Language Schools
Attending a Language School is an important part of an au pairs stay in the UK....
..Many of our au pairs already speak a very good level of English when they come to the UK however, attending a local language school is not only about improving their language skills, it also plays a very important role in helping them to meet other people their own age or even fellow au pairs. Language schools are a great way for au pairs to make friends with like minded people often of a similar age and they can make plans to visit places of interest locally and nationally.
When an au pair arrives in the UK, more often than not their only point of contact is their host family. Whilst this is fine to begin with, very soon the au pairs like to get out and about and start to meet other people of a similar age. At Spoonsful of Sugar, we try our very best to put the au pairs in touch with other au pairs in their local area but with the best will in the world, this is not always possible and we always recommend that the first contact they make should be enrolling at their local language school. They are very easy to find, simply go into Google and tap in 'Language Schools in ...............' and you should get a list pop up of local centres within a certain radius of where you are living. Alternatively, you could go to the English UK website: www.englishuk.com. English UK are a leading language teaching association with over 400 members, all British Council accredited, including private language schools, educational trusts and charities and language centres in Further Education Colleges and Universities throughout the UK and you will be able to find suitable courses closest to where you live.
It is a good idea for the host family to start looking for language schools once they have agreed the au pairs start date so that the au pair can get things moving quite quickly once they arrive. There are lots of courses to choose, from beginner and intermediate through to advanced and many variations inbetween - each school will vary slightly with what they offer -and the au pairs can work towards a certificate in English Language which many find extremely valuable to future employers when they get back home. The schools are often very informal and friendly places where the au pairs can make friends, share a coffee and start to enjoy their independance in the UK.
If you have trouble finding a language school, please let us know and we will point you in the right direction.