NEWS ITEM ON  English Language Exam Courses for Au Pairs.

The Cambridge Exams

The FCE is an International level exam (Level B2, Council of Europe).  It is ideal if you want to or study abroad.  The exam tests Listening, Writing,, Use of English and Speaking.

The CAE is an Upper-Intermediate/Advanced level exam (Level C1, Council of Europe).  It is mainly for people who need English for their work.  The exam tests Listening, Reading, Use of English and Speaking.

The CPE is an Advanced level exam (level C1, Council of Europe).  It is mainly for people who need English for their work. The exam tests Listening, Reading, Use of English and Speaking.

News from Norway                       First published 26^th May 2005

Record number of Au Pairs.

Norway has an unprecedented number of foreigners working as au pairs but there are fears that many are being exploited with poor working arrangements.

Figures from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) show that 1,021 au pairs worked in Norway in 2004, compared with 250 in 2000.

Many do not get paid more than NOK 2,500 – 3000 (USD $ 395 –470) a month, despite often having long working days and limited freedom. Newspaper Dagbladet reports.

“A legitimation of cheap labor and a legitimation of the father’s absence from the home” Marianne Hovdan told Dagbladet.

Hovdan has completed a study of the au pair’s situation in Norway for her master’s degree in sociology and told the news paper she was ashamed of the way many of them are treated

“All the girls I interviewed worked over 30 hours per week, many up to 45 hour.  Scrub toilets, wake up in the middle of the night to comfort crying children and tons of housework, this is reality for many of them” Hovdan said.

Morten Hansen, assistant director of UDI’s residence section, said that the picture painted by Hovdan is unrecognisable to him.  If conditions are not met, police charges can result he said.

Please send your snippets of news to info@helloaupairs.com 

News From the UK      First published 8^th June 2005  

UK Visa Fees to change from 1 July 2005  

Following approval by the Privy Council UK visa fees will change with effect from 1 July 2005.

However the categories listed below will not change. The Existing Fee of £36 sterling still remains for the following:

• Student,
• Au Pair,
• Short-term Employment,
• Academic Visitor,
• Working Holidaymaker,

Please send your snippets of news to info@helloaupairs.com