Who We Are - Large

Spirasi offers 4 Levels of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These QQI accredited courses form part of the integration and rehabilitation programme. Classes are offered free of charge and are funded by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB).

 

Overview of Spirasi Education Programme.

In Spirasi, we believe that integration is not only a concept, but a process; a very complex process that requires the participation of all parties involved.

We embrace diversity and hope to provide an environment which is highly conducive to learning. Spirasi’s Education programmes aid vulnerable migrants, including asylum seekers, refugees, survivors of torture and their family members, not only in acquiring English language skills, but more importantly, in gaining the confidence to participate in a new society. Our clients enter Irish society as adults and must quickly gain new living skills in order to face the challenges at the door of a “new beginning”. Over the last 20 years, Spirasi students have contributed hugely to the creation of a friendly and welcoming centre, a vibrant and diverse stepping stone community, offering holistic support during the integration journey.

In line with our Strategic Goals, the Spirasi Education and Integration service   complements our rehabilitation work. It provides an education service, including English language training, Computer, Numeracy and knitting classes for asylum seekers and refugees.

Form the start of Spirasi services in 1999, English classes formed the basis of the services Spirasi provided to asylum seekers and refugees prior to the special focus on survivors of torture in 2003.

Education Enrolment Forms

 

QQI English Courses

Our QQI English Courses places a strong emphasis on learning how to learn on your own and focuses on the 4 skills of English language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking. All of our classes are lively and dynamic with learners expanding and consolidating their knowledge of English structure and vocabulary through activities and material based on situations and texts from everyday Irish life. Over the years, a broadly defined curriculum has been developed for our English classes. At the end of each course, the work of our students are evaluated internally and externally (CDETB) and graduation ceremonies are organised to celebrate the achievements of our students prior to receiving their QQI certificates.

 

Graduation Ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies are part of the highlights of every year and this always happens at the end of the academic year in June.

 

Main Funders: CDETB

We are grateful to the CDETB for the financial support that sustains our English language and IT programme. The contribution we receive from our well trained English,Computer and Numeracy teachers helps our clients to gain the confidence needed for better integration. This learning programme entirely reflects the needs of our service users who have always been active players in all of our activities. We hope that it inspires other organisations involved in the building of a new “integrated Ireland”.

 

English Language Programme

English and Literacy Classes QQI ESOL Level 3

Introductions Alphabet  

Numbers 

My Family

 

Home  

Time  

Food 

Health

 

Work

Money  

Education 

Shopping

English for Living in Ireland QQI, ESOL Level 4

Daily Routines

Health Education 

Media 

Government Services  

Telephone  

Personal Information 

Money 

 

Irish Life  

My Future 

Leisure 

Accommodation

English for Work and Training QQI , ESOL Level 5

Jobs and Careers 

Further Education 

Jobseeking Services 

Course Applications

Job Applications CV and Interviews 

 Money/Banking 

Working in Ireland

 

Media

Cultural Awareness

Formal Correspondence

Autonomous Learning

 

 

 

The Academic Calender

There are three terms per year: September to December, January to Mid April, Mid April to June.

 

School holidays/Breaks and temporal location of English and Numeracy classes

There are no mid-term breaks. All classes, registration and enquiries take place in our main office.

 

Complete Beginners Level English Classes

Many students come to Spirasi with literacy difficulties. Some of our clients have not received formal education in their country of origin, often due to war or displacement, and need to learn how to read and write. Others are literate in a different script to the Latin script used in English.

This class focuses on the basics in grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. These classes help you get your English up to a high enough standard to join a QQI level course in the future. The variety of topics covered is wide but generally we try to make the class as fun and engaging as possible so that students of all levels become comfortable in a classroom environment and gain practical skills which they can use outside the classroom too.This level 2 class is run by dedicated volunteers.

 

Numeracy

Many learners come to Spirasi needing help with basic numeracy. This, compounded with low literacy and English language knowledge, can make the practicalities of life in Ireland very difficult. For these learners, a thorough and basic numeracy course has been designed specially for Spirasi.

The course covers the basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry needed for practical everyday tasks. On completion of the course, learners can get QQI accreditation for their work, which contributes towards basic education certification.

 

Computers (IT) Levels 2&3 Classes

Spirasi provides Computer Literacy classes at QQI Level 2&3 to students who wish to acquire or improve their Information Technology (IT) skills needed to participate in today’s information society. The curriculum covers popular office applications needed in the workplace, including word processing, presentations, email, and spreadsheets. In addition, learners are introduced to websites of interest for career planning and further education.

 

Knitting class

Run by very dedicated volunteers, this knitting class which has been going on for a very long time now provides women from the Spirasi client group the possibility to learn or continue to knit together with their new friends who are mostly Irish. This class runs 1 day a week and presents a unique opportunity for integration and a place where women feel safe and comfortable to have conversations while enjoying knitting and crochet.