ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACADEMY (ELA) DUBLIN, IRELAND
PROSPECTUS
INTRODUCTION
WHY DUBLIN ?
Established in 2007, English Language Academy (ELA Ireland) is a great place to study and meet new people. Recognised by ACELS, a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), for English Language Teaching (ELT) and accredited by FETAC (Further Education and Training Council) and the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), as a provider of vocational and professional courses. ELA is a multicultural institute with many nationalities represented in the student population. We offer high quality teaching and excellent learning facilities with support and guidance from our friendly administration and welfare staff. The College is situated in the heart of Dublin city, in a modern accessible building, with easy access to all the social and cultural amenities that the capital of Ireland has to offer. All ELA Ireland courses are accredited by nationally and internationally recognised professional and examination bodies. Benchmarked qualifications provide employers with objective validation of skills, knowledge and capabilities acquired and assure our graduates of the quality of delivery and value of each of our courses. At ELA, we take pride in delivering quality educational programmes, using a dynamic approach that responds to student interests, as well as new global developments in technology and thinking. In all of our programme offerings, we encourage our students to be active participants in their educational experience. We teach fundamental skills in a way that engages students to learn and which inspires creativity and confidence. Since our inception, we have been developing and refining our teaching methods, and they have proven successful with many students from all over the world.
Dublin is a melting pot of different cultures and influences, where generations of tradition and history sit side-by-side with the modern and the futuristic, so something new and exciting is bound to be happening. Every day is a new day in the city just waiting for you! Whatever your interests you can be sure that Dublin has something for you. Dublin is steeped in history. The city has a rich cultural and literary heritage. Many famous writers and poets hail from the capital city including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Brendan Behan and Samuel Beckett. Dublin is also home to many musical greats including Bono and U2, Phil Lynott & Thin Lizzy, The Chieftains, The Dubliner's and is the city that first hosted Michael Flatley's "Riverdance".
We look forward to welcoming you to ELA
ACCREDITATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS ELA Ireland is recognised by ACELS, a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), for English Language Teaching (ELT) and accredited by FETAC (Further Education and Training Council) and the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), as a provider of vocational and professional courses. ELA Ireland is a member of Marketing English in Ireland (MEI) and the Irish Course Providers Association (ICPA). ELA Ireland is also a member of Education Ireland, Dublin Tourism and Failte Ireland.
TEACHING STAFF Teaching staff at ELA Ireland must have a University degree, a recognised Teaching Certificate and relevant teaching experience. All of our instructors are native English speakers, and are carefully selected for their ability to motivate and inspire. Our teaching staff have many years of experience teaching with ELA Ireland’s student-centred methodology.
_______________________ Therese Fagan Director of Studies
COURSES ELA offers a broad range of courses that have been carefully designed and prepared to meet the general and particular needs of students who choose ELA to learn and enhance their English language skills and vocational/professional skills. Our courses are grouped under the following headings. DID YOU KNOW ? All ELA teaching staff are native speakers of English, University graduates and have a wealth of teaching experience.
GENERAL ENGLISH / BUSINESS ENGLISH COURSES The ELA General English / Business English combined courses are structured to provide a solid grounding and improvement in the core language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Course are offered in the morning and afternoon class periods, are open to students from beginner to Advanced level and focus on a communicative approach to learning. These courses run over 25 weeks and involve either 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of tuition per week from Monday to Friday. All students receive a certificate upon completion. Short Term English courses are also available all year round. GENERAL ENGLISH / IELTS PREPARATION COURSES The ELA General English / IELTS Preparation course is structured to provide a solid grounding and improvement in the core language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. General English Classes are offered in the morning or afternoon class periods, and are open to students from Upper-Intemediate levels to advanced levels and focus on a communicative approach to learning. This course runs over 25 weeks and involves either 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of tuition per week from Monday to Friday with intensive IELTS Preparation included. You will develop general language skills and will have specialist preparation for the IELTS examination. The IELTS Preparation Course at ELA Ireland will develop your skills in grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening as well as essential grammar, vocabulary and language skills required for IELTS success. You will also develop IELTS examination techniques, self-correction techniques and have regular practice examinations. All students receive a certificate upon completion.
ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES COURSES English for Specific Courses equip students with the English terminology currently in use in their particular disciplines. An insight is provided into the business culture of each profession. The ESP courses are offered at English Language Academy on either a one-to-one or group basis in the afternoons and students can book for as many hours as they wish. The ESP classes are specialised in the following areas:
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Business English
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Agriculture
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Law
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Medicine/ Healthcare
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Travel & Tourism
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Call Centre/Customer Service
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Aviation
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Banking/Finance
Students can choose to do a combination of General English in a group in the mornings, followed by afternoon English for Special Purposes. The minimum level of English required for ESP is Intermediate. We will accept small groups of no more than 7 at a time for any one ESP subject.
