Language Immersion Stay at HELEN's

France
Mont Saint-Michel
English
From 1280 € / week
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Meet your host family: Helen in France

Helen and Stephen - Graduated and experienced teachers. 3 hours of English lessons per day included.

We are an English family living near Mont St Michel.

Helen and Stephen are teachers with over twenty years of experience in the field of education, having taught in schools and high schools in England. We have been offering linguistic stays to individuals who wish to improve their English since 2009.

During your linguistic holidays "live the language," you will have your meals with the family, watch television in English, and participate in activities entirely in English. You will be encouraged to speak and practice English at every opportunity, with more than 10 hours of learning each day.

Our stays include:

- Over 50 hours of English lessons and activities
- Full board accommodation
- Level assessment upon arrival
- All study materials (books, DVDs, etc.)
- Assessment at the end of your learning with suggestions for the future.

Helen has a T.E.F.L (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification and a higher education diploma in social sciences and education. She has over 20 years of experience in high schools in England and has trained young children between the ages of 14 and 17.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Biological Sciences, along with a postgraduate certificate in education. He has over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, ranging from start-ups to large multinational companies. He has also held management positions in high-tech multinational organizations at the international level.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

All our stays are validated by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.

All our stay files must include the following documents: educational project, liability insurance, criminal record extract, diplomas, registration documents and activity certificates, minors' health liaison forms, and hospitalization certificates.

We understand that the levels vary depending on age. That's why the morning lessons are mandatory, tailored to the children's age and given in small groups. In the afternoon, activities and outings will be planned, providing your child with an opportunity to learn English while having fun in a secure environment.

English Language: To ensure complete immersion, the spoken language within the family will be English, except in cases of major misunderstanding or for any other exceptional reasons (illness, accident, emergency, safety...). The host family is always nearby to assist, support, and encourage English immersion.

It is important for children to make the maximum effort to speak English as much as possible. We understand that it can be challenging (depending on the child's level), but it is essential for them to be motivated to learn English!

We understand the importance for children to stay in touch with their family during their stay, so mobile phones are allowed ONLY during their free time in the late afternoon. Phones are not available between 8:30 PM and 8:30 AM. They should not be used during classes but can be used during visits to take photos. This rule aims to help children stay focused on learning and English.

Linguistic Objectives: Practice English in real-life situations, understand and be understood in English within the host family and during visits and activities.

Children will be encouraged to speak English at every opportunity, listen to the radio and watch British television. Additionally, they will be encouraged to speak English as much as possible while engaging in artistic activities, cooking, playing sports, and participating in cultural visits every afternoon.

To best meet the participants' needs, there will be a level assessment upon arrival and an evaluation at the end of their learning, with suggestions for the future. Each participant will receive a participation certificate.

Educational Project:
1. Our goal is to welcome all our students into our home and family to use the English language on a daily basis. Language learning is not limited to only classroom sessions. Every moment of the stay can be an opportunity to test and develop foreign language skills.
2. Evaluate each student's oral, written, and grammar abilities.
3. Discover English culture through total immersion in our family, with natural, fun, and fast English language learning in a happy, enjoyable, and secure environment.
5. Helen, an English teacher, will conduct daily lessons with all students in the morning.
6. We offer daily excursions in the afternoon, games, and movies in their original version in the evenings.
7. We encourage and assist all students in speaking English during their stay, enhancing their confidence in using the English language.

Student Evaluation: Throughout the week, we will assess students and their needs, adapting the lessons accordingly. At the end of the stay, each student will receive a written report, highlighting their improvements and areas that still require additional lessons. All students will receive a completion certificate for their hard work and achievements.

Pedagogical Program: Our main objective is to offer language immersion so that your children can progress and build confidence in using the English language. The learning program is designed by Helen and tailored based on the results of the English evaluation test taken by all children on the first day. We work with the following materials: Cambridge University Press Grammar, Cambridge English (for primary, middle, and high school students), one-on-one and small group activities.

The course content will be adapted to your needs and will focus on the four language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. It aims to improve oral and written comprehension, acquisition of intonation and pronunciation, and expand technical vocabulary.

Typical Daily Program:
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Private English lessons in the classroom
- 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM: Free time
- 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Practical English lessons - cooking or arts and crafts, lunch with the family
- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Activities or family outings (Mont Saint Michel, Bowling, St. Malo, swimming pool, etc.), each activity includes an English questionnaire.
- 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: English lesson and journaling for the day
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner with the family
- 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Free time (to call parents or take a shower)
- 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: English movie
- 9:30 PM: Bedtime, depending on the student's age

Maximum of 4 students at a time during the February holidays.

