Student Guide - Key Facts

GCI Classes

• For the majority of our English courses, you can start any Monday.
• Some courses have specific fixed start dates: Cambridge Exam Preparation courses, Foundation, Pre-Masters, 50+ Programmes, Erasmus+ Teacher Training and Group Programmes (except bank holidays when courses start on Tuesday). All prices are per week except for Foundation and Exam Preparation programmes.
• All lessons are 45 minutes long.
• Group class size is 14 all year round. On the English for 30+ programme the class size is max 8. Minimum numbers, minimum level and minimum age are required for some courses. Minimum age is 17 during low season and 16 in high season.
• Levels are from A1-C2, Elementary to Advanced
• Class attendance is obligatory.
• Your attendance is recorded on paper and on our school management system. If you do not attend you will receive a notification email from the address: attendance@gci.ie. You can use this email address for all attendance-related matters and of course you can call the school office directly.
• You can monitor your attendance rate directly on your Student Portal as explained during your Student Orientation on the first day. 
• Classes missed due to Public Holidays will not be made up except for individual / One-to-One components.
• Students may not change from group to private tuition or opt for less intensive courses, or shorten their course regardless of the reason.
• Class attendance is obligatory.
• Books and materials are charged separately. There is an additional charge for a new book when you change level. 

GCI Online English Test  

To help us place you in the correct level, you will do a short online English level test before you arrive at GCI. 

• The online test consists of a grammar and vocabulary sentences & you select the answers from four multiple choice options. 
• You should have completed this test a minimum of two weeks prior to your arrival so we can best plan your learning journey. 
• If you have not completed your online test yet, please follow your unique test link which has been sent to your email
• Failure to do the online test in advance of arrival may lead to some delays in starting classes on your first day, especially during peak season.

First Day Oral Interview

• All students have an oral interview with a teacher during the Student Orientation. 
• This interview is used in conjunction with your online test result and other relevant information on previous learning to confirm the best CEFR level for you 
• The interview doesn't last very long and it is a relaxed format so there is no need to be worried or shy!
• In the event that you think your placement level is too high or too low, please come to reception or attend Student Meetings so that we can discuss this and fix it quickly

Medical Insurance

• Insurance is obligatory for non-EEA students and must be issued by a body regulated by the Irish authorities. 
• We offer medical insurance to students and the cost is €160. 
• We recommend our prospective students take out an insurance policy with us.

Emergency Support

We have a 24/7 Emergency Number that you can call outside of office hours if you have any difficulty during your stay with us +353 87 2478128. 

International English Exams

• We have an assessment framework which supports your preparation for international exams.
• We are also a Cambridge exam testing centre so for Cambridge exams you can sit the exam in the school. Not all English language schools offer this as an option for their exam preparation courses. Cambridge exams typically take place on Saturdays. IELTS exams take place in a city centre location.

• For exam preparation courses there are specific exam course books and specific dates assigned for your speaking and written exams. Exam fees and exam book fees apply. All exams have registrations deadlines and late exam fees apply if you wish to register after this time. It is the student's responsibility to pay close attention to their exam dates & to book their homeward flight after their exam date. We cannot be not be responsible for transport dates.

Books and Materials

• Books and materials are charged separately. 
• There is an additional charge for a new book if you are to change level. 
• If you bring your own book, there might still be a charge applicable for the e-learning materials and copies used in class. 

English Only Policy

• We have an English only policy. We believe that this will help you to progress your learning quickly.
• We ask that all students speak English only during classes and during their breaks 
• Learners who do not respect the English only policy may be asked to leave the school on a temporary or permanent basis. 
• Respect for property, people, other nationalities and customs must be shown at all times.

No smoking Policy

• We have a strict no-smoking / no-vaping policy in the building and on the school campus grounds as it is against the law here in Ireland. 
• In Ireland the minimum legal age to buy tobacco (cigarettes, etc.) is 18 years.
• Smoking is forbidden for anyone under the age of 18 
• In Ireland, the sale of vapes to under-18s is banned

Students under 18 years of age

• Are required to provide a Signed Parental Guarantee and to carry this with them at all times whilst travelling to Ireland. GCI will provide this at the time of booking.
• A Meet & Greet Service is obligatory for all under 18 year olds on arrival. This means that the students will be met by a GCI representative at the airport and accompanied to the bus departing for Galway. At the Galway Coach Station, our designated taxi driver will meet the student and drive him/her to the selected accommodation.
• Under 18 year old students must abide by the rules and regulations and conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectful manner at al time both during and outside of school hours.