Student Handbook
Student Handbook
1. Administration Information
1.1 Registration:
Students can register either in the school or online.
Non-EU nationals registering from outside Ireland must pay for their course in full before they arrive. This is a legal requirement. They will be given a school letter confirming that they are registered at ELTA and that their fees have been fully paid. They present this letter to the Immigration Officer when they arrive in Dublin, and this document is enough to permit them to enter Ireland. However, for the nationals of many non-EU countries this school letter is not enough and the process is more complicated. They need to apply to the Irish embassy in their country for permission to come here to study. See here http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5061248/Visa%20Exempt.doc for a list of countries whose nationals do not need a visa to enter the State.
1.2 Visas:
If you are a non-EU national you will have your passport stamped when you arrive here. You must then present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) within one month where you will be given a visa permitting you to stay here for up to one year.
Your school will have delivered your letter to GNIB before you go there, but you will need to bring your bank statement showing that you have €1,000.00 in your account, and your passport.
1.3 Bank Accounts:
You will need a school letter and your passport to open your bank account. It will take a few days to open. They will post you out your account number and once you have that you can lodge your money and order a bank statement. This is the statement you will bring to GNIB.
1.4 Certificates:
Each student receives a certificate at the end of their course. To request your certificate, please inform the Director a week before you plan to finish your course.
All Academic Year students are prepared for an internationally recognized examination: Cambridge or IELTS. These certificates are not issued by ELTA, but are sent directly to the student by the awarding body.
1.5 Extending or shortening your course:
If you wish to extend your course, you must inform the office in advance. If you have to leave your course earlier than planned, please inform the office.
If you are staying longer than planned, you need to extend your visa. If you want to extend your visa, the visa office will ask you for a letter of attendance. Ask for this in the office one week in advance. You must have an attendance rate of 85% or more in order to extend your visa without any problems. Remember that if you are late to class or leave early, it will affect your attendance. Your attendance letter will be delivered directly to GNIB by the school.
2. Academic Information
2.1 Your First Day:
On your first day, you only need to bring a pen and a copybook.
2.2 Class Placement:
On arrival at ELTA each student completes an entry interview and placement test before going to class. Students are placed in a class according to their level.
2.3 Course Books:
For your General English class your teacher will give you any course material you need. ELTA provides class sets of all our course books. For homework purposes your teacher will either lend you a book or photocopy the necessary material. However, while you are not required to buy a book, many students prefer to do so. In this case we can tell you where to buy the book at a student discount, or we can buy it on your behalf. For the Callan class, books are given to the students when they are needed. If you want to buy a Callan book you can order them online at www.callan.co.uk/shop/catalogue
Please do not write on the school’s books. They are for class use only
2.4 Class Times:
Morning Classes: Exam Preparation
9.00- 10.45 General English Monday- Thursday
11.00- 1.00 Callan Classes Monday- Thursday
Evening Classes: Intensive Spoken English with the Callan Method
19.00- 21.00 Callan Classes Monday to Friday
2.5 School Holidays: ELTA is closed on public holidays - March 17, first Monday of May, first Monday of June, first Monday of August, last Monday of October, one week at Easter and three weeks at Christmas / New Year.
2.6 Holidays: ELTA operates a 6-month academic year. The tuition period is during the first 25 weeks and the remainder of the year is the holiday period.
2.7 Changing Class: Usually a student stays with the same class for a whole course. Your teacher may advise that you move to another class to assist your progress.
If you wish to change your class for any reason, speak to your teacher and ask him/her for advice.
2.8 Your Teacher: At ELTA you will work under the skilled supervision of highly trained and motivated teachers. They have been chosen not only for their qualifications but also for their ability to work enthusiastically with students.
Our aim is to ensure that your stay is both enjoyable and productive, so please discuss your learning requirements with your teacher. Tell your teacher if there is a problem.
2.9 Other Problems: If you have any academic problems, first speak to your teacher. They welcome information and will propose a solution.
If the problem is not solved in this way, speak to the Director of Studies or the Head of School.
