Starting your journey at Cork English Academy is an exciting experience! We understand that your first day can be full of anticipation, and we’re here to make sure you feel welcomed, informed, and ready to begin your English learning adventure. Here’s what you can expect on your first day at our school.

Induction Day: A Warm Welcome to CEA

Your first day begins with an Induction Day, designed to ensure you have all the information you need to settle in comfortably and begin your course with confidence.

• Arrive at Reception: When you arrive at the academy, please head to reception to register for your course. It’s important to bring a pen, some paper, and your passport or photo ID for verification purposes.
• Presentation: After registration, you’ll attend a brief presentation about the school, our facilities, and your course. This will give you an overview of everything you need to know, from our teaching methods to the range of services we offer to students.
• Joining Your Class: Once the presentation is complete, you’ll be introduced to your class and your teacher. It’s time to meet your fellow students and get ready to dive into your English lessons!

Arriving on Your First Day

Your timetable depends on whether you’ve registered for a morning or afternoon course:

• Morning Courses: If you are enrolled in a morning course, please arrive at the school by 08:45 on your first day.
• Afternoon Courses: For those with afternoon courses, please arrive at 13:00 on your first day.

Course Timetables

• Morning Timetable: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 12:15
• Afternoon Timetable: Monday to Friday, 13:15 to 16:30

Meeting the Academic Team

The Academic Team will conduct your induction session. They will explain your starting level, discuss your course progression, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also hear about the social activities and free workshops available that week. We encourage students to participate, as it’s a great way to practice English outside of class and connect with others.

Starting Your Classes

Excitingly, you’ll start your lessons on your very first day! This is the perfect opportunity to meet your teacher and classmates, get familiar with the classroom environment, and begin learning. You will also receive your textbooks, which will be your companions throughout your course.

City Walking Tour

On their first day, students are encouraged to sign up for our guided city walking tour on the Social Activity Board located on the ground floor. This tour offers a great introduction to Cork, highlighting key landmarks, places of interest, and historical sites to help students feel at home in their new city. The Social Activity Board also displays all activities available throughout the week.

Immigration Registration (stamp 2/non-EU applicants)

If you’re in Ireland on a student visa and need to register with immigration for Stamp 2 purposes, don’t worry! This will be taken care of during a second meeting on your second day of class. This meeting will guide you through the relocation procedures and ensure you’re all set for your stay in Ireland.

We look forward to seeing you on your first day! At Cork English Academy, we’re committed to making sure you feel at home while you learn English in a friendly, supportive environment. Your journey to language proficiency starts now, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Taking breaks during a long-term course can significantly enhance the learning experience. Holidays offer students a chance to recharge, explore Ireland, and return to their studies refreshed and motivated.

At Cork English Academy, we encourage students to make the most of their holidays to enrich their overall experience while maintaining focus on their language goals.

Eligibility for Holidays

• Courses of 13+ Weeks: Students may take 1 week holiday during their stay.
• Courses of 25+ Weeks: Students may take up to 2 weeks holiday (10 working days + 2 weekends).

Holiday Terms and Procedures

• Holidays must be prearranged with at least 2 weeks’ notice.
• Holidays must align with a full week (Monday to Friday).
• Approved holiday weeks are added to the end of the course duration.
• Stamp 2/Study Visa holders must have completed at least 5 weeks of their course before taking 1 weeks holidays and at least 6 weeks of their course if requesting 2 weeks holidays (this is in line with Immigration policy).

Steps for Requesting and Monitoring Holidays

• Request Submission: Get a Holiday Request Form from reception. Complete and return the form to reception.
• Approval Process: The Director of Studies reviews the request.
• Notification: The Director of Studies informs the relevant Class Teachers and updates the student’s file and the school management system.The student receives an email confirmation of the holiday request.
• Non-Adherence: Students absent without prior approval or taking longer holidays than permitted will be marked absent. Missed classes will not be added to the end of their course.

For any questions or clarifications regarding holiday requests, please contact reception or the Director of Studies directly [email protected].

Public Holidays

Please also keep in mind the public holiday dates in Ireland. The school will be closed on the following public holidays. If a holiday falls on a Monday, courses will start on the following Tuesday:

2025 Public Holiday/School Closure Dates:

• 03 February
• 17 March
• 21 April
• 05 May
• 02 June
• 04 August
• 27 October

2025 Christmas Holidays:

• 22 December 2025 to 02 January 2026. The last day of class will be Friday, 19 December 2025.

Choosing holidays that coincide with public holidays can maximize your fun and allow you to explore more of what Ireland has to offer.

If you’re arriving at Dublin Airport and need to travel to Cork City, the best option is to take the Aircoach.

Ticket Booking

You can pre-book your ticket online via the Aircoach website or purchase one directly when boarding the bus.

Bus Features

• Comfortable seating
• Charging sockets for devices
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Toilets

Journey Duration

The journey takes approximately 3.5 hours from Dublin Airport to Cork City.

Cork City Stop

The Aircoach bus makes one convenient stop in Cork City at: 1 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, T23 XWY9 (in front of Moody’s Cafe).

Host Family Bookings

If a host family has been booked, this single stop makes it easy for host families to pick up students upon arrival.

Communication with Host Families

• Students and host families should exchange WhatsApp numbers before traveling.
• The bus’s onboard Wi-Fi allows students to notify families of any delays.

Suggested Travel Plan

1. Flight Arrival at Dublin Airport
   Allow at least 2 hours after landing to collect baggage and pass through immigration.
2. Aircoach Departure
   Book your bus departure 2+ hours after your flight’s arrival.
3. Aircoach Arrival in Cork City
   Expect to arrive in Cork approximately 3.5 hours later.

Students are responsible for booking their own Aircoach tickets. For more information and to reserve your seat, visit www.aircoach.ie.