English Language Skills For Au Pairs
IN-PERSON WEEKENDS SAN DIEGO
MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2023
OR
MAY 26 - 29, 2023
Do you want to improve your communication skills with your host family, or feel more comfortable speaking with Americans and making new friends? Then our exciting English Language Skills for Au Pairs courses are for you!
Practice your listening and speaking skills with interesting classroom discussions and workshops, and strengthen your reading and writing skills with written assignments. Learning American expressions and idioms will help you speak like a native!
Get to know your classmates in online Zoom classes, then meet them for an intensive in-person weekend course. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with other au pairs as you improve your English skills in a format that sets you up for success.
And best of all, these in-person courses mean that you get to practice everything you learn during the weekend in sunny San Diego!
COURSES WORTH 72 HOURS
(EQUIVALENT TO 6 CREDITS)
Choose from:
or
Not sure which to sign up for?
This article can help!
Don't wait! Many courses sell out before registration closes.
WHAT ARE THESE COURSES LIKE?
Start your English learning experience off with twice-weekly Zoom classes that offer the opportunity to connect with fellow au pairs and Au Pair Weekend staff before meeting in-person for a fun-filled weekend in San Diego!
In the Zoom classes, High Beginner & Intermediate students will discuss daily routine, collocations and phrasal verbs, expressing opinions and preferences, and practice speaking and writing in past, present, and future tense.
Students in the Intermediate & Advanced course will discuss comparatives and superlatives, storytelling, and will practice using more complex tenses, such as present perfect, past progressive, and future progressive.
Whichever level you choose, you'll be able to get the most out of your upcoming weekend by spending your final Zoom lesson learning fun facts and helpful travel tips about San Diego!
During the in-person weekend, all students will study regional accents and dialects in the United States, and practice using idioms and connected speech. Students will also learn about culture shock, and U.S. culture and traditions.
High Beginner & Intermediate students will focus on using past, present, and future tenses in interactive activities, practice making recommendations based on spots you have visited while exploring the city, and have the opportunity to practice storytelling while talking about your home country.
Intermediate & Advanced students will participate in workshops that allow you to practice present perfect, conditional tenses, and modal verbs. You will have opportunities to discuss food from your home country, have conversations about your preferences, and dig further into English grammar.
Best of all, both courses offer the chance to practice your new language skills while exploring the rich cultural and historical opportunities that San Diego offers!
More information about our San Diego location is below!
COMBO HIGH BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE
This 72 hour course focuses on helping au pairs with a high beginner level of English improve their conversational and language "survival" skills. In it, you will begin by meeting with your classmates and learning over Zoom before joining them for an intensive in-person weekend course in San Diego. Curriculum will focus on speaking and listening as you build the everyday communication skills that you’ll need to successfully interact with your host family and with your community. You will be able to practice your skills in a safe, encouraging environment with other au pairs who are also interested in improving their English. And what better way to reward all the hard work you’ve done together than with a trip to San Diego?
This course will help you:
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Communicate comfortably about au pair daily routines.
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Have a casual conversation about a wide range of subjects related to living in the United States as an au pair, such as childcare, living in a foreign country, food, and travel.
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Use descriptive vocabulary with past, present, and future tenses.
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Explain your feelings, share your opinions, and have discussions on various issues such as U.S. culture, information about your home country, and your work as an au pair.
To take this course, you should be able to:
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Understand simple spoken sentences and some frequently used expressions used in American English.
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Use present tense to verbally communicate basic personal information (name, home country, and where you live in the USA) with others.
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Verbally communicate with others regarding areas of immediate need, including emergencies.
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Understand and produce basic written communication, including a text message and simple sequential instructions, as well as write a 3-4 sentence paragraph consisting of simple sentences.
Costs and Educational Hours
This course offers 72 hours (equivalent to 6 credits) for an all-inclusive price of $699, which includes tuition and registration, course materials, activities, transportation during class hours, and four meals.
Note: Hours include pre-weekend assignments, post-weekend assignments, and weekly assignments during the online Zoom classes. Check with your au pair agency regarding hours and credits, as requirements vary.
March Online Zoom Classes:
Mondays & Wednesdays for 3 weeks (6 classes)
4:30 p.m. Pacific Time/7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (There is only one class per day. Be sure to check your time zone!)
Zoom Classes last 2 hours (120 minutes)
March Zoom Classes Meet:
March 6
March 8
March 13
March 15
March 20
March 22
March San Diego Weekend Classes: March 31 - April 3
Friday: (Check-in at 1:00 p.m.) 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Upon registration, you will get a link to complete an English Placement test, which will help us determine if the level you signed up for best suits your language learning needs.
May Online Zoom Classes:
Mondays & Wednesdays for 3 weeks (6 classes)
4:30 p.m. Pacific Time/7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (There is only one class per day. Be sure to check your time zone!)
