Learning English

Learning English

Our teaching programme is provided by a staff consisting of an appropriately qualified Director of Studies and professionally trained teachers. Students undergo an initial placement test to ensure that they are placed in the most suitable teaching group. Students work from a special study file which includes textbook and stationery. They also prepare articles from our course magazine which they can take home as an attractive as a tangible souvenir of their time at Parkland. On five days a week, Monday to Friday, students have two 75-minute and one 50-minute lessons in our classrooms led by our experienced fully qualified teaching team.

We take great pride in our English language courses. A carefully designed programme, delivered by an excellent teaching staff ensures a learning experience of the highest quality. A special feature of our courses is the involvement of English pupils in conversation practice sessions and in the leisure activities.

The maximum size of each teaching group is fifteen. Our exclusive placement test is used to ensure that students are placed in the teaching group which best suits their needs.

Our courses last two, three or four weeks. During the course, students prepare articles from the course magazine so they can take home an attractive and tangible souvenir of the course. At the end of the course, students receive a certificate indicating the progress they have made.

Students may opt to take a short supplementary course and an oral examination leading to a Trinity College qualification at an appropriate level. Trinity College qualifications are recognised internationally by employers and educational institutions alike.

There are two 75 minute lessons and one 50 minute lesson five days a week (Monday - Friday). There is a total of 16.5 hours teaching per week.

Parkland International Language School is owned and managed by John and Isabel Allinson, professionally qualified language teachers who have many years of experience of responsibility for young people in a residential educational environment.

The following key staff appointments are made for each summer course:

Director of Studies: a suitably qualified and experienced manager who has a particular responsibility for the organisation and monitoring of the teaching programme.

Director of Sports and Social Activities: responsible for the management of our extensive range of activities and evening entertainment.

Course Nurse: residential throughout the course, responsible for first aid and initial medical care of students. Point of contact with local doctors' practice and hospital.

Teachers: Mostly residential, teachers have a central role in that not only are they required to deliver well planned, enjoyable and educationally enriching lessons, but they also take part in the activities and entertainment programme and look after the students in the residential buildings. We look out for teachers who not only have the relevant professional qualifications but who have the personality - and the stamina! - to take a full part in every aspect of the course.

Senior House Staff: The residential buildings are supervised by house managers with the assistance of resident teachers.