What is Dr. Francis?

M: Oh, hello, Li Ping. Come on in, and how’ve you been keeping recently?
W: Quite all right, thanks, Dr. Francis. How’s your project going?
M: Very smoothly, I should say. I’m playing a consultancy role, really. I’ve only been here a month, but I’m already on very good terms with my colleagues in the Department of Computer Science. Well, I’m happy that you could come. Please sit down.
W: Dr. Francis, do you know I’ve got a chance to go to Cambridge in August? I wonder if you could tell me something about Britain.
M: Certainly. Well, I was actually brought up in Scotland. Er, in fact, I’ve never been to Cambridge. But well.., yes, I’m sure I can give you some useful tips. Now, what do you want to know, Li Ping?
W: Things like weather. What’s the usual temperature there?
M: Mmm, the temperature in Scotland is 22, or 23 degrees Centigrade, on average, I think. But Cambridge would be warmer, around 25, I would guess, because it’s down south.
W: Oh, that’s nice. Do you know it is 34 here? Last year it reached 39. By the way, where do you think I should stay?
M: Oh, that’s important. You can, er... I suppose, stay in the college-owned flats, which are often near where you have your classes, and some are even on the campus. That would certainly be convenient.
W: Yes, it would.
M: But it can also be a disadvantage because you are, in a sense, separated from ordinary society. You’re a language teacher, and I think learning from society is a valuable experience.
W: Yes, yes, exactly, so what’s the alternative?
M: Maybe finding an English host family. I know of a student Ali from the Middle East. He told me that he had learnt a lot by staying with a British family.
W: Thank you. I think it’s quite a good suggestion. By the way, Dr. Francis, do you think I could...