Love2learn is a local International School in Ireland that works directly with Top Irish Secondary Schools in the South-East of Ireland, specifically in Co. Waterford and Co. Cork to offer year-round and term academic placements.
L2L offers both options of public and private schools, as well as boarding schools at times. All our academic programmes include full-board accommodation in carefully selected and garda vetted host families.
At Love2learn we thrive to offer quality and tailored experienced, so we only partner with the best schools that will ensure that our learners our in a welcoming, fresh and vibrant learning environment. One that will develop the cultural, creative and intellectual skills of each learner in every aspect of school life. We work together with these schools throughout the full year to provide a meaningful, fun and rich programme in which our learners, and your children, can achieve the standards of excellence appropriate to their potential and ability.
Stages of the Irish Secondary school system
The standard Irish Education System is divided into six years.
The first stage is a three-year programme culminating with the newly revamped Junior Certificate Examination.
This is followed by Transition Year, equivalent to 4th Year secondary, or grade 10 in US system. The Transition Year Programme (TYP) is a very popular choice at Love2learn amongst all our international students, who wish to spend an academic year in Ireland.
The main purpose of the TY programme and content is aimed at providing learners with enriching personal and professional development opportunities, while also following the traditional academic subjects, as preparation for the Leaving Cert.
Years 1 to 3 (Junior Certificate Cycle)
Average ages of 11 years to 14 years. The Junior Certificate would equate with Junior High in the USA or just under the GCSE Levels in the UK. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) marks the end of this cycle in 3rd year and is known as the Junior Certificate of the Department of Education & Skills. More and more, today, the curriculum introduces learners to modern languages, including French, Spanish and German; the Sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology; Business Studies, Domestic Science, Art, Music, Technology, Woodwork, ICT, amongst other many subjects and modules that most international learners would not do in their own country.
Junior Certificate students must take Irish, English, Maths, History and Geography along with a European language. International Students are of course exempt from Irish.
Year 4 (Transition Year Cycle)
Average age of 15 to 16 years. This year is perhaps the most popular year and programme amongst our L2L international students. In most Irish schools this is an optional year, which many students decide to do! Transition Year (TY) provides a strong basis for 5th & 6th years, but at the same time allows learners to explore many other subject areas, and take part in outside projects and cultural experiences.
This helps learners mature and to select subjects carefully. Most schools in Ireland allow students to participate in work experience for 1-4 weeks during Transition Year.
Year 5 to 6 (Leaving Certificate Cycle)
Average age of 16, 17 and 18 years. The curriculum of the Leaving Certificate follows directly from the Junior Certificate, but some subject subjects are discarded as the learner begins to specialise. The Leaving Certificate standard is equivalent to the UK A-level examination, or the International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement in the USA.
Depending on the standard attained in the chosen Leaving Certificate subjects, a points total is earnes. This total is compared with the entry threshold of the University, Technical Colleges and other third level institutions, and places allocated accordingly. For example, what in Spain would be called “selectividad”.
It is also widely accepted as an entrance qualification for universities throughout the European Union and around the world.
It is important to note that each secondary school in Ireland has a Career Guidance Department that assists our learners with applications to their chosen universities. These career guidance departments work closely with all students to identify potential course options and career choices that will be most suitable to their interests and/or profesional goals.
Ireland has some of the finest and most reputable Universities and Colleges in Europe, and perhaps in the world! Including Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin City University (DCU), National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM), University College Cork (UCC), University of Limerick (UL), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), and now the South-East Technical University (SETU).
At Love2learn we also assist all our international students during this challenging process and works closely with the career guidance departments to make sure our students receive the help and support they need, each step of the way.
At Love2learn we also prepare all the convalidation documents that each international student will require upon return to their home country.
