Ireland is an island located to the north-west of continental Europe and has a population of about 4.5 million people. It is a beautiful place with a strong cultural and historical tradition. Visitors often enjoy its beautiful landscape, with its green unspoilt countryside and magnificent coastline and are often amazed by the huge diversity in the Irish landscape. Yes, it does rain but this is partly why Ireland truly is so green and beautiful. Ireland really does have something to offer everybody.

One of the biggest attractions of Ireland is the people themselves. They are famous for their warm welcome, friendly natures and hospitality. Their wiliness to “have a chat” with almost anybody means that students never stop learning and have constant opportunity to practice speaking. Students often form strong friendships and stay in touch with their Irish families long after they return home.

Cork

Cork is a city in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and in the province of Munster. With a population of 120,000, it is the second largest city in the state and the third most populous on the island of Ireland. In 2005, it was selected as the European Capital of Culture. The city is built on the River Lee which divides into two channels at the western end of the city. The city centre is located on the island created by the channels. At the eastern end of the city centre where the channels re-converge, quays and docks along the river banks lead to Lough Mahon and Cork Harbour, which is one of the world’s largest natural harbours.

The college Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is located in Bishopstown in the western suburbs of Cork city. It is equipped with theatres, lecture rooms, laboratories, drawing studios, a library, computer suites, open access computing centre and research units. Recreational facilities for students include a running track, tennis courts, all weather pitch, a gymnasium and grass playing pitches. A new indoor swimming pool is located immediately adjacent to the Institute.This is considered one of the most modern school sport campus in the country. The College can accommodate residential students on-site.

CIT’s main campus has won awards for its architectural design and aesthetics.

Classes are on from 9:30 until 13:00 with a 30 minute break at 11:00. After class there is a 60 minute lunch break. After lunch, depending on the programme, there will be sports, activities or a cultural trip. Students must be ready at the designated time.

The first day in the college is somewhat different to the rest. Students are advised to arrive at 9:00 to allow for unforeseen delays as they may not be familiar with the bus timetable or the route. At 9:30 there will be a short introduction by the camp manager and principal. After there will be an assessment test. This is nothing to worry about, it is used to determine level of English so students can be placed in the appropriate class.
After the test students meet in the main hall again. Here a staff member will go through the college rules and some other important information. The students are then taken on a tour of the college. At the end of the tour students will be divided into their appropriate classes and attend the second morning class until lunch time. After lunch students on the general course go on a familiarisation trip of Dublin while students on the specialised sports courses have training.
Please note that all students on “Play Rugby and Learn English” programme MUST bring their training equipment with them on the first day.
Students on the familiarisation tour will arrive back to the college by approximately 17:00. For further excursions to the city centre students do not return to the college but travel directly home to the host family.
Students on “Play Rugby and Learn English” programme will finish training at approximately 17:00 – 17:30.

Students will receive the english course materials and workbooks as part of the programme. After completion of the english course, a Certificate of Attendance will be issued to each student. It certifies the progess that has been made and the level of English reached.

In addition to training students go on one half day cultural trip per week. These are normally to local visitor attractions such as galleries, museums, sports stadiums or other popular sites. Students travel to the locations with their group leader(s) and one or more “Play Rugby” activity leader. Admission fees are included.
One full day excursion per week, usually on Saturdays, is also included. Students travel to places of interest, normally outside Dublin, by private bus. Admission fees are included. There is no organised activities on Sundays as many groups, host families or friends like to organise their own day.
Evening activities are held several times every week. These can include discos, Irish nights, karaoke, quiz night, treasure hunts, sports & games competitions, movie nights, barbecues and many more. Evening activities normally take place between 20:00 and 22:00 but this can vary depending on the activity and age group of the students.
The activities programme provides students with an opportunity to absorb some of Ireland’s rich heritage in a fun and relaxed way while also allowing students the opportunity to improve their English. This informal and social aspect of the programme is key to improving language skills. It also allows students from different nationalities to get to know each other outside the classroom. Some of the friendships made at “Rugby and English” will last a lifetime.

Four afternoons per week students participate in a predetermined rugby training programme with a match, normally with an Irish team, being held every week.
The rugby coaching element in “Rugby and English” is led by professional coaches. The head coach is a former Irish international who has also captained Leinster. In addition to playing at the highest level of Irish & international rugby, the head coach is also a very experience rugby coach. He has completed numerous IRFU coaching courses and has coached players at all levels. He is currently the coach for St Michael’s Senior Cup Team which, in recent year, has seen huge success including winning the Leinster Schools Senior Cup – the most important event in under 18s rugby in Ireland

Our head coach has a special interest in rugby specific team building and his coaching sessions cater for this. His approach is that rugby is a simple game that is often made too complicated. In addition to the game it is also about relaxation and enjoyment. With this in mind, the objective of the “Rugby and English” Academy with the “Play Rugby and Learn English” programme is to provide all participants with an experience that will improve their skills on the rugby pitch and be, at the same time memorable, interesting and enjoyable.

All of the staff at “Rugby and English” are committed to offering our students the best education during their stay. We inspire our students to work diligently to acquire as high a standard of English as possible.
 Our experienced teaching staff are well trained and highly qualified in what they teach. They are up to date with the latest methods in teaching English as a foreign language and combine academic excellence with sensitivity and receptiveness to each student’s individual needs, talents and potential.
 All “Rugby and English” teachers are university graduates with qualifications in teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and are respected for their knowledge and professionalism.

Students attending “Rugby and English” should stay with host families. All our families are inspected and carefully selected by our accommodation officers who maintains regular contact with each host family during a student’s stay. Host families are conveniently located to the colleges and most have many years experience looking after students.
Accommodation is arranged on a full board basis with packed lunch Monday to Saturday. Students normally share a room with a student of a similar age but of different nationality. Unless specifically requested there is only one student of any particular nationality in each family.
Students normally travel to classes each day by public transport like bus, DART (suburban train) or LUAS (tram). Private transfers can also be arranged at an additional cost.
Living with a host family gives a perspective into Irish family life. The interaction with a host family plays a prominent role in developing language skills.

Boarding schools offer an alternative to the “host family” option for students who wish to immerse themselves in the complete school experience. Boarding offers a unique community orientated way of life and suits students who are outgoing, sporty & adaptable. It offers a comprehensive academic and extra curricular environment which serves to develop each student to their full all round potential.

The “Rugby and English” campus is a self-contained community, which offers children a degree of independence and freedom to explore whilst providing a safe and secure environment. The well-being of our students is at the heart of our boarding provision. With a generous staff to student ratio, we guarantee round-the-clock care within a happy, well-ordered environment. We encourage staff to cultivate a friendly, lively, family atmosphere to ensure all students feel comfortable, contented and supported while they are away from home.
The College can accommodate residential students on-site, most in comfortable double or triple rooms accommodation. All the accommodation used by the Language School students is of extremely high quality. Each bedroom is either situated very close to our modern wash and toilet facilities or, alternatively, has its own en-suite shower room. Each student will have their own wardrobe, drawers, desk and chair.

The catering facilities provide both hot and cold meals and a range of snacks. It is open before school and at break times.