Homestay Language in Action (30hrs activities)

It was in la, not Chicago
Very friendly teacher, good conversations, supportive, flexible and knowledgeable

Friendly location,

I was in fact looking for a "private aviation English course for Pilots in Chicago : 10 private lessons per week with full board homestay at a teacher's home"... but unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend this program - I don't know if it's because there was no teacher available during my holiday period or because this course is no longer available...

Thus, my advisor in HLI suggested another course - "learn English & live in your teacher's home in Chicago", which I eventually decided to attend, as speaking and listening everyday English, as well as sharing everyday life amongst a family, was also what I was looking for.

I don't regret my choice, I've had a great time in Palatine (close to Chicago) !

I haven't got 1 single minute to be bored - my teacher drove me downtown Chicago and across the surroundings of Palatine to visit a historical Victorian house, Palatine's Farmers' Market, villages around, a preserved forest and an old cemetery, the Cezanne painting exhibit in Chicago's Art Museum... She also introduced me to many people - amongst them : Joanna Connor (a famous guitarist) in concert at Kingston Mines Blues Club, puppeteers behind the scenes, members of Sister Cities' Association of Palatine, guide and organ player for the Historical Society of Palatine, friends of her and relatives... She cooked gorgeous breakfasts - Mexican tacos, salmon bagels, typical American breakfast (bacon, eggs, hash brown, toasts and marmalade), donuts... - and made me taste Chicago's famous hotdogs in Portillo's, Chicago's deep pizzas and Chicago donuts, as well as Mexican dishes in Carnivale Restaurant downtown Chicago, or other specials at Chessie's in an old train car. We even had a wine testing in Lynfred winery, where I discovered rhubarb wine amongst others of the wine flight menu... I nevertheless found a bit of time to swim in their swimming-pool, to bike in the forest and to walk downtown Palatine, always easily engaging in conversation with people I met in shops or in the street.

Well, one week has not been enough ! My teacher spoke with me a lot - about any topics - correcting my mistakes, teaching me idioms, and asked me to daily answer a quizz in writing, made of more than 20 questions about topics, vocabulary or expressions we had talked about the day before...

I highly recommend this experience to anyone willing to improve their proficiency in a foreign language ! All the more so when having a chance to meet a teacher like mine !

As I said before, my experience in Chicago was amazing. Joan is the better English's teacher that I known in this planet: Clear, accurate, smart and funny. The location was good for study and quiet life. Facilities too. Nothing for blame. The different activities were decided with the teacher..Was stunning to know some places like the museum, starvest park, the town with Joan. I learned a lot! I would recommend this course to other students. Congrats and Thanks.

During my stay with the Bower´s family in Chicago, I learned and lived like a real English. The house and my bedroom were wonderful.
Joan Bowers was my teacher and she is an experienced teacher and felt fulfilled with myself after a level test classes focusing on matters which had major difficulties to get the most out of my lessons.
In addition to treating me like a member of her family, she organized a series of social activities where we put into practice our English lessons and we've talked about art, society and other current issues while enjoying the beautiful city of Chicago. She was attentive at all times about my needs and motivated me to not stop talking to improve my mistakes.
I really enjoyed this experience and I am sure I will do again in the future and I recommend to other people to learn in a different way, more real and enriching.