Welcoming help with our two boys to improve their English through fun and creativity in Catania, Italy

Details

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  Description

  We are a warm and welcoming family of four living in the heart of Catania, Sicily: Giulia, Roberto and our two boys, Mattia (11) and Andrea (8).
  
  We are looking for someone who can become part of our family for a few weeks and, most importantly, help our children improve their English in a natural and enjoyable way.
  
  Our children already have a busy school routine, so we are not looking to add another traditional English lesson to their day. We would like English to become something they enjoy and use naturally.
  
  At the same time, we have realised from our previous experiences that simply speaking English with the children or playing video games with them is not quite enough for what we are looking for.
  
  We would love to find someone who has genuine experience with children and knows how to involve them. Someone who can take their interests — Minecraft, Roblox, Pokémon, LEGO, board games, sports and technology — and turn them into little opportunities to speak, read, understand and gradually write in English.
  
  It could be a treasure hunt around the house, a game, a creative challenge, a story, a cooking activity, a board game, a simple digital activity or even something built in Minecraft. The important thing is that the person brings ideas and initiative rather than simply waiting for the children to decide what to do.
  
  We are not looking for a formal teacher sitting at a desk with a textbook, but we are looking for someone with some of the qualities of a good teacher: patience, empathy, creativity, good communication skills and an understanding of how to make children learn without making them feel that they are studying.
  
  Experience working with children is therefore very important to us. Experience as an English tutor, teacher, au pair, educator, camp leader or in a similar role would be a real advantage.
  
  We are open to both male and female Workawayers and are not looking for a particular age. What matters to us is maturity, responsibility, a good level of English and genuine experience and enthusiasm for working with children.
  
  Spanish is also a lovely bonus, as Mattia has recently started studying Spanish at school.
  
  We want this to be a real cultural exchange and a pleasant family experience for everyone. We are happy to share our home, our food, our Italian family life and our love for Catania and Sicily, while giving our Workawayer plenty of independence and free time to explore.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Language practice

  Teaching

  Babysitting and creative play
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  Interests

  

  Technology

  

  Pets

  

  Photography

  

  Performing arts

  

  Languages

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Fitness

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We offer a genuine cultural exchange within our family.
  
  The main focus of the experience is English: we would love our children to have regular, natural exposure to English while developing their speaking, vocabulary, comprehension and, gradually, their written English through enjoyable activities.
  
  In return, we are happy to share our Italian family life, food, traditions and everyday routines, and to help our Workawayer discover Catania and Sicily.
  
  You will have plenty of free time to explore the city and the island independently. We are always happy to suggest places to visit, events, beaches, restaurants and interesting things to see.
  
  If you are interested in learning Italian, we will be happy to help you practise it during everyday family life.
  
  If you speak Spanish, that is also a lovely bonus for us, as our eldest child has recently started studying Spanish at school.

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  Au Pair Help

  Further details can be found here

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  The main help we are looking for is spending time with our children in English and helping them use the language naturally.
  
  The children are at school and have homework, so the time with the Workawayer will generally be after their school and homework routine. We don't want another long lesson after a full school day.
  
  Instead, we would like the Workawayer to come up with fun and engaging ways to use English, depending on the children's interests and energy that day.
  
  For example:
  
  • board games and language games
  • treasure hunts and little challenges
  • creative activities and drawing
  • storytelling and role play
  • cooking together
  • reading short texts, clues or instructions
  • simple activities involving writing
  • Minecraft, Roblox or other digital activities used as an opportunity to communicate and learn
  • talking about Pokémon, LEGO, sports and the things they are interested in
  • walks, outdoor activities and everyday conversations
  
  We don't expect the Workawayer to prepare formal lessons. We do, however, expect them to take some initiative and bring their own ideas.
  
  We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys being with children and is able to create a good relationship with them while encouraging them to use English.
  
  There may also be the normal small things that come with family life: keeping your room tidy, helping to set or clear the table and tidying up after activities with the children.
  
  No heavy cleaning or demanding household chores.
  
  The exact routine will depend on our family schedule and can be discussed together.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Italian: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We love languages and would love to share our passion for making English fun, natural and meaningful for children.
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  Accommodation

  You will have a large private bedroom with beautiful high ceilings and original frescoes, two balconies, a desk and a comfortable double bed.
  
  The room is your own private space and has Wi-Fi.
  
  We are happy to share meals together as part of family life, while also respecting your independence and free time.
  
  You will have plenty of time to explore Catania and Sicily on your days and hours off.
  
  We simply ask everyone to respect the home, keep their personal space tidy and contribute to the small everyday things that naturally come with living together.

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  What else ...

  We live in the historic centre of Catania, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, shops, the historic market and many of the city's main attractions.
  
  Catania is also a great base for exploring Sicily, including Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, beaches and many beautiful towns.
  
  We are a friendly and sociable family and enjoy sharing our home with people from different countries. At the same time, we completely respect the fact that our Workawayer will want to have their own plans, friends and time to explore.
  
  We have four pets, including two cats and two Chihuahuas, so you should be comfortable around animals. They are very much part of our family. ❤️
  
  We offer food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours of help and English-language activities with the children. This is a cultural exchange, not a formal paid teaching position.
  
  We are looking for someone who wants to experience family life in Sicily while also making a real difference to our children's English.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Free internet wi fi unlimited, and private room with desk. ⚠️Volunteer position We offer food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours English exchange with children ⚠️

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  

  Tana

  Diffidente e timida

  

  Dante

  Calmo, adora le coccole

  

  Nina (3 years)

  Chihuahua dominante, diffidente sempre in guardia

  

  Tonino (3 years)

  Chihuahua affettuoso e dolce tranquillo e goloso

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