Could you use an extra pair of hands during the summer holidays?

With growing numbers of enterprising women setting up in business and trying to juggle work and family, two local lasses have paired up to offer a summer au pair scheme to give practical support and an extra pair of hands during the school holidays.

Fiona Stöber, originally from Newcastle, now lives in Germany with her husband and children. She's an English teacher and professional translator and has published a range of educational books for pre-school children.  

Christine Goodwin from Whitley Bay also qualified as a teacher, teaching English as a foreign language overseas and Modern Foreign languages in the UK before establishing her own school for international students.  Christine also writes fiction for children.    

Fiona and Christine have worked together for 3 years, bringing groups of German teenagers to study at the Northumbria School of English in Whitley Bay, which Christine runs.  The new au pair scheme aims to give school leavers the opportunity to visit the UK and learn language and social skills before taking up university places.  The programme offers a win-win situation for both the German au pair girls and the British families they will support. 

The girls will come to the North East for a 5-week period between July – August. During that time they will learn English and experience English family life.  The family will benefit from the help given with childcare, ironing, shopping, cooking and light housework.  In return for 35 hours of work, the family provides a room with full-board for their student and pay £50 pocket money per week.  The students will attend an induction and first aid training weekend before taking up their jobs.  They will also attend evening classes at the Northumbria School of English. 

‘We are really excited about this project as we think it will be of tremendous benefit to all  participants.  The girls are all known to Fiona and come with impeccable references.’ 

Anyone interested in hosting one of the girls and benefitting from the help they can give over the Summer months should contact Christine on 0191 2525265 or email english.school@btconnect.com

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