Where you sleep affects how much you use the language, how much you spend and how comfortable you feel. Language schools often offer or arrange several kinds of accommodation, and the terms differ widely. This guide describes the common types, the trade-offs, and the details to confirm in writing. It does not say that any school includes accommodation in its fee; unless the school states that in its own terms, assume accommodation is a separate booking with a separate price.
The common types
Homestay. You live in the home of a local host, usually with your own bedroom and often some meals. The host may be a family, a couple or a single person. The arrangement varies from room-only to full board.
Student residence. A building with individual or shared rooms, often with shared kitchens and common areas. It may be run by the school, a university or a private provider. Residences are often used by students from many countries.
Shared flat or apartment. You rent a room in a flat shared with other people, sometimes arranged by the school and sometimes by an outside agency.
Private studio or apartment. Your own space, usually the most independent and often the most expensive option, with less built-in social contact.
Hotel, hostel or short-stay rooms. Sometimes used for very short courses or the first nights after arrival.
Not every school offers every type, and availability may depend on season and on your age.
What homestay offers
Homestay can give regular conversation in the language and a view of daily life. It may suit a learner who wants practice at meals and in the evening. It also means following house routines and sharing a space with people you did not choose. How much conversation you have depends on the host and on you; it cannot be promised. Ask for the school's description of how it selects and reviews hosts, and what you can do if the match is not right.
What a residence or flat offers
A residence or shared flat usually gives more independence and a chance to meet other students. Because many residents may be learning the same language, your common language at home may be your own or a third one. If immersion matters, this is something to consider. A residence may include fixed contracts, rules on guests and quiet hours, and a deposit.
Meals
Check carefully what meals are included.
- Room only: no meals provided.
- Breakfast only, half board, full board: the host or residence provides some or all meals. Ask which meals are provided on weekdays and weekends.
- Self-catering: you have access to a kitchen. Ask what is provided (utensils, storage) and what you buy yourself.
Tell the school about allergies, dietary rules and religious requirements before booking, and ask how they will be handled. Get the answer in writing rather than assuming.
Travel time and location
Distance from school matters more than it first seems. Ask:
- How many minutes does it take to reach school, and by what means?
- Is the route served by public transport on the days and hours you will use it?
- Is there a cost for transport, and is it included?
- What is the area like at night, and can the school describe it?
A homestay that is cheap but far away may cost you time and travel fees. Estimates from the school are approximations, so test the route on a map and ask about the busiest times.
Deposits, notice and changes
Accommodation usually has its own terms. Ask:
- What deposit is required, when is it paid, and when and how is it returned?
- How much notice is needed to change or end the booking, and what is charged if you leave early?
- Is there a fee for changing homestay if the match is not suitable?
- What are the arrival and departure days? Can you arrive early or stay later, and at what cost?
- What is the damage policy in a residence or flat?
Record the answers and save a copy of the terms.
Rules on age
Age affects what is possible. Many schools place under-18 students only in certain types of accommodation, such as supervised residences or host families, and may require parental consent or a guardian's details. Rules differ by school and by country. If the learner is a teenager, read choosing a junior language programme and ask the school to state its age rules and supervision arrangements as published, without assuming protections that are not written down.
Adults also encounter age limits, for example a residence for under-30s only. Ask rather than assume.
Rules, privacy and house standards
In all arrangements, ask about:
- Guests and visitors.
- Quiet hours and curfews, if any.
- Laundry, internet access and study space.
- Cleaning responsibilities.
- Smoking and pets.
- Whether you have your own key.
- How to raise a complaint, and who decides.
Price and what it covers
Accommodation is normally priced per week or per night, sometimes per month. Currency and billing basis differ by school; see tuition and total costs for why you should compare only like with like. Ask whether electricity, internet, bedding and cleaning are included, and whether a booking fee applies.
Visa and housing
Some immigration processes ask where you will live. Whether your accommodation must meet a specific requirement depends on the country and the visa. Check the official immigration page for your destination and ask the school what it can provide in writing. See planning a language course abroad.
Arrival
Confirm the address, the contact name and phone number of the host or residence office, the check-in hours, and what to do if your flight is late. Keep these in a form you can access offline.
Questions to ask the school
- Is accommodation included in my course fee, or booked and billed separately?
- Which accommodation types are available for my dates and age?
- What meals are included, and on which days?
- How long is the journey to school and what does it cost?
- What deposit and notice terms apply, and what is refundable?
- How do you select and review hosts or providers?
- Can I change if it does not work out, and is there a charge?
- Who can I contact in an emergency, and at what hours?
Limitations
Descriptions of accommodation come from the school or provider, and standards differ. Confirm all details in writing before paying, and do not assume that a listing implies any particular quality or inclusion.