FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Bank Holidays and vacation
You can book courses in Kilkenny year-round (and Waterford and Dublin during the assigned period during the summer), there are no holidays.
You can book courses in Kilkenny year-round (and Waterford and Dublin during the assigned period during the summer), there are no holidays.
No classes will be held on national bank holidays. This does not apply to our courses during the summer (adult courses and junior summer camps). Please refer to the Irish holidays here.
Books and class material
All English language books as well as all class material needed are provided free of charge.
All English language books as well as all class material needed are provided free of charge.
Certificate and report card
A certificate is given to all students at the end of the English course with us. The certificate will indicate the results and the knowledge level achieved in the English language course as well as the number of lessons attended.
A certificate is given to all students at the end of the English course with us. The certificate will indicate the results and the knowledge level achieved in the English language course as well as the number of lessons attended.
Contact to course participants
The best time to contact your children, relatives or friends during their English course in Ireland is either at lunch time (around 13:00 pm) or at dinner time (around 18:30 pm). Approximately four weeks prior to the beginning of the language course, all students will receive detailed information about the course itself. We then will inform you about the exact postal address and the phone numbers you may use to call your children, relatives or friends while they are with us. Please note that there is a one hour time difference between the British Isles and continental Europe.
The best time to contact your children, relatives or friends during their English course in Ireland is either at lunch time (around 13:00 pm) or at dinner time (around 18:30 pm). Approximately four weeks prior to the beginning of the language course, all students will receive detailed information about the course itself. We then will inform you about the exact postal address and the phone numbers you may use to call your children, relatives or friends while they are with us. Please note that there is a one hour time difference between the British Isles and continental Europe.
Homework
All students are expected to participate fully in their English course. Thus, a certain amount of homework is obligatory in all English classes and levels. Homework is given regularly and involves preparation before, and revision work after the day's lessons. However, the amount of homework will always allow sufficient time for leisure activities. Written homework will be corrected and returned to the student, serving as an indication of his or her individual progress.
All students are expected to participate fully in their English course. Thus, a certain amount of homework is obligatory in all English classes and levels. Homework is given regularly and involves preparation before, and revision work after the day's lessons. However, the amount of homework will always allow sufficient time for leisure activities. Written homework will be corrected and returned to the student, serving as an indication of his or her individual progress.
Language levels
We distinguish between the levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Our school´s own school books are set up according to the Common European Framework as well.
We distinguish between the levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Our school´s own school books are set up according to the Common European Framework as well.
Laundry Service in the host family / in the residences
Laundry facilities are provided free of charge in Dublin and Waterford. In Kilkenny, the use of a washing machine is of the discretion of the host family.
Laundry facilities are provided free of charge in Dublin and Waterford. In Kilkenny, the use of a washing machine is of the discretion of the host family.
Lessons
The duration of a regular lesson is 45 minutes. There are generally 20 lessons (totalling 15 hours) of English language tuition per week (General English and Junior lessons).
The duration of a regular lesson is 45 minutes. There are generally 20 lessons (totalling 15 hours) of English language tuition per week (General English and Junior lessons).
Payment
After we have received your registration, we will send you a confirmation email with your detailed invoice incl. payment terms and instructions.
You can select your preferred method of payment during the registration process.
The following ways of payment are accepted: via bank transfer, PayPal or PayToStudy (for bank transfers from outside the EUR area). More information can be found here.
Placement / Entry test
Every student who wants to attend one of our English courses sits a thorough placement test on the first day of class to determine his or her English language level. The entry test consists of a written and oral part. After the test, the student will then be assigned to a class that reflects his or her level. This ensures that our English classes are homogeneous from a linguistical point of view. When assigning the different classes, we take the age of the student into consideration too (if possible).
Every student who wants to attend one of our English courses sits a thorough placement test on the first day of class to determine his or her English language level. The entry test consists of a written and oral part. After the test, the student will then be assigned to a class that reflects his or her level. This ensures that our English classes are homogeneous from a linguistical point of view. When assigning the different classes, we take the age of the student into consideration too (if possible).
Schedule / Itinerary / Timetable
Please see the pages for each course location for a sample weekly schedule. A detailed itinerary for your course with mackdonald language academy will be sent to you about 3 weeks prior to your arrival to Ireland.
Please see the pages for each course location for a sample weekly schedule. A detailed itinerary for your course with mackdonald language academy will be sent to you about 3 weeks prior to your arrival to Ireland.
Students´well-being
Living in a foreign country can sometimes cause problems of medical, emotional or psychological nature. This is a normal part of learning to live away from home for some time. However, our experienced staff will offer everyone support in these cases, and all such matters will be treated as strictly confidential. Reliable supervision for our minor students is guaranteed in all our Junior centres 24 hours per day.
Living in a foreign country can sometimes cause problems of medical, emotional or psychological nature. This is a normal part of learning to live away from home for some time. However, our experienced staff will offer everyone support in these cases, and all such matters will be treated as strictly confidential. Reliable supervision for our minor students is guaranteed in all our Junior centres 24 hours per day.
Transfers to / from the airport in Dublin (DUB)
One aspect of our comprehensive services are the transfers at arrival / departure. Arrival / departure from Dublin International Airport (DUB) to all our courses locations is on the Sunday before / after the course. Upon your registration, you can let us know your flight details and we will then arrange your transfer. A member of staff will wait for you in the arrival´s hall of Dublin airport and pick you up. At departure, we will accompany you to check in and say 'Good Bye' to you at the security check.
One aspect of our comprehensive services are the transfers at arrival / departure. Arrival / departure from Dublin International Airport (DUB) to all our courses locations is on the Sunday before / after the course. Upon your registration, you can let us know your flight details and we will then arrange your transfer. A member of staff will wait for you in the arrival´s hall of Dublin airport and pick you up. At departure, we will accompany you to check in and say 'Good Bye' to you at the security check.
In order to organize your airport transfer, please submit your arrival time and flight details no later than 10 days before your arrival to Ireland.
Airport transfers on a Sunday between 10 a.m. and 17 p.m. are included in the course price for all Juniors camps. Outside those hours we charge an additional € 50,- Euro. Airport transfers for our courses for adults are always charged separately. Please note that your airport transfer service might be shared with other students.
We cooperate with all airlines offering the 'Unaccompanied Minors - Service'. For further details, please enquire with your airline.
Travel Health insurance
We advise you to take out a travel health insurance during your stay with us in Ireland. The travel health insurance covers all kinds of medical treatment by a doctor or in a hospital which becomes necessary during your stay in the program.
We advise you to take out a travel health insurance during your stay with us in Ireland. The travel health insurance covers all kinds of medical treatment by a doctor or in a hospital which becomes necessary during your stay in the program.
VISA
Please contact an Irish Embassy or Consulate to inquire whether you need a visa or not.
Please contact an Irish Embassy or Consulate to inquire whether you need a visa or not.
After receipt of your registration, we shall send you a written confirmation and a letter of invitation for the course with us. Please note that the course price ought to be paid in full before we can issue this letter of invitation.
Once you have all required documents, you will have to file an application for a visa at the Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Should any difficulties arise during the visa application process, please contact us immediately. We will do our best to assist you in any way we can.
More information about visas for Ireland, can be found here.
