Frequently Asked Questions

We are in the process of being accredited. We are expecting an inspection in summer 2010 and are looking forward to once again being able to display the results. Unfortunately, in the meantime, due to last year's change in the law, we are unable to assist with visa applications.

We have more than 55 years of experience in the English as a Foreign Language industry, and always make sure that we exceed the British Council standards. Unlike most EFL organisations, we get more than 97% repeat business year after year, which is why we do not need to spend thousands of pounds in Agents workshops, advertising, etc. Feedback from students and agents provides proof that we are getting it right.

Country Cousins is the umbrella company that guarantees a premium service across all its centres & programmes (Barnstaple and Channel Schools of English, St. Michael's Residential, etc). This way, you will always speak to the same professionals and will benefit from their experience and our quality services.

Founded in 1951, Country Cousins has earned a very great, long-standing reputation in the EFL world. Channel School was penned as a permanent school and central office in 1973 and has been providing quality English lessons, combined with interesting and fun Activity Programmes ever since.

Channel School is available all year for groups, and from Easter till September for individuals.

This obviously depends on the expectations and requirements of the visit. For those who want to develop their knowledge of the English way of life and practice their language skills, the Homestay Programme would probably be the best option. For those wanting an intensive course of 1:1 tuition combined with complete immersion in an English family, the Stay with an English Teacher Programme is perfect. Channel School of English Courses are ideal for those who want a prescribed syllabus and lessons within multi-national classes, plus a programme to occupy them when not in class. Residentials are perfect for those wanting the extra security of staying and studying on a private campus.

Yes, there will be a centre manager, and as it is a residential centre, there will be teachers who will be boarding with the students and supervising them 24 hours a day.

In all of our centres, the maximum is 15 and the average is 12 students per class. They are of mixed nationalities in order to maximise students' use of English.

Outside of the timetabled social programme, there are many optional after school activities (payable extra) on offer, such as riding, boat trips, day trips surfing and many more. Prices vary from approximately £6.00 - £26.00, and are available upon request.

These trips are optional because students may choose instead to be with the family and follow their daily activities.

We hope that these 'Optional' activities will enable the students to discover some of the delights that North Devon has to offer during their stay, as an added bonus to the Activities already provided on their main programme.

These activities will take place after school hours, or at the weekend, and will in no way interrupt the school curriculum. The above activities cannot be booked until the student arrives in the UK, so that the students already at the school do not miss out.

We give details of the host family as soon as we have had the £100 deposit per student with the enrolment details and have found a suitable family for the student. If for any reason the student would prefer a different family then we will look for an alternative.

73% of our students do a 4 week course with us, which is the length of course we recommend to see a good improvement in the student's level of English and make the most out of the visit. Some of our students do a 6 week course.

We therefore run a four week social programme with a daytrip each week. Two of those daytrips are always fixed: Exmoor National Park & Exeter (which are by far the most popular daytrips we offer). The other two daytrips can vary; we normally ask our agents and leaders where they would like to go.

Yes, no problem. We can also email you the leader's pack so that they can prepare before they arrive in North Devon.

The Golf and Riding programmes have two 4 hour sessions in the week. Instead of the activity starting at 9:30 or 14:00, they always start at 9:00 or 13:30. If the student is late, or they missed the Sunday meeting and did not know what they were doing, we never wait, it is not fair on the other students who are punctual.

Homestay families generally have teenage children living at home and one of the parents is at home at all times. This is because guests do not attend an organised programme and therefore require supervision and company throughout the day. Language School families do not necessarily have any children at home and may or may not work. Students are at school or are out taking part in activities or excursions every day except for the weekend and therefore hosts can work during the day.

Every year we have problems because students are sent to the school with problems such as diabetes, hearing problems, severe allergies, asthma, bed-wetting, and the parents/agents have not informed us of these issues. We need to know if students are on regular medication, have any health or dietary problems and also any behavioural, or learning issues, or it can result in complications with the host family, lack of knowledge should a student become ill, or the student simply not getting the best out of their visit.

In Ilfracombe we have a bus operating to school in the mornings. For Young Learners (6 - 11 years old) there is a bus home in the evenings if students are not within easy walking distance.

We have been working with some of our families for more than 30 years. We keep a database of the feedback that students give us about them, and visit them regularly.

We normally find that it is the contrary. Some students treat their host families as hotels. For example, they do not help the family when preparing meals, keep their bedroom very untidy, do not follow the instructions that the family have given them, come home in the evenings later than expected, do not spend any time at home, are not interested in communicating with the host family, etc. However, some families may be worried that it's all too overwhelming for the student and just be giving them space, which is easily resolved by our experience welfare staff.

