Demi - Pairs

An extra pair of hands

Demi-Pairs play an important role
in Irish family life and everyone benefits!

Demi-Pairs improve their English language skills and our families receive a much needed helping hand around the house. Our economic and professionally run Demi-Pair programmes operate all year round.

Living English places Demi-Pairs in carefully selected and personally visited families in the Dublin area. This good value for money exchange programme enables Demi-Pairs to attend English Language Tuition and to assist in the family home for 20 hours per week and 2 nights’ babysitting per month in exchange for full board accommodation in a single room in the family home.

Demi-pairs improve their English language skills and our families receive a much-needed helping hand around the house!  Our popular and professionally-run demi-pair programmes operate all year around. Participants will be asked to integrate 100% into the lifestyle of their Irish family.

Sarah Rieger

"I can recommend everybody to do the demi-pair programme, because you can improve your English skills, learn about a new culture, meet new people, see many beautiful places and have great fun. I encourage everybody to enjoy this experience.", Demi-Pair

To become a Demi-Pair you will need:

  • To be independent and responsible
  • To want to help out in the family home with housework and childcare
  • To be able to adjust easily to a different environment and culture

An ideal demi-pair profile

  • 18+ years old during the academic year (September to May) with good experience in the family home
  • 20+ years old to participate on demi-pair programmes during summer months
  • Good spoken level of English (B1 minimum)
  • A genuine “love” of children
  • Previous experience with children

All Our Demi-Pair Programmes Include:

  • Collection from Dublin airport on arrival/transfer with family
  • Placement in a carefully selected family
  • Unlimited use of travel pass (this only applies if the participant lives in a different area to the school)
  • Accommodation in a single room on a full board basis in exchange for Demi-Pair duties (light housekeeping/childcare) for 20 hours per week (plus 2 nights’ babysitting per month)
  • Certificate on course completion

Locations

Demi-Pair Programme in Dublin, Ireland

Our applicants enjoy Dublin’s thriving cultural centre with its bustling and lively streets. Home to writers and poets such as Shaw, Yeats and Joyce, as well as many musical talents – the Dubliners, the Chieftains and U2 to name a few. Street-side cafes and pubs are alive with animated conversations; perfect to practise English and integrate into the Irish way of life.

Demi-Pair Programme in Bray, Ireland

Bray is a busy urban centre straddling the Dublin and Wicklow border. It has a population of 35,000 and easily accessible to Dublin (40 minutes) by direct trains operating every 15 minutes. Tourists flock to its wonderful seafront location with hotels, bars and restaurants.

Demi-Pair Summer Programme
Morning and Afternoon Classes

Our Summer Demi-Pairs should be in the 20-26 years old age group and have an intermediate spoken level of English as well as previous experience with children.

Demi-Pair Programmes

  • Students can choose between 2 main locations:
  • Bray (South Dublin on the coast) or Dublin city
  • Select the number of hours of English classes you prefer:
  • Demi-Pair Regular = 10 Hours of English Language Tuition per week
  • Demi-Pair Intensive = 20 Hours of English Language Tuition per week
  • We also run a Summer Special in Dublin = 15 Hours per week (20 years+)

Calculate the cost of your Programme

Price Calculator - Demi Pairs


This combination is not currently available. Try again by selecting either 10 or 20 hours per week

MAY AND JUNE ONLY. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED.
AVAILABLE MAY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED. SUBJECT TO FAMILY AVAILABILITY.
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR AROUND. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED.
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR AROUND. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED.
AVAILABLE JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER (OTHER DATES ON REQUEST) SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED
AVAILABLE JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER (OTHER DATES ON REQUEST) SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND. SUMMER SUPPLEMENT NOT INCLUDED
*ALL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES ARE SUBJECT TO A €80 FEE PAYABLE ON ARRIVAL AT THE SCHOOL. THIS FEE INCLUDES A COURSE BOOK, A REGISTRATION FEE AND ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL’S GUIDED E-LEARNING PLATFORM FOR A 12-WEEK DURATION. FOR LONGER DURATIONS, FURTHER COURSE BOOK(S) WILL BE NEEDED WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY €40 EACH.
Please Note this is a Guide Price and may vary up or down. We will communicate with you the Final Price upon initial registration incorporating any other factors there may be!

Demi-Pairs may also book onto our Cambridge exam preparation courses, the First Certificate (FCE) and the Advanced English (CAE) or the IELTS exam preparation course – all participants on exam preparation courses must attend 20-hours per week English language tuition and they will be asked to complete an English level test prior to confirmation of a place.

View Exam Preparation Courses and Dates

Frequently Asked Questions
by Demi-Pairs

Why choose the demi-pair programme?

We firmly believe if you want to speak a language fluently, you need to live in the country where it is spoken. When you are in Ireland you will be able to interact with your family, new friends and 4 million other people who speak English.

I want to be a Demi-Pair. How do I make a booking?

You need to complete the Demi-Pair registration form and pay a booking deposit of €150. You will receive confirmation of your booking and a receipt of payment. You will receive the full details by filling in your details here:
Demi-Pair registration form

Are there other documents I need to give Living English?

Yes. We require the following documents in English:

  1. Motivation letter to your family (setting out your hopes and expectations of your time in Ireland on the demi-pair programme). The motivation letter should also include information about your own family, your personal likes and dislikes, your previous experience with children, the childrens’ ages when you were looking after them and the things you did with the children, i.e. play, bathe, cook, bring on an excursion etc.
  2. Letter of recommendation form a non-family member. This can be a character reference from an employer or a lecturer in a university/school.
  3. Childcare references (2). These should come from families whose children you have looked after.
  4. Curriculum vitae. This should include your photograph and your personal details which should include your education and work experience.
  5. A criminal record proof from the police department. You will have to ask your local police department for this document.
  6. A medical certificate. This can be obtained from your local doctor.

