Study & Travel Programme

Join our vibrant school community any Monday of the year and continue your language learning journey in expert hands. Dynamic integrated skills lessons focus on developing language proficiency, and our CEFR-based curriculum guides you in developing competences in the 21st century skills necessary in an ever-changing world.

Our Study and Travel Programme Ireland fully meets the requirements set by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)

• Study for 25 weeks over a 33-week period
• Study 15 hours per week
• Morning and afternoon options
• Classes at each CEFR Level from A1 to C1
• Choice of end-of-course exam to meet your needs
• Choice of three different programmes:
  • General English Route
  • Business English Route
  • Academic English Route

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

Level Placement: Students are placed in a General English class following assessment of level. The assessment is carried out before the first day of your course if possible.

Making Progress: If you are enrolled on a 25-week course, you can expect to move up a level for the second part of your course. Progress is monitored and students normally move level once they have completed a 12-week course. You may be ready to do the Mid-Course Level Test before Week 12, depending on your level at the start of your course and on how much English you are using outside of the classroom. The level test consists of an online Grammar & Vocabulary test, a Writing test, and a Speaking test.

End of Course Exam: The second part of the programme focuses on General English with Trinity ISE or Test of Interactive English (TIE) booked as the end of course test. Exam preparation is integrated into lessons and there are also Exam Preparation Workshops every week at lunchtimes.

Click here to view the Timetable

General English Route Exam Options

All non-EEA, visa-requiring students on a 25-week study programme must take an End-of-Course Exam from an external exam provider. CCD Faculty of Language provide preparation for the following exams and the Academic Team are always available to offer advice on the best exam for your needs. Preparation and practice tasks are integrated into your General English lessons and there are also weekly workshops and tutorials at lunchtime (12.30 to 13.30)

On the General English Route, you have a choice of the following end-of-course exams.

• Trinity Integrated Skills in English (Trinity ISE)
• Test of Interactive English (TIE)

General English End-of-Course Exam: Trinity ISE

(Integrated Skills in English)

Trinity ISE is a four skills English language qualification aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) and recognised by governments and institutions around the world.

• Trinity ISE qualifications have no expiry and are valid for life as evidence of language level achievement.
• Trinity ISE qualifications are widely accepted by higher education institutions in Ireland, though details of entry requirements can differ depending on the institution and the target course of study.
• There are two exam modules you need to pass to get a Trinity ISE qualification: Reading & Writing and Speaking & Listening

Trinity ISE qualifications are available at five levels and preparation of all exam tasks are integrated into General English Lessons at all levels. CCD provide additional Exam Preparation Workshops at lunchtime for students as their exam date approaches.

Learn more about the Trinity ISE on their website.

General English End-of-Course Exam: TIE

(Test of Interactive English)

TIE is a task-based test with the content chosen by each individual learner and can therefore be suitable for students who wish to focus on topics of personal or professional interest for exam preparation.

TIE (Test of Interactive English) has been designed for all students over the age of 18 of all abilities and motivations following either long or short courses in language schools or other educational institutions.

TIE is a learner-centred exam which is flexible, i.e. designed to recognise and accommodate the needs and interests of each learner whatever their level of English, age, cultural or educational background.

Students who complete all parts of the test receive a certificate which records their CEFR level of English. There is no fail grade as such because performance is measured by how the student can use language to speak and write on the day of the test in relation to the CEFR Can-do Descriptors.

TIE is certified by LPEI and recognised as a valid Exit Exam for English Language courses listed on the ILEP by The Irish Department of Justice and Equality

TIE can be taken by students at all levels and preparation of exam tasks are integrated into General English Lessons. CCD Faculty of Language provide additional TIE Preparation Workshops at lunchtime for students twice a week.

Learn more about the TIE exam on their website.

Programme Structure: The first 12 weeks of the Business English Route is spent in General English class. This allows you to advance your level of English in the context of everyday general topics. Students move to a Business English half-way through the 25-week programme.

