Erin School of English Policies
Erin School of English is a progressive, English foreign language learning institution. We are dedicated to providing a first class education in English, using materials, methods and skills relevant to today’s globalised society.
We are committed to raising the teaching standard, evolving our programmes to cater for student’s needs and requirements, whether in General English, FCE/CAE ESOL and IELTS exams.
We work with other institutions and regulatory organisations to ensure that our school is on the front line of second language acquisition innovations. We are fully compliant with ACELS, the regulatory body for English schools in Ireland.
As teachers and staff, we constantly strive for the best possible learning outcomes for each and every student. Through workshops, meetings, evaluation and feedback, we try to always move forward and this process leaves our school in a unique position.
Our syllabus is based on the European Framework ‘can do’ tasks, and the approaches we use means that students are constantly engaged and challenged in a relaxed, fun environment.
The philosophy of Erin School is that we are a learning organisation, evolving to meet the challenges of an ever changing language learning world.
Attendance
· Students are not allowed join the class 15 minutes after class starts or leave more than 15 minutes before the end.
· Students are required to maintain a minimum attendance record of 85%
· Students who miss 5 days of school are issued with a warning and must explain their absence.
· Non-EU students are required to attend classes every day. If your attendance is below 75% you will be reported to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and you will not be allowed enter the class.
· If your name has been removed from the current list of students at Erin School of English you must contact reception and pay a registration fee of €20 to re-register to the classes.
· Attendance records will not be altered in any way.
· Student sick leave can only be approved with a medical certificate.
If you are 15 minutes late you will not get into class and you will be marked absent for the day. Any student who does not come to school for more than 3 weeks will be reported to the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau). Non-EU students on a 25-week programme are allowed take holidays during 1stJune – 30th September and 15thDecember – 15thJanuary if you have completed 8 weeks of classes before beginning your holiday. Holidays must be agreed and approved in advance by administration only, subject to an administration fee of €20. Class time is added at the end of the course for approved holidays only.
Please note that any students with a low record of attendance (less than 75%) will not be issued with supporting student letters and will be reported to GNIB.
Studying At Erin School of English
Your class takes place from Monday to Friday. All students are obliged to buy the textbook that is being used in class so you can study at home.Books can be bought at International Books, 18 Frederick Street South, Dublin 2 or taken on loan from the school at the price of 35 euro.If the textbook is kept in good condition (no writing, water spills, etc) the school will exchange it for you when you change the level of your class.Books taken on loan from the school must be returned to the school at the end of the course in the same condition the book was provided.
Books can be exchanged in the student room at Dame Street centre every Tuesday and Thursday at 12.30 or reception.
Prices at International Books,September 2016
Global – €36.50, Beginner – Advanced levels
New English File, 3rdedition – €40 – €42, Beginner – Advanced levels
Empower – €32, Elementary – Upper Intermediate levels
Headway – €40 – €42.20, Beginner – Advanced levels
Big Pic price – €32, Beginner – Advanced levels
Alternatively books can be ordered from Cambridge International Books Centrehttps://www.eflbooks.co.uk/
Classes include studying grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation as well as skills such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. They are mapped against ‘can-do’ statements from the Common European Framework of Languages (CEFR). Our goal is to improve your communicative competence in English i.e. to improve both your language skills and social knowledge of how to use English appropriately.
Your teacher is has a university Degree and a QQI recognized EFL qualification.
Non-EU students on a 25-week programme are obliged to take an external English exam such as Cambridge / IELTS/ TIE at the end of their course and will not receive an End of Course Certificate from Erin School of English unless they can show evidence of this e.g. an exam booking. The exam fees must be paid by the student within the first week of arrival at the school.
Immigration will be advised about any students who do not sit a recognised English exam.
Exams
Non-EU students on a 25-week programme must sit a recognised English exam such as TIE, IELTS or Cambridge during or at the end of their course. Your teacher / the Director of Studies can advise you on the best exam for you to take. Exam fees are not included in tuition fees and must be paid by the student at the time of Exam booking.
Exam fees are as follows: TIE – €100, IELTS – €195, Cambridge €140 – €200 depending on level.
Your classes prepare you for exams. Also, we run mock exams every 4 weeks. The school will assist you with exam bookings as requested and it is your responsibility to attend the exam.
Customer Service
Reception is open from 09.00 – 17.00 to deal with questions and queries. Alternatively you can contact us by email , via skype ID studyaterin or by making an appointment with our Director of Studies at http://erinschoolofenglish.com/appointments/.
Complaints Procedures
We do our best to ensure that you are happy with get the level of service that you deserve; however, there may be times when you are not completely happy with the service you are getting. If you have concerns about your class, please talk to your teacher. If you are unhappy with your course / the school, please make an appointment to speak to our Director of Studies at http://erinschoolofenglish.com/appointments/.
Administration
Every student is provided with a set of student letters upon arrival (student letter, bank letter, PPS letter, Garda letter, letter for the student card). Any extra or additional letters are subject to a charge of €2. Please request the letters via email .
