Student hosts beware

anyOne considering hosting students from a language school — as suggested in the article in Money Mail about boosting one’s pension — should do their homework first.

Don’t forget that most language schools require you to provide full board, so the amount of profit is drastically reduced.

Some host families try to retain as much cash as possible by feeding the students as cheaply as possible, perhaps not realising that the student is often paying much more than the host family is being paid, as many language schools charge students a fee. Students unaware of this may not understand why they are given such pathetic meals.

Some language schools pay much more than others, so check first which of your local schools pays best. Some demand higher standards of accommodation than others, but all will demand that the room has a desk as well as basic bedroom furniture, so you may have to buy extra items of furniture.

Finally, students will rate their stay not only on the quality of teaching they receive but also how enjoyable their stay with you was, so host families have a big responsibility as ambassadors for the uK.

JAnET SAyERS (former language school teacher), Hastings, East Sussex.