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the school

Our partner school Galway Cultural Institute (GCI) is experienced in teaching English language courses to International students for over 19 years. Overlooking the beautiful Atlantic West Coast of Ireland, GCI is located just 10 minutes walk from the vibrant and culturally renowned Galway City.

The courses are approved by the Irish Department of Education and we are members of the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), FIYTO, MEI-RELSA.

Facilities:

• 22 classrooms
• Bright open foyer and large seminar rooms for workshops and student meetings
• Comprehensive learning resource centre which includes a library (conventional and virtual) and an IT room with 20 PCs with free internet access
• Wireless internet access for students with their own laptop
• A café, serving delicious coffee and light meals on a deck overlooking the ocean
  

Adult programmes

Please contact us for more information on the Galway Business School.

General English
Courses are designed for the client with a limited or extended study time. Classes are international and small. All the skills are developed with specific tasks to enhance learners speaking skills.

Facts:
Weeks: 2 - 50
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 or 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday                 

Academic Year Programme
These courses are for students who want an extended period of study at GCI with up to 50 week stays. Students can choose between 20 or 30 lessons per week. Students who enroll for a 24 + can take 2 weeks holidays during their programme if it does not coincide with school holidays. 2 weeks notice is required. 25 week course minimum to qualify for entitlement to work part time.

Facts:
Weeks: 12-50
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 or 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday

Combination Programmes
These programmes combine group and One-to-One lessons which gives you the best of both worlds. You have the maximum student teacher exposure and the opportunity to follow the general syllabus in group classes and tailor the one-to-one sessions to your particular interests and language learning needs.

Facts:
Weeks: 2 - 50
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 26 or 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday

Cambridge Exam Preparation
The University of Cambridge Certificate exams are among the most widely-recognised English language qualifications in the world. If your English level is between intermediate and advanced you have a choice of three Cambridge exams - First Certificate (FCE), Advanced (CAE) and Proficiency (CPE*). Three times a year - to coincide with fixed exam dates worldwide – we offer a 6 or 12 (FCE and CAE only) week preparatory course. An additional week of accommodation needs to be booked to include the final exam week. We also offer the Cambridge BEC*, a suite of internationally recognized business qualifications.

Facts:
Weeks: 6 or 12 plus 1 additional week of accommodation
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 30 (6week course), 20 (12 week course)
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced

Start Dates 2008: 
12 week course: 18/03/08, 15/09/08
6 week course: 21/01/08, 28/04/08, 28/10/08
*Please note that the GPE course is only available on 18/10/08 and the BEC only on 28/04/08.

Start Dates 2009: 
12 week course: 16/03/09, 14/09/09
6 week course: 26/01/09, 27/04/09, 27/10/09

*Please note that the GPE course is only available on 18/10/08 & 27/10/09 and the BEC only on 28/04/08 & 27/04/09.

TOEIC Exam Preparation
GCI is an accredited TOEIC testing centre. This is the key language test for work place English language proficiency worldwide. The scores indicate how well students can communicate in English for business, commerce and industry. The programme combines 20 General English lessons with 10 lessons of TOEIC preparation.

Facts:
Weeks: 4
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 General English / 10 TOEIC
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates 2008:
28/01/08, 03/03/08, 14/04/08, 06/05/08, 03/06/08, 14/07/08, 05/08/08, 15/09/08, 06/10/08, 03/11/08
Start Dates 2009:
26/01/09, 02/03/09, 14/04/09, 05/05/09, 02/06/09, 13/07/09, 04/08/09, 07/09/09, 05/10/09, 02/11/09

IELTS Exam Preparation
IELTS is the International English Language testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. This course is 5 weeks in length and combines 20 lessons of General English with 10 lessons of IELTS preparation.

Facts:
Weeks: 5
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 General English / 10 IELTS
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Upper Intermediate
Start Dates 2008: 14/01/08, 07/04/08, 07/07/08, 29/09/08

Start Dates 2009: 12/01/09, 06/04/09, 06/07/09, 28/09/09

General Business Programme
GBP course is ideal for anyone seeking a group business English course cost effectively. Clients attend 20 lessons of General English and 10 Business English lessons and need to have an intermediate level of English to participate on this course. This course is designed to meet the needs and objectives of clients working in a business environment. The emphasis is on improving communication skills and presentation and meeting techniques are also covered.

Facts:
Weeks: 1-3
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 General English / 10 Business
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced
Start Dates 2008: 16/06/08, 14/07/08, 18/08/08

Start Dates 2009: 14/04/09, 11/05/09, 15/06/09, 13/07/09, 10/08/09, 14/09/08

Executive English Programme
The EEP course is a more focused business programme consisting of 35 lessons of dedicated Business English in a group of max. 4 students.

Facts:
Weeks: 1-2
Class Max: 4
Lessons per week: 35
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced
Start Dates: Any Monday

Combined English & Business Programme
Combine General English in the morning with your choice of Business Classes in the afternoon and pick from the following choices: Marketing, Publicity & PR, International Business Communications.

Facts:
Weeks: 1-2
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced
Start Dates: 30/06/09, 11/08/09, 08/09/09

Combined English & Activities
Combine General English in the morning with your choice activities in the afternoon and pick from the following choices: 3 afternoons of horse-riding tuition per week, 3 afternoons of golf tuition per week or film week.

