Frequently Asked Questions

- A padlock (to keep personal belongings safe) - A reusable water bottle s to carry with them when doing sports, activities and excursions - Appropriate sporting clothes: shorts, T-shirt, tracksuit, cap, sports socks, etc. - Non-marking trainers for indoor sports. Students cannot use their normal outdoor trainers in the sports halls (UK only) - Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing - Sun cream - Personal toiletries, including toothpaste and toothbrush - Flip-flops to wear in communal bathing areas - A waterproof coat and/ or umbrella - A towel (except for if you are staying in Leamington Spa and Waterford) - Swimming costume, caps and towels (Dublin residential)

Students can only bring a maximum of one mid-sized suitcase (68 X 59 X 24cm), weighing no more than 20kg and one small piece of hand luggage with them.

All students staying in Residential Accommodation pay a £50.00 / €50 damage/keys deposit on arrival. In centres with a safe onsite, this is taken in cash whereas in the ones without a safe, the agent/Group Leader/ parent needs to complete a form providing us with their credit card details. The deposit will be returned in full at the end of the course if there is no damage and keys are returned. - If a student causes any minor damage during their stay or loses their keys, they will lose the deposit. - For any major damage the full cost of repairs will be charged to the agent/parent. - There is no damage deposit for homestay centres, but the full cost of any repairs will be charged to the agent/parent.

We recommend £75-100 per week. This should cover snacks, drinks, a few small presents, and some basic souvenirs.

- It is not a good idea to bring valuables or large amounts of money. Twin cannot be responsible for lost items. - Students should bring a padlock for their suitcase. - Individual students: Passports should be given to the Centre Manager for safekeeping. Other cash/ valuables can be stored on request at the discretion of the Centre Manager. - Groups: Group Leaders are responsible for holding their group’s passports and any cash/ valuables. - Students should be very careful with valuable items and money when visiting big cities. For example, do not leave valuables in the front pocket of a rucksack.

Students are tested prior to their arrival (grammar and writing tests) and in their first class (speaking informal interview). If a student is not comfortable in their allocated class, for whatever reason, they should inform their Teacher, Group Leader, or directly the Director of Studies.

There are fifteen hours of English classes per week on all programmes, apart from our Intensive English programme which includes additional six hours.

- In most of our centres lessons will be in the morning but you may also have lessons in the afternoon. - In our London Docklands centre we operate a ‘zig-zag’ system, which means students will have classes in the morning and afternoon on alternate days (4 out of 5 tuition days) with one half a day of lessons (either morning or afternoon) per week.

Our course is specifically designed for teenagers and young learners. The programme ranges from Elementary to Advanced level. Each 3-hour session includes an hour project work and two hours course book-based learning.

Our English courses focus particularly on speaking and listening. Grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation are also included. The focus is on real-life communication and building confidence in using and understanding English.

The classes are delivered in a fun and communicative way, providing learners with new materials and opportunities to practise language. Our teachers focus on developing speaking and listening skills by using pair-work and group-work, discussions and project work.

The students are provided with a book for use in the classroom only.

The social aspect in the standard programme consists of evening entertainment, daytime activities and excursions. The daytime activities are a variety of sports, arts & crafts, walking tours, and cultural visits to local places of interest. In residential centres in the evening there are fun activities like discos and talent nights. The students will have one full-day and one half-day excursion per week. The Discover London programme offers four full-day and two half-day walking tours instead of daytime activities and half-day excursion. Please check each individual centre sample programme for details.

Sometimes it is impossible to do an activity on the programme, for example, if the programme has ‘Outdoor Sports’ and it rains, it is much better to change the activity. We will do our best to keep changes to a minimum. Twin reserves the right to make programme changes due to circumstances beyond its control or to improve or preserve the quality of the programme and without notice.

To help you further personalize your stay, at each centre we offer optional excursions at an extra cost. Please enquire as to specific optional excursions with our sales team.