3. Behaviour
3.1 No Smoking: Please remember that it is illegal to smoke in an indoor workplace in Ireland. There is no smoking anywhere in the school building.
3.2 Food and Drink: There is a kitchen in the school for students’ use. The school supplies tea, coffee, sugar and milk. Students may use the fridge and microwave. Eating is not allowed during classes but drinks are allowed.-
3.4 Mobile Phones: Teachers understand that some students use dictionaries on their mobile phones. You may have your mobile phone in class but you must only use it for the dictionary function. As a courtesy to your teachers please inform them if you have a dictionary on your mobile phone.
3.5 Attendance and Punctuality: If students are absent for more than two days due to illness, they must produce a medical certificate. Students whose attendance is erratic will be counceled by the Director of Studies. The school reserves the right to withold the certificate of attendance and to notify the Garda National Immigration Bureau in the case of students who are persistently absent. If you are more than 30 minutes late for your class you will not be marked present. Remember, if you are a visa student you must maintain 85% attendance.
3.6 Litter: Please help keep ELTA clean by using the litter bins provided.
4. Making Progress
Here are some suggestions to help you study more effectively and achieve your aim of learning as much as possible:
4.1 In Class
- Always speak in English.
- Participate actively in class.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
- Be patient with yourself; progress takes time.
- Take responsibility for your own learning. The teacher is there to help you.
- Plan your learning by making a timetable.
- Buy a monolingual (one language) dictionary for your level.
4.2 At Home: Studying outside the class is important for success
- Review the work you did in class each day.
- Set aside at least one hour each day for study.
- When studying intensively, take regular short breaks.
- Keep a learner diary and write down any questions for your teacher.
- Watch the television news or read the free newspaper for conversational topics.
- Ask your teacher to refer you to the most appropriate websites for self learning at your level.
5. Travel and Transport
5.1 Student Travel: In order to get discount student travel on Dart, Bus and Luas (tram) services you must have a Student Card. Student Cards are only available for full-time students who are studying for more than six months. Ask the Director for a school letter which you will need to bring along to the student union office at Trinity College with an application form. The card costs €15.
5.2 Public Transport: It is very important that you have a ticket at all times on public transport. Fines for travelling without a valid ticket are very expensive.
5.3 The Dart: The Dart is train which runs along the coast from Greystones in the South to Howth and Malahide in the North.
If you are travelling to Howth or Malahide, pay attention to the display boards on the platform and be sure you are boarding the correct train because the line separates at Howth Junction.
For timetables go to www.irishrail.ie
5.4 Dublin Bus: No change is given on Dublin buses. If you do not have exact change for your fare the driver will give you a receipt that can be exchanged for cash at Dulbin Bus Main Office, 59 Upper O’Connell Street.
For further information and timetables go to www.dublinbus.ie
5.5 The Luas: The Luas is a tram service with two lines in Dublin. The Red Line runs from Tallaght to Connolly Station on the North side of the City and the Green Line runs from Loughlinstown to St. Stephen’s Green on the South side. Tickets can be bought at any Luas stop or a smart card (permanent ticket) can be bought from www.luas.ie.
5.6 Late Night Travel: The last service for most trains and buses leave the city centre around 23.30 and the last trams leave around midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights there is a special late night bus service called the Nitelink. The Nitelink casts €5 for all routes. For more information go the www.dublinbus.ie
5.7 Bicycles: Bicycles can be hired from 40 self service stations around the city centre. To hire a bike you must sign up for either an annual subscription or for a 3 day pass. For more information visit www.dublinbikes.ie
5.8 Taxis: Taxis are marked with a “Taxi” sign on the roof. Taxis have meters which indicate the total price of the journey. You are entitled to ask for a receipt for your journey. In the city centre you will find taxi ranks at
- Beside Cleary’s shop on O’Connell Street
- Dame St, opposite the front gate of Trinity College
- Beside St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
5.9 Airport Coaches: the Aircoach runs regularly from Trinity College and O’Connell St to the airport. One way tickets cost €7 and can be bought in advance online at www.aircoach.ie
5.10 Car Hire: HERTZ, Budget Rent a Car, 149 Upper Leeson St, Dublin 4. Tel: 660 2255 Dublin Airport, Santry, Dublin 9, Tel: 844 5919
5.11 Road Safety: The Irish drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be careful when crossing the road, look left first. If you hire a car, remember that drink driving regulations and speed limits are strictly enforced and penalties are heavy. On smaller country roads you may find slow moving vehicles, animals or a poor surface on the road so drive with particular care.
