New English File. Beginner. Elementary A1. 12 weeks. City and Guilds A2 €50.
New English File. Elementary 3rd Edition. Pre. Intermediate. A2. 12 weeks. PET.
Learner Handbook
This revision February 2014
Welcome to SEDA SEDA is a private and independent college, established to provide high quality English and business courses. SEDA’s small class sizes, friendly staff and excellent learning support centre ensure that participants get the best start on their learning journey. We deliver practical, relevant qualifications designed to enhance your career and employment opportunities. You will find that everyone who works at SEDA is committed to making it a supportive and friendly place to learn. You will find inspiration and support here, as well as an excellent education.
Mission Statement Our vision is to provide a high quality of service and dedication to excellence in teaching proved by an exchange of ideas, high academic standards, interactive learning methods and responsibility for academic qualification achievements of our Learners. SEDA exists to help learners in developing their skills, creativity and self-motivation defining a clear purpose through personal, professional, emotional and spiritual growth.
Learner handbook in brief The purpose of this guide is to provide you with a summary of the important information that you need to know as a Learner at SEDA. This does not replace the formal information provided to you by the college e.g. the academic regulations. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are familiar with the contents of this guide and the relevant College documentation. Opening Hours:
Administration: Classes:
08:30 – 18:30 Monday – Friday 09:00 – 18:00 Monday – Thursday
College Facilities Facilities Include: •
Dedicated lounge area
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19 Classrooms
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Excellent city centre location
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High specification computers based fully networked laboratories, incorporating the latest Dell machines, 15” screens and running Windows software
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Classrooms are equipped with desks, whiteboards and overhead digital projectors.
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Free Internet Access available
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Library Facilities; SEDA offers a wide range of business, English and IT books. Moreover, learners can use the local libraries, which are equipped with modern books, journals, CD-ROMs and other publications.
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English readers are available to rent from your teacher.
Course structure Our full-time Learners attend class for 15 hours per week over four days. Each class is divided into two parts, separated by a break. Classes take place in the morning and afternoon. Morning classes take place from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 1.00 and afternoon classes take place from Monday to Thursday from 2.00 to 6.00. Classes have a 15 minute break in the middle. Teachers change level between the first and second classes in each session, i.e. each class has two teachers. All classes have a maximum of 15 Learners. This allows teachers to provide a high quality communicative class and to become familiar with learner needs and requirements within their particular level. In class, teachers vary between a main course book and supplementary materials. In the first half of every class Learners follow a course book. All Learners must buy the book for their course. The second half of every class has an exam and skills focus, and can also include activities, games, long-term cultural/ historical projects, debates, business skills, drama and excursions. The goal in these classes is to improve fluency and confidence, as well as specific business skills.
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SEDA currently runs general English courses at all levels. Depending on your level, you will be studying for one of a range of exams. Level
CEF
Final Exam
A0
Length of Course 6 Weeks
City and Guilds A1
Cost of Exam €50
Beginner Elementary
A1
12 weeks
City and Guilds A2
€50
Pre Intermediate Intermediate
A2
12 weeks
PET
€160
B1
12 weeks
PET
€160
Upper Intermediate Advanced
B2
25 weeks
IELTS/FCE
€195
C1
25 weeks
IELTS
€195
Core Text New English File Beginner New English File Elementary 3rd Edition New English File Pre Intermediate 3rd Edition New English File Intermediate 2nd Edition New English File Upper Intermediate 2nd Edition New English File Advanced 2nd Edition
SEDA College is recognised by ACELS, a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, for English language teaching (ELT).
SEDA’s Obligations to you You can expect: •
to be supported both academically and personally, to help you complete your studies, within an acceptable time-frame
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to be offered an induction day to help you learn about life at SEDA College
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to be made aware of appropriate, easily accessible and flexible resources so that you can take responsibility for your learning
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to be given timely and appropriate feedback on your academic performance
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to be provided with the opportunity to take part in an innovative programme of social, cultural and sporting activities as an integral part of life at SEDA
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that staff will be courteous and professional at all times
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SEDA reception Our reception provides learners with the following: 1. Application forms 2. Letter request forms, which can be used for the following letter applications: Visa Extension, Visit Visa, Re-entry Visa, Bank Account, PPS Number, Reference and Holiday Letter. 3. Learner Course Refund/Cancellation Form 4. Course Transfer Form 5. Learner Complaint Form 6. Personal Details Update 7. Exam Registration Form All letters have to be requested a minimum of 3 days in advance of any expected collection unless otherwise stated.
