Teffi on Online Classes

Teffi from Germany first started online classes with us in the Summer of 2020 at B1 Intermediate level. Just over 6 months later she is now at C1 Advanced level and continues to study with CEA online. Read Teffi’s story…

I always wanted to learn English in another country but I am a full-time student in Germany. My friend recommended an online course that I could take during my lockdown time.

The best thing that could happen to me during the pandemic is CEA’s online course and so I signed up for the course. 

At the beginning I was very sceptical if the online course could do anything. But it convinced me otherwise. I had also had English for a long time in my school days, but the lessons could not be compared to the current course.

I enjoyed every minute of the class and to be honest it was my highlight of the day because you always learn something new and the style of teaching was different.

The teachers were all very nice, helpful and each had different styles which I really liked.

As I don’t speak much English outside of the classroom at the moment, the course is definitely good to get to grips with the language. The online course allowed me to focus on listening comprehension and speaking. 

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View from Teffi’s hometown in Germany.

Congratulations Teffi! Wishing you all the best with your language progression.

Douglas on Online Classes

Douglas started his journey with CEA in January 2020. He started his programme as an Intermediate B1 student and progressed onto Upper-Intermediate B2. He then flew home to Sao Paulo and has booked another online course with us. Douglas is now at an Advanced C1 level. Congratulations Douglas!

Here Douglas speaks to us about his online course:

Can you tell us a little bit about your course and teachers?

I was a little bit scared of studying online, but CEA surprised me positively! The course kept up the same quality as face-to-face classes and the teachers adapted their classes and materials. I had classes with excellent teachers, and despite the distance they motivated and encouraged all students to participate in the class.     

What aspect of English language learning online are you improving in the most?

The online classes gave me the opportunity to develop my listening skills, in this modality of class my focus increased even more. 

What aspect of English language learning online are you finding the most challenging?

This type of methodology needs discipline, so the most challenging thing is to rule yourself. I bought the idea of studying online and I am doing the same things that I did in the face-to-face classes and right now I can see the same results. 

Do you get to practice your English outside of school hours?

Yes, I do. I work as an accountant and my profession requires English speaker. Furthermore, I keep contact with some friends and I usually practice with my wife who studied in CEA as well.

Are there any similarities between studying in school and studying online?

There are some similarities between both methods, but I can highlight the class environment. We are in front of a screen computer but the way that the classroom is running is the same of face-to-face classes. I get used to studying in this type of methodology and the CEA needs to consider keeping this type of classes.

Douglas at the Butter Museum, Cork City.

Thank you Douglas for choosing a CEA online course. We will do our very best to help you achieve your language learning goals.

Government Notice for Students

Minister Flanagan announces further temporary measures to assist international language students.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today announced further measures to assist international students studying English in Ireland who have been impacted upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new measures are as follows:

1) Students who left the State before completion of their studies due to COVID-19 may return and resume their studies and the duration of their absence will not count towards the 2 years maximum period of English language study allowed;

2) Language students with a current, valid permission who are still in the State and who have completed the maximum 2 years permitted as a language student, but due to COVID-19 are unable to return home, may remain as students until the end of the year provided they re-enrol in an online course of study for the remainder of the year.

Announcing these measures, Minister Flanagan reassured those who are worried about their status in the State, saying:

I understand and recognise the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all immigrants, and in particular our international student population. I’m therefore pleased to be able to announce these new measures to support students which I hope will provide some welcome assurance and certainty for the coming months. We will continue to keep the situation under active review as matters evolve in our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The requirement to register remains for those students who have completed their maximum two years and wish to take up the option of re-enrolling in an online course of study until the end of the year. These students must re-register once the Registration Offices reopen.

The Department of Justice and Equality have engaged with MEI (Marketing English in Ireland), the representative body for the majority of language schools in Ireland. MEI have confirmed that most colleges are now offering on-line courses, and students should contact their college directly to make any necessary arrangements.

The Minister has previously announced the automatic renewal of immigration permissions due to expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July by 2 months. For international English Language Students, the extension means that they may continue to work if they wish, but must also re-enrol in an on-line course of study to adhere to the conditions of their permission.

Source Article.

Temporary School Closure Until Further Notice (COVID -19)

The school 24 hour emergency contact number: +353 86 7900 860

All language schools are included in the Government Directive for school closures in a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The initial closure period has been extended until further notice.

All schools in Ireland will remain closed until the re-opening date is confirmed by government.

Reopening of Education Institutes

  • The Irish Government have included a reopening of some education institutes in Phase 5 (August 2020) of the published COVID 19 measures road map.
  • This may be in respect to Universities and primary & secondary schools as these education institutes usually reopen in September ever year after a summer closure period.
  • We are waiting for further clarification about English language schools in particular.
  • We will issue a further information notice to all students and agents once we receive more information from the Department of Education and member language school associations.

This is a Government directive and taken on the grounds of public health and safety.

Visa requiring/ILEP students:  This will not affect your attendance and you will not be required to have a medical certificate.

Important health notice with regards Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Keep up to Date: www.hse.ie & www.hspc.ie.

General health measures should be followed to protect yourself and others.

  • Practice Social Distancing always.
  • If leaving home for grocery shop or exercise keep within 2km radius.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand rub
  • If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Throw the used tissue away into a closed bin, and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your flexed (bent) elbow.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who you know has cold or flu symptoms.
  • Check the travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to arranging travel abroad.

IF WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS;

You have been in an affected area where COVID-19 is circulating
OR – have been in contact with a person diagnosed with novel coronavirus
OR – have attended a healthcare facility where patients with novel coronavirus are being treated
AND – if you are unwell with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath follow this advice:

Source: hspc.ie

– Overview
– Protect yourself and others
– If you have been in an affected area
– Self-isolation and limited social interaction