English Language Courses

Introduction to our English Courses in Dublin, Ireland.

The School  offers the following English language courses:

Standard English Courses

Intensive English Courses

Cambridge Examinations

TOEIC Test Preparation 

Business English

Over 50s  

Courses for Teachers

International  Teachers' Course

Our Standard English courses, Intensive English courses and Business English courses are available throughout the year. Students may start these English courses on any Monday. The minimum stay is one week. Each lesson is of 55 minutes duration.

Levels

General English Courses are held at seven levels from Beginner to Advanced level (A1 to C2). Within each level there may be two or three different classes, allowing plenty of flexibility in class placement. Business English are held at 3 different levels, from Intermediate to Advanced (B2 to C2).

Students

The School is based in Dublin, Ireland and receives students from all over the world and classes have students from different nationalities, grouped according to their level of English.

Class Size

English classes do not exceed 14 students and more usually have 8-12 students.

Minimum Age

Students, who should be at least 18 years of age, may join a course on any Monday. The English school is open throughout the year.

Class Placement on the First Day

On arrival at The School students are given a placement test and, following an interview, are placed in an English class at the appropriate level and begin their course immediately. Students may also do their placement test on line before arriving at The School .

A new student joining the group will quickly get to know his or her fellow students and become familiar with the work of the class.

Standard English Courses                     RETURN TO TOP

Our Standard English language course is designed to help you communicate in spoken and written English.

Classes are held at seven levels from Beginner to Advanced level. This is a concentrated programme of English study, 20 lessons per week, that allows you time for out-of-class activities. Time to practise the English you learn in class and explore Dublin.

The course covers the four main skills:

•           Listening

•           Speaking

•           Reading

•           Writing

The structure of the language is taught within a conversational framework. Class practice reinforces fluency in new structures and good pronunciation.

Course Dates

The Standard English language course is available throughout the year.

Students may join a course on any Monday.

Each lesson is of 55 minutes duration.

The minimum stay is one week.

Course Hours (20 lessons per week, 55 minutes per lesson)

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 13:00

Intensive English Courses                    RETURN TO TOP

The Intensive English course, 26 lessons per week,  is intended for those who wish to make rapid progress in English. Intensive English Courses are held at seven levels from Beginner to Advanced level.

Four 55-minute lessons each morning provide systematic practice in essential English language skills.

In the afternoon, emphasis is placed on helping you to communicate more fluently and clearly in English.

The Intensive English course focuses on:

•           Grammar and Vocabulary

•           Writing Skills

•           Listening and Speaking

The programme is concentrated but varied and includes many stimulating learning activities.

Intensive English Course Dates

The Intensive English course is available at the school  throughout the year.

Students may join a course on any Monday.

Each lesson is of 55 minutes duration.

The minimum stay is one week.

Intensive English Course Hours (26 lessons per week, 55 minutes per lesson)

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 13:00

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 14:30 - 16:30

Intensive English Course Fees

Cambridge Examinations                    RETURN TO TOP

Special courses are designed to prepare students for  the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE) and Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) exams.

The Cambridge exams are internationally recognised as evidence of a high standard of spoken and written English. Each consists of five separate examination papers covering reading, writing and grammar, listening and speaking.

Our courses are designed to give you the thorough preparation required for success in the Cambridge examination. The School has a consistently high rate of success. You may enter a Cambridge exam course only after you have taken a special pre-test and your level has been assessed.

Your programme is highly intensive and will require private study assignments in addition to class work.

You will also receive individualised advice concerning which areas of your English you need to concentrate on to be successful in the exam.

It is important that students join the course at the beginning in order to allow time for assessment before the closing date for registration for the examination. Students must register for the examination in person at the school office.

Students taking these examinations are strongly advised not to confirm return tickets until they have received their examination timetable. 

Cambridge Course Hours (20 lessons per week, 55 minutes per lesson)

Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 13:00

TOEIC Test Preparation                    RETURN TO TOP

A special afternoon course in preparation for the TOEIC examination is offered at the school.

This course can be taken in addition to the morning Standard course or as a separate course. The perfect way to prove your level of English for employers and others.   

TOEIC:

(Test of English for International Communication) is a test to evaluate the ability of non-native speakers of English to communicate in an English speaking or international work environment. (Specialised Business or Technical language is not required in the test). TOEIC is administered in more than 60 countries world-wide with candidate numbers increasing by about 40% per annum.                                       

Examination:

The TOEIC test takes place at the school  each month,usually in the last week of the month. Contact us for exact details of the next TOEIC tests. The test takes 2 hours plus an additional 30 minutes for administration.

Examination Registration:

Students must register in the Main Office in Kildare St, in person, at least 2 weeks before the test date. Registration deadlines and exam dates are displayed on the Examinations notice board.                                                     

Format & Scoring:

The TOEIC test is comprised of 200 multiple choice questions as follows:                                               

Listening: (45 minutes);

100 questions of four types, including statements, questions, conversations and talks in real-life situations, for example recorded telephone conversations, travel announcements, meetings etc.                                  

Reading: (75 minutes);

100 questions taken from authentic situations such as, travel, meetings, entertainment, housing, etc.

Exam Advice:

It is important to be familiar with the format and requirements of the TOEIC test. There are practice test books available in the Study Centre for this purpose.

Course Hours:      Monday, Tuesday & Thursday   14.30-16.30

                                (6 lessons per week, 55 minutes per lesson)

Business English                    RETURN TO TOP

Study Business English Courses in Dublin, Ireland, the ideal dynamic location to develop your Business English skills.  The school's Business English course helps participants to understand and practice the fundamentals of effective business communication in English.

