Extra Curricular Activities

While the main motivation for international students who attend English language classes in Ireland is to improve their language skills, Ireland has a lot to offer students outside of the classroom. Most students take advantage of their stay in Ireland to explore our country a little (or a lot) and take part in many extra-curricular activities.

One real advantage of learning English in Ireland is that students can immerse themselves in the English language 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Students have many, many opportunities to practice the language skills they have learned in the classroom in “real world” situations.

Interacting with native speakers gives students exposure to everyday vocabulary and idioms, and can be especially useful for conversation and listening skills. Every time you take the bus, buy food in the shop, or make a trip to the cinema, it can be a valuable learning experience.

Many English language schools in Ireland look to facilitate a friendly and companionable ethos among their students. As international students from all four corners of the world come to Ireland to study English, language schools become real ‘melting pots’, where students from many different backgrounds and cultures can meet and make friends. Most schools have common areas where students can chat and often share meals and where English is the common language of communication. Students generally find that communicating with other students of a similar level is useful in building confidence and self-belief while speaking English.

Exploring the island of Ireland either individually or in specially-organised visits with classmates can be a highlight of many international students’ stay. English language schools in Ireland organise group excursions, where international students get to visit areas of great natural beauty or cultural interest in Ireland. Other students who stay with a host family may be taken on day-trips around Ireland where their hosts get to proudly show off the delights that Ireland has to offer.

Ireland is renowned for its distinctive and memorable countryside, and is home to many fascinating landscape features such as the unique Burren karst limestone region in Co. Clare, and the 40,000 interlocking columns of volcanic rock which make up the Giant’s Causeway in Co. Antrim. Active students will find many outdoor pursuits to follow – whether they are interested in sports, hill walking, sailing etc.

Ireland also has a rich cultural and historical heritage, which international students are also usually very keen to experience. Ireland has ancient monuments older than the pyramids (Newgrange in Co, Meath is an ancient Celtic burial tomb which dates from around 3000BC), fascinating literary and cultural expositions (you can visit the homes or birthplaces of Nobel laureates such as James Joyce or WB Yeats), as well as many museums, art galleries, conference facilities and heritage centres.

There are also many festivals that take place in Ireland throughout the year – with the most famous being St. Patrick’s festival in March, as well as other highlights such as the Galway Oyster Festival in September, the Cork Jazz Festival in October and the Dublin International Film Festival in February. Even when there is not a particular festival ongoing, Irish towns and cities are well known for their buzzing entertainment and nightlife options.

So it doesn’t have to be ‘all work and no play’ for international students in Ireland. All of this adds up to a great experience for international students who want to improve their English language skills, while also having some fun and learning more about the history and culture of Ireland.