Seeking Host Families

Spanish Language Assistant

Preshil is a participant in the International School Language Assistants Program which places native language speakers in schools across Australia.

As a school that offers Spanish as a IB Diploma Program Language, we are committed to supporting all our students to become confident and informed global citizens.

Expanding, improving and enriching our language program is a central part of this and to date we have hosted Alizee, Jennifer, Celia, Melisande and Juldana who have successfully assisted our students in the development of their language learning, under the supervision of the classroom teachers.

The benefits of hosting a young person from a different country are very rewarding, not only by way of improving linguistic ability but also raising cultural awareness between both parties. It’s one thing to learn the theory of a language and study vocab in class, but it’s an entirely different thing to continue conversation whilst relaxing at home, over the dinner table, whilst watching a film, listening to music or learning socially-savvy phrases – all effortless daily language practice.

We have received an application from a Spanish speaking volunteer, Lidia Garcia (24) who is studying to become an Early Education Teacher and is about to complete her Bachelors Degree in Madrid.  Her professional goal is to work as a teacher in the future, especially in the field of languages.  During her studies, Lidia did several internships in local pre-schools and completed her teacher training.  She also worked as an au pair in the USA, looking after children aged 7-13, and is currently working as an after-school tutor for two Spanish students.

Lidia is motivated to spend a semester in Australia as a Language Assistant to gain valuable experience and practice in her chosen field, find out about the Australian school system and make a meaningful contribution to Preshil’s Spanish program!  Lidia is keen to get involved in a range of activities and hopes to share her language, culture and interests with her Australian community.  She enjoys making plans with friends - a day out of the city, dinner, socialising.  She also likes reading in English and Spanish, going to the gym, traveling, meeting people from other countries and enjoying different foods. 

Lidia will be at Preshil for Terms 3 & 4, arriving 13 July and departing around 10 December.  

French Language Assistant

Joining us for Terms 3 & 4 this year is Théo Fréville (25), from Valenciennes in the north of France.  He is hoping to start a career in the Education industry in the near future and has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Language and a Diploma of Commerce. He has just completed time volunteering as a French Assistant at a secondary school in Melbourne and he has previously participated in the School Language Assistant Program in 2016 when he worked at a school on the Gold Coast.  So he is well versed in the Aussie lifestyle and our school system!  He says, 'I have for many years been enchanted by Australia’s rich and varied heritage, its unique ecology and its impressive continued economic development over twenty years.'

Théo’s interests include politics, current events, art, movies, travel and socializing with family and friends.  'I hope that my contribution to my host school, family and community will be unique and enduring.  As Australia is the biggest island in the world and somewhat isolated from Europe, I aim to provide a European and specifically French, cultural perspective to all I encounter and to enrich the education and broaden the minds of my students, as well as myself, by establishing dialogues between us.'

We are looking for a host families who can provide Lidia and Théo with their own bedroom and meals.  Preshil families have generously provided homes for our previous volunteers, and we hope again to find a host family from within the school; if you are interested or would like to discuss this further, please contact Reception at either campus.