  • Houseold:
  • Helen (Mother )
  • Stephen (Father )
  • Sophie (Child • 11 ans)
Max number of hosts at the same time:
6 people
  • Accept:
  • 10-18 years old (girl - boy)
  • 18-25 years old (girl - boy)
  • Adults (woman - man)

Stays for children during all school holidays.

Maximum 4 children during the winter holidays.

Adult stays in January, May, June, September, November, and December.

The stays begin on Sunday and end on Friday evening.

After the end of the stay, we will verify that:
The rooms are ventilated for several hours,
and the premises are cleaned and disinfected after each departure according to a strict protocol.
Due to the additional time required, the spacing between departures and arrivals will be affected.
Therefore, the duration of the stay will be shortened to 5 nights (arrival on Sunday between 4 pm and 5:30 pm and departure on Friday between 4 pm and 5:30 pm).

Proposed activities:

Your English immersion experience :
A typical day with us

We offer a program with a unique vacation experience! A total immersion in English, living with our English family on our farm in Normandy. Students receive private English lessons, participate in activities, and receive full board accommodation.

You will be encouraged to speak English at every opportunity, listen to British radio, and watch British television. We offer 3 hours of English classes per day, covering conversational English, grammar, and vocabulary development.

Why choose us?

Natural, fun, and fast learning through immersion.
Continuous supervision and complete safety for your children.
Qualified and experienced teachers.
Personalized and tailored lessons.

The educational program
Our main objective is to offer a language immersion for your children to progress and strengthen their confidence in using the English language.
The learning program is designed by Mrs. Helen Wilson Smith and is adapted based on the results of the English evaluation test taken by all children on the first day.
We work with the following materials:
Cambridge University Press Grammar
Cambridge English (for primary, middle, and high school students)
1-on-1 and small group activities

The content of the classes will be adapted to your needs and will focus on the four language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Improving oral and written comprehension. Acquiring intonation and pronunciation, increasing technical vocabulary.

Typical daily program
09:00: Breakfast
9:15 - 12:15: Private English lessons in the classroom
12:15 - 12:30: Free time
12:30 - 14:00: Practical English lessons: cooking or arts and crafts. Lunch with the family
14:00 - 18:00: Activities or family outings (Mont Saint Michel, Bowling, swimming pool, St. Malo, etc.) each activity includes an English questionnaire after or during each activity.
18:00 - 18:30: English lesson and daily journal
18:30 - 19:30: Dinner with the family
19:30 - 20:00: Free time (to call parents or take a shower)
20:00 - 21:30: English film
21:30: Bedtime depends on the age of the participant

Reviews from our students

AN AMAZING FAMILY
At first, the goal was to fully immerse our teenagers in English... at the end of the stay, they were asking when they could go back... so in addition to the quite impressive progress, they met an amazing family... next stay already planned
Thank you Helen, Stephen, Finlay, Harley and also Sophie

Learning English
Helen's energy, supported by her husband Stephen, allowed our 13-year-old son to make real progress, observed right from the start of the school year, in oral comprehension and written accuracy, after a stay that took place in July 2018. He even went back during the Toussaint holidays, with the same pleasure. A very suitable language stay for children and teenagers, combining the learning of English with numerous outings (sports; cycling, swimming... and cultural; Saint Malo, Dinard). Apparently exceptional cuisine.
To be enjoyed without moderation

Very enjoyable
My 14-year-old son just came back from his language stay and he is delighted! Helen, Stephen, and their children are very friendly! My son wants to go back: he learned a lot and significantly improved his English. The food is good, there is a friendly and amicable atmosphere. They did lots of visits and activities (always in English)... Close to Mont St. Michel and St. Malo. It's the ideal way to learn English without going to England! In short, I recommend it!

Learning English through complete immersion in a very friendly family in Normandy...
Helen, Stephen, I have only been away from your charming and comfortable stone house for 3 days and I already miss you. This complete immersion week in English allowed me to speak English more easily, of course, but also gave me a taste for a peaceful family life.
Thank you for this unique and exotic experience (just 3 hours from Paris and in France!). My baby and I had an exceptional time.
My "all in English" week consisted of morning classes (my English CV is perfect!), afternoon walks to Mont St. Michel or in the forest, cooking (long live Helen's lemon cake!), songs... It was an experience where I could combine usefulness with pleasure. More than just theoretical training, I acquired English for everyday life and now only want to improve further.
Your "service" of experiencing English as a family in Normandy is ideal for anyone who wants to speak English correctly in a peaceful and rich environment. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your knowledge, your pedagogical skills, your patience, your sense of others so that we can discover another way to learn English, which I am now convinced is much more effective than a week of classroom training!
Everything in your approach is done to make us feel good, the room with its private facilities is very comfortable and allows for peaceful sleep, the kitchen and the living room are practical and warm places to share, and your garden with its sunny terrace is just delightful!
Looking forward to returning to share your British life in such a pleasant setting in Normandy,
See you soon,

I had a great stay. Very warm and pleasant welcome. I had a great time. I learned a lot of things. And this stay allowed me to work on my English. I was able to share some activities with the family: music, hiking, cooking, sports. I was highly recommended to visit the region, which is superb. I visited Mont Saint-Michel. A big thank you to the whole family, and I hope to come back next year, see you soon!

