Complete Immersion programmes - Welcome

 

Country Cousins has been successfully arranging immersion programmes since 1951. These are total immersion
programmes for all – children, adults and families. We place individuals in English farming, business and professional families where they can be made welcome and absorbed into family life.

This is by far the fastest way of learning English. This scheme is particularly good for young people wishing to improve their fluency after studying English in their own country. When we are placing students we always try to match their interests and background to that of the English family. We cannot however always guarantee a child of the same age.

The Host Families

There is no better way to improve spoken English than to stay with a friendly family. We take great care in selecting our families. All families are inspected by our Welfare Staff and are also checked by Social Services. They understand that as good hosts they are expected to treat guests as one of the family and to make the stay as enjoyable as possible.

Many of the families offering their homes have enjoyed a long and happy relationship with us, and new families are only accepted after a personal visit and checks with local authorities.

We ask for as much information as possible about hobbies and interests, and preference for the type and location of the home; farm, seaside house, village or town situation. We write giving details about the family and the area’s leisure facilities, for example, music, riding, swimming and tennis.

If the student is an adult, we try to match as far as possible the professional and cultural interests of the adult to that of the host. We realise that many adults have a good knowledge of written language but lack the social English that is required. Here this can develop naturally in a relaxed family environment.