Junior Programme
Learn the language
All our teachers are qualified to a very high standard. Because we are also a teacher training centre, our own teaching methods are always being upgraded and reassessed in order to ensure our programmes are effective and successful for our students. We know that younger learners hate being bored not just in their free time, but in the classroom too. Our junior teachers will ensure that the lesson content is stimulating, the activities fun and effective and that you will be very relaxed communicating in English with your new classmates. You'll be amazed at how interesting learning English can be, especially when you really need it to communicate with your classmates, host family and teachers. If you are learning English at school in your own country, you won't believe how much better you will succeed and how much more you will understand when you go back home.
Keeping it personal
Each student's age, needs & learning styles are considered and catered for. We offer a level assessment and interview on the first day of your course and then you will join the right class with other students of your level. We want your programme to be as 'personally designed' as possible, so we ask you, before you come, to tell us what you hope to achieve in your English language programme and also what leisure activities you enjoy. We also find out how you learn - so we can match our teaching methods to suit your learning style. Some students learn best visually while others remember what they hear, others prefer to use their hands and many like a combination of all their senses stimulated. We design a programme that helps you to improve your English quickly and successfully and also a leisure programme that will be fun and exciting for you. Thanks to the fact that we limit the school size to a maximum of 60, there is a great 'family' atmosphere and soon 'strangers' from other countries become friends for life - and don't forget you will be communicating in English all the time!
Two-Week Academic Timetable & Leisure Programme*
The following features are included in the fees:
- 20 English Lessons per week in micro-group classes of average 8 students only.
- A Full and varied leisure programme, transport by coach or boat to and from afternoon excursions.
- All excursions accompanied by teachers/guides/leaders.
- All equipment hire for sporting leisure activities.
- Ferryboat or coach fares for full day excursions.
- Entrance fees to all leisure/entertainment venues.
- End of course Graded Certificate
- Teachers Detailed Report and recommendations for further study to continue progress made.
- After course Support: Students can email their English Language questions to Atlantic tutors from their own country for help during their next academic year.
Love the leisure.
Schull may be a small village, but thanks to its location, we are so lucky that there is so much to do. As we are located right beside the Atlantic Ocean and we can offer lots of exciting watersports - sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, surfing and lots of beach sports. As there is wonderful green countryside and hills around us we can go horse-riding, play tennis, golf, go cycling, hiking and have picnics and barbecues on top of Mount Gabriel.
But it doesn't have to be 'all sport' - we know that some people are more 'passive' and that on some days you may prefer to be creative; this is why we offer jewellery making, stone engraving, paper making and art lessons and workshops. There is always something special to take home for yourself or as a gift for friends and family - and the great thing is - you can say you made it yourself!
What's included?
Weekly Saturday excursion.
- Boat trips to one of the beautiful offshore islands
- Excursion to the Lakes of Killarney
- Visit to Cork city and Blarney Castle, or Marine Biology Adventure Trips — our own Marine Biologist, Peter McDonnell, takes students on educational trips by boat and on foot to explore the local marine flora and fauna.
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Trips
Three 'Active Leisure' Afternoons.
The leisure programme may include some of the following and can be adapted to your experience and skill level:
- Kayaking /Raft Building Competitions
- Horse-riding (lessons)
- Golf (lessons or free practice)
- Sailing (lessons)
- Tennis/Basketball/Football (lessons & free practice)
- Cycling and Hiking Trips
- Beach Sports/Abseiling
One 'cultural trip' Afternoon.
This could be a visit to local archaeological or historical sites - our informative guides make learning about Ireland's history and culture an enjoyable and fun experience.
One 'Creative' Activity Afternoon.
- Arts and Crafts — sculpture, art, jewellery making workshops or "beach art" trips.
- Drama Workshops and Making Movies
- Irish Cookery Lessons (Scones, Soda bread, Irish Stew)
- Irish Dancing ( - the original 'Riverdance!') Something special to take home for yourself or as a gift for friends and family - and the great thing is - you can say you made it yourself!
Nowhere is Far Away!
We are extremely popular with juniors and teenage students of English who like to live and learn in a relaxing and beautiful environment where 'the living is safe and easy.' Nowhere is far away and no time is wasted. For example: Your host family will live very near the school, students can go kayaking 300 metres from the school, horse riding & golf are a five minute drive away, creative workshops take place at the school or an artists studio not far away, the tennis courts are just down the road from the school and we have our own bicycles and sporting equipment for our exciting cycle trips and beach sports. The private coaches take us on excursions directly from the school and then back to your family. We leave on boat trips from Schull harbour - which is just around the corner from the school.
Live the life.
Everything will be done to make you comfortable and to feel 'at home away from home'. Irish families are famous for being friendly, kind, fun and they love to talk. It is no surprise therefore, that our students English skills progress so well. Some families are visited by the same students year after year!
You too will stay at a local Irish family and we always try to place our students in families with children and teenagers of their own age whenever possible. Soon you will feel like a real member of the family and you will 'live their life' by taking part in all family activities when you are not at school. Just think about it - you will be watching TV , listening to music, chatting to your new Irish 'brothers, sisters, Mum & Dad' - and all in English! Imagine how confident you will be communicating in English by the end of your stay here.
Our families are carefully chosen for their friendliness and hospitality and they will help you with your English too. So, don't worry if you are a little shy or if you think your English is terrible. As Irish people love to talk, there will be plenty of opportunities to speak and listen. You will have breakfast and evening meal with your Irish family and you will also receive a packed lunch to eat in the middle of the day, between your lessons and leisure programme. Although you will be busy with the school from morning until evening Monday to Saturday, for many Irish families, Sunday is a special day and traditionally in Ireland this is when the family relaxes and that is why we call it the 'Family Day' - and that will include you too.