Course Options

English Language Schools provide the perfect opportunity for foreign students who wish to combine learning English with a holiday in Ireland. Situated in attractive locations all over the country, they make learning English for practical purposes a highly enjoyable experience

ACELS approved summer schools are a very popular option for international students seeking to take a short intensive course in English that does not interrupt their academic career at home. Courses are available to the young and old, and at levels of difficulty suitable to the beginner, intermediate and advanced speaker. One thing to remember when considering this option is that you are not going to miss out on having an enjoyable and relaxing summer by enrolling in an English language school. Apart from the basic language classes, which are designed to be fun and interesting in their own right, the schools provide many sporting, social and cultural activities.

Location

A very important aspect to consider when selecting a summer school is location. Some schools are in remote but stunning rural areas. But if ‘city-living’, and all the urban conveniences that go with that, such as shopping in the trendiest boutiques, is the student’s preference, then a summer school in the cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick or Dublin would be more suitable. For the best of both worlds, a student may choose a school that is located in a mid-sized town, e.g. Sligo or Newbridge. No matter where the school is located however, some pleasant surprises await the international student. Rural locations do not necessarily lack the opportunities for lively social occasions that exist in the cities. Irish villages and towns are world-famous for the ‘craic’ (Irish term for slightly rowdy good fun). While summer schools located in the cities often provide weekend trips to beautiful rural locations of cultural or historical value.

Teaching Programme

Many forms of English language programmes are taught in the various summer schools. In terms of the teaching method, besides the standard classroom format, many schools offer ‘one-to-one’ (one teacher, one pupil) teaching. This method may be more expensive, but is a great way to make dramatic improvements to your English capability in a short amount of time. Students enrolling in summer schools are usually placed in classes according to their standard of English, from elementary to advanced, so that everyone’s educational needs are catered for. Many schools, which cater for adults (usually defined as 19+) and junior students, divide their classrooms according to these two categories also. For specific details on the teaching programmes, students are advised to contact the summer school in question.

Specialisation

Some of the summer schools specialise in specific aspects of teaching English. These include learning English in a business context; this is extremely useful for business students, students who wish to work in an English-speaking country in the future, and people who currently work in the international finance industry.

Other special interest schools provide English language exam preparation and pre-university courses. These options are of great value to an international student who is considering pursuing a full-time higher education course in Ireland. Career specific English courses available in summer schools include Law, Medicine, Aviation, Tourism and Teacher Training. Check out the chart accompanying this article to find a summer school whose specialization suits your needs.

Activities

English language summer schools offer a huge range of activities to their students. A list of the sporting activities on offer includes: canoeing, golf, horse riding, hurling and Gaelic football (traditional, action-packed Irish field sports), kayaking, tennis and soccer. Among many other pursuits provided are: art classes, hill walking, Irish dancing, music and theatre. Many schools also organise weekend and day-trips to places of cultural and historical interest (e.g. Kilkenny Castle) and to areas of great scenic beauty (e.g. the Aran Irelands). Contact the summer school directly to find out what activities they provide for students.