Emerald Cultural Institute

Emerald Cultural Institute – English school in Dublin, Ireland.

Founded in Dublin in 1986, the Emerald Cultural Institute has built up a reputation among English language schools for professionalism and academic excellence. We have a staff of highly-qualified and experienced teachers, and General and Professional English courses are held year-round at our headquarters in Palmerston Park, Dublin. We also run Summer Courses from June to September.

Students from all over the world have come to learn English at the Emerald Cultural Institute and our different centers allow us to provide the highest-quality service to all and to ensure the best learning environment for all students, whatever their age, culture or academic background.

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Prices / Courses and Accommodation

The school environment is a friendly and personal one, where a sincere concern is shown for the well-being, comfort and academic success of every student. The Emerald Cultural Institute puts the emphasis on quality and makes the learning experience a cultural one. We have had particular success in designing programs for groups or individuals with specific interests. These are specially-designed holiday, study or training-related programs. Over the years we have established relationships with universities, companies and institutions in many parts of the world.

STUDENT INFORMATION – The Student’s First Day at School

Students can begin their course on any Monday morning subject to availability (except complete beginners who should contact us for start date availability). Students staying in host family accommodation are brought by their host family to school on the first morning. Students without host family accommodation will have received their school details before their arrival and should make their own way to the school for 9.00am.

Activities

New students get a welcome kit with maps, identity card and general information about Ireland and Dublin. On the first day at the Institute students are given an orientation. This covers all the essential aspects of the student’s stay including:

• The Institute’s staff, facilities and daily routine.
• The social and activity programs on offer.
• Irish people and customs.
• Dealing with the host family including the normal rules in an Irish family.
• Travelling to and from the school and around Dublin and how to acquire a public bus/Luas pass.
• Reference points and persons for further information and assistance during the student’s stay.
• Any questions which the student may have about his/her time at the Institute.

ENGLISH COURSES IN DUBLIN – Overview

We offer general and professional English Language programs year-round and all inclusive summer programs for juniors at our different summer centers. Our summer courses are offered in the period from the end of June to the end of August.

Our general English courses are available year round for students aged 18 years and over. These courses are designed for students at all levels of English and our aim is to improve students’ fluency and accuracy whatever their starting level. Our written and spoken placement test ensures accurate placement and we offer a wide range of levels. Class tutors monitor students’ progress on an ongoing basis and regular progress tests allow us to verify that students are studying at an appropriate level.

Students can begin their English course on any Monday morning at 9.00am. There are fixed dates for complete beginners and they should contact us first to inquire about them.

ENGLISH COURSES IN DUBLIN – GEN 1 Intensive Course

The Intensive Course is designed to provide a thorough knowledge of general English at all levels. The course covers the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and is especially programmed to improve communication skills in spoken and written English.

We place great importance on oral communication in the classroom, and course books and supplementary materials are interesting and stimulating. Two teachers are responsible for each program and regular progress tests are built into the syllabus.

This course may be taken in combination with one of our afternoon group classes or afternoon one-to-one lessons.

• Days: Monday – Friday
• Hours: 20 Hours’ Group Tuition
• 9.00am – 1.15pm
• (Break: 11.00am – 11.15am).
• Minimum Course Duration: Two weeks
• Age Group: The Intensive Course is designed for students aged 18+. The average age is 25.
• Average Number of Students Per Class: 10
• Maximum Class Size: 14.
• Levels: All levels available from beginner to advanced. There are fixed dates for complete beginners. For further information please contact the Institute directly.

ENGLISH COURSES IN DUBLIN – GEN 4 English Plus Conversation

The Intensive Plus course is designed for students who wish to supplement their General English Course with extra conversation classes in small groups in the afternoons. The focus in the afternoon classes is on improving fluency skills.

The morning lessons are the same as those offered in the Intensive Course. In addition there are six hours of small group-conversation classes over three afternoons (2 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) at three levels starting at Pre-Intermediate.

• Days: Monday – Friday
• Hours: 20 Hours’ Group Tuition PLUS 6 Hours’ Small Group Conversation Classes 9.00am – 1.15pm
• (Break: 11.00am – 11.15am)
• Afternoons: 2.00pm-4.00pm (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
• Minimum Course Duration: Two weeks
• Age Group: The Intensive Plus Course is designed for students aged 18+. The average age in our General Courses is 25.
• Average Number of Students per class: For morning classes the average number is 10 and the maximum class size is 14. For afternoon classes the average number of students per class is 6 and the maximum 8.
• Levels: This course is available at three levels starting at pre-intermediate.

ACCOMMODATION – Family Home Stay*

• Add € 25 per week during the high season (July/August)

We have a large host database of host families to choose from, the majority of which have been with us at least 8 years. Staying in an Irish family is the ideal way to practice your English and to experience daily life and culture in Ireland.

We carefully grade and select each of our host families by visiting the home and interviewing the family in person.

Many of our families are situated within walking distance of our learning centers. Those which are not within walking distance are situated on direct bus routes to and from the centers. All families are situated close to city centre bus or tram routes.

Our families offer single-room accommodation to our adult students. From June to September students less than 30 years of age may be required to share a twin room.

Accommodation for adults is offered on a half-board basis and includes breakfast and dinner. From Monday to Friday students in Palmerston Park can purchase lunch in the school canteen or in shops/delicatessens near the school. On Saturday and Sunday lunch is provided by the host family.

If you would like to stay in a warm and friendly environment we would highly recommend family accommodation. This is also the most economical accommodation option.

ACCOMMODATION - St. Raphaela’s Residence and Griffith Hall:

• Add € 25 per week during the high season (July/August)

St. Raphaela’s**

Residential accommodation can be arranged for students attending one of our courses. Individual adult students can be accommodated in our residence in Stillorgan from September to May on a self-catering basis.

Situated in the spacious grounds of St. Raphaela’s School, the residence can accommodate up to 40 students sharing. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Each bedroom can accommodate from two to four students in the summer months or we offer single bedroom or shared twin bedded rooms for adult students from September to May.

The residence has two very large lounges, a large kitchen and a study room, plus laundry and bathroom facilities on the ground floor. Other facilities include televisions and video/dvd and a payphone.

There is an excellent bus and tram service to and from the city centre. Stillorgan village, with its shopping centre, cinema, bowling alley and swimming pool, is a short walk away from St. Raphaela’s.

• Accommodation is at students’ disposal from the Sunday before beginning of course until the Saturday morning following end of course.
• Not included: airfare, airport transfers, course materials, medical insurance