  • Room shared with Other students (4 rooms available)
  • Pets and animals:
    Chat
  • Nearest public transport stop:
    5 km

Paid options organized by the family

Possible to pick up the children at Pontorson station or Dol-de-Bretagne TGV and Rennes airport.
We are Helen and Stephen, teachers with over twenty years of experience in the field of education, having taught in schools and high schools in England. We have been offering language stays to individuals wishing to improve their English since 2009.

Helen

Qualifications and experience

Helen has a T.E.F.L. (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, as well as a higher education degree in social sciences and education. She has over 20 years of experience teaching in high schools in England and is a trainer for young learners (14 to 17 years old).

Stephen

Qualifications and experience

Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Biological Sciences, along with a graduate certificate in education. He has over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, ranging from start-ups to medium-sized and large top-tier companies. He has also held senior management positions in multinational high-tech organizations at the international level.

ENGLISH COURSES AVAILABLE EVERY MORNING, 3 HOURS PER DAY
15 HOURS PER WEEK

THE STAY PRICE INCLUDES:

- PRACTICAL ENGLISH COURSES, 2 HOURS PER DAY
- EVERY AFTERNOON, ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL ENGLISH EXERCISE TO MAXIMIZE GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY USAGE IN ENGLISH.
  • Paid activities
  • BOWLING
  • AQUATIC CENTRE
  • Airport or station pick-up
  • DOL DE BRETAGNE
  • PONTORSON
  • RENNES AIRPORT

Comments of previous guests

Flavie

Super !

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Flavie
  • -
  • on Aug 6, 2024

Mon fils a passé une très bonne semaine chez Helen. Elle est très accueillante, gentille et très forte pour faire progresser. Elle suit l’enfant en fonction de ses faiblesses et l’amène à un bien meilleur niveau qu’au départ. Une vraie incursion en Angleterre sans quitter la France. Very british ! Ils ont aussi un petit chien, Teddy, très mignon, drôle et joueur qui apporte une touche supplémentaire très joyeuse ! Merci à Helen, Sophie et Stephen !

YVES

Excellent séjour

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Yves
  • -
  • on Jul 16, 2023

Notre fils a passé une semaine très agréable dans une famille sympathique et accueillante avec de nombreuses activités et des cours d anglais intéressants. Il a l.impression d être beaucoup plus à l aise en anglais. La nourriture était excellente. Nous recommandons cette famille.

Gabrielle

Super séjour

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Gabrielle
  • -
  • on Nov 7, 2021

J'ai passé une semaine dans la famille d'Helen et j'ai beaucoup apprécié. Ce fut une très belle expérience, j'y ai appris de nombreuses choses que ce soit dans la langue anglaise ou dans la vie, les tradition et la culture. Les gens sont gentils, accueillants, la maison est très agréable. Je suis ravie d'avoir pu y aller et je vous recommande donc ce séjour.

Claire

Séjour chez Helen

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Claire
  • -
  • on Aug 3, 2021

Très bonne première expérience dans une famille anglaise. Le séjour était équilibré : studieux et ludique. Très pédagogue. Merci et bravo pour ces règles de vie en famille, en vacances !

Christelle

Recommandé par les ados et les parents !

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  • 5/5
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  • Christelle
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  • on Jul 24, 2021

Bonjour, les filles sont ravies de leur séjour. La prise de contact avec Helen et l'association Linguifamily a été facile et fluide. Tout le programme de la semaine a été conforme à ce qui était annoncé, les filles ont été accueillies confortablement, les repas étaient de qualité. Elles ont fait des progrès à l'oral et de compréhension en anglais. Elles ont apprécié l'implication de l'ensemble de la famille d'Helen pour le bon déroulement de leur séjour. Nous recommandons cette famille ! Christelle Suzé

