Homestay Preparation in Fujieda
Homestay Prep Intensive Course: Don't Just Go, Connect.
The success of a short-term study abroad trip is decided before you get on the plane.
Build the confidence to speak with your host family from Day One.
The "Silent Student" Trap
Every year, thousands of Japanese students travel abroad for homestays.
I've taught homestay preparation for years. In that time, I've heard the same story from too many directions — students who went without enough preparation and spent the first week hiding in their rooms, or sat through every dinner nodding silently because they didn't know what to say.
I offer a specialized short-term course to prevent this.
By simulating real homestay situations—from asking "Can I use the shower?" to explaining "I'm allergic to peanuts"—students leave Fujieda ready to communicate, not just observe.
Course Highlights
- Destination-Adapted Content: Going to Australia? You'll practice casual, direct communication. Going to the UK? Lessons emphasize polite indirectness. Key phrases, cultural norms, and etiquette are tailored to where you're going.
- Practice-First Approach: The majority of each lesson is spent in simulated real-world situations—acting out arrival, dinner conversations, problem-solving, and saying goodbye—not sitting and listening.
- Crisis Phrases: What if you get lost? What if you feel sick? You'll drill the exact phrases for common emergencies until they become automatic—so your first instinct is English, not freeze.
- Scheduled Around Your Departure: All 8 lessons can run at one or two per week. With 8 weeks before your trip, once a week is comfortable; with only 4, twice a week works — the schedule is built backward from your departure date so the course always finishes in time.
Not sure if this is right for you? Book a free consultation to discuss your trip.
For Students in a City Exchange or Overseas Dispatch Program
Fujieda, Yaizu, and neighboring cities run annual programs that send junior and senior high school students abroad. For example:
- Fujieda International Friendship Society (FIFS): student dispatch to Penrith, Australia
- Yaizu–Hobart Friendship Association: short-term dispatch to Hobart, Australia
- Kikugawa International Exchange Association: junior high dispatch to Hawaii, USA
- Kakegawa International Exchange Center: delegations to Eugene, Oregon and Corning, New York
- Makinohara City: exchange homestay with Kelso, Washington
- Shizuoka City International Association: youth dispatch to Stockton, California
These programs arrange the travel and the host family, but English preparation is usually left to each family. If your child has been selected but isn't confident speaking English yet, this course closes that gap. Once the destination is known, lessons are tailored to that country and region.
The 8-Lesson Roadmap
A typical curriculum covers everything from "Hello" to "Thank you and Goodbye."
| Lesson | Theme | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Impressions | Self-introduction, giving omiyage (gifts), and breaking the ice. |
| 2-3 | House Rules & Daily Life | Asking about showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and meal times politely. Plus: what to say when you don't understand. |
| 4-5 | Food & Dining | Table manners, expressing likes/dislikes, and helping with dishes. |
| 6 | Out & About | Asking for directions, shopping, and getting around with your host family. |
| 7 | Troubleshooting | "I don't feel well," "I lost my phone," "I don't understand." |
| 8 | Deepening Bonds | Sharing Japanese culture, writing a thank-you message, and a full departure simulation. |
Between Lessons: A Homestay Story Set Where You're Going
Knowing the right phrases isn't the same as having them come out when you need them. Plenty of well-prepared students still freeze at the host family's dinner table on the first night.
To close that gap, every student in this course receives an illustrated short story matched to their destination — eight chapters set in the actual city they're heading to. The host family, the streets, the food, and even the dog all reflect that city.
- Custom-written for your destination. Hobart, Penrith, Eugene, Vancouver — wherever your student is going, the story is set there.
- The phrases stick because they live in a scene. When a similar moment happens overseas, the words come back as "what the character said at the dinner table" rather than as a memorized textbook line.
- Audio in the destination accent, slowed for comprehension. Each chapter is narrated in an Australian, American, or British voice at about half normal speed — your student's ear adjusts before the flight.
- Japanese tooltip glosses on every difficult word. Tap any underlined word for the meaning, a quick grammar note, and an example sentence. No dictionary friction.
- One chapter per lesson, as homework. The phrases practiced in class reappear in the next chapter, so the story reinforces the lesson without feeling like extra study.
Staying 2 months or longer? For extended stays that include school attendance, I add a free bonus lesson on making friends and navigating school life — because the social side matters just as much as the practical side.
Why This Preparation Matters
Going abroad without preparation often means:
- Spending your first week (or the entire trip) too nervous to speak
- Missing out on meaningful conversations with your host family
- Panic when something unexpected happens and you don't know what to say
These 8 lessons give you the language and confidence to make the most of your time abroad—from day one.
Short-Term Course Fees
All prices include tax.
This is a complete package designed to be taken 1-2 months before departure.
Homestay Prep Package
¥32,000 (Total)
- 8 Private Lessons (50 mins each)
- Fully customized to destination
- Illustrated homestay story set in your destination — read a sample chapter
- Entrance Fee Waived
- Two students sharing: ¥24,000 per person
Entrance Fee: ¥0 (Waived for intensive programs)
Get Started Here
Let's discuss your destination and goals. A free consultation is available to plan your schedule before departure.
The free consultation is a 15-20 minute conversation (in person or by phone) where we discuss your travel dates, destination, and current English level. No obligation to enroll.
Common Questions
Q. When should I start?
A. Ideally, 4 to 8 weeks before your trip. This allows for 1 or 2 lessons per week without rushing.
Q. I don't know my host family yet. Can I still start?
A. Yes. The course starts with universal skills (introductions, house rules). Once you get your placement details, the later lessons are tailored to that specific family profile.
Q. Can I take this with a friend?
A. Yes. If you are traveling on the same program, taking the course with a friend is highly recommended (and cheaper!). You can practice role-plays together.
Q. What English level do I need?
A. Roughly Eiken 3rd Grade level (CEFR A2)—you can introduce yourself and answer simple questions in English. This course builds practical homestay skills, not beginner foundations. If you're not sure about your level, the free consultation will help us determine if this course is right for you, or if one of our regular courses would be a better fit first.