| Academic Year Program |
Most of our students stay in host family accommodation. Host families are carefully chosen by our accommodation officer Students receive breakfast, packed lunch and an evening meal in the family. They are accommodated in a single room, unless otherwise specified. For students who stay at School on a long term basis it is very important that they are happy with their host family and that they adjust to Irish family life. We ask, therefore, that you let us know if there are any special requirements that you have for host family accommodation - i.e. dietary needs, allergies, preferences etc. Students who stay in host family accommodation should feel welcome in their family and should participate in Irish family life. It is important to let the Student Welfare Officer know at all times how you are in your host family. Any problems or difficulties should be immediately communicated to the school. We often find that these are based on misunderstandings and can be very easily resolved. Many students form very happy and long lasting relationships with their host families which continue long after the student returns home. Alternative accommodation such as, hostel, guest house, hotel or residential accommodation can also be arranged on request. Students may also organize their own accommodation, It is not necessary to avail of the School accommodation options. The Academic Year program is based on three terms as follows: Term 1 - September - December Term 2 - January - March Term 3 - April - June Student may start the program from any term. The program consists of a total of 36 weeks. Many students who join an academic year program attend a General English program in the first term and take either a TOEFL or Cambridge Examination program in terms 2 and 3. On their first day at the School students are tested by the Academic Assistant to assess their level of English so that they can be placed in a level appropriate to their standard of English. Classes are available at all levels from Beginners to Advanced. Students on an academic year program progress through the levels throughout the year. Progress through levels is determined by continuous assessment and regular progress tests, administered by the academic department. Consultation between students and their teacher(s) and the Academic Coordinator is very important. We also ask students to fill in regular check up questionnaires to ensure that students are satisfied with all aspects of their course and stay at the School. The School has a full-time Student Welfare Officer who looks after all aspects of your visit to Dublin and is available each day to talk to students to offer advice and help with any problems that students may have. Classes are held each morning or afternoon from Monday to Friday and are based on 20 lessons tuition per week. All teachers are TEFL qualified and follow a curriculum designed by senior teachers under the guidance of the Academic Coordinator, which is based on the latest teaching materials and focuses on all skills - Grammar, Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Vocabulary. Classes are communicative and task-based and focus on improving general levels of English. Students pay a deposit for course books and are provided with a core text at each level they attend. During the academic year students also participate in project work which offers students the opportunity to put into practice English learned in the classroom in a very practical manner through completion of a project. The type of project which students do is determined by the student group - popular choices are: - festivals in English speaking countries - Cultural or historical sites or facts about Ireland - Comparisons between Ireland and other countries - Practical tips and advice for foreign students coming to Ireland for the first time These projects are task based and offer students the autonomy to utilize language learned in the classroom in a very practical and meaningful way. We offer Trinity Examination programs from Grade 1-12, TOEFL Preparatory Courses and Cambridge Preparation Courses. At the end of each term students are given an evaluation report which is based on their performance in the class during the term. At the end of the program students are given a final evaluation report and a certificate. The Academic Coordinator can also provide further information or detail on request. The Academic Year program offers a rich and fulfilling program for students who want to learn and improve their level of English. The School offers a learning experience; academic, cultural and personal which you will never forget! |