Course Books

The use of a text book and course materials is included in tuition fees. Students wishing to purchase their own text book may do so at the time of booking their course or while in Dublin.

Testing and Examination

• Examination fees are not included in the course cost and must be paid separately when registering for the examination.
• Please note that non-EU students taking a course of 25 weeks or more are obliged to take an approved,external Examination during this period.
• Students who take a course of 4 weeks or more have the option of taking an end-of-course test.
• A test is administered to students who may be deemed ready to move to a higher level during their programme.

Social Activities

• Alpha College organises Saturday excursions all year except during the Christmas holiday period.
• We offer excursions or visits on 1-3 afternoons perweek depending on the time of year and on one evening perweek.
• Our excursions provide a unique opportunity for students to practise their English in authentic settings. Our guides are experienced and knowledgeable and know Dublin’s most interesting places. This guide service is completely free of charge. Students may have to pay admission charges on some excursions. The average cost in such cases is €4.00.
• When out-of-Dublin coach tours are organised students pay a fee to cover the cost of coach hire and any entrance charges required.
• Alpha College organises a range of interactive in-house activities throughout the year. Students love these community- focused activities as they provide a multinational community environment in which to improve their English communication skills.
• We also make available to students information on many more visits, excursions, non English-language courses and sporting fixtures which they may enjoy on their own or with other students.

College Hours

• Classes last from 09.00 - 13.00 (with a 20-minute coffee break from 10.50 - 11.10) Monday to Friday and 14.00 - 16.05 daily, Monday to Thursday.
• Students may use the recreation room, library, classrooms or computer room for private study up to 17.00 daily. Morning lessons - 55mins. Afternoon lessons - 50mins.
• Evening and Saturday classes are available on request. Computer assisted learning packages are available to students for self-study in the afternoons.

First Day in Alpha College

• Students in homestay accommodation will be informed by their hosts as to how to get to and from Alpha College and many hosts either bring their student to the college on his/her first morning or arrange to have him/her brought by a current student. If, however, students are unsure about their transport details Alpha College staff are always available to provide help, guidance and direction.
• On the first morning in Alpha College students are given explanations and information to help them settle in to Alpha and Dublin. They also receive a student handbook,information on places of interest in Dublin and a map of the city centre. Included in the student handbook are out-of-hours emergency contact telephone numbers for key Alpha personnel.
• On completion of their induction students take a written placement test and are interviewed to determine their level of English. While these tests are being scored students may go to the bus office to purchase their bus/rail tickets.
• New students are placed in classes at an appropriate level at the beginning of the 2nd Class period.

Student Support/Monitoring

• All students are interviewed by a senior member of our Alpha College staff on their first day; before the end of their first week and again at least once every four weeks (for those on longer courses) to ensure that there are no problems with either their academic programme or their accommodation.
• Weekly meetings take place between teachers and the Academic Manager at which students’ progress is evaluated and discussed and appropriate action agreed.
• Our Academic Support Team is available daily to provide advice regarding after-class study or specific languagelearning problems.
• On one afternoon per week we offer a free advice and guidance session to students wishing to find work in Dublin. This session covers CV preparation, interview preparation and job search information.
• 30-minute private tutorials are available (for a fee) to students who need to address specific areas of language development for example speaking, pronunciation etc.
• Students may choose, either during their stay in Alpha or on completion of their course, to take extra on-line writing classes (for a fee) with one of their class teachers. In these courses students get the opportunity to practise their written English and have a tutor work on specific areas of their written output.

Age Requirement

Students must be 16 years of age or over to attend a course in our adult school. 1 week. There is no maximum period.

Registration

• To register for any course you should book the course online,non-refundable administration fee, if applicable, at least 4 weeks before course commencement dates.
• All fees must be paid in full by the course commencement date. New students may only join classes on a Monday.

Disciplinary Action

• Alpha College of English reserves the right to expel a student who has been involved in anti-social behaviour, bullying or violence towards a student or staff member, alcohol or drug abuse, misuse of internet/e-mail facilities,shop-lifting, damaging of college or host family property,non payment of fees.
• No refunds are given in the case of expulsion for whatever reason.
• All repatriation expenses in such instances are the responsibility of the student. If we expel a non-EU passport holder we inform the Immigration authorities accordingly.

Student Complaints

• Students experiencing problems are encouraged to inform Alpha personnel about them. It is the policy of Alpha College to deal quickly and sensitively with any problems which may arise.

Cancellation Policy

The administration fee is not refunded under any circumstances. A cancellation fee of €250 applies when a course is cancelled less than 1 week before course commencement date.

Refunds

• The Administration fee is not refunded under any circumstances.
• No tuition refunds are given for late arrivals, early departures or absences, for whatever reason, from classes during any course.
• In some cases homestay accommodation costs may be refunded but only for full weeks which have not been used up.
• Accommodation costs are never refunded for a portion of a week.