Residential Language Courses in Ireland and Abroad - Time to choose

With language courses in Ireland and abroad filling up fast this year, now is the time to start thinking about a residential language course for your teenagers this summer.

Why language school?

Learning a language at any age is an important life skill and an advantage to anyone professionally and personally. The Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate dictates that students must learn and pass the grade in Irish, and if chosen, in another language such as French, German or Spanish. But learning a language from a textbook and only minimal aural practice in class can be extremely difficult for any students to retain, and speak confidently especially around exam time.

One of the proven way for students to really understand and develop their language skills is to immerse themselves in the culture of that language, converse with native speakers and peers, all while having fun!

To help students learn there are many language schools both here in Ireland and abroad that cater for teenagers to stay and study within the residential school programs.

Things to consider before you book a language course:

• Many language courses offer 2-3 week residential courses either in boarding school campus itself or in nearby residential housing ‘families’. Consider which one will suit your child's needs before you book.
• Some language schools are very strict on speaking the required language while others are relaxed, so be sure to find out which one will suit your teenager’s needs and level.
• While some courses focus on the academic (e.g. leaving cert revision), others rely on the fun element to learning, and submersion of language is done through either sport or a multi activity which they can enjoy with their friends. These have advantages and disadvantages depending on your child’s level of involvement with the language ( and depending on if you think your child will benefit more from an academic course or from an activity based course).

Irish College Residential Options

Many Gaeltacht areas around Ireland offer 2 or 3 week residential courses over the summer holidays for both primary and secondary level students. Participants are immersed in the Irish language and culture while engaging with native Irish Speakers, attending classes and conversing through the Irish language. Usually students have the option of staying in local houses with 'Bean an Ti's' or some college will offer on site supervised boarding school type accommodation. Some well known Irish Colleges include Coláiste na bhFiann, Coláiste UISCE and Colaiste Acla.

Study european languages here or abroad?

Besides Irish language schools, there are other residential language courses here in Ireland that offer 2 to 3 week immersion courses in many european languages. This may benefit parents and students who do not want to go abroad for the summer. These courses come highly recommended and are run like typical Irish residential language courses, and are also run by native speakers of that language. Check out some colleges providing residential courses in Ireland in Spanish, French & German here.

Going abroad for language courses:

There are many advantages to teenagers going abroad to learn a language. Teenagers living in the country, even for a short time, will be in total language immersion therefore will accelerate their vocabulary quickly. Courses in Spain and France usually run for 2 or 3 weeks and are fully supervised with residential care. These schools are often based around fun activities for teens to enjoy in the French or Spanish sunshine, but also provide an academic component specific to Leaving Certificate curriculum. For example check out Equinox Education Services and The Stein Study Language Experience.