Who is this course designed for?

This course is designed in a practical way to cover the English used in everyday business situations, and is ideal for students already working or training in the areas of:

• General Management

• Administration

• Marketing

• Sales and

Students of Finance and Banking may also benefit from this Business English course. However it is not intended as a specialist course covering one area in great depth.

The Business English course content includes:

• Business Communication          

• Telephone English

• Sales Talk

• Marketing

• Presentations

• Analysing business figures

• Business Vocabulary building

• Grammar Activities

• Key Business

• English Writing Skills    

• Effective Business English reading skills

• Work related visits          

Access to e-mail and Internet

Over 50s                     RETURN TO TOP

The School offers an exciting English language and cultural activities course exclusively for the over 50's age group. The Travel Talk course combines enjoyable English language practice with exciting opportunities to explore Ireland's unique cultural heritage.

Course Content and Levels of English

This tailor made programme is designed to be flexible and to respond to the needs of each group, focusing on particular group interests such as Irish music, history, architecture and nature.

The structure of the language is taught within a conversational framework, to help you to communicate in spoken and written English. The course caters for different levels, encompassing listening, speaking, reading and writing. Course materials and methods are focused on creating a relaxed atmosphere in which you can enjoy learning and practising English.

You will be taught under the supervision of our highly trained and motivated teachers. An expert guide, who makes participants feel welcome from the moment they arrive at the school, accompanies the group on all activities.

Accommodation

Accommodation is with a host family in Dublin.

Courses for Teachers                    RETURN TO TOP

The School offers a range of internationally recognised TEFL teacher training courses for native and overseas teachers.

Since our foundation over forty years ago the School has built a proud tradition at the forefront of English language teaching in Ireland.

Our teacher training department is an important part of that tradition and has gained an outstanding reputation in its field for both pre-service and in-service courses and teachers' seminars.

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)                    RETURN TO TOP

CELTA

Cambridge ESOL - CELTA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

The Cambridge Certificate has been in existence for over twenty five years and is widely regarded as the most important form of initial teacher training in TEFL. The aim of the course is to prepare trainees for their entry into the profession and therefore has a practical rather than academic or theoretical focus.

Course contents

To meet the course requirements candidates are required to attend the whole course and to

• Practise teaching in a class of the relevant age group, for a total of six hours

• Observe experienced teachers teaching classes for a minimum of 6 hours.

• Maintain and submit a portfolio of all course work including all written assignments and materials related to teaching practice.

Specifically, the Certificate course programme is designed to enable candidates to

• Develop an awareness of language and a knowledge of the description of English and apply these in their professional practice.

• Develop an initial understanding of the contexts within which adults learn English, their motivations and the roles of the teacher and the learner.

• Develop familiarity with the principles and practice of effective teaching to adult learners of English.

• Develop basic skills for teaching adults in the language classroom.

• Develop familiarity with appropriate resources and materials for use with adult learners of English for teaching, testing and for reference.

• Identify opportunities for trainees' own future development as professionals in the field.

Course Format.

Certificate courses are run several times throughout the year on a four week, full time schedule.

Each course includes:

• Over 120 hours of lectures/workshops

• Teaching practice (6 assessed hours)

• Observation of experienced teachers (minimum 6 hours)

• Input

• Supervised lesson planning

• Feedback on training

• Peer observation

• Consultation time

Candidates will need to dedicate a minimum of 80 hours for the required reading, research, pre- and post- session tasks, assignments and lesson preparation.

How are Candidates Assessed?

There are two components,

Component One:

Planning and teaching, and

Component Two

Classroom related written assignments (four assignments in total). CELTA is internally assessed and externally moderated by a Cambridge ESOL approved assessor who samples portfolios and teaching practice and who discusses and agrees the grades for all candidates.

Application

Application must be made in writing at least 8 weeks prior to the preferred course date. Acceptance on the course is subject to a satisfactory interview. Applicants should have a degree from a recognised university.

CELTA Teaching Practice and Observation

As a trainee you will have access to a fully functioning, modern EFL school in which to carry out your teaching practice and observation and to come into direct contact with overseas students. You will also have access to the latest course books and supplementary teaching materials through our reference library, from which you may borrow material for home study.

Our course tutors are highly experienced and qualified and they provide a friendly and supportive atmosphere in which to develop your classroom skills.

Career advice and assistance are provided as part of our training courses. Although the school does not offer a job placement service, many trainees have obtained teaching positions through our extensive network of contacts with schools abroad. Overseas employers frequently seek our assistance in recruiting suitable teachers.

International  Teachers' Course                     RETURN TO TOP

Culture in Language Teaching / Methodology (25 lessons per week)

Since our foundation over forty years ago the school has built a proud tradition at the forefront of English language teaching in Ireland. Our teacher-training department is part of that tradition and has gained an outstanding reputation in its field. We provide initial and in-service courses for native and non-native teachers.

International Teachers Course Aims

Our International Teachers' Course is intended to enable practising teachers to improve their professional competence, to promote contact with the language and culture they teach, to establish professional contact and to promote innovation in methods of English teaching.

Who should attend?

The course is designed for practising teachers of English who want to include a cultural dimension in their lessons.

International Teachers Course Objectives

• Course participants will be able to:

• Develop and explore their knowledge and use of English using a task based approach.

• Focus on aspects of Irish life and culture.

• Explore a variety of well-established and innovative methods of English language teaching.

• Evaluate the methods and techniques introduced on the course with reference to their own individual teaching situation.

• Become familiar with many of the latest published materials.

• Produce materials and teaching aids through practical workshop sessions.

• Explore the use of computers in the language class.