Summer Courses
The specialised summer courses are designed to cater for young adults and children who want to combine a fun filled cultural stay with an educational basis.
Students spend the mornings in class learning reading writing, conversation and listening skills. Classes are structured so that each students potential is reached in a fun and educational environment.
Students participate in role plays, English games, reading and tape exercises.
Classes have a maximum of 15 students.
Students may choose to have extra private tuition on a one to one basis with a teacher.
All materials are provided by the school. Student's are given a welcome pack with maps of the area and information on Athlone and all the cultural locations they will be visiting.
Placement tests are given on the first day to assess the students level of English. A test is given on the last day to assess the students improvement.
Students have the option to prepare and sit the Trinity London and we also prepare students to sit the TIE exam if so required.
Afternoons are spent participating in activities such as swimming, bowling, glass art, Irish dancing, cinema, volleyball, basketball, table quiz, treasure hunts, karate, basket making demonstrations with St. Bridget- cross making and more.
Students will be taken on a half day excursion each week to a variety of historical and interesting places, such as Clonmacnoise, an ancient monastic site, and Belvedere House, an 18th century stately house.
Each Saturday the student’s go on a full-day excursion. These excursions combine site seeing with leisure time.
Some evening activities are organised for the students such as discos.
Students will be placed with carefully selected host families who are inspected regularly.
Groups may stay in apartment accommodation which is close to the school. Apartment accommodation is fully supervised 24 hours.
Academic Year Programme
Shannon Academy offer a programme that runs throughout the Academic Year.
At Shannon Academy we are dedicated to the development
of each student as an individual and pride ourselves on
attention to detail and individual programme planning.
We not only pay attention to academic education but also
ensure a holistic approach including music, the arts, sport
and cultural activities and learning. We are very well
established and have years of experience in working with
students from many countries around the world. We are
fully insured and are compliant with all national health and
safety regulations.
Shannon Academy Offers:
- 24 hour a day assistance and advice service to students.
- A choice of state run or private schools.
- A choice of mixed or single gender schools.
- Either a full academic year or a single semester.
- Education in a residential school or an option to reside with
a carefully chosen host family, whilst attending a day school.
We have an extensive network of school options both state
and privatively operated, in the vicinity of the Shannon Academy. All schools are working under the guidance and regulation of the Irish Government Department of Education and students work within the guidelines and requirements of the National Educational Curriculum.
Ireland boasts a wide choice of excellent residential
schools. These schools are usually set in their own
expansive grounds and as well as offering top quality
education boast a host of sporting and extra curricular
activities.
Programmes run from:
- September- June
- September- December
- January- April
- January- June
When a student applies for one of our programmes we will
assess their academic and social needs, and in agreement
with their families, will match them with the best study
option.
We remain in constant contact with both student and
families throughout the process offering weekly student
visits during the first month, and biweekly visits thereafter.
Regular status reports are sent to families by the Academy
Adult Courses
Tours and classes can be organized for adults as well, as can activities with more of an adult focus in mind for example night time excursions to local events or traditional bars.
The key to Shannon Academy of English success over the past 10 years is Flexibility. Not only is flexibility welcomed, it is also encouraged. Schools are invited to help design their own programmes for their students which can be run at any time during the year.
We can offer specific business courses depending on what your need or the needs of your company are.
The students can either concentrate totally on their studies or combine the study with an activity programme of their choice such as golf, tennis, cooking, dance, fishing, sailing or art. Special requests can be made for other activities and we will do out best to accommodate all your needs. It is our aim to give you full satisfaction when taking one of our courses. We can combine lessons with cultural visits and nights out with your teacher to traditional Irish events.
Shannon Academy of English can design courses on request for specific purposes. Any particular interest can be catered for by arrangement.
The “Irish experience” is spoken of with great enthusiasm by all students who have taken English courses here in Ireland. What makes the Irish experience so unique are the Irish people themselves, their friendliness and willingness to help.
Mini Breaks
Shannon Academy of English offer a wide range of services to schools and groups who wish to travel in Ireland on cultural visits.
These trips involve staying in Ireland for a period of four days and up to one or two weeks. Group leaders/ teachers have the option of student’s staying in host families or in hostel accommodation.
The key of the stay is that it can be planned by the individual school or group in keeping with our principle of flexibility. Shannon Academy of English offers a variety of different places and activities. We offer ideas and the school/ group can arrange them according to their needs.
This programme normally includes a trip each day to a different place of interest. It also includes an Irish evening with traditional Irish music and dancing with an opportunity for the group to dance and also to offer any talent they may have on their own. Treasure hunts and evenings of traditional Irish sports can also be accommodated.
Specialised Courses
Four to One Programme
This is an intense English course with four or less students to one teacher. This ensures that the students get the maximum attention in a small secure learning environment.
The programme involves classes each day Monday to Friday for three hours in the mornings, though more hours are available upon request.
Afternoons are spent with the teacher doing activities and cultural visits. The teacher ensures that English is spoken at all times and encourages and helps students to do so.
Evenings are spent with host families having dinner and sharing cultural experiences. Again, it is the perfect environment to continually practice their English while trying out new foods and a different way of life.
Sunday is family day where the four to one student spends time relaxing with their host family and participating in activities with the family.
The four to one programme is an ideal course for learning English quickly and efficiently in an enjoyable and friendly environment.
Combined Activity Programme
These courses can be organised for students with a specific activity in mind, for example classes in the morning and golf lessons in the afternoon, etc. Student’s may also combine these programmes with tours.
Sample Timetable (3 Week)
Day 1:Treasure hunt around Athlone town (Prizes) Explore your new town!
Day 2:Trip to Athlone Castle and Cathedral. Visit the Castle overlooking the Cathedral.
Day 3: Half day excursion: Belvedere House and Gardens. Tour the refurbished 18th century Stately House and 160 acres of parkland with 6kms of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks.
Day 4: Fadog (tin whistle) lesson. Receive a fadog to take home as a memory of Ireland. Learn a traditional Irish musical instrument.
Day 5: Swimming/ Uni-hockey. Enjoy Athlones Swimming pool at our modern leisure centre.
Day 6: Saturday excursion: Kilkenny Medieval City / Explore Dunmore Caves. The beauty and magic of its calcite formations as well as its scientific and historical interest make it one of Irelands most fascinating caves.
Day 7: Host family day. Spend time with your Irish family.
Day 8: Bingo afternoon (Prizes). Have a fun game of bingo and try winning prizes for your team!
Day 9: Game of Rounders at school. Enjoy a fun game of rounders in one of the schools large pitches.
Day 10: Half day excursion: Athenry Castle and Museum. Have fun dressing up in medieval clothes and trying some archery.
Day 11: Volleyball / Basketball / Football. Enjoy some sports at school.
Day 12: Fun table quiz with prizes, See which team can get the most points with exciting bonus games!
Day 13: Saturday Excursion: Galway City and visit to Galway Museum and the Spanish Arch. Enjoy a day in one of Irelands most cultural cities.
Day 14: Host family day. Spend time with your Irish Family.
Day 15: Bowling in Athlone leisure Centre.
Day 16: Willow crafts: Learn how to weave Irish willow branches. Make an Irish decoration to take home.
Day 17: Half day Excursion: Dun Ni Si Heritage Park. Visit Ireland of the past with examples of how the Irish lived years ago.
Day 18: Free Afternoon for last minute shopping.
Day 19: Class song / Good bye party with treats and prizes / Presentation of certificates.
Day 20: Saturday excursion: Dublin City/ Natural History Museum / Walk through Trinity College.
Day 21: Host family day. Spend time with your Irish family.
Activities and Tours
Many different activities are incorporated into the programmes. A big emphasis is placed on Irish cultural activities, for example, Irish dancing, Celtic drawing, and Stain Glass Window Design, Irish Weave Basket Making and Fadog Lessons, The fadog is a traditional Irish musical instrument similar to the tin whistle, All students then get to take home their fadog as a memory of Ireland. There are also sports at least twice a week which includes activities such as swimming in the local indoor heated pool, uni-hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, rounder's and many more.
Other fun activities include bowling, trips to the cinema, fun sports days with prizes, a treasure hunt to get to know the local area, bingo and class parties.
There are different types of tours depending on the time available. For Summer Groups, on the Wednesday afternoon there is normally a half day tour to somewhere nearby such as Belvedere House or the Heritage Park at Dun na Si. Then on Saturdays the students go on a full day tour to different parts of the country, These full day tours include shopping time in the cities as well as an excursion to point of historical or cultural interest. For example Dublin City and the National History Museum, or Kilkenny City and the Dunmore Caves. There are many other activities that can be incorporated into the programmes, for example, horse riding, golf lessons etc.
Some of the Tourist Attractions available:
Barradrum Farm
Belvedere House
Lockes Distillery Museum