Optional excursions can be booked either before arriving at the centre or when the students are at the centre. Optional excursions at the centre are sold at a higher price, we therefore encourage you to book in advance for the best prices. If you would like to book optional excursions before arriving at the centre, please email the Twin sales team. If you would like to book optional excursions when you are at your centre, speak to the onsite management team. Unfortunately optional excursions are only available to groups. It is not possible for individual students to book optional excursions.

No, students aged 18 cannot be housed in the same corridor/flat with students under 16 and will have separate bathroom facilities. Students aged 18 and students under 16 from the same group may be kept together in accommodation if the agent gives consent in writing. However, bathroom facilities within the accommodation will never be shared. Ireland only: we do not accept 18+ students in our Dublin West, Dundrum and Waterford campuses. In Dublin Central, we will not place 18+ students with the same host family as under 18s.

Some of our centres have kitchens that are accessible to students, however for fire safety reasons students are not allowed to cook. Ireland: In Dublin West and Waterford, students have access to small kitchenettes in their apartment or accommodation corridor and may use the equipment. Students are required to clean up after themselves. Access to the kitchenettes may be removed if acceptable usage and cleaning is not maintained.

Students are allocated according to criteria such as supervision ratios, age and gender. Rooming lists are completed on this basis in the first instance and any additional rooming preferences are considered thereafter. Ireland: Yes, students are encouraged to send us any sharing requirement well in advance of their arrival. We will consider gender, age gaps and nationality mix when arranging rooming lists.

Special dietary requirements such as Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal/No Pork, Gluten-free, and Lactose-free are catered for in most centres (please check centre specific FAQs), but advance notice must be given and there may be an extra cost. Please contact us for further information.

Breakfast is usually continental and may consist of pastries, cereal, toast and jam. Lunch/ Dinner might be soup, pasta, meat, fish, chips, potatoes, and vegetables. There will always be a choice of dishes (meat and vegetarian options). There is also fruit and/or dessert. On excursion and walking tour days, students are provided with a packed lunch. It is important students keep an open mind as the food may be different to the food they normally eat. This is a great chance for students to experience food from another culture. If students are allergic to something, Twin needs to be informed in advance. Students should remind the Centre Manager or their homestay host (if applicable) of their dietary requirements upon arrival.

The students will have breakfast and dinner with the homestay host and a packed lunch during the day.

Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct

Our supervision ratio is one adult per fifteen students. During lessons, scheduled activities, and excursions, this ratio is made up by Twin Teachers, Activity Leaders, and/or Managers. During break times, free time, on journeys to school (homestay only), and airport transfers, Group Leaders may be asked to make up the supervision ratios or supervise their own students. Individuals are always supervised by Twin staff.

Each residential centre has at least one House Parent, who is responsible for ensuring students are safe and happy in their accommodation. They help students with laundry, look after sick students, and deal with any problems during the night.

Students aged 13 and under must always be accompanied by an adult. Students aged 14-15 may be allowed to go off in groups of no less than four for up to one hour at a time. Students aged 16+ may be allowed to spend up to two hours in pairs or small groups without an adult.

Individual students cannot opt out of our programme. We need to know where students are at all times to ensure their safety. We hope they will enjoy the programme so much that they won’t want to opt out! If groups decide to opt-out of the pre-arranged leisure programme, the Group Leaders sign an opt-out form agreeing to take full responsibility for their students.

Students cannot leave the centre unless accompanied by an adult known to them, and with their parents’ written permission. It must be authorised by a manager in advance.

All groups are given student cards with an emergency contact number so that they can reach a member of the Twin welfare staff at all times. Alternatively, they should go to a uniformed police officer and ask for help.

If they are taking medication, they must hand it in when they arrive. All medication must be kept by the House Parent or Group Leader and not in students’ bedrooms, except for Asthma inhalers and first response medication as agreed with the parents. We will accept medicines prescribed by a doctor from your own country, as long as there is an English translation. Medication is given to students at the prescribed time by an authorised member of Twin staff, usually a Manager or House Parent, or a Group Leader.

Students should speak to someone if they are unhappy – in the first place their host, teacher, group leader, friend or any one on the Twin staff. We are sure we will be able to help!

Telephones are at each of our schools so that students can contact someone at home in case of an emergency. However, normally students will make contact using their own mobile phones.

The parents of students are always welcome at our centres. Please contact the centre in advance to ensure that the student will be available. Parents must not remove their child from the centre without notifying the Centre Manager or person in charge. The Centre Manager will require photographic proof of identification. Students will not be permitted to leave the centre with friends or relatives, other than the father or mother, without written permission from their parents.

Please refer to the Students Complaints Policy

Our residential students stay in the same building as the school, and our homestay students are a short (about 30 mins) walk from the Eastbourne school. Some students will need to travel to the town centre by bus. Bus journey between 10 – 40 mins

Eastbourne town centre is a 15 minute walk from the school, and Hastings and Brighton are both less than an hour away by train.

Eastbourne’s town centre has convenient bus stops as well as a train station to access nearby cities.

Up to 170.

Our residential accommodation option has bedrooms with 4-5 beds as well as two large rooms with up to 12 beds. Our homestay students can expect to stay in single or Twin rooms. We do have a limited number of triple/quad rooms if requested.

Fresh linen is provided and changed weekly, but bring your own towel.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

There is a weekly cleaning service for bedrooms, bathrooms, and common spaces.

Yes.

Yes.

We can provide Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten-free, and Lactose-free meals. We need to know about these requirements in advance.

There is no shop or café onsite but there are vending machines, and there are shops and cafés nearby.

4pm/9am

Lights out is at 22.30 for under 13s and 23.00 for 13+.

The centre has a library, computer room, piano and indoor table tennis tables. The 10-hectare garden has football pitches and tennis/badminton/basketball courts.

Students can enjoy the sea front, with beach barbeques and paddling in the sea, as well as visiting the scenic Beachy Head. For media fans, spend an evening at the cinema or theatre. If students are looking for sports they can play tennis, basketball, mini golf and bowling.

Full-day excursions to London and Brighton, including Brighton Pavilion. Half-day excursions to Hastings, including the Smugglers Cave and Cuckmere Valley.

The residence for students is located on site at University of East London, Docklands campus and is a short walk (maximum 4 minutes) from the teaching areas.

There are shops, cafes, restaurants, and parks in the nearby Beckton area.

The Docklands campus is just outside the DLR Cyprus station providing easy access to central London.

Up to 185.

London Docklands is a residential centre. All rooms are single en-suite.

Bed linen is provided but you will have to bring your own towels.

Yes, students will receive a key to their room.

There isn’t a safe onsite.

There are facilities for students to do their own laundry helped by Twin staff. It costs £2.20/wash and £1.00/dry. Laundry detergent is provided.

There is a weekly cleaning service for bedrooms and bathrooms. Common spaces are cleaned daily.

Yes.

There are no computers available for students to use.

We can provide Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten-free, and Lactose-free meals. We need to know about these requirements in advance.

There are a shop or café onsite but they are closed during the weekends. There are also vending machines.

Students can get into their rooms at 15.00, and need to leave by 10.00. Luggage can be securely stored before check-in/after check-out.

Lights out is at 22.30 for all students.

A multipurpose sports hall and multi-use games area are available at the centre. However the programme has been structured to make the most of the location and incorporates London walking tours over sports activities.

Students will have the opportunity to explore various sites in London by doing guided walks. They will for example see Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and other landmarks.

A two-week programme includes: A full-day excursion to Brighton with entrance to Pavilion, a full-day excursion to Cambridge with entrance to a college, and 5 London walking tours

Most of our host families are a short walk from the school, and the others are easily accessible with a short tramway journey. In some cases, the host family will drop and collect their student(s) to school each day.

The school is located in the suburbs of Dublin, only 30 min from city centre by public transport. Belfast and Kilkenny are both viable day trip destinations.

Transport to Dublin City Centre by Dublin Bus and Luas (tramway) are only a few minutes' walk from the school.

Up to 180.

Most homestay rooms are twin rooms, there are a small number of single rooms available and we will need a lot of notice if a student particularly wants a single room.

Yes.

Bedrooms don't typically lock in Ireland.

We have a safe in the office in the school and we can keep valuables there if required. There are no safes at the host families'.

Yes, laundry wash is provided with homestay.

Towels, bedding and the accommodation are cleaned weekly.

Yes.

On request in the school only.

Yes we do. We can cater for Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and No Pork diets at a supplement €30 per week.

We run our own Tuck Shop in summer (treats & soft drinks).

We cater for arrivals and departures as per flight times. Transfers for arrivals past 10pm and departure from homestay / residential centre prior to 6.30am will incur a supplement.

Between 10 and 11pm depending on the age.

Our Dublin Dundrum school has a basketball court, a dedicated table tennis room and large playing fields.

Our school is located in Dundrum, where there is a world famous shopping mall and the city centre is easily accessible, providing access to a variety of attractions and landmarks.

The school runs half and full day excursions to EPIC, Archaeology Museum, Howth, GPO Witness History Museum, Causey Farm as well as Ardgillan Castle and Skerries.

Only a few minutes' walk, accommodation is on campus.

The Dublin West centre is a short journey from the city centre. Galway and Kilkenny are achievable day trips, both nearer than 3 hours away.

The school is 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, and a short walk from the nearest bus stop.

Up to 210.

Most rooms are 4 or 6 bedded rooms with en-suite services, but we have recently begun offering twin en-suite bedrooms.

Bed linen is provided but students need to bring their own towels (one for showers, and another one for swimming).

Bedroom doors do not but each accommodation corridor does with code locks, which automatically shut off in the case of a fire.

Yes, each student has a lockable wardrobe. We can also keep valuables in the office's safe.

Yes, laundry is included once a week at no extra charge.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily; bed linen is changed once weekly.

Yes.

Yes, at an appointed time.

Yes we can accommodate Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and No Pork diets at no extra charge. We cannot cater for Vegan Diets on the west campus at the moment.

Yes there is a Tuck Shop run by the school, with specific opening hours.

We cater for arrivals and departures as per flight times. Transfers for arrivals past 10pm and departure from the residence prior to 6.30 will incur a supplement.

10pm, lights out at 10.30

Indoor heated swimming pool, football, rugby, and volleyball pitches, tennis and basketball courts, indoor gymnasium, theatre, arts rooms and Home Ec rooms.

Our school is located in Liffey Valley, only minutes from one of the largest shopping malls in the city, and the city centre is easily accessible, providing access to a variety of attractions and landmarks.

Half-day excursions to Dalkey Castle, Howth, EPIC, and Dublinia as well as full day trips to Causey Farm, Glendalough, Ardgillan Castle, and Skerries.

The accommodation block is located approximately 6min drive or 15min walk from the main campus. A shuttle bus is provided each day to go back and forth between the two buildings.

Dublin and Cork are both viable day trip destinations, just over 2hrs drive from Waterford. Kilkenny town is only 45min drive.

Waterford is a compact city and it is easy to walk anywhere in the centre within 20min. There is also a public bus service that covers the city centre and wider city area.

Up to 160.

All our bedrooms are single en-suite bedrooms with individual secure access. The residence comprises of apartments of 3 to 5 bedrooms, and each apartment includes a lounge and kitchenette area.

Bed linen and towels are provided. Students should bring a towel for swimming as we may occasionally go to the swimming pool and/or beach.

Yes, each bedroom comes with a key card with individual access to each bedroom.

There is no safe in the TWIN office in Waterford but students are encouraged to keep their valuables locked in their bedrooms.

Yes, at a small additional charge.

Bed linen change and bedroom/bathroom cleaning service is done weekly.

