Frequently Asked Questions / Booking Info / Living Learning English Limited

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you book

How do I choose the right course?

We offer a wide range of courses for adults, young learners and families – from General English and Business English to academic preparation and interest-led courses. If you're not sure which course suits you best, get in touch and we'll help you find the right fit.

When can I start?

Courses normally begin on a Sunday evening and run through to Saturday morning, though other arrival days can be arranged. You can book at any time of year, including Christmas and Easter.

How long can I stay?

Courses run from one week to a full year. You choose the duration that works for you.

How many hours of tuition can I have?

You can choose 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of tuition per week. Lessons usually take place in the morning, with afternoons free for activities and excursions. Students on 25 or more hours per week will also have some afternoon lessons.

How do you match me with a teacher?

A good match between teacher and student is at the heart of what we do. When you complete your booking form, you'll give us information about your learning goals, interests, accommodation preferences and dietary needs. We use this to find the right teacher for you.

How is the course planned?

At the start of your course, your teacher will assess your level of English and discuss your goals with you. From there, they'll create a personalised study plan. No two courses are ever the same. Your progress is reviewed each week and new targets are set as you go.

Can I bring a partner, child or friend?

Yes – we're very flexible. A parent can bring a child and share lessons or arrange local childcare; a partner can accompany you without taking lessons. Let us know your situation and we'll find the best arrangement.

Your stay – adults

What will my accommodation be like?

You'll stay in your teacher's home as part of the family. All accommodation is inspected and approved by Living Learning English. You'll have your own bedroom, all meals included, and access to WiFi.

Can I request a private bathroom?

Yes, this is available as an optional extra. Please request it on your booking form.

What's the food like?

Food in England is now very international and students often comment on how good the food is in their teacher's home. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.

Can I do laundry?

Yes – all teachers provide access to a washing machine and iron.

Will I have WiFi?

Yes, all teacher homes have WiFi available for students.

What hours will I be studying?

Lessons usually start at around 9am and run through to lunchtime, with a coffee break. Students on 25 or more hours per week will have some afternoon lessons too. There's also around an hour of homework each day.

Can I smoke?

All teachers operate a no smoking inside policy. You're welcome to smoke outside the house.

What if I become unwell?

You're covered by GuardMe international student travel insurance, which is included free in your course fees. This gives you access to the British National Health Service. We can help arrange a doctor or dentist appointment if needed. Your insurance documents will be issued with your booking confirmation.

What should I bring?

Casual to smart casual clothing, a waterproof coat, a jumper, an umbrella and sturdy shoes for walking. A good dictionary is also essential. Even in summer, it may rain!

What about money for excursions and daily expenses?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across the UK. You can use contactless, chip and pin, or withdraw cash in pounds sterling from ATMs. There may be a small charge from your bank for international withdrawals.

Approximate costs: Cinema: £15 / Theatre: £50+ / Museum or attraction: £10–£40 / Average pub meal: £10–£20 / Average restaurant meal: £20–£40 / Pint of beer: £5 / Bottle of wine: £8–£20

Please note that excursion entrance fees for both you and your teacher are not included in course fees, except on Young Learner courses.

Can I contact my office during the course?

Yes – England is one hour behind most of Europe, so there's usually time to check in before lessons start. The coffee break and afternoons are also free for calls or emails.

Your stay – young learners

What documents do I need to send before arrival?

We ask for three documents before your child arrives, submitted via the Student Portal:

Initial Assessment – this allows the teacher to prepare materials and plan the course in advance, rather than using lesson time to assess your child's level on arrival.

Safeguarding Form – this is the most important document for your child's welfare. It includes medical information, allergies, emergency contacts and permissions such as whether your child may go out unaccompanied. Please complete this carefully.

Code of Conduct – this sets out the expectations for behaviour and helps ensure a safe, respectful learning environment for everyone.

Without these documents, we cannot guarantee a well-prepared course.

How do you choose the right teacher for my child?

We match young learners with teachers based on their English level, learning goals, age, interests, accommodation needs and dietary preferences. We take the matching process seriously – it's the foundation of a successful course.

What supervision is provided?

Young learners are supervised by their teacher at all times unless parents have given written permission for the student to go out unaccompanied. This is confirmed on the Safeguarding Form before arrival.

Can my child go out alone?

Only with written parental permission, confirmed on the Safeguarding Form.

What's the food like?

Students have home-cooked meals with their teacher's family. Please let us know about any dietary requirements or allergies in advance.

Will my child have access to WiFi?

es, all teacher homes provide free WiFi.

Can my child do laundry?

