Regulation

Key points

The full regulation follows.

Basics

• The Philippine offline English program is called STO (SomedayTalk Offline Program).
• STO is run by the CEO of SomedayTalk and the head hosts; the CEO makes the final decisions.
• The head host is responsible for running the program, including hiring tutors and helpers and spending.
• STO is non-profit and aims to improve the English of SomedayTalk Online students.
• The CEO and the head hosts take parents’ opinions into account as much as possible.
• If the parents or the child give up the program on their own during the stay, the host and rental fees for the rest of the stay are not refunded.
• If a student’s behavior seriously harms others physically or mentally, the host may end the student’s stay. In that case the host must show clear evidence the parents can accept.
• If the host ends a student’s stay, only the costs up to that day are paid.
• Parents confirm participation three months before the program starts.
• The child’s host and the head host are responsible for the child’s safety. If something happens to the child through the host’s carelessness or fault, the host pays the full damages; if the host is shown to have done their duty, SomedayTalk is responsible.
• Everything about the child’s health is shared with the parents first, and appropriate action is taken after hearing them. If the parents cannot be reached, necessary action is taken first and shared with them afterwards.
• Every student must have travel insurance before the program, against any major loss. The parents choose the level of cover.

Student selection

• SomedayTalk Online members are selected first. Non-members who confirm a place must register as Online members.
• Students must pass the host’s admission interview, held by the head host and the host.
• If more students apply than there are places, returning students come first, then new students in order of application.

Official schedule

• Elementary students: 2 months in summer and 3 months in winter. Grade 6 students may do 2 months in winter because of graduation.
• Middle school students: 1 month in summer and 2 months in winter.
• Students who want a shorter stay still pay the host and rental fees for the full official schedule.

Coming home early

• A student who gives up and comes home early for personal reasons pays the host, rental and tutor fees for the rest of the stay (a minimum safeguard for the hosts and the program). For example, a student who leaves a two-month program after one month and ten days is charged that month’s host and rental fees.
• For the rest of the stay the host cannot care for the student directly but keeps looking after the student’s English. If the parents want the student to continue online with the same tutor, the host supports this fully.
• The remaining tutor fee of that student is not paid.

Costs

• STO charges a monthly maintenance fee per student (explained on consultation). It funds the future registration of an academy for SSPs, an emergency fund for the company and program activities, such as:
  • the hosts’ compensation shortfall when there are too few students
  • the rental shortfall when there are too few students
  • meals and transport for the hosts’ preparation before the program
  • training to improve the hosts’ competence (first aid, project management, keeping fit, e.g. swimming and gym)
  • travel and allowance for staff from Korea who help the program in the Philippines
  • tutor referral fees
• STO charges a monthly facility fee per student.
  • Facilities are equipment used semi-permanently, such as air conditioners, washing machines and dryers.
  • If the costs of a program exceed the fee charged, nothing more is charged; the difference is settled from the next program’s facility fees.
• All other costs are split equally among the students and charged at cost.
• The rental fee is fixed per student per month; nothing extra is charged even if there are fewer students.
• The monthly maintenance and facility fees are not STO’s profit; they are managed as funds for running the program.

Communication

• Text communication is on Telegram, and video calls and meetings are on Zoom; if these do not work, KakaoTalk or similar is used.
• Private communication between parents and the host takes place in a room named “Year_S or W_[child’s name]” with the parents, the host and the CEO (Julia). Others such as the parent representative may be invited for a specific topic and leave when it is closed.
• The head host uses a Telegram group chat with all parents for shared topics and announcements (costs, food requests, etc.).
• Parents have their own Telegram group chat, used when major decisions are needed.

Solving problems

• A problem with a student is first discussed and solved with the student’s host.
• If it is not solved, it is escalated to the head host.
• If it is still not solved, it is discussed with the parent representative and raised openly.
• Open issues are decided by the CEO, the head host and the parent representative together.
• The order is: host → head host → parent representative → CEO.
• The same path applies to problems involving another student: parents do not contact the other student’s parents directly. They tell the head host and the parent representative, and the parent representative talks to the other parents, to solve it as neutrally as possible and avoid misunderstandings between parents.

Groups, teams and tutors

• Groups (GA, GB) are led by a head host, teams by a host.
• The head host decides the groups, teams and tutors.
• A student is not placed in the same group or team more than three times, to give everyone fair and varied combinations.
• Brothers or sisters are not placed in the same team, a rule from past experience with teamwork.

Contract

• A contract fee confirms participation three months before STO starts.
• The contract fee is paid per month of stay and equals 50% of the rental and host fees (explained on consultation).
• The contract fee is returned to the parents as soon as STO starts.
• If you cancel before the program starts, the contract fee is not returned for any reason.
• If SomedayTalk cancels, the contract fee is returned immediately.

Visa extension and travel without parents

• If a longer stay needs a visa extension, it is done through a local visa agency in the Philippines.
• A student who flies to the Philippines without a parent pays STO a small fee, unless accompanied by an acquaintance. The fee goes to STO for company maintenance.
• A student who flies back to Korea without a parent pays a small fee to the accompanying adult (so far the math teacher).

Other

Damage to the facilities caused by a student is, as a rule, paid by the parents.