Read the following phone conversation about taking an English course in Ireland.

Ian: Blarney Language Centre, Cork. Ian speaking.

Yvonne: Good morning. My name is Yvonne and I’m from Portugal and I want to take an English course this
summer.
Ian: Good! Now, how can I help you?
Yvonne: Well, I need some advice about what course to take.
Ian: We have a minimum age of eighteen in the centre. We offer good-quality classes. Great teachers and a
social programme with interesting cultural activities.
Yvonne: I’d like to have some classes and some fun, too.
Ian: Then, I’d recommend our three-week General English course. It’s a combination of morning classes
and afternoon and evening activities. It’s our most popular course with young adults like yourself.
Yvonne: OK.
Ian: Classes are held in the mornings from Monday to Friday and run from 8.30 until 2.15. We have a coffee
break in the middle of the morning and lunch after classes. Usually you have two teachers; one teacher
takes the conversation and communication classes and the other focuses on language awareness –
vocabulary, grammar, that kind of thing.
Yvonne: What are the teachers like?
Ian: Most of our teachers have been with us for a few years. They are all fully qualified and very
experienced. Our teachers try very hard to plan classes that our students will enjoy and to use the best
materials they can.
Yvonne: What activities can students do?
Ian: The activity programme starts with a tour of the city. This means you won’t get lost, and it’s nice way to
meet other students.
Yvonne: That’s good!
Ian: Then we offer day trips to places near Cork: the Blarney Stone, castles, parks and our lovely beaches.
You must visit the two breweries in Cork. There are lots of cultural things to do: museums, cinemas and
we have a jazz festival, too. We also offer activities in the school, like video nights and barbecues.
Yvonne: How much is it?
Ian: For the three-week course I’ve described, including classes, activities and accommodation, the price is
є1,000.
Yvonne: I forgot to ask about accommodation.
Ian: You can choose between student apartments, staying with a family or in a hotel. I’d recommend a host
family because you have to speak in English!
Yvonne: Yes, my parents want me to stay with a family.
Ian: (Laughs.)
Yvonne: How can I register and pay for the course?
Ian: There are different options. You can pay a deposit by credit card on our website or by bank transfer.
We ask for a deposit of fifteen per cent. Then when you arrive you can pay the balance by card. Our
web address is www.blarneylanguageschool.ie.
Yvonne: That’s easy. I’ve never been to Ireland before. How do I get to my accommodation from the airport?
Ian: You don’t need to worry about that because we collect all our students at the airport.
Yvonne: That’s wonderful! I’ll fill in the registration form today! Thank for your help.
Ian: No, thank you!

iSLCollective.com
Now answer the following questions according to the conversation between Ian and Yvonne.

1. Answer these questions.

1. How old should students be to register here?

2. What offers The Blarney Language Centre?

3. Which course does Ian recommend Yvonne?

2. Correct Yvonne’s notes.

Blarney Language Centre, Cork

Days: Mon to Thurs
Times: 8.00 -2.50
Cost: є900
Accommodation: apartment, host
family, camping

Webpage:
www.blarneylanguagecentre.pt

3. Take notes about these topics and then explain to your partners what you have read:

The classes: Methods of payment:

The teachers: Arriving in Cork:

Speaking Practice
Work in groups and answer the questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?
2. What things would you enjoy about studying abroad?
3. What things from your own country would you miss?
4. Have you ever studied English in another country?
5. Would you study at Blarney language Centre? Why/not?

iSLCollective.com