Yes – teachers provide access to laundry facilities.

Can my child smoke or vape?

No. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited for students under 18.

What if my child becomes unwell?

The teacher will arrange a doctor's visit if needed. All students are covered by GuardMe international student travel insurance, included free in the course fees.

What should my child bring?

Comfortable clothing, a waterproof coat, sturdy shoes and a dictionary. English weather can be unpredictable!

Online courses

What equipment do I need?

To join online lessons you will need:

A computer or laptop (not a tablet or iPad) with an average or above-average processing speed A working webcam and microphone Headphones for the best sound quality A reliable high-speed internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps – you can test yours at fast.com) Access to Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet (all free to download) A stylus and pad is optional if you prefer writing on screen.

How do I book?

You can book an online course via our booking form. Once booked, your timetable and course details are managed through the Student Portal. The minimum booking is 5 hours, in blocks of 5 or 10 hours. Additional hours can be purchased once your course has started.

How are online courses structured?

Online courses are 1:1, tailored to your individual goals. Your teacher will provide study materials, set homework and give you a progress report at the end of your course. You'll also have a free 15-minute introductory session at the start to test your connection and meet your teacher.

Are online courses as good as in-person courses?

The quality of teaching is consistent across both. Online courses include real-time conversation, interactive exercises, pronunciation practice and feedback. The main difference is simply the mode of delivery. You can also switch between online and in-person at any point.

Are the schedules flexible?

Yes – we do our best to accommodate your preferred times and time zone.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a lesson?

You must give at least 18 hours' notice to reschedule a lesson. If you do not give notice, or do not log on within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the lesson will be forfeited.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes – you'll receive an LLE Certificate of Completion after your course.

What if I'm not happy with my teacher?

We'll help you find a better-suited teacher to make sure you get the most from your course.

Travel & transfers

How do I get to my teacher's home?

From all major UK airports there are good bus and rail connections to most towns and cities. We'll advise you on the best route and the nearest station to your teacher's home, and meet you there free of charge. If you'd prefer a private airport transfer, we can arrange this for a fee.

What about travelling to the UK?

We'll advise on the best point of entry based on your teacher's location – please speak to us before booking your flights. EU citizens now need a full passport to travel to the UK; it is no longer possible to travel on an ID card. Full information is available at gov.uk.

Do young learners need to book a transfer?

Yes – for safety and safeguarding reasons, all students under 18 must use our transfer service. A responsible adult will meet your child and ensure safe arrival at the teacher's home. The transfer fee covers a personal meet-and-greet, travel with a named driver, luggage assistance and 24/7 support.

What are the transfer hours?

Please ensure flights arrive and depart after 7.30am. Transfers for flights arriving or departing before 7.30am will incur an additional charge.

What happens on arrival?

On your first day, your teacher will welcome you into their home, explain mealtimes and family routines, show you around the local area and begin planning your course with you.

Payments

How do I make a payment?

All payments are made securely through Flywire, our international payment partner. You can make an online payment or bank transfer via payment.flywire.com.

When is payment due?

Payment details and deadlines will be confirmed in your booking documents.

What is included in the course fees?

Home tuition course fees include accommodation, all meals, tuition, course materials, a progress report, certificate of attendance and GuardMe travel insurance. Excursion entrance fees are not included for adult students, but are included for young learners.

Are there any optional extras?

Yes – including a private bathroom, additional homestay nights, private airport transfers and extra tutorial hours. Full details are on our course fees page.

Prospective teachers

What qualifications do I need?

We ask for a recognised degree plus one of the following: CELTA, Trinity TESOL, Primary PGCE/PGDE/BEd, or Secondary PGCE/PGDE in English or MFL. Teaching experience is highly valued, particularly for specialist courses.

How does the application process work?

Submit your application and our team will review it. If shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview and possibly a teaching demonstration. We'll also verify your credentials. For homestay teachers, we'll visit your home to make sure it meets our standards.

Is there training before I start?

Yes – you'll go through an orientation programme with a member of our team before you begin teaching.

What should my home be like for homestay courses?

Your home should offer a clean, comfortable environment with a dedicated space for lessons and a private, comfortable bedroom for the student. We'll provide full guidelines and carry out a home inspection.

Am I responsible for meals and activities?

Yes – homestay teachers provide meals, activities and excursions as part of the student's experience.

Can I teach both homestay and online courses?

Yes, many teachers do both – just not simultaneously.

How much will I earn?

Earnings vary depending on course type and duration. We'll discuss remuneration in detail once you've been shortlisted.

How do I apply?

Get in touch via our contact page and we'll send you further information.