Zoom Classes last 2 hours (120 minutes)
May Zoom Classes Meet:
May 1
May 3
May 8
May 10
May 15
May 17
May San Diego Weekend Classes: May 26 - 29
Friday: (Check-in at 1:00 p.m.) 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On March 3rd, you will get a link to complete an English Placement test, which will help us determine if the level you signed up for best suits your language learning needs. Students who register after March 3rd will be added to Canvas every Monday.
*Attendance is mandatory for online Zoom classes and all in-person hours. Students are expected to attend all classes and complete all assignments to receive their Completion Letter. We understand emergencies and important scheduling conflicts can occur, so please contact the program coordinator as soon as possible if there is a situation that prevents you from attending a class. If you have any questions or concerns about the live session times please contact us!
COMBO INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED
Ready to take your English skills to the next level? This course is designed to improve the conversational English of au pairs who already speak at an intermediate level. You’ll discuss comparatives and superlatives, practice active listening and storytelling, and learn to use more advanced phrases and expressions. This course is perfect for those looking to make friends with au pairs while deepening their understanding of American English and culture. You’ll make the most of your weekend in San Diego by getting to know your classmates ahead of time in online classes, and by expanding on the online lessons through in-person excursions and classroom time. This is a great opportunity to learn and improve from one another while rewarding all of your hard work with a trip to San Diego!
This course will help you:
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Comfortably and confidently interact with native English speakers.
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Use persuasive language to express your feelings and share your opinions on various topics such as regional accents, food, and culture.
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Correctly use simple and progressive tenses in conversation and in writing.
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Grow your understanding of American culture, expressions, and idiomatic phrases.
If you already feel comfortable with all these skills for both levels mentioned above, we highly recommend enrolling in our other courses.
To take this course, you should be able to:
-
Easily understand frequently used expressions and vocabulary related to being an au pair.
-
Communicate comfortably regarding areas of immediate need, including emergencies, as well as in most routine tasks for an au pair.
-
Adequately use the past and present tenses when speaking and writing.
-
Read intermediate level texts in English with relative ease (for example, information on the internet or short stories) and write a paragraph in response to them.
Costs and Educational Hours
This course offers 72 hours (equivalent to 6 credits) for an all-inclusive price of $699, which includes tuition and registration, course materials, activities, transportation during class hours, and four meals.
Note: Hours include pre-weekend assignments, post-weekend assignments, and weekly assignments during the online Zoom classes. Check with your au pair agency regarding hours and credits, as requirements vary.
March Online Zoom Classes:
Tuesdays & Thursdays for 3 weeks (6 classes)
4:30 p.m. Pacific Time/7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (There is only one class per day. Be sure to check your time zone!)
Zoom Classes last 2 hours (120 minutes)
March Zoom Classes Meet:
March 7
March 9
March 14
March 16
March 21
March 23
March San Diego Weekend Classes: March 31 - April 3
Friday: (Check-in at 1:00 p.m.) 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Upon registration, you will get a link to complete an English Placement test, which will help us determine if the level you signed up for best suits your language learning needs.
May Online Zoom Classes:
Tuesdays & Thursdays for 3 weeks (6 classes)
4:30 p.m. Pacific Time/7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (There is only one class per day. Be sure to check your time zone!)
Zoom Classes last 2 hours (120 minutes)
May Zoom Classes Meet:
May 2
May 4
May 9
May 11
May 16
May 18
May San Diego Weekend Classes: May 26 - 29
Friday: (Check-in at 1:00 p.m.) 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On March 3rd, you will get a link to complete an English Placement test, which will help us determine if the level you signed up for best suits your language learning needs. Students who register after March 3rd will be added to Canvas every Monday.
*Attendance is mandatory for online Zoom classes and all in-person hours. Students are expected to attend all classes and complete all assignments to receive their Completion Letter. We understand emergencies and important scheduling conflicts can occur, so please contact the program coordinator as soon as possible if there is a situation that prevents you from attending a class.
If you have any questions or concerns about the live session times please contact us!
SAN DIEGO LOCATION
Courses are offered in collaboration with the University of California San Diego Extension
Get the most out of your time in the United States by improving your English skills! Learn about American accents, cultural traditions, and travel tips - all while getting to explore the sights and history of San Diego!
Address
UCSD University City Center Campus (Note: this is not the main campus)
6256 Greenwich Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
Parking Information
Parking is free in the large parking garage adjacent to the classroom building.
Housing
Housing is optional and IS NOT included in the price of tuition, but can be arranged as a convenience for students who want to stay close to campus. You can sign up and pay for housing as part of registration.
Housing prices vary by weekend depending on the season. Options range from about $60-$80/night depending on the type of bed. Shuttling to and from classes during the weekend, breakfast, and wi-fi are included. Housing is on a first-come, first-served basis and student preferences are not guaranteed. All weekend specific housing details are included in the registration process.
UCSD Website
