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English and Special Interests

Twin English Centres
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Course description

Structure

Mornings: General English 20 lessons per week

Afternoons: One-to-One 4 hours per week over 2 afternoons which would include task based learning.

At Alpha our research indicates that as well as needing to learn English for educational and professional or career advancement many of our students would also like to develop their leisure-time skills at the same time as they are taking an English language course.

Some of the most popular Special Interest supplements include:

English and Photography
English and Movie Making
English and Coding
English and Art

Medical English
Legal English

If you have a special interest that you would like to explore, please let us know and we can look into it for you.

Here is an example for English and Photography
This module is delivered by University graduates of Film and Broadcasting who have experience in Print Photography, TV and Radio. They are also qualified teachers of English so their unique skillsets, up-to-date knowledge and enthusiasm ensure that students taking this module will benefit enormously from the programme.

The afternoon modules will depend the results of a needs analysis before the student arrives. Areas may include:

Introduction to Photography techniques and terminology.

Get to know how to frame a photo, rule of thirds, exposure, aperture and shutter speeds. Learn what makes a great picture.

Introduction to street and architecture photography – complicated spaces.

Learn how to capture complicated spaces including busy street scenes and getting an angle on unique architectural motifs

Introduction to landscape photography.

Understand the balance of colours, tones and learn about foreground focus, bokeh and subtitling drawing the eye to the subject of the picture.

Introduction to portrait photography.

Get to know the basic poses and lighting techniques to make your models look their best.

Introduction to photo editing techniques.

Get to know effects to enhance photos and how to fix, adjust or improve photos already shot.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-12 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
24 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 55 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
09:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Morning session
11:10 AM - 01:00 PM
Afternoon session
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

Pre-intermediate
Intermediate
High intermediate
Advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 10 students
Maximum 14 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 28 years old
(23 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Alpha College was founded in 1989 and started as an executive training centre providing high level management and technical courses in English to non-native-English speakers.

We found that the demand for high-quality English language courses was just as important and we started providing the General English courses with a focus on Business and Specialised Programmes.

Over the last 28 years, we have stayed true to the founding principle of offering the highest quality standards to our students from around the world.

When we first opened our famous green door we had approximately 20 students starting with us from 3 different countries. Last year we welcomed 52 different nationalities to Dublin and we always try to ensure the best possible nationality mix in all our classes.

We are fully recognised by the Irish Department of Education. We are also members of two of the most prestigious quality marks in the International Language Travel industry – EAQUALS, IALC and MEI.

Year opened
1989
Number of classrooms
19

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area

Teacher qualifications

Native English speakers
Over 50%
Teachers with English teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Twin English Centres varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 28. In the summer, the average age is 23.

Twin Dublin teaches students from all over the world, including:

Italy
15%
France
13%
Brazil
10%
Switzerland
9%
South Korea
8%
Other
45%

School holidays

Twin Dublin does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

Alpha College is located in the city centre just 10 minutes walk to the focal point of Dublin, the Spire. Alpha's main building is a Georgian building on one of the most well-preserved Georgian streets in Dublin. There are lots of interesting places for students very close to the school including museums, galleries, restaurants, cafes, bars, shopping areas and historical sites. If students are lucky, they may even spot a famous actor or director as North Great George's Street is quite a popular street for shooting movies and series set in 18th and 19th Century.

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Photos

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reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 2 reviews
5 stars
1
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"It was very good experience to learn english"

Louis Gaultier, student from France

I really liked to classes and the teachers, they were here to teach and make the activity fun to make you feel it's more a game than a boring classes it was a good one. It was very easy to come with the bus and to find the school, and it's the city center so really simple. But I do think it's better to rent an apartment or an house during the trip and work in the city than going into a family house.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
21 Nov 2022 - 2 Dec 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Interesting topics, explained by good teachers with lack of organisation"

Eva Hofmann, student from Austria

I really liked the classes, because they challenged me and the teachers were very friendly. It was very practical that the school is located just a few minutes from the center.

The Orientation Tour and the Howth trip were pleasant and enjoyable.
My host family surpassed all my expectations. They cooked vegetarian for me and were always friendly.

