Au pair conversation questions

These conversation questions may be used an introduction to the conversation class on au pair selection.

Au pair

 * What is an au pair? What are the linguistic roots of the word?
 * What are the usual duties of an au pair?
 * How would you differentiate between the responsibilities and role of a nanny, a babysitter and au pair? What are they expected to do in the household and how much to they interact with it?
 * Would you like to try being an au pair? Why/why not?
 * What qualities and abilities are usually required of an au pair?
 * Are au pairs usually female? Why should this be?
 * What is the usual age of an au pair?
 * Why do people want to become au pairs?
 * Do you think that au pairs are more or less common than they used to be? Why might the situation have changed?
 * Do you know anybody who has been an au pair or have you been one yourself? What was the experience like? Describe the process of employment
 * Do you know anybody who has employed an au pair or have you done so yourself? What was the experience like? Describe the process to employ them?
 * What do you think about older and even retired men and women becoming au pairs or live-in helpers? Do you think this benefits the individual and the household?