The basis of all our programmes is the fact that students do not reside in a school, residential centre or hostel but instead enjoy a real Irish experience, staying with a welcoming, friendly host family, being immersed in the English language and the Irish culture.
Students are placed in host families with children of the same gender and age, are carefully matched in terms of interests and hobbies, and the focus is on participating in daily family life and activities.
We also guarantee that there will be no other student/person of the same nationality in the host family.
We ask our families to imagine how they would wish their own child to be treated and entertained if staying with a host family in another country, and then to treat each student in the same way.
This is the original immersion programme. Students who select this programme really want to become part of an Irish family. Families open their homes and their hearts to welcome students. Each family makes sure their student joins in with the family activities, and that they also come together at mealtimes. We encourage our families to incorporate their student in to their daily family life; for example sporting events such as local GAA matches, family occasions; trips and outings, baking, board games… whatever they do as a family.
Students are placed with host families who have their own horses. No lessons are involved; this programme is about the student riding with the host family. We need to know the students riding ability in order to match with a host family. There is a minimum of 8 hours of riding guaranteed per week; however students usually ride far more. Host families often attend shows and competitions during the summer months, which provide additional exciting opportunities for students in addition to their riding.
An extension of the homestay programme in that it includes all the same elements, with the addition that the student has requested to stay on a farm, in order to be able to join in with farming activities and experience the Irish farming lifestyle. Students cannot operate machinery of course, but love to get their hands dirty and get involved in everything else!
Involves the host family and their student enjoying one day and two half days of specific excursions together each week. We provide dozens of suggestions of appropriate excursions to places of cultural, historical and sporting significance. Cost of entry to activities is included in for this programme i.e the student does not pay any additional entry fees/tickets.
For all the Camps (listed below) students spend their days at the camp and their evenings and weekends with their host family. Host families give their students a packed lunch.
This camp takes place over two week in July at a leading theatre in Athlone. It introduces students to the world of theatre, singing, dancing, and acting and is a fun and lively camp for budding superstars. The camp is for students aged 7 to 16 years and runs from 10:00 to 17:00.
Located at one of the country’s premier outdoor activity centres. Involves land, sea and sky based activities. The camp runs through-out July and August, Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00. Students receive a hot lunch at the camp each day. The ages are 8-17 years of age.
These camps are held at various locations across Ireland and focus on coaching, skills, technique and match play. Camp runs Monday to Friday 10.30 to 15.00 on various dates in July and August, for students up to 17.
The West of Ireland is famous for its surf breaks and these camps take place at six different surf schools down the West Coast of Ireland. Classes are 09:30 to 12:30, Monday to Friday. Surfboards, wetsuits and boots are provided for students.
This camp takes place at Athlone Equestrian Centre. Students learn new skills and are taught improved technique. Runs throughout July and August from Monday to Friday. It is not erssential that students have prior horse riding experience,. The camp is for students aged 6 to 18 years and runs from 10:00 to 15:00.
Takes place at a prestigious rugby club in Dublin. Focuses on core rugby skills, conditioning (strength, speed, agility and power), performance nutrition and sports psychology. Runs from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 16:30 throughout July and is for students aged 11-18 years old.
Based at Mullingar Tennis Club, the camps run throughout July and involve technical and tactical coaching, physical training, match play and team events. Timings are 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. The ages are 12-17 years of age.
Students are placed in the home of a TEFL (or equivalent) qualified teacher. 10, 15 or 20 hours of lessons per week, which are carried out in two or three hour sessions. Students complete a level test prior to arrival and lessons are tailored to the individuals’ English ability. Outside of the lessons, students enjoy the homestay immersion experience with their host family. Students may also add excursions (one full day and two half days per week).
Similar to One-to-One tuition, but involves two students of same gender and similar ability being placed in the same host family and having their lessons together. The two students may be of different nationalities and never have met, or they may be two friends who have chosen to be placed together. The programme is set at 15 hours per week; Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 12:30 each weekday. Outside of the lessons, the two-to-one programme includes one full day and two half days of excursions each week.
You can also add tuition on to any of our programmes, and this can be for any number of hours from 2 to 20 hours per week. This tuition is provided by a teacher out-with the host family, who visits the student in their host family home to conduct the lessons. We have a strong pool of highly experienced TEFL teachers across Ireland, available to tutor students in their host families.