ALCE Ireland 2018 www.alceirlanda.com Supported by the Spanish Department of Education-Spanish Embassy in Ireland in collaboration with the Council of Spanish Residents of Ireland www.creirlanda.com

What is ALCE? AULAS DE LENGUA Y CULTURA ESPAÑOLAS Free Spanish language and Spanish culture classes for children of Spanish nationals from 7 to 17 years of age Financed and endorsed by the Spanish Ministry of Education

Why does the ALCE programme exist? The Spanish Government acknowledges that the Spanish language and culture should be accessible to Spanish residents abroad ALCE is part of the Spanish foreign education programme

Worldwide ALCE locations 11 countries 18 groups 432 schools 14,000 students 156 teachers

Countries with ALCE schools Switzerland 121 Schools France 119 Germany 90 Belgium 34 UK + Ireland 26 USA 6 Netherlands 18 Australia 15 Luxemburg 1 Austria Canada

Administrative Structure ALCE Ireland is part of ALCE London (created in the 1980’s), and is composed of: 10 full-time teachers (21 teaching hours each) 1,400 students 25 classrooms in London and its metropolitan area Since 2015 also 2 classrooms in Dublin (with over 400 students): Oatlands College for Dublin South and now looking for a school in Dublin North/West

How are the classes structured? Spanish language and culture classes that cover Spanish history, geography, traditions, etc. See http://alcelondon.blogspot.ie/ The classes are structured according to the levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The classes are divided by age and language proficiency.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Who are the teachers? The teachers are Spanish civil servants that meet the following criteria: First stage: 3 years teaching experience Second stage: Language test Third stage: 3 hour exam specific to this teaching post.

Where do the classes take place? The classes take place in primary or secondary schools Schools do not charge for the use of their classrooms and the arrangement and all insurances are organised by the Spanish Education Council.

Class timetable The classes take place outside normal teaching school hours, usually from Monday to Friday from 4pm to 8:00pm. The academic year starts in September. WE ARE LOOKING NOW FOR A SCHOOL IN DUBLIN NORTH/WEST THAT CAN OFFER FREE OF CHARGE 2 CLASSROOMS ON MONDAY + WEDNESDAY + FRIDAY STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER 2018

Certification Students who finish the ALCE programme receive a certificate from the Spanish Education Ministry. There are also certificates for the intermediate levels.

Maximum and minimum number of students 14 students per group minimum. Each group can have up to 23 students if they are all of the same level and 18 if they are of different levels. One teacher has 21 teaching hours of work Each group receives 1.5 hours of teaching weekly

Benefits for the school I In return for provision of classroom facilities, the school becomes part of the network of institutions associated to the Spanish Education Council, providing the following benefits: Priority access to other programs organised by the Education Council. In-service training for Spanish teachers of the school. Support the organisation of “Spanish Days” with materials and workshops. Participation of a Spanish advisor in any event related to the Spanish language and culture organised by the school.

Benefits for the school II Access to grants provided by the Education Council Access to teaching materials published by the Education Council Free admission to courses regularly organised by the Education Council. Assistance in obtaining Spanish conversation teaching assistants

For queries please contact: info@creirlanda.com