Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Study / Exchange

With a Host Family

Your goal: settle in, talk about routines and food, and raise small issues kindly.

1

Survival Phrases

Settling in

  • Thank you so much for having me — it's lovely to be here.
  • Could you show me how the shower works?
  • What time do you usually have dinner?

Food & routines

  • Is there anything I shouldn't eat?
  • I can't eat shellfish — I'm sorry, should I have said earlier?
  • Could I help with the washing-up?

Raising issues

  • I don't want to be a bother, but the heating's quite warm at night.
  • Would it be OK if I used the kitchen after 8?
  • Could I have a key, please?

Cultural exchange

  • Could you teach me a phrase people say here?
  • What do you usually do on Sundays?
  • I'd love to cook something for you one night.
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Host: Welcome, Marina — make yourself at home. Dinner's at 7, if that suits.

Marina: Lovely, thank you. Could you show me the shower later? I don't want to break anything.

Host: Of course. Any food I should know about?

Marina: I can't eat shellfish — I should have said earlier, sorry.

Host: No problem at all. We'll keep it in mind. You're welcome to use the kitchen after 8 if you want a snack.

Marina: That's kind. Could I have a key, please? I might be back late some evenings.

Host: Sure — here. Just text if you're after 10 so I don't worry.

Marina: Perfect. And I'd love to cook for you one night — a Brazilian dish, if you'd try it.

Host: We'd love that. Sunday?

Marina: Sunday it is. Thank you — for everything.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
Settling inThank you for having me — it's lovely to be here.Thanks for having me.
FoodI can't eat shellfish — I should have mentioned it earlier.I can't eat shellfish, sorry.
RaisingI don't want to be a bother, but the heating's a bit warm at night.The room's a bit hot at night.
OfferingI'd love to cook something for you one night.Can I cook for you sometime?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • Thank you for receive me. → Thank you for having me. ((have me, não receive))
  • I can't eat seafood, I should said. → I can't eat shellfish — I should have said earlier. ((should have + particípio))
  • I don't want to bother. → I don't want to be a bother, but the heating's quite warm. ((be a bother + but))
  • Can I have a key? → Could I have a key, please? ((could + please))
  • I want to cook for you. → I'd love to cook for you one night. ((would love))
  • I will come back late. → I might be back late some evenings. ((might, softer))
5

Culture Note

  • Host families love guests who join in — offering to cook is gold; it shows gratitude and culture.
  • Mentioning allergies early ('I should have said earlier') is considerate, not awkward.
  • 'I don't want to be a bother, but…' is the classic British way to raise a small issue.
  • Texting if you're late is basic respect — host parents worry like parents.
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue with a different food issue and a noise complaint.
  2. Record both roles, warm and polite.
  3. Write one soft opener to raise a small issue.
  4. Real-life mission: find a real host-family guide in English and note three tips.

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐thank and settle in with practical questions?
  • ☐mention a food issue early and politely?
  • ☐raise a small issue with a soft opener?
  • ☐offer something back (cooking)?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays a host who's slightly strict about kitchen hours.