CAMBRIDGE EXAM PREPARATION COURSES Cambridge Examination Preparation courses are specifically focused in preparing candidates to successfully complete the examinations which take place throughout the year. We cover all the Cambridge exams including KET, PET, IELTS, FCE, CAE, BEC as well as TIE and ETAPP Exam Preparation Courses. Such courses prepare and motivate students towards the Cambridge Main Suite Exams (FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC). The Cambridge exams are widely recognised in commerce and industry because of their high standards and strict regulations. Cambridge certificates fulfill English requirements for entrance into many countries, universities, colleges and other institutions of further education.
FETAC CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS STUDIES (5M2102) LEVEL 5 The FETAC Business Studies Course is a broad business course that enables students to demonstrate and apply a range of business skills and business knowledge in a variety of business contexts. Throughout this course we aim to educate the student through a stimulating, broad range of business studies areas. Students will learn to interact efficiently in groups as well as developing autonomy in learning and taking responsibility for their work and the work of others. By choosing this business course you will be provided with a basic understanding of business theory and business concepts in a variety of business subject areas. It also provides students with an understanding of customer service; health and safety and other general business studies areas in which to pursue careers.
CTH TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY COURSES AT ELA The Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) offers internationally recognised professional courses in tourism and hospitality. The CTH management qualifications are monitored by the UK government regulator OFQUAL. CTH Courses are aligned to the Irish National Framework of Qualifications at Levels 6 – Level 9. DIPLOMA IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT The courses leading to CTH Hotel Management and Tourism Management qualifications are ideal for either school leavers aiming to enter the tourism and hospitality sector or those with existing experience in tourism and hospitality but who wish to benefit from gaining professional qualification to further their existing career.
PRIVATE 1-1 ENGLISH COURSES Taking private lessons allows students to benefit from flexible English tuition tailored to their individual requirements. Lessons can follow a structured format or can be arranged to concentrate on a particular area of the student's choice.
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT The Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management aims to provide an understanding of the managerial, decision making and leadership aspects of the international hotel industry and to develop independent research and study skills which will be required when working at senior managerial level in the industry.
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT This course can provide an effective route for graduates in other fields who wish to make a career change into the growing hospitality and tourism sectors. The objectives of this Postgraduate Diploma are to understand the interrelationship between the hospitality and tourism sectors. To explore the strategic issues in business development, rather than operational level issues. 120 credits which equates to 240 hours tuition and 960 hours of directed learning. Candidates have an opportunity to gain credit towards either an MA or an MSc degree. They also have the opportunity to develop higher level academic skills that can be applied in Hospitality Management.
PROFESSION ROUTES FOR CTH GRADUATES The CTH Diploma Management qualification provides entry onto the CTH Advanced Diploma Management. CTH graduates can gain entry to a UK University or International University for the final year of a degree in Tourism and Hospitality.*
For more information on the suite of CTH courses on offer at:
English Language Academy (ELA) Dublin’s premier Language and Business College. Tel: 018044116 or email enquiries@elaireland.com
COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING ELA recognises the fact that language acquisition is the foundation for improving one’s lifestyle. Our goal is that all nonnative speakers will achieve the goal of literacy and fluency in English to help them to become more productive members of Society. Our objectives are that students will: Possess reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to be able to communicate independently and effectively within Irish society. •
Use higher level thinking processes to analyse, synthesise, and evaluate information and ideas
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Use technology to access information and communicate effectively
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Develop the ability to fluently and to coherently express ideas and beliefs in the target language
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Become life-long learners and contribute positively to society
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Take risks as users of a new language to apply language skills to meet their daily needs
We implement an Integrated Language Teaching Model as recognised by QQI/ACELS as the correct basis for the school’s curriculum. This model has seven basic researchbased assumptions and has been acclaimed by both EFL and linguistic theorists worldwide. They concurred that language is best learned: •
collaboratively, involving students working with their peers
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in a socially supportive environment
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in a holistic manner, integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking; and integrating language and content
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when new learning is built upon, and takes advantage of student’s previous cultural and learning experiences
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when teachers develop curriculum around student interests
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when students feel ownership of classroom projects and experiences
• when teachers provide a wide variety of materials, instructional strategies, and ways for students to participate
STRUCTURE OF THE CURRICULUM The ELA Curriculum for General English (Starter-Advanced Levels) is sequenced to build and develop non-native English speakers’ linguistic proficiency within the four language areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well developing student’s critical thinking/learning strategies, and familiarising them with their new culture. The sequence of the Curriculum is based on the Council of European Framework, which focuses in on Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The Curriculum is focused on meeting students’ needs as determined by language proficiency assessments. The syllabi for the ELA English courses is based around the textbooks ’New Cutting Edge’, and various other supplementary academic materials. The goal of the ELA curriculum is to provide the students with the language skills needed to make a successful transition into Irish society and also when they return home to their native countries. Students who undertake an English Course at ELA are introduced to and encouraged to read authentic texts both inside and outside the classroom. Thus, learning becomes more meaningful and situated. Our belief is that if students learn the language, not about the language, English learning becomes a means to an end, which can accelerate second language acquisition more efficiently and successfully. We deliver an integrated curriculum instructing to ensure that (1) language is taught with integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in conjunction with our rich Irish literary heritage as well as global issues; (2) language instruction is integrated into content area instruction; (3) students from various language and cultural backgrounds are integrated in the classroom together and work collaboratively; and (4) students’ home experiences and native culture experiences are integrated into the school experiences in the new culture of Irish society in which they find themselves.
ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORT OPTIONS Airport Transfers ELA Ireland offers a transfer service from Dublin Airport to host family or alternative accommodation or directly to the College. This service costs €65.00 for an arrival transfer and €65.00 for a departure transfer. Students booking this ‘meet and greet’ service will be met at the airport by the designated College representative and transferred to the agreed destination. The meeting point for all arrival transfers is the DAA information desk in the main arrivals hall of Dublin airport. Airport Pick Up – ELA can arrange a meet and greet service from €65 per person (one way) Taxi – There is a taxi rank directly outside the arrivals hall at Dublin Airport that operates 24 hours per day. Average cost per journey is €30.00 - €40.00 Bus 747 (Airlink) – Departs from directly outside Terminal 1 & Terminal 2, every 15 minutes. Cost €6.00 per person. Route: From Dublin Airport to Heuston Rail Station, stopping in different city centre locations along the way, e.g. O’Connell Street, and Busarus (Central Bus Station). Average journey is 30 minutes, up to 55 minutes during rush hour traffic. Service is available: 06.00am – 23.30pm Monday to Saturday, 07.00am – 23.20pm Sunday.http://www.dublinbus.ie/ PageFiles/110/Airlink%20Brochure.pdf Air Coach – a private bus service, links all major Dublin city hotels with the airport, cost EUR €7.00. Departs every 15 minutes. Service is available: 05.00am- midnight. After midnight the service is available every hour. MEDICAL INSURANCE All Non-EU students, including citizens of non-visa required countries must present proof of comprehensive medical insurance when registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) after they arrive in Ireland and complete their student registration. ELA can arrange Private Medical Insurance Cover for students under our School Group Policy. The Medicover policy provides cover for medical expenses incurred whilst in Ireland arising from any accident or any illness requiring hospitalisation to a limit of €2,500,000 during the period of insurance. Medicover does not provide cover for any pre-existing illness known to the insured person at the time of purchase.
You’ll be surprised how quickly your speaking improves when you’re immersed in English from breakfast until bedtime. ELA’s Homestay Programme carefully selects Irish families who provide a friendly, supportive and welcoming home environment for students. Homestay gives students a window into the unique culture of family life in Ireland. We have an extensive network of families around Dublin, which our Accommodation Officers have visited and approved. Some of these families have been hosting our students since 2007 and are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. We have found that students often establish a long-term friendship with their host families and keep in touch with them after they return home. Many of our families are within 20-25 minutes of the school, only a short bus journey or light rail journey away. Accommodation is half board (bed, breakfast and evening meal). We can also arrange hostel accommodation in a quality city centre student hostel. Should a student prefer to stay in a hotel or apartment, this can be arranged also. Our multilingual Accommodation Officers are always available to help you if any problem or issue happens to arise.
DID YOU KNOW ? International Students are legally allowed to work while they study in Ireland.
English Language Academy (ELA)
Zhivago Building, 73, Capel Street, Dublin1. Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 8044116 Fax: 003531 8748795 Email: info@elaireland.com Web: www.elaireland.com Facebook: Ela Ireland Skype: englishlanguageacademyela Marketing dept: marketing@elaireland.com
Recognised by QQI/ACELS for the teaching of English as a foreign language