Secondary School Abroad - Fluency at a Young Age

The EIL Secondary School Abroad programme has several benefits:

• Proven to guarantee excellent exam results
• Provides full immersion that allows people to become fluent at a young age
• Encourages independence in young people
• Provides insurance, travel assistance and 24 hour emergency support

An extended stay in a secondary school abroad is an ideal opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language at a young age. This programme is particularly popular with Transition Year students. A stay can be as short as 2 months or as long as the school year.

This programme is offered to students between 16 and 18 years old interested in attending a German Secondary School. Students must have a good knowledge of German (2-3 years in school minimum) and must be willing to take on all aspects of the programme – living with a carefully selected host family and to integrate full in the academic and social activities in the school. Each participant is cared for by a trained local representative.

Schools

Students will attend a German High School (Gymnasium). As education is the responsibility of each State of Germany, the schools are quite different and it is therefore very difficult to foresee the subjects offered by the school. In general German, English, a second foreign language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and History are the key subjects. Some options may be Music, Crafts, Art, Sports etc. At the beginning of the term the school director will decide in which grade the student will be placed generally 10th or 11th grade). All participants are required to comply with school rules, as far as the timetables, school attendance and behaviour are concerned.

Host Families and Communities

Students will be accommodated on a Full Board basis by local, carefully selected volunteer host families. Please note that host family payments are unique to Ireland and England, while in Germany, France, USA and South America families host on a volunteer basis (i.e., they are not paid a hospitality allowance or may receive a modest allowance). The motivation for hosting comes from a genuine interest in learning about other cultures and the belief that hosting a student from Ireland is the next best thing to visiting Ireland itself. There may not be a child of the same age or gender in the host family. The programme fee includes administration charges by the hosting and sending organisations, interview, orientation material, insurance, support from a local coordinator and EIL Ireland, school enrolment fees.

Dates

2, 3 or 5 or 10 months

Dates of the stay will depend on the State in which a student can be placed, as each state has different dates of school terms and holidays. A 10-month programme will probably start around August and will end in June, a 5 month programme will start in August and end in December. Exact dates will be defined for every student, after placement region is made.

Insurance

For more information please click on CareMed image

Applications Should Include

• EIL application form and German High School Application form
• a "Dear Family" letter in German
• a deposit of 25% of the programme fee
• 4 most recent school reports
• four smiling passport photos
• at least three informal photos (with friends, family etc.)
• Medical Certificate stating that the student is in good health and does not have any problems with drug or alcohol abuse

Prices 2008 / 2009

Included; Orientation, mid-term evaluation and final evaluation by local coordinator, full board and lodging with host family, pick-up from nearest airport or railway station as indicated, supervision by local coordinator, admin fees and insurance (health,accident,liability). EU students are advised to bring an E111 document/ EHIC card (available at your Local Health Board) with them.

Not included; International travel, transportation to and from school, school books

Deadline for Applications: 3 months before the beginning of the programme. Late applications considered.

Early Termination of the Programme

E.I.L. reserves the right to send home any student whose health requires this action or whose conduct is considered improper or offensive to the host family, community or school. Such conduct includes drug use, unacceptable sexual behaviour, excessive drinking, violation of law or failure in schoolwork. In the event the student is returned home, either alone or accompanied, parents or guardians are responsible for all expenses above those covered by the fee. In such cases no refunds will be available.

* Parents: Please note that most participants will need to travel through London in order to get to the nearest airport to the host family.

Please send completed applications to:

EIL- Intercultural Learning
1 Empress Place · Summerhill North · Cork
Tel: 021 4551535 · Fax: 021 4551587
Email: info@eilireland.org