MA

Je recommande

  •          
  • 5/5
  • -
  • Ma
  • -
  • on Jul 13, 2021

Le séjour chez Helen s'est très bien passé. On y apprend beaucoup de choses le matin en cours d'anglais, l'après-midi on fait des activités toujours en anglais, mais on s'occupe dans une bonne ambiance, avec ou sans pluie la famille de Helen trouve toujours une activité pour nous occuper. Ce fut tellement bien que j'aimerais y retourner! Antoine 14 ans Nous avons 3 heures de cours d'anglais le matin. L'ambiance était très bonne. nous avons fait plusieurs activité: vélo, fitness, visite culturelle, centre aquatique, art plastique et cuisine. Le fitness est possible aux enfants de 14 ans ou +. j'espère à bientôt pierre Louis 12 ans

Régis

Très bon séjour

  •          
  • 5/5
  • -
  • Régis
  • -
  • on Nov 9, 2020

Euryell et Emie ont passé un agréable séjour chez Helen et Stephen (et leurs enfants). Les cours prodigués par Helen sont vraiment d'excellente qualité et leurs ont permis de faire un réel progrès (pour ne pas dire un "bon") dans l'apprentissage de l'anglais. L'ambiance a été conviviale et amicale, elles n'ont pas été livrées à elles mêmes. La nourriture est bonne avec une participation de leur part à l'élaboration des plats. Malgré le temps (pratiquement que de la pluie) Helen a réussi à les occuper pendant tout le séjour. Un très bon moyen d'apprendre l'anglais en cette période de confinement où les déplacements sont limités. Je recommande un séjour chez Helen et je recommande également ce type de séjour.

Justine

Une famille très accueillante et chaleureuse.

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Justine
  • -
  • on Jun 19, 2020

Plusieurs activités sont proposées, on y découvre la région, des activités manuelles et autres. Après deux semaines dans cette famille mon niveau d’anglais s’est fortement amélioré. Et puis la cuisine est très bonne la bas. Nous sommes repartis avec un petit pincement au cœur car c’est une famille incroyable. Et puis la cuisine est très bonne la bas. Je recommande ce séjour !...

Sarah

Merci pour cette expérience unique !

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Sarah
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  • on May 1, 2020

Apprendre l'anglais en immersion compléte dans une famille trés sympa en Normandie... Helen, Stephen, je ne suis partie de votre charmante et confortable maison en pierres que depuis 3 jours et vous me manquez déjà beaucoup. Cette semaine en immersion complète en anglais m’a permis de me remettre à parler plus facilement l’anglais bien sûr mais m’a aussi donné le goût d’une vie paisible en famille. Je vous remercie pour cette expérience unique et si dépaysante (à seulement 3 heures de Paris et en France!). Mon bébé et moi avons passé un moment exceptionnel. Ma semaine « tout en anglais » composait de cours le matin (mon cv en anglais est parfait !), de balades l’après-midi au Mont St Michel ou en forêt, de cuisines (vive le lemon cake d’Helen !), de chansons…fut une expérience où j’ai pu allier utile à agréable. Bien plus qu’une formation théorique, j’ai acquis un anglais pour la vie courante et je n’ai qu’une envie me perfectionner plus encore. Votre « prestation » en famille en Normandie est idéale pour donner l’envie à quiconque de parler correctement l’anglais dans un environnement paisible et riche en curiosités. Bravo et merci de bien vouloir partager vos connaissances, votre sens de la pédagogie, votre patience, votre goût des autres afin que nous puissions découvrir aux portes de chez nous une autre manière d’apprendre l’anglais, qui j’en suis désormais persuadée, est bien plus efficace qu’une semaine de formation en classe !! Tout est fait dans votre approche pour que nous nous sentions bien, la chambre avec ses sanitaires privées est très confortables et l'on peut y dormir paisiblement, la cuisine et le séjour sont des lieux de partages pratiques et chaleureux et votre jardin avec sa terrasse ensoleillée est juste un délice! Au plaisir de revenir partager votre british life en Normandie si agréable, See you soon, Sarah

Cyril

Je recommande

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Cyril
  • -
  • on Apr 19, 2020

Ma fille Célia est ravie de la semaine passée à la ferme en votre compagnie, je recommande à tout le monde ce type de séjour pour progresser en Anglais. Many thanks....

Christine

Apprentissage de l'anglais

  •          
  • 5/5
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  • Christine
  • -
  • on Nov 19, 2018

Le dynamisme d'Helen, épaulée par Stephen son époux, ont permis à notre fils âgé de 13 ans de réaliser de réels progrès, constatés dès la rentrée scolaire, de compréhension orale, de rigueur à l'écrit, après un séjour qui s'était déroulé en juillet 2018. Il y est d'ailleurs retourné pendant les vacances de la Toussaint, avec le même plaisir. Séjour linguistique très adapté pour les enfants, adolescents alliant l'apprentissage de l'anglais avec de nombreuses sorties (sportives; vélo, natation,... et culturelles; Saint Malo, Dinard). Une cuisine apparemment exceptionnelle. A consommer sans modération

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