Entry Requirements: Students must have a minimum level of B2 to join the Business class. This means that to begin a 25-week Business English Route, your entry level must be B1+

Making Progress: If you are enrolled on a 25-week course, you can expect to move up a level for the second part of your course. Progress is monitored and students normally move level once they have completed a 12-week course. You may be ready to do the Mid-Course Level Test before Week 12, depending on your level at the start of your course and on how much English you are using outside of the classroom. The level test consists of an online Grammar & Vocabulary test, a Writing test, and a Speaking test.

End of Course Exam: The second part of the programme focuses on Business English with Cambridge Advance CAE booked as the end of course test. Exam preparation is integrated into lessons.

Click here to view the Timetable

Business English Route Exam Options

All non-EEA, visa-requiring students on a 25-week study programme must take an End-of-Course Exam from an external exam provider. CCD Faculty of Language provide preparation for a number of exams, and the Academic Team are always available to offer advice on the best exam for your needs. Preparation and practice tasks for the Cambridge Advanced exam (CAE) are integrated into your Business English lessons and account for approximately 25% of lesson content.

Business English End-of-Course Exam: Cambridge Advanced (CAE)

Although the CAE is a General English exam, comprehensive exam practice and preparation materials complement the Business English syllabus very successfully. General English C1 students may also choose to take the CAE as their end of course exam.

• Cambridge English is globally recognised as a leader in the field of English Language assessment providers, and they offer a wide range of proficiency exams at all CEFR levels.
• CAE is accepted for entry to higher education.
• CAE is a four skills exam and also has a Use of English component that promotes a high degree of linguistic range.

* Please note that if you or your teacher feels that the Cambridge exam at B2 or C2 would be more appropriate for your specific needs, the Academic Team will facilitate this along with providing guidance and a self-study programme.

Learn more about Cambridge CAE on the Cambridge website.

Programme Structure: The first 12 weeks of the Academic English Route is spent in General English class. This allows you to advance your level of English in the context of everyday general topics. Students move to an Academic English & IELTS Preparation class half-way through the 25-week programme.

Entry Requirements: Students must have a minimum level of B2 to join the Academic English & IELTS Preparation class. This means that to begin a 25-week Academic English Route, your entry level must be B1+.

Making Progress: If you are enrolled on a 25-week course, you can expect to move up a level for the second part of your course. Progress is monitored and students normally move level once they have completed a 12-week course. You may be ready to do the Mid-Course Level Test before Week 12, depending on your level at the start of your course and on how much English you are using outside of the classroom. The level test consists of an online Grammar & Vocabulary test, a Writing test, and a Speaking test.

End of Course Exam: The second part of the programme focuses on Academic English & IELTS Preparation with the IELTS Academic exam booked as the end of course test.  

Click here to view the Timetable

Academic English Route Exam 

All non-EEA, visa-requiring students on a 25-week study programme must take an End-of-Course Exam from an external exam provider. CCD Faculty of Language provide preparation for a number of exams, and the Academic Team are always available to offer advice on the best exam for your needs. The Academic English & IELTS Preparation class works towards a score of 7 or 7.5 in the IELTS Academic exam (C1).

Academic English End-of-Course Exam: IELTS Academic

(International English Language Testing System)

IELTS is a globally recognised Academic English exam and is often chosen by students who wish to progress to higher education in an English-speaking university or college.

• • In general, international students need to secure a minimum IELTS overall band score of at least 6 to study at third level, depending on the college.
  • You can choose to take your IELTS Academic test on paper or computer at an official test centre.
  • IELTS is a four-skills exam that tests Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

CEFR Levels and IELTS Scores

Students must have completed a General English course at CEFR B2 level before joining the Academic English & IELTS Preparation class at CCD Faculty of Language. Lessons work towards a level of C1 / IELTS score 7 or 7.5

Click here to view the Study & Travel Timetable