English + Horse-Riding
Weeks: 2
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20 + 3 afternoons of horse-riding tuition per week
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: 15/06/09, 29/06/09, 13/07/09

English + Golf
Weeks: 2
Class Max: 13
Lessons per week: 20 + 3 afternoons of golf per week
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: 15/06/09, 29/06/09, 13/07/09, 27/07/09, 10/08/09, 24/08/09

English + Film
Weeks: 4 (3 weeks of General English + 1 week of film production)
Class Max: 13
Lessons per week: 20
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to Advanced
Start Dates: 29/06/09, 04/08/09

Teacher Training

The teacher training Programme has been specifically designed for non-native teachers of English and is an introductory course. Trainers focus on current issues and authentic materials development in EFL and cover a wide range of topics relevant to language teaching. Our courses are workshop based, ensuring all of the participants exchange ideas and benefit from the experience of both the trainer and other participants.

Facts
Weeks: on request
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Start Dates: 06/07/09 - 17/07/09, 10/08/09 - 21/08/09

Third Age Programme

These courses are designed for clients who are 50+. Clients have the option of being in a closed group
(minimum number 6) or joining existing group classes. The programme is a package and includes tuition
(20 lessons per week), standard host family and programme. The course caters for different levels and develops listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in a relaxed atmosphere. The emphasis of the programme is to introduce Irish culture, music and history combined with tours of Galway and the surrounding area. Participants can choose from a range of extra optional activities in the English Plus programme.

Facts
Weeks: on request
Class Max: 12 (13 in summer)
Lessons per week: 20
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Start Dates: 18/05/09 - 29/05/09, 21/09/09 - 02/10/09

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Accommodation:

Homestay
Staying with a family maximises opportunities for language practice and facilitates a greater understanding of Irish culture. You are always welcome at a GCI family. Students of the same nationality are not accommodated together unless by prior arrangement. Our host families provide breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and full board at weekends. GCI is located near its host family base and some families are within walking distance of the school or maximum 15 minute bus ride.

Residential
Residential accommodation is available year round and consists of semi-detached houses with 4 bedrooms, usually. Accommodation includes single room with shared living, kitchen and bathroom facilities. All houses are fully-equipped and usually contain microwave, laundry facilities, TV and garden. Bed linen is supplied but students must provide their own towels. A security deposit is paid on arrival. Residences are between 5 - 25 minute walk from the school. Summer residence is a short bus ride away. Students must be over 18 years of age.

Hotel and Bed&Breakfast
B&Bs and Hotels are selected by GCI on the basis of quality and convenience and are available upon request.

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Leisure

We organise a varied social and activity programme. The focus of the programme is on introducing our students to each other, to our city and to Irish culture. GCI takes advantage of the ‘buzz’ of the streets of Galway as well as the peace and beauty of Connemara and the Burren. Visits to the theatre, ballet, festivals, music events, cinema and other outings are some of the numerous options for an exciting social life.

Sample of activities:

• Walk to the golf driving range or play a round of golf
• Learn the delights of Irish poetry or literature
• Join in the walking or bus tour of Galway
• Visit the Druid, Town Hall or Black Box theatres
• Join the film club
• Play football, squash, unihock
• Take in a Sunday morning jazz session
•  Learn to dance a jig
• Go by boat or plane to the Aran Islands
• Visit Connemara or the Burren
• Stay overnight in Dublin or Westport
• Attend our monthly school parties
• Bet on a horse or a dog at the races
• Eat oysters in September
• Go to a seminar or lecture by a local Galwegian
• Write an article for the GCI / GBS e-zine
• Test your skills at a quiz or murder mystery
• Go to an Irish music workshop
• Join in a song in a local pub
  

About Galway:

Galway is the third largest city of Ireland with a population of 80,000 and a further 20,000 Irish students enrolled in third level schools. Situated on the Atlantic West Coast, it is the gateway to the unique ecology and scenic beauty of the Burren, Connemara and the Aran Islands. The city’s economy is based on a vibrant tourism, education and leisure sector combined with a strong local IT and telecom industry which has established Galway as the fastest growing city in the European union.

Ireland is a small island with a population of just under 4 million people with more than 40% of the people under 25. Its unique heritage of culture, history and literature make it the ideal place to study English language.

Ireland enjoys a remarkable reputation and people from every corner of the globe are proud to claim their Irish heritage. More than 70 million people world wide claim Irish descent.

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Flights and Airports

On arrival in Ireland we can organise a Taxi Transfer or a Meet & Greet service. The Meet & Greet service is available in Dublin and our representative will help you catch the bus or train to Galway. Information about coach transfers to Galway is available on www.citylink.ie, www.busnestor.galway.net (Dublin only) or www.irishrail.ie. Taxi Transfers are available from Dublin, Shannon, Knock or Galway airports. It is more affordable to get a flight from Dublin to Galway than to get a taxi transfer. We can help you organise your transfer to Galway.

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Student visa information

We can assist you in your application for a VISA should you require one. Please allow at least 8 weeks to process your VISA application. We recommend that long stay students apply for a D-visa. Application forms are available from the nearest Irish Embassy. All fees must be paid in advance and are refundable (except for the deposit) in the case of a visa being refused. The Irish Department of Justice requires proof of payment and proof of proper medical and travel insurance before they will issue a visa. ‘Student Visa Requirements’ documentation is available on the web. Attendance is obligatory for visa extensions.

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