Do not leave expensive items such as luggage on view in a car; lock all valuables in the boot.
6. Accommodation
6.1 Home-stay: ELTA can arrange host family accommodation for you. The cost is €185.00 per week for a private room and €165.00 per week if you share. The fee includes breakfast, a sandwich piece of fruit to bring to school for lunch and the evening meal with the family. It also includes the price of laundering your clothes and bed linen.
6.2 Private Accommodation: The most popular website for finding rented accommodation is www.daft.ie. You can also find people looking for flat mates on Daft. If you are outside Ireland and searching on Daft, do not pay for your accommodation online. Other students have done this only to discover that the address was false.
6.3 Questions before you rent
- How much is the deposit and what are the conditions of its return?
- Are all the appliances and facilities in working order?
- What additional bills are there: electricity, gas, waste disposal, etc.?
- What type of insurance has the landlord? Most properties only have structural insurance. If you want contents insurance you will need to organise it yourself.
6.4 Tenant Rights
Contract, Lease, Rent Book: You are entitled to have a contract, a lease, or a rent book which shows all rent and bills paid. If your landlord will not give you one of these things, he may not be a registered landlord.
Rent Increase: A rent increase can only happen once a year and the landlord must give you 28 days written notice.
Landlord Access: The landlord can only enter the rented accommodation with your permission, unless it is an emergency.
Repairs: The landlord is responsible for repairs as a result of normal use. If the damage is your fault, you will have to pay.
Notice of Termination: If you want to leave your rented accommodation you must tell your landlord in advance. The period of notice depends on how long you have lived there.
Under 6 months 28 days
6 months- 1 year 35 days
1 year- 2 years 42 days
Over 2 years 56 days
These periods of notice apply if you do not have a fixed term lease. If you have a fixed term you can find a replacement tenant. You do not need to give more than 28 days notice if the landlord does not respect your rights, whether you have a fixed term lease or not. You are not required to give written notice but it is advised.
If the landlord wants to end your tenancy he must notify you in writing with a reason for ending the tenancy. The same notice periods apply.
Deposit: You should receive your full deposit back when you leave unless you have not paid your rent or bills.
6.5 Problems: If you are having problems with you landlord or landlady and are unsure of your rights, you can contact the Private Rented Tenancies Board on D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, www.prtb.ie or visit the charity website www.threshold.ie. The PRTB (Private Residential Tenancies Board) provides information to both landlords and tenants concerning the duties and rights of both. Their office is three minutes walk from the school www.prtb.ie
7. Employment
7.1 PPS Number: As a full time visa student you may work 20 hours a week while attending school. Before you can look for a job you must get a Personal Public Service Number (PPS) by visiting the Social Welfare Local Office. You will need your passport and proof of address in Ireland such as a school letter.
Social Welfare Local Office
20 King’s Inn Street,
Dublin 1.
7.2 Emergency Tax: This is the system an employer uses to calculate tax until they receive your P45 (from your previous Irish employer) or a Certificate of Tax Credits. Emergency tax increases every week but will be returned when you organise your tax credits. To receive a Certificate of Tax Credits, download a form www.revenue.ie and send it to your local tax office.
7.3 Employee Rights
Wages: Generally, the amount of pay you receive for working in Ireland is agreed between you and your employer. You will be offered a wage when you receive an offer of a job. However under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 most employees are entitled to a minimum wage of €8.65, although it may be less if you are working in a job you have no experience in. You are entitled to extra pay for working on Sunday.