Classroom Behaviour
There are many different cultures and people in the world and in the classroom. One student’s views might not match another student’s views and we must all accept this.
Food/drinks/mobile phones are not permitted in class. If you are expecting an urgent call ask the teachers permission first.
Smoking is prohibited anywhere in the building. Anyone caught smoking will be asked to leave the building and his or her attendance for that day erased.
Do not leave valuables in the classroom. Keep your wallet and with you at all times. Erin School of English accepts no responsibility for items lost or damaged.
Students with abusive behaviour will be reported to the Garda.
If the teacher asks you to be quiet or leave the room because of your behaviour, you will leave immediately and speak to the Director of Studies / Assistant Director of Studies.
Loud, threatening students will not be tolerated in this school. Consistent bad behaviour will lead to a warning which will be followed with a letter of warning if behaviour does not improve. If the student still does not behave he or she will be expelled from the school.
Public Holidays
The school is closed for all Irish Bank Holidays. If your course corresponds with a national holiday you will not be entitled to any refunds or extra lessons. The school is closed for a Christmas break and New Year holidays from 18.12.2015 to 18.01.2016.
The school reserves the right to change the above policies as necessary, or on the advice of local authorities / accrediting bodies.
Learner Protection Policy
Learner Protection Insurance is compulsory for all students studying in Ireland, it is part of the legislation covering English language schools who take non-EU students in Ireland. Every student must purchase learner protection insurance, Erin School offers this insurance through O’Driscoll O’Neill at a cost of 100 euro.
Your course fees are not used by Erin School of English until you begin your course. If, for any reason, Erin School of English is not able to offer you your complete course of classes you will receive a refund for the classes you have not received. This policy applies only in the case of Erin School being unable to provide you with classes.
ErinSchool of English is an approved Cambridge and IELTS Practice Test Centre.
TheInternational English Language Testing System (IELTS)assesses theEnglish languageproficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as the language of communication.IELTS tests all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with a certified Examiner. IELTS test takers can choose between two versions of the test – IELTS Academicmeasures the English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher education environment.IELTS General Trainingmeasures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. Exams are held three times per month.Please check the exam dates followingthe link.
CambridgeEnglish examsare designed to assess how learners use English to communicate in real-life situations. All Cambridge Exams are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages helping learners find the most suitable exam for you, depending on your level. Exams are held once a month. Please check the exam dates following thelink.
TheTest of Interactive English (TIE)is an international EFL exam developed in Ireland by a group of Irish English language professionals under the aegis of the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) www.acels.ie, a government agency responsible for quality assurance in English language teaching. TIE assesses your levels of written and spoken English and separate grades are awarded for each part of the test.Tie examcan be booked with a 2 week notice.
Visa Information
If you are a non-EU citizen you will require a Study Visa to enter Ireland. However you are exempt from this if you are from any of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Czech Rep, Estonia, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep South), Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela.
While it is your or your agent’s responsibility to apply for the visa, Erin School of English will give all reasonable assistance to you in your visa application process.
The following steps are required to apply for a visa:
1. School receives fully completed Booking Form which indicates your course, exact dates of commencement and completion of course, exact dates of planned arrival and departure, and exact dates of Host Family Accommodation.
2. Erin School will then issue an Invoice.
3. Student should then transfer all fees to Erin School of English account.
4. On receipt of payment or notice of payment Erin School issues a Letter of Admission detailing the course and period of stay along with acknowledgement of fees paid.
5. Students can then apply to the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate. The Letter of Admission is necessary to complete the application.
6. Visa conditions can vary. Some Embassies will need other supporting documentation. For example:
o Letter from Employer as proof of returning to work in home country
o Letter from University/ College as proof of returning to studies
o Bank Statements from applicant with translations and conversion rates
o Letter of financial sponsorship.
o Proof of Medical Insurance
Visa Refusal / Refusal of Appeal
If the intended commencement date of the course is delayed because of Visa problems the student will be given the option of registering for a later course.
The school will make a full refund of all payments (Tuition, Accommodation and Insurance), with the exception of the €150 non-refundable administration fee.
Student Visa Requirements
· VALID PASSPORT
There should be no less than 6 months validity on the passport from the date of the course’s completion. If available, copies of previous passports exhibiting the immigration history of the applicant should be provided. All pages, not just those with valid visas must be included.
· EVIDENCE OF COURSE
The college should provide an original letter, indicating that the person has been accepted on a full-time course of education (specify subject) entailing 15 hours or more study in a privately funded course. Provisional letters offering a place are not acceptable.
· FEES
Evidence must be supplied that the course fees have been paid in full.
· PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE
Every student should have full private medical insurance. Evidence of such insurance cover will be taken to be the Letter of Acceptance provided by the host school, college, university or other educational institution.
· FAMILY MEMBERS
Applicants should disclose details of family members who are already residing in Ireland or in other EU countries. For this purpose family members include first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or grandparents.