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The Academic Year IELTS Course fee is €4,750 and includes the examination fee.
All students will take an initial assessment test prior to arrival. Students must score a minimum
of an A2 level to be eligible to participate on The Academic Year IELTS Course. The course will
focus on students improving their initial score. The course is ideally aimed at students hoping to
apply for entry into an English-speaking university or, to a university pre-entry course for
students from outside the EU area who need an English IELTS score (5.5 to 6.5) for university
entry. We will help our students with their university applications and advise them on courses
and the application process.
The course will include preparation in all parts of the exam over a 25-week
period for 15 hours each week. Homework will be given to encourage study and learning
outside of class. The exam will be booked during the student’s first week at our school. A record
of exam results will be kept at The Connemara English Language School.
- The Connemara English Language School will arrange accommodation for students as
required.
- The Connemara English Language School will help students open a bank account at AIB
in Clifden, County Galway.
- The Connemara English School will help students find work in the local area.
- The Connemara English Language School will help students with university and college
applications.
Students are advised to arrange private health insurance prior to arrival.
1 Year English Course Applicable for Study Visas
Our Academic Year IELTS Course (25 weeks tuition) is suitable for students needing a student
study visa to Ireland and we help students with visa applications for this course. Once you have
registered onto this programme we will issue you with a letter of Acceptance which you may use
to apply for your Study Visa.
Documents Required for Irish Visa Application:
If you require a visa to study in Ireland, here is a list of the documents that you need to present
to your nearest Irish embassy or consulate with your visa application:
- A letter of acceptance from The Connemara English Language School confirming that
you have been accepted on a full-time course of study lasting an academic year. Eligible
programmes are included on the Department of Education and Science’s Internationalisation
register of programmes approved by the Minister for Education and Science for the purpose
of access to employment by students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland
- Evidence that the fees for the course have been paid in full. (Should your study visa be
denied, we will return your fees in full except for € 200 which we retain for administration
fees).
- Evidence that you have enough funds to maintain yourself for at least the initial part of
your stay in Ireland.
- Copies of your educational qualifications.
- Evidence that you have Medical Insurance.
EU/EEA Students:
Please note that students from the EU/EEA do not require a student visa to study English in Ireland.
Additional Information.
The Right to Work & Study in Ireland:
As a visa student in Ireland, you must register as a full-time student with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB – The Irish Police) and then you will also be permitted to work part-
time in Ireland (up to a maximum of 20 hours a week and full-time during vacation periods) to
support yourself. At the Connemara English Language School, we will help and guide you with
this process.
For more information see:http://www.justice.ie
Timetable;
The Academic Year Programme for Non-EEA students is a 25-week tuition course within an 8-
month study period with 15 hours of tuition per week, 9.30am – 12.45pm Monday to Friday.
Students can begin their course on any Monday except during the Christmas holiday and three
weeks prior to the Christmas holiday.
The course focuses on IELTS exam preparation covering all aspects of the exam while using
ongoing assessments to highlight learner areas of weakness which will be incorporated into
lesson plans.
Our highly qualified English teachers set students clear learning objectives and use the latest
modern teaching techniques to provide language practice in speaking, writing, listening and
reading, to improve English pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
Students will prepare for the IELTS exam with regular mock examinations during class which
will both highlight areas that need work and familiarise the students with the exam format.
Exam fee is included in initial payment.
Working in Ireland
Non EEA/EU students are eligible to work 20 hours per week during the complete duration of
their stay. Students are granted permission to work 40 hours per week providing they are on a
holiday period from lessons during:
15th December – 15th January
May – August inclusive.
The Connemara English Language School is based in a very popular tourist destination and
there are job opportunities in the hospitality industry in the area.
Holidays
Non EEA/EU students are allowed an 8 week holiday period providing they have booked a
course for a minimum of 25 weeks in duration completed within an 8 month study period, 15
hours per week, 09.30am – 12.45pm, Monday to Friday.
Students must have studied for a minimum of 8 weeks before taking any holidays.
For every 3 weeks studied students can take 1 week of holidays.
Students that are undertaking a course which runs through the school’s closure period during
December will automatically be assigned a 4 weeks holiday period.
Attendance Levels
As part of their visa requirement students are obliged to have a minimum attendance rate of
85%.
Attendance will be recorded on a daily basis and students will need to sign into and out of the
school each day. If students are more than 15 minutes late for class or, if they leave class more
than 15 minutes early their attendance will not be counted for that day. Students will sign in and
out of the school each day with school administrator – Ron Curran. The class teacher will also
keep an independent record of attendance for cross reference.
