Our English course for teenagers is a task-based programme where students learn English through fun and interactive activities and challenging projects. The main focus is on helping them improve their communication skills in English. Classes revolve around a weekly topic combined with carefully selected grammar and vocabulary points. Students work towards an end-of- week project which is always presented on Friday. Examples of projects from previous camps are Election campaign for a teenage party, Travel Agent stall at an international travel fair, TV programme and a short play. Students learn and practice new grammar and vocabulary by playing games, solving quizzes, acting, and making posters and comic strips. In addition, they get a flavour of typical Cambridge exam tasks during a 30-min exam preparation session at the end of each day. Classes are run in small groups of max 12 students. At break time we provide soft drinks and biscuits free of charge.
In the afternoons we provide a range of exciting activities and trips such as hiking in the mountains, team sports and swimming sessions as well as city tours, museum visits, cycling trips, drama, arts & crafts (in the picture) and dance workshops as well as games and quizzes. All activities are run and closely supervised by our team of experienced teachers and youth leaders.
On Saturdays we organise full-day trips which allow students to explore various tourist attractions in Ireland outside Dublin such as Glendalough, Belfast, Kilkenny or Malahide. We also bring our students on various hiking trips and to an adventure centre in the Wicklow mountains where they can try some exciting outdoor activities such as climbing, orienteering and archery. Lunch is provided by the school.
On week days there is an option of booking a lunch which is served in a local pub just 10-minutes walk from the school. Under the supervision of one of our youth leaders students have lunch together with their classmates. This is yet another opportunity to interact with peers from other countries and practice English in the most natural way. Meals are freshly prepared to individual orders. Special dietary requirements are catered for. Alternatively students can bring a packed lunch and have their lunch break in the school canteen where they have access to a microwave and a tea/coffee station.
The school accepts both selective and full package bookings. A full package booking covers the entire stay – from the arrival to the farewell at the airport. The selective booking is suitable for students who either stay in Dublin with their own families or have a relative / family friend in Dublin to look after them outside the school hours. The main booking options are presented in the table below.
| Course type | 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English classes | €279 | €499 | €689 | €849 |
| English classes + afternoon activities | €519 | €899 | €1,285 | €1,595 |
| Saturday trip(s) | €75 | €150 | €225 | €300 |
| Lunch | €69 | €138 | €207 | €276 |
| Full package (incl. host family stay – see below for details) | €1,149 | €1,899 | €2,799 | €3,699 |
Yes, the school accepts both a selective and a full package booking. You are welcome to book just the classes, classes and the afternoon programme or the full package with Saturday trips and full board accommodation.
Yes, all participants take an online test, followed by a short conversation with one of our teachers on Zoom, 2-4 weeks before their arrival in Ireland.
We encourage students to speak English at all times and unlike many other providers adhere to self-imposed quotes for speakers of any particular language. This is to ensure that the language mix is balanced and students have a natural incentive to default to English. Also when placing students in host family, we never place two speakers of the same language together – unless specifically asked to do that (for two friends or siblings). The chart below shows the last year’s summary.
Host family stay is probably the most comfortable as well as the safest option for a young teenager to be on their own for the first time. Hosts are experienced in having foreign guests of this age at home, they are genuinely caring and supportive and if there is anything of concern they will notice it immediately and let the school know so that we can take action. Of course they will have your contact details and you will have theirs so you will be able to get in touch with them before your child’s trip to Ireland. The experience students have is usually excellent and returning students often ask to be placed in the same family. When possible students are placed in host families sharing with students with whom they do not share their first language – to encourage a maximum immersion in the English language during their stay in Ireland
We rely on our own network of trusted Irish host families that we have worked with over many years. We visit them on a regular basis and place students considering factors such as booking dates, age, gender, allergies, special requirements as well as their first language. All hosts are garda-vetted (police checked). Unlike many providers we do not rely on agencies when placing students.
Yes, when you book the full package, both airport transfers on arrival and departures are included in the fees. You will know the name and contact details of a person collecting your child from the airport a few days before their arrival in Ireland. Airport transfers are provided by host families, school staff or contractors – all garda-vetted and insured.
Our full package fees do not cover:
Our carefully designed syllabus guarantees that participants progress in all four areas of language: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. We know how to teach foreign languages to teenagers in an exciting way. We aim to keep students’ motivation high and never let them get bored. They work on projects, play games and act at the same time learning complex grammar, expanding their vocabulary and building up their confidence in English. Teachers who work on our summer courses not only have a many years experience of teaching English to teenagers but also a lot of enthusiasm, energy and creativity essential in working with young people. They know how to let them enjoy the classes and progress in English at the same time.
Please find detailed descriptions of other courses offered by Your English Language School:
