New Au-Pair - social and language classes questions

[JulietLeach]

Hi, we are really excited to be expecting our first Au-Pair on the 3rd January. She is 24 years old and French, as as well as experiencing London and the UK she naturally wants to do a language course to improve her English. Can anyone recommend a good English course? Also, are there any social meets for Au-Pairs, or does anyone have an Au-Pair who is looking to meet others?

This is our first time using an Au-Pair so are eager that it goes well, so if anyone has any advice on how best to ensure everyone gets along and a smooth transition to someone living and sharing our home, please let me know - all advice would be helpful.

Many thanks,

Jules

[littleEDfamily]

What agency did you use? I've been thinking about us having an au pair(no longer living in ED though :-(), as I would love the company of another adult in the evenings(albeit one significantly younger), could do with the help and love the aspect of adding a foreign dimension to the home.

I'd also love to hear from others about how they've found it...

[snss75]

JulietLeach, I'm not sure about the language courses as our au pairs haven't felt the need or wanted to attend a language course (their level of English has always been quite good). As for the social aspect, I'm not aware of any general au pair meets in the area but our au pairs have always been quite happy to meet new people so feel free to pm me when your au pair arrives if she's interested in meeting ours :).

LittleEDfamily, I've always used the aupair world website http://www.aupair-world.net/index.php/ and I know few other people here on the forum have successfully used it.

Apologies for not having time to share personal experiences, just squeezing in a quick forum break at work... we've had 5 au pairs so far so happy to discuss with either of you, just pm me if you're interested!

[littleEDfamily]

thanks snss75 - been looking at the site - totally bogged down by choice, if I am honest.

How on earth do you narrow down the criteria? What we really want is someone with a happy easy going temperament and good work ethic. So hard to figure out whether the potential au pairs have this. I couldn't cope with a drame queen!!!

[ta-li]

Hello, I'm a german au pair and I live in Forest Hill. I'm really looking forward to meet some other au pairs, so if your au pair is interested in meeting me, just let me know, I would be very happy.

[R11]

In terms of language courses, ELT in Clapham specialises in part-time courses for au pairs. It's a small school but very friendly and is largely attended by young, European au pairs who all end up making friends and hanging out together. I worked there before I left to have my son and would also recommended it from an academic point of view. Hope that's helpful.

[JulietLeach]

Hi All, thanks very much for all your help about language classes and offers of friendship in regards to our new Au Pair. The ELT in Clapham looks very interesting. Is it normal for the Au Pair to pay for their own language classes or should we offer to help with these fees? When she arrives on the 3rd I'll speak to her about what she want to do in regards to meeting other Au Pairs and suggest she contacts those of you who have offered friendship herself.

LittleEDfamily - I too used aupairworld.net after seeking advice on this forum. We got about 160 responses but managed to focus our search on what we really wanted. At the end of the day we naturally don't know if our new Au Pair will fit with our family, but we can only hope and the fact that I actually met her, as she was on a weeks holiday in London a month ago, gives me a bit more assurance.

Thanks again all, and if anyone has any additional advice on how to ensure a smooth transition for both the Au Pair and the children, I'd be very grateful.

Best wishes

[Ali1234]

Hi everyone,

We have a new au pair just arrived from France who is 21 years old and would love to meet other au pairs in the local area to explore London with. If you have an au pair who might be interested to meet up please PM me and we can exchange contact details. We live in Dulwich near North Dulwich train station.

Thanks very much

Ali

[Marc-0]

Hi there, my name's Marco Conte and I am an au pair working in Beckenham! Im italian, 22 years old. i know lots of places to check out, both here in south london and all over. for me its easy to come to forest hill, it's just a single bus, must check the number though cause I don't remember. I leave my number, call me or text soon if you wish!! Really hope so coause i need mates ;-)

hope to see ya

Marco