The “English Buddy Programme” is a specialist English language learning service, designed specifically to boost second language learners’ English skills and refine and hone language learners’ understanding of English language and western culture.
Aimed at students wishing to travel abroad for further study, people planning to emigrate and work abroad or those simply wanting to improve their language ability; this unique programme offers access to native English speakers on a daily basis with quality time spent in everyday conversation and “real life” situations.

The programme sponsored by YHTACA, (Yong He Tang Advice & Consultancy Agency) places a native English speaker with the client for a period of 1 – 3 months, with contact hours of between 4 – 5 hours a day, 5 days per week. (Shorter or longer study periods are also available on request).
 

There are 2 types of plan, depending on clients’ requirements and the intensity of the language course necessary.

“Home-stay Programme”:

This programme is particularly aimed at students wishing to go abroad for further study and is especially useful for those who need to pass examinations like IELTS and TOEFL in order to get a placement at the University or College of their choice.
Where the Native speaker is hosted by the home-stay family, the “English Buddy” will stay with the client and their family in their home, just like a family member, sharing meals etc.
This gives ample time for daily conversation in English and a perfect environment for the student to learn and enhance not only their language skills, but also their knowledge and understanding of western culture.
This “cultural learning” is a very important part of making the transition to the new country they travel to and study in smooth and comfortable, without any of the attending culture shock and difficulties that usually accompany such a major move. A problem, which for many Chinese students going abroad to study can prove to be insurmountable.
Often the deciding factor for what makes a student’s study abroad successful and enjoyable, is the familiarity and ease with which they can adapt to their new environment; and it can mean the difference between achieving success in their studies and enjoying and getting the most out of the experience, or suffering homesickness, isolation and lower than expected results.

Also, a good understanding of the background of the country they’re staying in will mean that they live safely and securely in their new environment, which will bring great peace of mind to their relatives back home.

“Living Out” Programme:

This programme is particularly suited for candidates looking to enhance their English skills, but without the facilities or space to “host a Buddy”, or for those clients whose own time constraints don’t allow for extensive contact time and who wish to sign up for a shorter term programme. (This latter programme can be arranged to last for 1-4 weeks, depending on the client’s requirements).

Here the Buddy will live in rented accommodation or in conveniently situated 3* standard hotel accommodation.
The contact hours are negotiable, with the maximum being 5 hours, the same as in the “Home-stay” programme.
All other parts of the learning programme are the same as the “Home-stay” programme.

Fees:

Please contact Rose Oliver or Jessica Jin for details.

Home-stay:

The cost of the programme includes tuition and administration costs.

Living Out: 

The cost for this programme includes tuition, room and board and administration costs.

Additional Information:

All contracts are made between Yong He Tang Advice and Consultancy Agency and the host client.

Fees are payable in advance to Yong He Tang Advice & Consultancy Agency, payment methods available upon request.

Specific time schedules can be arranged according to individual client or “Buddy” needs; the contact days and times will be negotiated at the initial interview and will form part of the contract.
Any amendments to or re-negotiation of the contact days or times, should be agreed with YHTACA, prior to any discussion with the “Buddy”.

Our agency will arrange and provide visas for the Buddies and be responsible for payment of their salary monthly and for hotel/room expenses of Buddies employed under the “Living- Out Programme”.

We will undertake background checks on all Buddies placed with families and will endeavour to solve any problems which occur between the Buddy and the host client.

In cases where differences cannot be resolved and the Buddy ceases working for the host client, we will endeavour to find a substitute buddy or refund remaining tuition/board fees.

Our company will be on hand for advice at all times.

At the beginning and end of the placement we will arrange an oral English test to gauge the English language levels for participating clients; particularly for those needing to pass IELTS or TOEFL exams to complete further study abroad.

For further details of the “English Buddy Programme” or to register for this service, please contact Rose Oliver or Jessica Jin.

Rose Oliver or Jessica Jin.