Breaks: The general rule on breaks is that you are entitled to a break of 15 minutes after a 4 ½ hour work period. After a 6-hour work period you are entitled to a break of 30 minutes, which can include the first 15-minute break. There is no entitlement to be paid during these breaks and they are not considered part of working time. Shop employees who work more than 6 hours and whose hours of work include 11.30am-2.30pm are entitled to a one hour consecutive break which must occur during those hours.
Holidays: As a part-time employee you are entitled to holidays amounting to 8% of the hours you have worked.
Public Holidays: On each of the nine public holidays (1 January, 17 March, Easter Monday, first Monday in May, June, August, last Monday in October, 25 and 26 December) you are entitled to double time (twice your normal pay). In order for a part-time worker to qualify for a public holiday, he/she must work at least 40 hours in the 5-week period that immediately precedes the public holiday.
8 Health and Safety
8.1 Culture Shock: It is quite normal to feel culture shock. You may feel tired, lonely, home sick or confused from time to time. This is not unusual.
Here are some tips if you are feeling bad:
- Try not to be negative about everything. Try to be open, cordial, curious and positive.
- Expect things to be different.
- Join in school activities like the karaoke, movie club, outings or parties.
- Join other students in the Students’ Room for a chat.
- Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet.
- Get plenty of rest.
8.2 Doctors: Waiting times can be quite long in the Emergency Rooms of Irish Hospitals. Unless your complaint is severe it is better to go to a General Practitioner (GP) or a clinic.
There is a Drop-in Clinic (no appointment necessary) at 16 Dame Street, Dublin 2.
Opening Hours: 8.30- 19.00 Monday- Friday
12.00- 15.00 Saturday
14.00-16.00 Sunday and Bank Holidays
Appointments can be made by calling 679 0754. For further information go to www.damestreetmedicalcenter.com
8.3 Women’s Health: There are specialised clinics in the city centre for women’s health. The nearest clinic to the school is the Well Woman Clinic on Liffey Street. For further information go to www.wellwomancentre.ie
8.4 Dentist: For emergency treatment you can visit the Dental Hospital. Treatment costs €70 and you must pay in advance.
Dental Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.
www.dentalschool.ie
You can also ask your teacher to recommend a dentist. But be aware that dentists are very expensive in Ireland.
9. Emergency Services: To call the police, fire department or an ambulance, dial 999
9.1 Police Station: The nearest Police station to the school is Pearse Street Station.
Tel: 01-6669000, 01-6669040, info@garda.ie
10. Shopping and Entertainment
Dublin can be a very expensive city to live in. If you are looking for cheap clothes or food try the shops listed below.
10.1 Opening Hours: The standard opening hours around the city centre are
9.00- 18.00 Monday - Saturday
9.00- 20.00 Thursday
12.00- 18.00 Sunday
There are some shops around the city centre, such as Spar, Centra and Londis, which are open 24 hours a day.
10.2 Clothes: Penney’s and Dunne’s sell clothes, shoes, underwear and accessories.
Penney’s, 40 O’Connell Street, (beside the GPO) and 34 Henry Street
Dunne’s, St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and 39 Mary Street (across from the Jervis Centre)
10.4 Food: Dunne’s also has supermarkets in some of their shops (there are supermarkets in the two shops listed above). Tesco’s is also a cheap supermarket. Try Tesco’s, Jervis Shopping Centre, Basement level. And even cheaper are Lidl, Moore Street, Dublin 1, and just a few minutes’ walk away, Aldi, Parnell Street, Dublin 1 (at the top of O’Connell Street).
10.5 Books: For course books and other learning materials go to Modern Languages on Westland Row (near Pearse Station). They will give you a 10% student discount. For cheap, second hand and foreign language books try Chapters on Parnell Street (at the top of O’Connell Street).
10.6 Music and DVDs: The most popular music and DVD shops in Dublin are HMV on Henry Street and Grafton Street, Tower Records on Wicklow Street and in Eason’s on O’Connell Street. If you are looking for Irish Music and Films try Celtic Notes on Nassau Street. Chapters on Parnell Street also have second hand CDs and DVDs on sale.
