Students from French Guiana visit Athlone to develop language skills
A group of 30 students from French Guiana in South America recently visited Athlone to develop their English language skills and to learn more about Irish culture.
The students arrived in Athlone on May 14 for a ten-day language course with Future Learning Language school located in the old Aloysius School building on Deerpark Road in Athlone. They stayed with local host families as part of an Erasmus-plus funded programme.
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Students from French Guiana, Nathan, Redjy, Axel, Gabriel, Victor, Nathan, Nae and Issa Erasmus project leader at the adult and young learners English language programme in St. Aloysius College.Image 2 of 5
Students from French Guiana, Pauline, Lydia, Leehane, Maelyne, Maelly, Jérémie and Laura leader at the adult and young learners English language programme in St. Aloysius College.Image 3 of 5
Students from French Guiana, Nolan, Redjy, Johan, Enzo, Mathys with Jean Daniel teacher at the adult and young learners English language programme in St. Aloysius College.Image 4 of 5
Students from French Guiana, Nahyem, Eyrinn, Elise, Aurore, Romari, Skarlet and Virginie leader at the adult and young learners English language programme in St. Aloysius College.Image 5 of 5
Students from French Guiana, Cyanne, Joris, Raphael, Nohlan, Gaetan, Sterenn and Sabina leader at the adult and young learners English language programme in St. Aloysius College.Young Learner Coordinator at the Future Learning Language in Athlone Joanne Kurt-Elli said the students learned English in the mornings and enjoyed some cultural activities in the afternoons. They took a boat trip on the River Shannon and undertook some Irish dancing lessons along with learning to play Gaelic football.
Speaking during the visit, Joanne said: “They are absolutely loving it."
"They love their host families. They've enjoyed their lessons.” She said that they loved using the technology available in the language school. “They really love that and they are learning about Irish legends and they will be making their own interpretation of Irish legends.”
The language school also offers adult courses and a summer program along with a mini-stay course which is a short course for teenagers during the school term.
Two native speakers taught the students English and about local culture, history and folklore. They visited Dublin and Galway and experienced completely different flora and fauna in Ireland than in South America where they have toucans and snakes. For many of them it's their first time to come to Mainland Europe.
Joanne said it was lovely having them come to visit.
She added that the students were quite nervous about staying with Irish families but that they really enjoyed getting to know their host families and teachers.
Joanne has been working with the language centre for over two and a half years and is responsible for managing mini-stay programmes during the school term and for working on the teen summer programme, which takes place in TUS during the summer.
The Young Learner Coordinator’s favourite aspects of her job are working with the students and seeing them succeed in making some amazing digital products using their language skills. Joanne also enjoys seeing different cultures interacting and using English as their way to communicate.
“We'll have more mini-stays up until summer and then we will be moving over to TUS to welcome our groups of students that will be with us between two to three weeks. We have close to 200 students a week at the peak,” concluded Joanne.
Future Learning, established in 2013, is a leading project-based, technology-enhanced English language school located in Ireland. Future Learning’s Directors David Ganly and Peter Lahiff both stem from educational backgrounds. David’s passion for using technology and computers in the classroom, and his experience dealing with international students together with Peter's extensive experience in developing innovative curricula with a student-centred educational approach and a focus on consistent placement and learner progression led to the development of what Future Learning is today.