We have a set of times, which apply every night and are the same for all students. All students have a copy, as do the English families. So there is no excuse if a student is late. Students need to understand that the host family is waiting for them and would rather be in bed!

Times are as follows:

Barnstaple School of English:

• All students, all ages: 10 pm

Channel School of English:

• Up to 10 years old: evening activities only
• 11 & 12 years old: 9 pm at home
• 13 & 14 years old: 9:30 pm
• 15 & 16 years old: 10:00 pm
• 17 years old: 10.30 pm

If you have any special requests for the care of any of your students during their visit then these should be detailed at the time of enrolment and we can make sure that we can meet your requirements.

We have very experienced welfare staff that can assist with any problems that may arise. There is always someone at the end of the phone 24 hours a day for any emergencies.

Yes.

The Host Family will make an appointment for the student to see a doctor at the local surgery. If the guest requires prescription medicines or medical intervention, their parents will be informed. For children under 16 there is usually no charge for consultation, nor for medicines.

Similarly emergency dentistry is generally free to under 16s. Dentists will only perform emergency procedures that will last until the student is back in their own country.

Please note that it is illegal to provide any medicine to students, so please remember to pack some painkillers for simple headaches, period pains, etc.

North Devon has the best and mildest weather in the Country, but still very changeable. It is advisable to bring a waterproof jacket and a sweater, even in summer, as well as the usual lighter clothing.

Click here to check today's wheater forecast for Ilfracombe.

Yes, students are supervised at all times during activities, breaks and lessons.

£60 per week is usually sufficient for Complete Immersion Programme students and slightly less for School students.

We have very experienced welfare staff whom have been helping our students for over 30 years! We can talk to the student concerned, the host family and our staff to ensure we pay care and attention, as well as organising a "buddy" to befriend them. If the student is inconsolable and determined to go home, you should arrange the flight and then we can arrange transport back to the airport. This is a last resort.

Channel School of English: Full-board accommodation in a host family, English tuition, social programme and activity programme. They do not include travel and insurance.

St. Michael's Residential: Dormitory accommodation, English tuition, social programme and activity programme. They do not include travel and insurance.

Yes. The deposit is included in the overall cost of the visit.

4 weeks before the arrival of the student.

You will need to pay £100 booking fee per student before we start the administration of paperwork, including accommodation, escorts, visas, etc.

We have a comprehensive and reliable travel and escort service. We can arrange for individuals to be met by our escort and taken to a mode of public transport, Country Cousins bus or arrange a private car. For groups, we can arrange an escort, coach and driver, and for any individuals or groups travelling on our specific dates we have coaches to the West Country and our escort service available.

We have our own escorts at all airports, or an appointed representative.

The escort will wait at the Customs Exit. If the escort needs to meet another flight in a different terminal, you should still wait at the Customs Exit in the arrivals meeting area and the escort will return as soon as possible.

No. We have an escort co-ordinator at Heathrow Airport , Liz Harwood (Mobile Tel: 00 44 7771 574881), but she has up to 10 staff working for her to cover the four terminals. People arriving need to look for someone holding a sign bearing the Country Cousins blue and red logo:

Yes they are. At these smaller airports, the driver will act as the escort, so we do not need to charge for an additional employee to be at the airport. In this way, we only need to charge for the travel via private car or minibus.

We do have a travel and escort service available on Saturdays, but those times are outside those we can meet. Country Cousins vehicles will not be on the road between the hours of midnight and 6 AM. We would have to arrange an overnight stay at a hotel/guesthouse on arrival and on departure at extra cost to you. If this is not acceptable, then you must arrange flights within our travel times.

But why?

Because most of our families host more than one student and they find themselves waking up at 1 AM to see one student off, and then at 3 AM to see another one off, and then at 5 AM to see the last one off, whilst at the same time they may have one arriving at 2 AM, and another one at 4 AM. As much as we look after our students, we also need to look after our host families. We have lost quite a few good families because of this.

Very important (except for those in any of the Complete Immersion programmes). We have found that students who do not attend the Sunday morning meeting find their first few days of their visit very confusing without the information they would have been given in the Sunday meeting: Identity cards, their programme (timetable), a tour of the facilities, vital information about the school and the town.

It is approximately 4 hours by car or bus, and 2 hours by train. Please note that children under 14 are not permitted to travel on National Express coaches without an adult.