Skills & Enterprise Development Academy (SEDA)
Information on English courses 7
Carol Cregg Director of Studies
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S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
Why Dublin? Irish people are known throughout the world for being open, friendly and curious about other cultures. Ireland is a country of fresh air, open spaces stunning scenery. Throughout the centuries people from all around the world have travelled to Ireland to witness its beauty and fallen in love with this small island. Dublin was named in 2010 as one of UNESCO’s Cities of Literature: one of only five in the world. This makes Dublin an ideal place to study English.
About SEDA The Skills and Enterprise Development Academy, or SEDA, is an adult education institution situated in Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin 8. Established in 2008, we have built up our student base over the past four years and now have an active enrolment of 300 students. At SEDA, we pride ourselves on our highly qualified and experienced lecturers and tutors, on our modern student-focussed facilities and our highly-motivated and approachable administration team. All of our teachers are fully qualified in line with ACELS and Department of Education recommendations.
Classes Currently, SEDA offers the following courses:
General English (Accredited by City & Guilds)
English for Business (Accredited by LCCI/EDI)
Certificate in Business Studies (Accredited by ICM)
Diploma in Human Resources (Accredited by ABE)
Certificate for IT Users (Accredited by City & Guilds)
Student Profile SEDA focuses on the international and European market and has students from Brazil, Korea, China, Malawi, Venezuela, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
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Start dates Classes at SEDA start on the first Monday of every month. Students can attend an induction day the week before their first class, where they will receive more information about the school and do their placement test, in order to ascertain their entry level.
Facilities SEDA has 10 very large modern classrooms, two of which are computer labs and two of which are fitted with modern computers with projectors. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. We also have: Administration offices A large reception area Canteen Library Private parking Easily accessible by public transport Airport Transfers A gym (Herberton) For groups of more than eight, SEDA can arrange personalised English classes designed specifically for a group’s needs.
Staff
SEDA currently has a team of 11 Academic and 20 non-academic staff. Staff include: Paul Brown
Principal
Carol Cregg
Director of Studies
Stephen Murphy
Head of Marketing
Laura Barry
Registrar
Jennifer Phillips
Teacher
SEDA is dedicated to
Supporting the student throughout their period of study
Maintaining a multicultural and inclusive atmosphere
Providing students with comfortable accommodation in apartments or host families
Help with questions regarding study visas
Revision classes and private classes to help students fulfil
Emma Brennan
Course Coordinator & Teacher
their potential
Providing classes delivered by native speakers
Providing a range of excursions to encourage students to learn more about Ireland’s fascinating history and culture
Pedagogical Approach It is the educational policy of SEDA College to aid, guide and support all of our language students towards a focused approach in improving their
Stephen Murphy
Director of Operations & Lecturer
overall level of competency of the English language. It is SEDA’s goal to provide to all of its students an educational package which is: 1. Learner-centred 2. Holistic 3. Based on communicative method teaching We aim to encourage and support each student towards their goals and achievements throughout their EFL course, and ensure that at all stages students feel fully aware of, and responsible for, their academic progress.
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S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
This in turn will help the students adopt a more positive, focused approach towards their course throughout (in the case of most students) their 25 or 12 week course. Policy guidelines are subjected to a review process by the DOS, in consultation with the teachers, on a 6 monthly basis. In addition, classes at SEDA are subject to guidelines and quality assurance procedures provided to us by the accrediting bodies for our current language programmes, EDI/LCCI and City & Guilds.
Jane Brennan
Teacher
S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
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Course Structure and Syllabus Our full-time students attend class for 16 hours per week over four days. Each class is divided into two parts, separated by a break. Classes take place in the morning and afternoon. Morning classes take place from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 1.00 and afternoon classes take place from Monday to Thursday from 1.30 to 5.30. Classes have a 15 minute break in the middle. Teachers change level between the first and second classes in each session, i.e. each class has two teachers. SEDA’s desired student/ teacher ratio is 1:12. All classes have a maximum of 15 students. This allows teachers to provide a high quality communicative class and to become familiar with student needs and requirements within their particular level. In class, teachers vary between a main course book and supplementary materials. In the first half of every class students follow a course book. As of 9th January 2012 this book will be English File for General English and In Company (Macmillan) for Business English. This ensures a consistency in providing academic courses which are in line with CEF banding. The second half of every class has a skills focus, and can also include activities, games, long-term cultural/ historical projects, debates, business skills, drama and excursions. The goal in these classes is to improve fluency and confidence, as well as specific business skills.
Overview of English courses SEDA currently runs general English courses at Beginner, Elementary and Pre Intermediate levels, and English for business courses at Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced levels. Our general English courses are accredited by City & Guilds. English for business courses are accredited by EDI/LCCI.
Below is a graph which illustrates how the class levels at SEDA align to both the CEFR and the EDI/LCCI exam levels.
English for business SEDA offers the LCCI/EDI suite of English for Business courses. All levels are aligned with the Common European Framework. The levels are designed for students who want to further their knowledge and use of English within a business framework and who want to use English within a business environment. Many students gain these qualifications in order to move on to LCCI/EDI third level business programmes and to improve their employment and promotion prospects in their home country. An EDI English for Business Level 3 qualification is recognised as an acceptable level for third-level or university entry and registration. Page 5
S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
EDI exams are held at the end of every term at SEDA, usually in June
and December, although they can be held more frequently than that, depending on demand.
International ESOL From 2012, SEDA runs general English at lower levels. Additionally, beginner students will now prepare for the City and Guilds IESOL Preliminary exam and Elementary students will prepare for the City and Guilds IESOL Access exam.
7A Dolphin’s Barn Dublin 8 Ireland +353 1 4734915 ph +353 1 4734933 fax myseda.ireland www.seda.ie
S k i l l s & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t A c a d e m y - I n f o r m a ti o n o n E n g l i s h c o u r s e s
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