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.

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

My name is Turki, I’m from Saudi Arabia. I am happy to be in Cork to learn English. I found the people here very kind and friendly, I was able to make friends from the first day.

I had difficulties learning English, but the teachers helped me solve it, and my friends helped me to improve my speaking.

I liked the activities of the academy, I visited many places with them and I have beautiful memories.

I’m Montse from Girona, Spain.

I progressed from B2 level to an FCE exam class to C1 level while here at CEA!

After graduating from College and working for a while I decided to have a break and improve my English. It is something that I had always wanted to do as I have been studying this language all my life and I couldn’t talk as fluently as I wanted. So, going abroad was the best way to do it.

I had a great feeling about Ireland although I had only been in Dublin before. I knew that I didn’t want to live in the capital and for this reason I decided on Cork.

When I arrived in Cork I fell in love with the city and it felt like home from the first moment. This wasn’t only a first impression, it was also they same after a few weeks. As it isn’t a big city it is really easy to get around and it is also a safe place. Irish people are known to be friendly, but Corkconians are more than that!

During my experience in Cork I have tried to do and explore as much as possible. The main trips I’ve done around Ireland are:  Dublin, Limerick, Galway including Connemara, Clare including Cliffs of Moher, Northern Ireland and my favourite one the South-West Coast and the Ring of Kerry. Overall ,visiting the nearby villages of Cork city was the best way to get away during the weekends.

Something that I can’t skip mentioning is  the ”craic” in the pubs! Even though Cork is a little city it is a lively one!

Finally I have to say that I reached my goals thanks to Cork English Academy. After some General English lessons I decided to do the First Certificate Exam too. All the teachers are very professional and want you to be better.

This period in Cork is the best experience ever and I encourage everyone to do it!

Juan from Uruguay enjoyed a short stay language programme with us here at Cork English Academy. Here is his story:

1) Why did you choose to study overseas?

I chose to study abroad because I believe that the best way to learn a language is to live in a place where you should use it most of the time. As well as wanting to live a new experience within a culture and society different from the Uruguayan one.

2) What expectations did you have from this experience?

I wanted to improve my English, meet new people, and enjoy every activity I did.

3) How was your experience with the school? First day reception, the teachers, the school etc.

The school in my opinion is of the first level, the teachers always with great sympathy, understanding the different capacities of their students. The school as a building is very comfortable, always a suitable temperature and in general in excellent condition. It has many extra activities, which help the student to meet new people, and in turn improve English. I think they have proven to be professionals in their field.

On my first day, he was interviewed by Vincent, the Director of the Academy, who very kindly and very clearly introduced us to the staff, and gave us the guidelines to follow in the Institute.

4) How did you find the accommodation?

I spent 2 weeks in a Host Family with Jim and Eileen a couple of retirees who attended me as if I were part of their family, I can only mention good things, since first arrival when they collected me from the airport until my last day.  Always very friendly and flexible with the hours of leaving the house, as well as breakfast or dinner. They assisted me in the purchase of tickets to travel to Dublin, and every day that I returned to the house, we had 1 or 2 hour talks on various topics, such as the city, diving, history, etc.

I was also 1 week in the student residence, living with 2 Spanish girls and 1 Brazilian boy, I had no problems, but lived in community dining and lunch sometimes together, there were no problems.

5) What is Cork like as a destination?

I think I made a correct decision when choosing Cork, a small city, being easy to travel and move between the host family and the academy. While there are Spanish-speaking people, it is not as much as in Dublin, in addition to the fact that the city is not a tourist center, and you can enjoy Irish culture and life.

6) What recommendations do you have for other students that are considering travelling to Ireland?

To know a new culture, new people, travel, face a new language and enjoy the challenge of doing it.

Hello, I’m Fatma from Istanbul in Turkey.

I’m a professional dancer and dance trainer. English language is important for my job so I can communicate in my dance workshops. Also I want to go on to do a Masters in Ireland.

I wanted to live in Ireland because I heard Irish people are very friendly. I think Irish and Turkish people are similar. I practiced my English outside of the school a lot. Irish people are very helpful.

I chose Cork because it is a small city. It is definitely a safe city.

I visited other places during my time in Ireland. I visited Dublin, Castletown and Cobh.

My favourite thing about Cork is my teacher Joanne. She is like a mom to me. She is the best teacher and helps me with everything.

I learned a lot in the school but I need to practice more. I hope to return to Cork English Academy in 2019.