The school just did not seem to have their ELearning Platform all under control, because many students did not receive the link to sign up.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
1 Aug 2022 - 12 Aug 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

Twin Dublin offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends

190 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Dublin
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, heating, garden, and other
Distance to school: 15 - 45 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
190 €
Homestay accommodation is arranged with carefully selected and monitored hosts who provide single room accommodation, breakfast and evening dinner Monday to Friday; all meals at week-ends and light laundry service.

We can arrange homestay accommodation on a twin room basis but only for friends/family members travelling together.

Most homestays are located in the suburbs with students travelling to and from the college by bus or local train. The average travelling time is 30 – 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Only one student of each mother-tongue is placed in a family unless students request an alternative arrangement.

Students with special dietary requirements may be asked to pay an extra supplement

Students who wish to vacate their room for 5 days or more will be charged a fee to hold the room

There is no refund if students vacate their room for weekends

The summer supplement price applies to students staying in a homestay over Christmas

A limited number of hosts can provide a private bathroom for students. This facility must be specifically requested at least 2 months in advance and incurs an extra supplement. However, this facility cannot always be guaranteed.
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-person room - No meals

295 €
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 123 Summer Hill, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Location: In the city center of Dublin
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, 24/7 supervision, garden, and sports facilities
Distance to school: 3 - 8 minutes by walk
Availability: 22 Jun 2019 - 31 Aug 2019
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, anytime
295 €
Alpha College can arrange residential accommodation in Beckett House Self-Catering Student Residence.

Beckett House Student Self Catering Accommodation is a newly built development of self-catering apartments designed and built to the highest standards to provide modern, comfortable student living. It consists of a selection of 3-6 bedroom apartments with ensuite bedrooms and spacious, well-equipped living room/kitchen areas.

Beckett House reception is open 24/7 and is staffed by a friendly and efficient management team.

Beckett House is located near Alpha College and near city centre. It is about a 4-5 minute walk from Alpha and 5-10 minute walk from city centre. As students staying in the residence can walk to and from Alpha and from city centre they do not need to purchase weekly local transport tickets.

Beckett House offers students a range of recreational areas, including a student lounge, study room, gardens, cinema and gym and roof top terrace. Wireless (WIFI) internet access available in all areas of the complex and there is also secure bicycle storage. (There is no car-parking facility in the complex).

Public transport is available very near the complex.

Costs
The cost is €295 per week for a single room.
The weekly rate includes heating, electricity, wireless internet, TV, refuse collection, weekly cleaning and linen change. 1 towel is included and most students may prefer to bring extra towels.
Laundry facilities are available, for a fee, on-site.

Housekeeping
A regular cleaning service is provided to all common areas, entrance, stairwells and hallways of the building.

The apartments are cleaned once a week, either on a Saturday or Sunday. Bed linen is changed once a week and there is a weekly refuse collection Students are asked, however, to keep their accommodation areas in a clean and tidy state; to clean up after cooking and to be respectful of the needs of the other people living in their apartment.

Laundry & Bed Linen
Bed Linen is provided as well as 1 larger towel but most students prefer to bring their own towels also. Bed linen is changed once per week. Mattress protectors are provided for health and hygiene purposes. A self-service, pay as you go, laundry service is available in the building at an extra cost.

Smoking
Smoking is strictly forbidden in all apartments and in all areas of the complex, including the gardens.

Students will be checked-in by a member of the Beckett House reception team.
Each student is obliged to follow the Rules and Regulations of Beckett House. These are explained by the staff at check in.

Students are responsible for the behaviour of their guests while on the premises.

Facilities
- Private en-suite bedroom with shower
- Shared kitchen/living room including cooking facilities and utensils, seating area and TV
- Bed linen and 1 towel provided (students are recommended to bring extra towels)
- Laundrette (pay-as-you-go wash and dry facility with 24/7 access)
- An average of 4 rooms in each apartment
- Electronic door access with 24 hour CCTV and on-site management
- Gym. Students wishing to use the gym must check in at reception
- 3 outdoor gardens
- Student lounge area
- Study room
- Cinema
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged 30 € when you register.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Dublin based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Twin English Centres staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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