1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. How are the classes structured?
Spanish language and culture classes that cover Spanish history, geography, traditions, etc.
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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.

8. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. For queries please contact: