Shall I contact the family before I come?
If you have the time to write to your host family before you leave and to tell them a little about yourself and your family they will like this very much!

When should I arrive?
If you are travelling with a group or if we are arranging your transport to Clacton-on-Sea or Ipswich, we will tell your host family when you expect to arrive.

How can I get there?
If you are travelling by plane as a member of a group, your agent or group leader will give us details of your flight and we will meet you at the airport. A private coach will be waiting to take you directly to Clacton or Ipswich.

If you are not travelling as a part of a group you can either ask us to send a private taxi to the airport to meet you or travel by train.

The cost of a taxi transfer from Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton Airports is about £100 however, you are travelling with one or more friends then you can share the cost between you (i.e. £50.00 each if there are two of you and so on).

You will not have to pay the taxi driver - we will pay for the taxi and add this to your invoice. If you want us to arrange a taxi for you, then we must know at least two weeks before you arrive. We must also know the number and date of your flight (e.g. BA 456 07 July).

You can travel to Clacton or Ipswich from Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted Airports by train. All trains leave from London's Liverpool Street Station. When you arrive you can take a taxi to your host family - Clacton is not a large town and the journey will only take a few minutes. If you decide to travel by train, please remember to write or telephone to your host family or to International Language Holidays to let them know what time you expect to arrive - you do not want to arrive and find that the family has gone out ! Please telephone [or write] to your host family letting them know the date and time when you expect to arrive at their house. You can send, telephone or fax this information to International Language Holidays in Colchester.

Click here for rail timetables

Living in Clacton or Ipswich

What clothes should I bring?
Dress at our Summer Centres is always very informal so bring only casual clothes like jeans, T-shirts and whatever sports clothes and equipment you need. The weather in England can be very changeable and so we suggest that you bring a warm and waterproof coat or jacket. Your family will wash your clothes for you. Bring several changes of clothes and enough underclothes. Your host family will provide bath towels etc. but you may wish to bring your own towel if you expect to go swimming.

Where will I stay ?
You should receive information about your host family at least three weeks before you come to England. You will have the address and the telephone number of the family. You should also have received a map of Ipswich showing where your family lives. If you have not received information on your host family three weeks before you leave please contact International Language Holidays.

Your host family will provide you with a single or twin bedroom and all of your meals except weekday lunches. You will receive a hot lunch in the centre if you have asked for one.

What will the weather be like?
Maximum temperatures can reach 28 - 30º C but 20 - 24º C is more normal. On a cool day temperatures can drop to 15º C or below - even in summer! It can always rain in England in the summer (but we hope not !).

What kind of food will I eat?
Your family will make you a good breakfast every day - cereal or fruit, egg, cheese or ham, toast and a hot dinner every evening. At the weekends all meals should be provided. If you are going on an excursion on Saturday, please let your hostess know. She will make you sandwiches.

Drinks?
Your family will offer you a drink with your meals - tea, coffee, water or a soft drink. They will not normally offer you an alcoholic drink or drinks between meals. You are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks under the age of 18.

Smoking?
Not many young people smoke in England. Please do not smoke in your family if they do not want you to.

Snacks?
Your family will not normally offer you snacks or fruit between meals

When will I eat my meals?
Breakfast - 07.00 - 08.00, Lunch 12.00 -13.00, Dinner 17.30 - 18.30. If you are not in your family at these times, they may not be able to provide you with your meal. Please tell them in good time if you are going to be late.

What can I to eat?
Students are asked to eat the food that their family eats. Let your hostess know if you have special needs or favourite meals. If you are going on an excursion, tell your hostess before you go and she will make you a packed lunch

Can I use the telephone in my family?
If you have to make a call from your family, please ask your hostess first. Please pay for all calls immediately. Please ask your friends and family not to phone you late in the evening and no later than 21.00 British time. Check that they understand the time differences between your country.

Am I a guest or member of the family?
You are both. Your family will want you to take part in their family life. Sometimes however, they will want to spend times with their friends without you. Please talk to your family about your own country, your family and friends.

Can I change my accommodation?
If you have a problem with your accommodation always discuss this with the school or your group leader. If you need to change accommodation, you must give at least one week's notice. If you do not give one week's notice you will have to pay for the week.

What should I do if I feel unwell?
Please tell your family or the Summer Centre office. They will make an appointment for you at 09.00 before your classes if you feel unwell. You can visit the doctor before 10.30 or after 16.30. Treatment is free but check your insurance.

Can I visit a dentist?
The school office will make an appointment for you. Treatment is not free.

Visitors
Ask your hostess about visitors. They should usually leave before the family has gone to bed. Your hostess may prefer you not to entertain visitors of the opposite sex in your room.

How late can I stay out in the evening?
Ask your family but please note that if you are under 16, you family will expect you to be home by 21.30 and no later. Always tell your family where you are. Never come later than 23.00

When can I go home on a school day?
Please do not go home before 16.00 in the afternoon.

How much money should I bring with me?
You must decide how much money you would like to spend. Remember that you may need to buy lunch every day and that you can spend your money on other activities [see the example social programme] We recommend that you bring between £75 and £100 a week

Where can I change money?
Ask your host family where you can change your money. Please be careful with your pocket money. Ask your family where you can keep it safe.

Can I visit pubs and bars?
If you want to drink alcohol in England you must be 18 years old.

When can I go shopping?
Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 17.30 each day. Supermarkets are open longer and are usually open on Sundays. Some shops may be open later on Thursdays.

What should I do in an emergency?
We hope that you have an easy journey to England. If, however, you experience any serious difficulties before you arrive, during your stay or on your way home, you can telephone:

International Language Holidays - 01206 544422

24 hour emergency number (only use this number if the other numbers are engaged) or if you have very serious problems 07796680520

Your English Course

What should I do on the first Monday of my course?
On the Monday morning after your arrival, please go to the Summer Centre between 08:45 and 09:00. Your host family will tell you the best way to get to the Centre. You can also check on your map. When you get to the Centre members of our staff will be there to meet you. The Course Director will then tell you about your programme and will answer any questions you may have. You will then be given a simple test so that you can be placed in the best class and then you will be shown around the Centre and the town.

Learning English in an English family
Speaking English with your family will help you with your English. You can begin a conversation as well as waiting for them to talk to you.

How can I improve my English?

• Buy a dictionary. Ask your teacher for advice.
  
• Buy a grammar book
  
• Keep a vocabulary book and write new words and expressions
  
• Try to learn some new words every day
  
• Read a newspaper every day and listen to the same news on television or the radio
  
• Watch television every day
  
• Talk to other students
  
• Don't talk to students from your own country all day long
  
• Talk to your family
  
• Check your lesson each day and note down the main points
  
• Try to use the new words and expressions that you have learnt in class in your English outside the classroom.
  

What will I do in the afternoons and evenings?
Each week your Course Director will give you a new social programme. Please note that the basic social programme is free but there are one or two extra things that you can pay for if you wish.