The Advantages of Staying with a Homestay Provider | ILC English Blog

Long-term English language learners in the UK can choose between staying with a homestay provider, often called a host family, or renting a flat. For learners who have come to the UK on their own, a homestay has many real advantages.

Someone to talk to in English every day

The first advantage is that there are always people to talk with in English. Homestay providers are not teachers, but most are happy to chat and listen, and this is a great boost to your English. Every day you can talk about what you have done, the lessons you've had and the people you've met, and your hosts can tell you about their day. This is valuable speaking and listening practice. A really clever learner will talk about exactly what they did in class: it's a chance to use the new grammar and vocabulary again. Your hosts probably won't mind, especially over a cup of tea and some biscuits!

No household worries

Living in someone's home means you don't need to worry about the problems that can come with renting a flat. You don't have to pay gas, electricity, water or council tax bills, and if something breaks, you simply tell your host and they deal with it. Easy!

A real cultural experience

Living with a British family is a fantastic cultural experience. A family home is very different from a rented flat: it reflects the people who live there. You can share mealtimes and social activities, and even everyday things like watching TV are more fun together. You may also be invited to join family occasions such as birthdays and Christmas. It's a window onto a new and different world.

Safety

All ILC homestay providers are carefully checked. Hosts for young learners have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, the UK's official background check for people who look after young people.

Learning like a child learns

Put the first and third advantages together and you could say that staying with a homestay is more fun and more like the way we learned our first language as small children: by listening and speaking with our family.

Find out more about homestay accommodation with ILC, or compare options in homestay vs student accommodation.