Becoming an Accommodation Provider FAQ

Transcription

1 Becoming an Accommodation Provider FAQ 1. How long are the students staying? Students can stay anywhere from three weeks up to nine months. 2. Where are the students from? We have students from all over the world. We currently have students from China, Thailand, Russia, the Middle East and many countries from Europe. 3. What language will the student speak? As we have students from all over the world, the languages they speak can be varied. 4. What is their English competency? Varied but all will be tested before you meet them so we can tell you in plenty of time. 5. How old are they? The age range is from 18 years and up. There is a possibility of future provision to year old students. You can let us know if you are willing to take younger students when you complete the accommodation questionnaire. We also take students as young as 14 on occasion as part of a larger group on short, bespoke courses. 6. What gender? Students are both male and female. You can choose to specify any gender preferences in your questionnaire.

2 2 7. Where are they studying? Depending on the course they are studying, students can be based at any of our campuses. We are especially interested in families from Canton, Grangetown, Cardiff Bay, Splott, Cathays and Roath but welcome interest from families living in other areas of Cardiff and the Vale. 8. What are they studying? Most of our international students will be studying our English courses, although some students also attend the academic and vocational courses at the College or short, bespoke English and cultural studies courses. 9. What is expected of me? What do I have to do? Do I have to talk to them? Hosts are expected to integrate the student into their family and to provide a cultural experience that enhances the student s language learning while they are in the UK. Students should be integrated in all areas such as sharing meal time with the family, and regular social activities. The aim is to provide a safe, friendly and welcoming family environment for the student throughout their stay. 10. How much will I get paid? How and when? Self-catered accommodation is 100 per week. Catered accommodation is 130 per week. Individual students who apply for accommodation through the College pay their rent directly to the provider. The schedule of payment will be agreed between the student and the provider. Where a student is part of a larger group on a short or bespoke course, rent may be paid through the College and the details will be covered in the agreement for that group. 11. What does catered mean? Will I have to cook for them? Yes, you will be expected to cook. Students should receive half board (breakfast and evening meal) Monday to Friday and full-board (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) on weekends and holidays. Snacks and hot/cold drinks should also be available within reason.

3 3 12. What dietary requirements do they have? Students may have a wide variety of dietary requirements, from Halal foods to vegetarian meals only to specific allergies. You will have the opportunity to specify if you are able or not able to cater for any particular dietary requirements. 13. What about laundry and cleaning? Students are expected to keep their rooms tidy and clean up after themselves in any area of the house they use. Students must have regular access to laundry facilities, and should have clean bedding at least once a week, provided by the family. A routine should be discussed with the student about who will do dusting, hoovering, etc., and the materials provided if it is to be the student doing their cleaning. 14. What support will the college give me? Dedicated staff is available throughout the student s stay to answer queries and deal with any issues you may have. You will be provided with detailed information about your student before they arrive. 15. What amount of space do the students need? Do I need to provide special furniture? Students should have their own double bedroom. We ask that you only have one student per bedroom and that you only have one speaker of any particular language in your home at any one time. The bedroom should have a desk or study space, wardrobe and drawers, a bed, adequate natural and artificial lighting and heating. 16. What religious requirements do they have? Students may be of any religion or not have any religious belief at all. We ask that all families respect the student s beliefs and, if necessary and within reason, provide appropriate space for students to follow any religious practice that they may have, for example, prayer space in their room, etc.

4 4 17. How do I sign up? Please contact the College on or homestay@cavc.ac.uk to request an application pack. This will include some information about the groups of students we are expecting and also a questionnaire and agreement for you to complete and return to us. We will then contact you to arrange a visit to your home to inspect the rooms the students will have access to and answer any questions you may have. If we are able to add you to our list of providers, we will let you know and consider you for the next intake of students. 18. Can I choose who I get? Can I refuse? You will be given information about the student selected for you before the students arrive. Students will be paired with families taking into account any requirements and preferences stated in the application forms and questionnaires. If you feel very strongly that the student selected for you will not be a good fit for your home, you will be able to decline that particular student within the timeframe given to you. We will do our best to arrange another student for you but this may not always be possible. 19. What happens if there is a problem with my student? Will there be a contact point at the College? You will have the details of staff at the College to contact if there are any concerns. There will also be an emergency number available to you where you can reach College staff at any time. 20. What happens if there are damages to my property or the student doesn t pay their rent? Individual students who apply for accommodation through the College pay their rent directly to the provider and are asked to pay an additional deposit which should cover unpaid rent or an excess on an insurance policy. Where a student is part of a larger group on a short or bespoke course, rent will be paid through the College and deposits will also be held in case of damages. We ask that any unpaid rent or damages are immediately reported to the College.

5 5 21. What happens in a medical emergency? Students will be encouraged to register with the GP near their home and we will provide each student with a letter to help them do this. 22. Is transport expected for classes? No, this is not obligatory. Older students will be able to use public transportation to get to and from classes and other areas of the city. Younger students that need transport may have this arranged through the College. If you are able to occasionally drive the student to or from an event or the shops, it is greatly appreciated, but if you cannot do this, it will not hamper your ability to be considered for a student. 23. I'm a smoker, is that okay? We have a number of students that request to stay in a smoking household as they are smokers themselves. We will always try to pair families and students who smoke together. 24. I m a non-smoker. Can I ask for non-smoking students only? Yes, of course. We will always try to pair families and students who do not smoke together. 25. I have pets, is that okay? Yes, this is fine. We ask students to specify if they have any problems with pets before they arrive, in order to place them with the most appropriate family. 26. What happens if I want a holiday? We ask that students are not left alone for a substantial period of time, for example a one or two week holiday. If you need to travel for longer than a night or two, we ask that students are not moved to a home that we have not inspected and that you contact the College to let us know so we can arrange alternative accommodation. If the student is to be left alone for a night or two, and you and the student are comfortable with this, we ask that you let the College know just so we can keep an eye on the student.

6 6 27. Do we get paid during holidays? Host families will be paid half rent for the time that students are not in their home but still holding the room with their belongings. For any time that students are in the home, whether holiday or term time, the full rent will be paid. 28. Will I have to pay tax if I have a student? Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be liable to pay tax on additional income. We suggest you contact a tax specialist or accountant who will be able to help you. For more information you can visit If you have any other questions not answered here, please contact homestay@cavc.ac.uk or international@cavc.ac.uk. You can also telephone the team on Cardiff and Vale College International International Office 35 The Parade Roath Cardiff CF24 3AD