ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• New Learners will be interviewed on arrival at College and will be asked to take an online placement test in order to join classes that correspond to their current level and knowledge of English

MODE OF STUDY

FULL-TIME (15 Hours Per-week for 25 weeks)

• Morning Classes – Monday to Friday (9:15am to 12:30pm) (subject to change)
• Afternoon Classes – Monday to Friday (1:45pm to 5pm)   (subject to change)

Please Note: 375 hours of direct tuition and recommended minimum 60-80 hours of self-study.

PART-TIME (15 Hours Per-week for 12 weeks maximum)

• Morning Classes – Monday to Friday (9:15am to 12:30pm) (subject to change)
• Afternoon Classes – Monday to Friday (1:45pm to 5pm) (subject to change)

• On-campus
• Independent study
• Supervised learning
• Technology assisted learning
• Clinics, Clubs
• Study groups
• Extra-curricular activities
• Educational trips/field-trips (Compulsory to attend)
• Cultural, sports and social programmes
• Conversational & CV preparation classes (optional)
• Additional exam preparatory sessions (optional)

PLEASE NOTE: that due to unforeseen circumstances (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), learning (full & part time) may take place online or in blended form.

PLACEMENT PROCEDURES

Effective procedures are in place to determine learners’ level of competence and/or other needs. New learners are required to take a computerised placement test during their induction. This will be followed by an oral test conducted by a member of the academic team. Learners will be assigned a starting level on the basis of these two placement tests.

After the start of the programme, levels can be changed based on in-class performance and tutor recommendation. Learners are also able to submit level change requests via the online forms available in their Liffey College login.

For more details please contact the Academic Committee: info@liffeycollege.ie.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

The Academic Committee selected the following (per level/course offered);

• A1 – “English File (Fourth Edition) – Elementary” Oxford University Press
• A2 – “English File (Fourth Edition) – Pre-Intermediate” Oxford University Press
• B1 – “File (Fourth Edition)– Intermediate” Oxford University Press
• B2 – “English File (Third Edition) – Upper-Intermediate” Oxford University Press
• C1 – “English File (Third Edition) – Advanced” Oxford University Press

Learners can buy the books from International Books Shop. Each book costs €40-€45 approximately (Subject to change).

It is recommended but not compulsory at this time for learners to purchase a course book (subject to change).

Our General English programmes are delivered using the Liffey College online platform/ELMS. The platform is designed to track learner progress and enables learners to follow the lessons from home even if they miss class. Learners must have a functional device to access the online platform. A laptop or tablet is recommended.

LEARNER CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

Learners at Liffey College are assessed on an on-going basis in order to continuously evaluate and record their progress throughout the duration of their stay at the college. Liffey College operates a continuous assessment policy to accommodate the learning needs of the learners completing long term courses (25 weeks).

Every 6 weeks, learners take a Progress Test covering the main language learning skills, i.e. Writing, Reading, Speaking, Pronunciation and Listening.

The Progress Tests are adapted from English File and are divided into three sections:

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

Learners are tested on the material covered in the previous 6 weeks of class. The first two sections are completed electronically via the Liffey College online platform/ELMS, which tracks learner progress and records all of their test scores. The third section, the Speaking task, is an oral test which may take the form of an in-class oral presentation, interview (one learner or more at a time), debate or discussion, etc. Learners are able to view their scores on the online platform after completing the test.

The grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and listening exercises are graded electronically/automatically by the Liffey College online system. The tutor manually grades the Writing and Speaking tasks. The Writing task is graded based on the following criteria:

• Completion of task
• Grammatical accuracy
• Lexical range
• Spelling
• Overall coherence

The topic for the Speaking task is set by the tutor at the beginning of the week and is based on the material that learners have covered in class over the past six weeks. Learners are assessed on their speaking skills by the tutor during the class based on the following criteria:

• Preparation for task
• Grammatical accuracy
• Lexical Range
• Pronunciation
• Fluency

Learners are also assessed internally via Weekly Progress Reports submitted by their tutors. These reports provide additional information about each learner’s performance and participation in class, their progress and eligibility for the next level (if applicable).

LEARNER HANDBOOK AND POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Please familiarise yourself with our learner’s handbook and policies & procedures:

• Learner’s Handbook : http://liffeycollege.ie/images/Student-handbook-2020.pdf
• Admission Procedures: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/admission-procedures-policy/
• Refund Policy: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/course-fee-fee-refund-policy/
• Attendance & Punctuality: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/attendance-punctuality-policy/
• Absenteeism & Expulsion: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/absenteeism-expulsion-policy-procedures/
• Sick Leave: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/sick-leave-policy/
• Final Examination: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/examination-policy/
• Complaints & Grievance Policy: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/complaints-grievance-policy/
• Holidays: http://liffeycollege.ie/students/prospective-students/holidays-breaks-policy/
• A Learner who wishes to change their class time must complete a Learner Time Change Request Form and pay the administration fee of €200 in advance. Class time changes are subject to availability.

PROGRESSION ROUTES

Many English-speaking universities accept this qualification as evidence of language proficiency for entry into their courses. Liffey College strongly recommends you to take an additional exam preparatory course.

Contacts are made (where required) with other educational providers for possibilities of progression pathways for transfer after Liffey College’s leaners complete their programme of study (QA 3.2.4).