The attendance records will be reconciled on a weekly basis by Ron Curran under the
supervision of the Director of Studies Carmel Curran. Students who have an attendance of less
than 85% will be issued with a warning letter.
Sick Leave
Students must inform the school by email (info@connemara-english-school.com) on the first
day of illness if they are too unwell to attend lessons. Students, who are absent for more than 2
consecutive days due to illness, must provide the school with a medical certificate justifying their
absence. The medical certificate should be scanned and emailed to the school or, presented on
the first day back. Attendance will not be applied during any sick leave period, but a record will
be maintained of all explained absences.
Students that are absent due to illness but fail to provide a medical certificate, risk their
attendance levels dropping below 85% and may be issued with a warning letter or, expulsion
depending on their previous status.
Unscheduled Leave
To request unscheduled breaks students must, where possible, meet with the schools Director
of Studies to discuss their individual circumstances and their requirement for a break from
scheduled lessons. If, the student is incapacitated or, hospitalized an email from the student or,
a relative will be considered. In every case the student must provide evidence of illness or,
bereavement for a break to be considered.
Unscheduled breaks will be considered under the follow circumstances:
Illness of a family member who is certified by a medical practitioner as requiring constant care
and attention for the period of recuperation from the illness.
Bereavement involving a family member.
Requests may be refused if the Director feels the request is disingenuous, no evidence of the
illness of bereavement has been presented, the students attendance levels are below 85%.
All requests for leave whether approved or declined will be recorded on the students file.
Absenteeism and Expulsion
Carmel Curran is responsible for the issuing of all warning letters. Warning letters will be sent
my regular post and by email. Students are expected to inform the school of any changes to
their address while in Ireland.
When a student’s attendance initially falls below 85%, the school will issue students with their
first warning letter, students will have 4 weeks to:
(a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
(b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons
Failure to comply will result in the student receiving a second warning letter and must have a
meeting with school administrational staff. Again, the students will have 4 weeks to:
(a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
(b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons
Failure to comply will result in the student receiving a third warning letter and a meeting will be
held between the student and the schools Director of Studies. The students will have 4 weeks
to:
(a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
(b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons
Upon breach of this written and verbal warning, the student will be expelled from the
Connemara English Language School, a letter will be sent to GNIB informing them of the
students’ failure to come to class, the breach of their visa obligations, and the expiration of their
course and medical insurance.
Exam
Non-EU students must complete an official examination at the end of the programme. Students
taking the Academic Year IELTS Course will prepare for the IELTS exam (www.ielts.org )and sit
the exam in the final week of their course.
Students enrolled on The Academic Year IELTS Course are obliged to take the IELTS
examination at the end of their course. The fees for the IELTS examination are included in
course fees.
During the students first week of arrival the student will meet with Carmel Curran and sign an
agreement at the beginning of the programme stating that The Connemara English Language
School will enter the student for the end of programme exams and that the exams are
mandatory. The student must sign the agreement stating that they understand the exam is
mandatory and agree that they will sit the exam. During this meeting an examination date will
be chosen, and the students will be registered for the exam.
Students will be contacted by the school’s administrational staff reminding them of their exam
date and time of examination 4 weeks in advance of the examination date.
The school will receive the examination results approximately 2 weeks after the examination
date. A record of grades received will be kept and made available on request to students, INIS
and relevant internal personnel and the relevant data protection permissions are agreed with
students accordingly.
Insurance
Students requiring a student visa must have adequate medical insurance to cover their stay in
Ireland. The policy must be in English.
Protection for Learners;
Student Refunds;
Students will be re-funded in full – less an administration cost of €200 for course cancellation prior to arrival.
Refunds will be made within a maximum of 20 working days following the cancellation date and
processed by Carmel Curran, Course Director. If a visa application is refused, the funds will be returned within 20 working days of the decision being received by the provider, less cancellation
charge of €200.
Learner Protection Insurance is included in course fees – all out-standing course fees will be
reimbursed in the event of an unforeseen closure of The Connemara English Language School.
For more information on
our learner protection insurance click here.
Complaints and Grievances
If, students have complaints or grievances, they should report them to the office immediately.
This includes (not exclusive list);
- Host family /accommodation problems
- Class issues (level/teacher/other students/ timetable/course duration/final examinations
etc
The person responsible for dealing with these complaints is Carmel Curran, Course Director.
The Connemara English Language School aims to resolve all complaints or issues within 48
hours and a maximum period of 7 days.
School Emergency Phone Number: 087-6142900
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