.
- A full day excursion per week is included in the fees as well as some leisure
activities. - Generally a lighter approach to the language learning experience.
Course G-1.20
- Available all the year round
- Students of all ages over 16 study on this course but the average age is 26.
- Access to the Multi Media Learning Centre
- Progress carefully monitored by means of tests every 3 or 4 weeks
- Excursions are at extra charge
- Lessons are normally held in the morning although an alternating timetable can occur.
Are the books/educational material included in the fees?
Yes, educational material is included in the course fees.
How much is the enrolment/registration fee?
There is no separate enrolment or registration fee.
When must fees be paid to Anglo-Continental?
Four weeks prior to course commencement.
What are the cancellation charges?
No cancellation charges are made if an enrolment is cancelled up to four weeks prior to course commencement. After this a fee of £500 is charged.
What if my visa is not issued?
Send the visa refusal letter to us and all fees paid less an administrative charge of £ 100 will be refunded.
Do students receive a Certificate at the end of their Course?
Yes, providing that they have 80% attendance and successfully completed the course.
Do students have access to the Internet?
In the Multi-Media Learning Centre at Wimborne Road, all students who are enrolled on our Adult Programmes have access to the Internet and printers. The MMLC is usually open from 13.30 – 16.30 hours, Monday to Friday.
Free wireless internet access is available in the Student Centre from 08.30 to 16.30 hours, Monday to Friday. Computers with internet access are also available to students in the Student Centre.
Free wireless internet access is available in Building 29 at Wimborne Road to Young Learners who bring their own wireless-enabled devices.
Homestay sometimes allow students to access the internet in their homes but as the number who can provide frequently changes we cannot provide a guarantee.