When will I be put in touch with a family?

Once we have received all your documents and we have checked your references, we will look for a family that best suits you.

What information will I receive about the family?

You will receive details about the occupation of the parents, the number of children and their ages, whether there are any family pets (dog and/or cat), an idea of the schedule of your duties, where the family lives and the distance of their home in relation to your school.

How do I contact the family in Ireland?

Once you have agreed to receive contact from the family we propose to you, we will ask you for your Skype ID and we will organise a skype call between you and the family at a day and a time convenient to you both.

Do I have to accept the first family offered to me?

We have been matching demi-pairs to families for more than 15 years, but, should you feel you are not happy with the proposed family for a valid reason, we will endeavour to match you with another more suitable family.

How do I accept a Demi-Pair family?

By telling us or the family, that you would like to be their demi-pair. Once the family is also happy to accept you as their demi-pair, we will then confirm your booking to you with all the family details and an invoice for the amount remaining. When you receive our booking confirmation, you will be able to book your flights. Do not book your flights until you have received the booking confirmation from Living English.

Do I need to have a good level of spoken English to participate on this programme?

You should have a B1 level of English, which is a basic conversational level. If you are unsure of your spoken level, we can arrange a skype call between you and a representative of Living English to evaluate your current English level.

On arrival at Dublin Airport, will there be someone to meet me?

Yes, your Demi-Pair family will collect you at the airport. You must inform Living English and your family of your flight number, your departure airport and the exact date and time of arrival in Ireland.

Can I arrive in Dublin on any day of the week or do I have to arrive on a specific day?

The recommended day to arrive is either a Saturday or a Sunday, as families will be free to collect you at Dublin airport.

What will I be asked to do in the family home?

This depends on the family and their needs. Every family is different. Some families will give you a list of items they would like you to do every week. Other families will tell you day by day what they need you to do. You can talk to your family about this before we confirm the booking. The list below is what the family can ask you to do:

Child minding can mean:

Collection of child/children from school and bringing them to their home. Making them a light snack on arrival and ensuring their safety whilst at home etc.

 

Light housework can mean:

Demi-pair students may be asked to do any of the following: hoover, iron, tidy, sweep, hang out clothes. Possibly some cooking. No cleaning of bathrooms or another heavy cleaning.

I know I will help in the family home for up to 20 hours per week and 2 nights’ babysitting per month, but how is this time divided up?

The 20-hours per week will take place between Monday and Friday and you should be free every weekend, except when the family requires you to babysit on a weekend night.

How will I find my school on the first day?

We deliver a personalised welcome pack to your family home before you arrive in Ireland. This will contain a map of Dublin or Bray, showing you where your school is located. a welcome letter, a travel pass and other more general tourism information. Your family will also show you where you can take the bus, train or tram to your school.

What will my school timetable be?

We offer several demi-pair programmes and your school timetable depends on which programme you book. You can attend English classes from 9am-1.30pm. or 9am-11am., Monday to Friday inclusive. We also offer afternoon English classes on our summer demi-pair programme.

Can I participate in a Cambridge exam preparation course at the same time as being a Demi-Pair?

Yes, we offer the First Certificate and Cambridge Advanced exam preparation courses three times a year – in January, March and September. If you are thinking about participating on one of our exam preparation courses, please let us know at the time of booking and we will email you a written English test to evaluate your current English level.

What happens if I am homesick?

It will take at least 2-weeks to settle in. You will need to give yourself time. Your family will do their best to make you feel at home. You can also contact us and we will assist you the best we can.

Will there be an opportunity to make friends / meet other Demi-Pairs during my free time?

Yes, of course. You will make lots of friends at school and we can also help you by putting you in touch with other demi-pair students.

If I go out at night with my friends, do I have to come home at a particular time?

Demi-pair families are happy if you make friends and want to go out at night with them, but you must remember to comply with house rules. You will have a front door key, but you should still tell your family where you are going and what time you think you will be coming home at, so they don’t worry about you.

You may have other questions we have not answered here. If you do, please email us on info@livingenglish.ie

Demi-Pair Experiences

Alice Ferret

I was able to share incredible moments with my host family and improve my English. I also had the opportunity to meet and exchange with people from all over the world at the language school., Demi-Pair 2023

Read Her Review

Mathilde Jean-Baptiste Bolo

My family welcome me as a daughter or a big sister and made me feel part of the family., Demi-Pair

Read Her Review

Mona, Mona & Lia

"Our experiences as a Demi-Pair changed some points of view in our life. We are more responsible and are more self-confident not only with ourselves but also in minding children and talking in English", Demi-Pair Programme

Read Their Interview

Demi-pair and au-pairs in ireland

Damien Micouleau

"My host family was absolutely fantastic !!! Living English is a conscientiousness agency and they’ll manage your trip with a considerable professionalism.", Demi-Pair (Summer 2017)

Read His Review

Student Feeback

“This experience with Living English was decisive for me. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.”

LudmillaFrance - Internship student

“I have contacted Living English in order to find me an internship in an Irish company where I could in the same time improve my knowledge in English and in IT. Back to France, I'm now more confident on the phone and especially during the interview. I personally recommend this organisation.”

KhadhirParis, France - Internship student

“The experience of being a Demi-Pair in an English speaking country is something I can draw on my whole life...the improvement of my English skills and live in and with another family is great ... you see another culture and other ways of life at first hand.”

HannaGermany / Demi-Pair

“At the first moment I was afraid about every thing: the family, the school, the program... but Living English answered all my questions. My Host family was incredible nice, they've had a nice relation with me all time, and they made me feel at home.”

MartaCanary Islands / Demi-Pair