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FAQs

Home Helpful Information FAQs

Accommodation

Does the homestay cost include meals? What will I eat?

Yes, breakfast and evening dinner every day plus a light lunch or a packed lunch at the weekends. Breakfast is usually cereals and toast and marmalade or jam. Dinner is normally a main course and a dessert. All families cook different foods but English cooking in the home is very good and our students generally love the food our hosts provide.

Will there be any pets in my Homestay?

You can request a homestay with no pets, but many English families like to have a dog or a cat. We never choose homestays where we consider the dogs or cats to be unclean or dangerous.

Will I be able to smoke in my Homestay?

Usually not – you will probably have to smoke outside in the garden. Very few of our homestay providers smoke. Please tell us if you are smoker – we always try to help.
You can also request to stay with a homestay who do not smoke – very few homestays permit smoking in their houses.

Will my hosts do my laundry?

Your host will do light laundry every week but you are expected to do your own ironing.

Do I have to clean my bedroom?

Your host will clean your room every few days but you are expected to keep it tidy and to leave the bathroom in a clean state. Please make your own bed.

Will I be able to cook my own food?

No, because your host will cook for you each evening. However, hosts do enjoy their guests cooking a “speciality” meal occasionally.

Will my host(s) meet me when I arrive in Torquay?

Yes, they will come to the bus or railway station and you should give them your arrival information as soon as you can. Don’t leave it until the day before you arrive!

Will my Homestay be close to the school?

We always try to find homestays within walking distance of the school usually between 10 & 30 minutes on foot. We will give you a free bus pass if your homestay is more than a 30 minute walk to the school.

Should I bring towels?

Your host will provide towels and sheets which will be changed weekly.

Will I have a key to my Homestay?

Yes, you will be given a key to the front door and you are free to come and go as you please.

I need a special diet – will the host family help me with this?

Yes, we have some host families who can manage special diets but it is very important that you tell us in advance what your needs are. Even if you are a vegetarian it’s important that we know this before we arrange your host family.

Do I need to bring sheets and towels for Rosa/Cedar Cottage flats?

No, everything will be there for you.

If I only stay for 20 nights do I have to pay for a full three weeks.

No, so long as you let us know your arrival and departure dates in advance then we will charge you pro rata for the number of nights you book.

Do I need to bring sheets and towels for TIS partner hotel (Ferndale Lodge)?

No, sheets and towels are provided daily and your room is cleaned every weekday and bedlinen is changed once a week. Towels are changed twice a week.

General

I'm 54 and my friend is 61. We are concerned that we might be the oldest in the school or in a class with just young people.

Don’t worry, more than 50% of our “students” are over 30, 23% are over 50 and many are in their 60s and 70s. Classes are organised first of all according to level and then according to age. You will be fine here at any time of year.

What should I pack or bring with me?

Visit our ‘What to bring’ page for more information

What to Bring With You
What will the weather be like?

Two good places to go for weather information:
www.englishriviera.co.uk and www.bbc.co.uk/weather

I want to take Cambridge Proficiency in English. Do you have a course?

Yes we do – see (our courses) for dates and details. We will assess your level of English before you enrol with us and advise you about which exam is the most suitable for you. Please contact study@ihtorquay.uk for more information on Cambridge Proficiency classes.

Can I take IELTS and BEC in Torquay?

Yes you can and you can also take TOEIC at the school.

Do you have a complaints procedure in case I have a problem?

Yes we do and we deal with any problems the moment you bring them to us. You will receive a link to our Students’ Handbook with all this information on your confirmation letter – copies of the handbook are available at reception as well. Our complaints policy can be found in our downloads section.

How can I get to Torquay?

Visit our ‘How to get here’ page for more information

Travel to Torquay
How much money will I need each week?

Typically you can expect to spend about £100 per week on food, travel and entertainment in Torquay but, of course, it depends on your personal needs and spending habits.

Are the Cambridge examinations held in Torquay?

Yes, FCE, CAE, CAE, BEC and IELTS are all held in Torquay – either in the town centre or at the school.

Do you have an attendance policy?

Yes we do. We take care to see that all students arrive at class on time and take action if they are persistently late. We also have an attendance and exclusion policy which can be found in our downloads section.

Is this school accredited by the British Council?

Yes it is and we are also members of IALC, Quality English, The English Network and English UK.

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Stay in touch

International: +44 (0) 1803 295 576
UK: 01803 295576
Out of office: +44 (0 )7798 560 458
Email: study@ihtorquay.uk

Torquay International School,
15 St Marychurch Road,
Devon, TQ1 3HY, England

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