10.7 Cinemas: If you are interested in alternative, independent or foreign films you can visit the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Temple Bar. It also has a good cinema bookshop and workshops for those interested in cinema and film.
If you like going to the cinema regularly you can get an Unlimited Card for Cineworld cinema on Parnell Street for €19.99 a month.
10.8 Gyms: Markievicz Leisure Centre is a gym located less than 5min walk from the school. You can pay for individual uses of the gym and pool or you can buy membership for 1 month, 3months or 6months.
Markievicz Leisure Centre
Townsend Street,
Dublin 2.
10.9 School Activities: ELTA has social events all the time: movies, karaoke, parties, outings, lunches in restaurants; and also informal outings and gatherings organised by the students. You will be told about these beforehand: the details will be written on the white board in your class room. If you are in your holiday period, be sure to check out our Facebook page to see what’s happening.
11. Tourist Information
11.1 Tourist Office: Tourist Information Office, 5 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Also, Dublin Tourism, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2.
11.2 Popular Tourist Destinations: There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Dublin and around the country.
In Dublin
- Visit the Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square, top of O’Connell Street. Then visit the Writer’s Museum next door.
- Visit the National Gallery on Merrion Square. The permanent collection is free of charge and there are regular special exhibits that require a ticket.
- Take the Dart (northbound) to Howth. Walk along the harbour or around Howth Head. Some say the best Fish and Chips in Dublin can be bought in Beshoff’s in Howth.
- Visit Malahide Castle and Gardens. Take the Dart (northbound) to Malahide village or the 42 bus from Lower Abbey Street.
- Take the Dart (southbound) to Dalkey. Walk along Coliemore Road to Coliemore Harbour and see Dalkey Island and perhaps some seals.
- Visit the Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest in Europe. Take the 13 or 19 bus from O’Connell Street.
- On Sunday morning painters hang their work on the railings around Merrion Square.
11.3 Around the country
- Blarney Castle: Built nearly six hundred years ago, most people visit Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone which gives you the “Gift of the Gab” (the ability to speak well). Approximately five hours from Dublin.
- Newgrange/Boyne Valley: One of the largest Stone Age monuments in the world. These megalithic passage tombs are over 5,000 years old. Approximately one hour from Dublin.
- Powersourt House and Gardens: One of Ireland’s most famous houses and gardens, Powerscourt contains Ireland’s highest waterfall.
- Glendalough: 6th century monastery between two of the most beautiful glacial lakes in Ireland. There is a round tower, churches and stone crosses and a fascinating visitors’ centre. Beautiful location for walks and photographs. Approximately one hour from Dublin.
- Kilkenny: Historical and picturesque city with a beautiful castle dating from 1172. Approximately two hours from Dublin.
- Cliffs of Moher: The Cliffs of Moher stretch for 8km and rise to 214m above the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s nomination for the global online campaign to find the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. Approximately 3.5 hours from Dublin
- The Giant’s Causeway: A fascinating and beautiful natural rock formation on the coast of Northern Ireland.
- 12. Embassies
- The following Embassy contact details may be useful.
Brazil
Europa House
Harcourt centre
Harcourt House
Dublin 2
Tel: 01-475 6000
France
36 Ailesbury Road
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-277 5000
Italy
63 Northumberland Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-660 1744
Japan
Nutley Buildings
Merrion Centre
Nutley Lane
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-202 8300
Korea
15 Clyde Road
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-660 8800
Mexico
43 Ailesbury Road
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-260 0699
Mongolia
Knockmaroon Hill
Chapelizod
Co. Dublin
Tel: 01-626 4008
Poland
5 Ailesbury Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-283 0855
Portugal 15 Leeson Park,Dublin 6. 01-4127040
Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau
630 Chiswick High Road
London W4 5RY
United Kingdom
Tel: 00-442032497153
Spain
17a Merlyn Park
Dublin 4
Tel: 01-269 1640/ 01-269 2597