Yes, both in the main campus and the accommodation block.

No.

Yes, we can accommodate Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and No Pork diets at a no extra charge.

Yes, there is a shop / café restaurant on the main campus. There is also a convenience shop a couple of minutes’ walk from the accommodation building.

We cater for arrivals and departures as per flight times. Transfers for arrivals past 10pm and departure from the residence prior to 6.30am will incur a supplement.

10pm with lights out by 10.30pm.

The Waterford campus is a sports campus with large indoor sports hall, yoga/dance studios, a gym, running track, soccer pitches and extensive green areas. The main campus also includes a sports hall.

Our school is located near the centre of Waterford city, providing easy access to a variety of attractions and landmarks. Both the seaside and the mountains are also within a short bus ride from Waterford.

The programme includes half day excursions to the coastal town of Tramore, the Comeragh mountains, Kilkenny medieval city, and full day excursions to Fota Island, Castlecomer Adventure Park and/or Dublin City.

All our host families are located in residential areas around city centre with a journey of approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour from the centre by public transport.

Belfast, Kilkenny and Galway are all suitable day trip destinations, under 3 hours from Dublin.

Our Dublin Central campus is located right in the centre of Dublin, with many Dublin Bus stops only a few minutes away on foot. The tramway (Luas) and regional train (DART) also have stations within walking distance of the school.

Up to 80 young adults.

Most host families offer twin rooms with shared bathrooms. We have very limited availability for single rooms and requests must be made to us at least 2 months ahead of arrival. Rooms will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Bed linen is provided but students should bring a towel for their shower, and another one for swimming.

Bedrooms do not typically lock in Ireland.

Yes there is a safe in the school's office where we can keep students' valuables such as passports or boarding cards. The safe may not be accessible on a daily basis. Students are encouraged to keep their valuables in their suitcase at their homestay house.

Host families will provide a laundry service once a week, at no extra charge.

Bed linen is changed weekly and the bedroom is cleaned weekly also.

Yes, in both the school and most homestays.

Yes in the school only.

Yes we can accommodate Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and Pork Free diets at a supplement of €30 per week.

No but there are a couple of coffee shops and convenience shops a short walk from the school.

We cater for arrivals and departures as per flight times. Transfers for arrivals past 10pm and departure from homestay prior to 6.30am will incur a supplement.

Students under the age of 18 must be home by 11pm.

The school boasts an indoor swimming pool, indoor sports hall and rooftop soccer pitch.

Our school is located in the centre of Dublin, providing easy access to a variety of attractions and landmarks.

The programme includes half and full day excursions to EPIC, Howth, Archaeology Museum, Glendalough and Belfast with entrance to the Titanic Experience.

The residence for students is located on site at Warwickshire College and is a short walk (maximum 6 minutes) from the teaching areas.

There are shops, cafes, restaurants, and parks in Leamington Spa approx. a ten minute walk.

Leamington Spa train station is approx. a fifteen-minute walk from campus.

Up to 120

Leamington Spa is a residential centre. All rooms are single en-suite.

Bed linen and towels are provided.

Yes, students will receive a key to their room.

There isn't a safe onsite.

There are facilities for students to do their own laundry helped by Twin staff. It costs £2.20/wash and £1.00/dry. Laundry detergent is provided.

There is a weekly cleaning service for bedrooms and bathrooms. Common spaces are cleaned daily.

Yes.

No.

We can provide Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten-free, and Lactose-free meals. We need to know about these requirements in advance.

There are a shop or café onsite but they are closed during the weekends. There are also vending machines.

Students can get into their rooms at 15.00, and need to leave by 10.00. Luggage can be securely stored before check-in/after check-out.

Lights out varies based on age.

A multipurpose sports hall and multi-use games area are available at the centre.

Students will have the opportunity to explore the local area of Leamington Spa and the surrounding areas. Half day local excursions include Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon.

A two-week programme includes A full-day excursion to Oxford with punting and a full-day excursion to London with Thames River Cruise