As part of your experience with us we also organise accommodation and transfers from all major UK airports. Take a look at the options.

Homestay – live with a local family

We organise homestay accommodation in households as close to the school as possible and according to your requests. We have been working with our trusted homestay providers for several years and we can offer you a comfortable, friendly, safe home environment suitable for studying and living in Cardiff. This is an excellent way to improve your spoken English and also to become more familiar with the way of life in the UK. Please indicate on the course application form if you would like to book homestay accommodation.

There are three homestay options:

1 – Homestay with half board meals (breakfast and evening meal provided by the host) offered to adult students aged 18+

2 – Homestay with full board meals (breakfast, evening meal and packed lunch provided by the host) compulsory for junior students aged 12 – 17  

3 – Homestay without meals (room only). The student can use all the kitchen facilities and utensils in the household and enjoy the common space of the house.

More details

Homestay prices are charged per week, or to the nearest day, and they include also all the fees for bills and Wi-Fi. Your host will pick you up on your day of arrival from any central point in Cardiff. You can arrive on any day between 8am and 8pm.

As a homestay guest, you will be considered as part of the family. Each homestay provider is personally inspected by Peartree Languages and we will regularly check that you are happy at your home. For adults, you will have your own room (unless you request to share), own key and access to all common parts of the house. The bathroom will be shared with other members of the household.

It is possible that there could be other students in your homestay, however, they will not speak the same first language as you, unless you specifically request to be placed with a friend or colleague. Adult students have their own room, unless you request to share on application. Each home is different and we ask our homestay students to be flexible and open-minded. Please remember it is a home, not a hotel. Your host will provide bedding and towels, which will be changed once a week. You will also be able to do one load of washing per week, but you should check these arrangements directly with your host, along with arrangements for cleaning your room. We always try to place students as close to the school as possible, sometimes even walking distance, but usually you will need to take a bus of between 20 – 40 minutes to reach school. You will be sent a questionnaire to state your preferences and a pre-arrival homestay pack with our advice for a successful homestay experience.

We require a minimum of TWO WEEKS to arrange homestay accommodation. We assign your homestay accommodation after you have paid your deposit (minimum of two weeks of accommodation fees). You will then be given a letter of confirmation with full host details, including email addresses, phone numbers and information on the distance from the school, plus any additional traveling expenses. You will have an access to an emergency contact number at all times.

All hosts are regularly visited by Peartree Languages and meet our strict standards and, for this reason, we regret that we cannot allow you to personally inspect homes. Students are asked for feedback on the accommodation after one week.

Please remember that, in the summer, homestay places are in a high demand, therefore, you should book as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.

WE CAN ONLY PROVIDE HOMESTAY IF YOU ARE A STUDENT AT PEARTREE LANGUAGES STUDYING ON A FULL-TIME COURSE (MINIMUM 16 HOURS PER WEEK).

“I stayed in a host family provided by the school in a nice place called Victoria Park. I lived in a house of a kind lady that told me many stories about the Welsh culture and the city. There was another student in the house called Federico from Italy and we became great friends, the environment of the house was very friendly and we had good moments during the breakfasts and the dinners, we were like a family: me, my Italian brother and my Welsh mother, everything was perfect and funny!” Guilherme, Brazil

Homestay for students under 18 years old

Peartree Languages also organises homestay accommodation for individual students enrolled for our Junior Courses and aged from 12-17 years old. All homestay providers are personally checked by Peartree Languages, have all important documentation including Gas Safety Certificate and  DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check that is required by the British Council and meet our strict standards.

The student will share a room with another student from Peartree Languages, who will not speak the same language unless it is a requirement made by the student. The student might have their own key from the house (depending on the age and the host) and access to all common parts of the house and Wi-Fi. The bathroom will be shared with other members of the household. All houses are placed within a bus ride of a maximum of 40 minutes from the school, average is 30 minutes.

All junior students placed in homestay by Peartree Languages have a Cardiff Bus card (or equivalent travel pass), which is given on arrival along with a card containing emergency numbers and an induction on homestay rules. All junior students will receive a pre-arrival pack, which should be read carefully with parents before arrival, to fully understand how to enjoy a successful homestay experience.

Medical and dietary information

We understand that our students might have dietary requests and may ask for different types of food including Halal or vegan / vegetarian food. These details need to be completed in the application form, in advance, so we know about your requirements and can find the homestay accordingly. Any allergies or other medical information will need to be listed in the application form as well, so we can make sure that we will be able to meet your needs and will arrange a suitable homestay for you where you can have a great experience.  

Please, be aware that pets are very popular in the UK and almost every household has a pet. We will do our best to fulfil your requirements.

Residence accommodation

There are a number of Residence options in Cardiff, which we can book for our students depending on dates and availability. Staying in a Residence is a more independent way of enjoying your experience in Cardiff. You will have to do your own cooking and cleaning, but you will meet other national and international students and this is also a great way to improve your language and cultural skills.

For adult students (18+), please contact us and we will check the latest availability and prices of the student Residences.

For junior students (under 18), we regret that we cannot offer this option to individual students or those travelling without a group leader. If you are bringing a group of junior students, please contact us and we can advise you on the possible options and prices. Please note, that we would require the group leader to supervise the students in the Residence as Peartree Languages does not provide live-in group supervisors.

Other types of accommodation, advice given on reliable providers

• Serviced appartment
• Hotels
• Hostels
• Bed and breakfast
• Shared student accommodation

Transfers

Peartree Languages works with two local partner transport companies (coach and taxi / minibus). We can provide safe and reliable transfers for students from all major UK airports / points of arrival.

For students under 18 (including 16 and 17 year olds), who are not meeting a designated and authorised responsible adult on point of entry to the UK, a private transfer must be booked and organised through Peartree Languages. Under no circumstances should a student under 18 attempt to reach Cardiff unsupervised.

Cost

 

Accommodation type	Available age	Price per week
Homestay  Single room only (no meals)	18+	£100 per week
Homestay Single room half board (breakfast and dinner)	18+	£135 per week
Homestay Single room half board (breakfast and dinner) – any diet requirements	18+	£145 per week
Homestay  Shared room, full-board (breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal)	12 – 17	£150 per week
Homestay  Shared room, full-board (breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal) – any diet requirement	12 – 17	£155 per week

Note: Homestay must be paid in full for the duration of the course at the time of booking. 

Homestay services are only available for students enrolled on a course at Peartree Languages.

Airport transfers (single person): Between £30 – £190 one way, depending on arrival and departure airport. Please contact us with your flight details for a specific quote.