Entry Requirements •
You must be aged 18 years or over
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For our Business Studies and IT courses, you must provide proof of competence in English acceptable to the College. (For this purpose, it may be necessary for you to have passed a recognised test of proficiency, at the appropriate level, within the last five years.)
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Also, there are specific requirements for each course depending on the Awarding Body and level of entry.
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Note: applicants with other qualifications not listed above and/or suitable work experience will be considered by SEDA on an individual basis.
Induction Learner induction will be carried out the Friday before your first day of class. It is very important to come to the induction. At the induction you will receive your course syllabus and other valuable pieces of information geared towards ensuring a seamless transition into life in Dublin. On the afternoon after the induction you will receive a copy of the Learner handbook and your course timetable by email.
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Health Insurance Non European learners are required by law to take out a health insurance policy. SEDA can arrange general Medical Insurance on behalf of its Learners. Please ask for full details and cost with the registrar in the academic administration office. Please note: In respect of any claim made in relation to your policy, you would still need to pay any invoice given by the hospital and then submit it to the insurance company for a refund. Full details can be obtained upon request.
Course fees Due to immigration requirements, SEDA College is required to ensure that all learner fees are paid before your course. Receipt of payment shall be issued in the form of the learner enrolment letter which will clearly state “Learner fees paid in full”. Receipts of payment for awarding body registration and exam fees will be issued to the learner direct form SEDA.
Change of address or personal information Learners should advise SEDA of any change to their address, phone number or email.
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Refund Policy Grounds for a refund or partial refund of fees: a) Irish Study Visa extension refusal For Learners who are not successful in obtaining their visa, any application for a refund must be made in writing and must be accompanied by both a copy of the rejection letter from the GNIB and a copy of their passport stamped. Please note: the rejection letter issued by the GNIB will be evaluated by SEDA in-order to assess grounds for any refund. All original letters issued by SEDA along with the Learners GNIB card must be returned to the administration before any refund can be sanctioned. b) Illness or disability suffered after the Learner’s enrolment has been confirmed. In any such instance, a doctor’s certificate would be required to confirm. c) Should any Learner be refused access into Ireland for any reason, an application for a refund must be made in writing and must be accompanied by both a copy of the rejection letter from the GNIB and a copy of their passport. Please note: the rejection letter issued by the GNIB will be evaluated by the College in order to assess grounds for any refund. Please note: 1.
A refund will only be granted in respect of fees which have been paid for the most recent year in which (a) or (b) occurs. There is no automatic right to a refund of fees if a Learner changes his/her mind about studying at SEDA.
2. After course commencement, any Learner requiring to submit a refund request for any reason other than those specifically detailed above (a, b or c) will be required to have achieved a minimum attendance of 85% in accordance with GNIB (Learner visa requirements) at the time of request. 3.
If a Learner withdraws after course commencement no refund will be given.
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If SEDA fails to run the stated course after commencement date or fails to deliver the fees will be refundable in full without deducted administration fees.
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All course cancellations must be made in writing using SEDA’s “Tuition Fees Refund” form before course commencement date.
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If a Learner changes their course of study during the semester, no refund will be given where the revised course involves fewer subjects.
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Learners that are found to have provided incorrect information, resulting in their visa being refused shall be exempt from any form of refund.
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Whilst course commencement and completion dates are not expected to change, SEDA reserves the right to alter any previously detailed dates in order to facilitate or improve the provision of any course and any associated examination. Those changes will in no way affect the other terms and conditions of the Learner’s contract with the Administration. Should a change be necessary, the administration will not be liable to provide any form of compensation or refund.
9. Please note an administration fee of €250 will be deducted from all refunds given.
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Maintenance of learner records All learner records are maintained through the College software. The software enables the management to keep and maintain a Learner database which will include but is not limited to all activities, admission details, class attendance, performance records, financial transactions etc.
Every class has an official list on which all learners names are printed, if your name is
not on the list for your class, you must see the Director of Studies immediately. You will not be allowed into any class in which you are not officially registered. It is not possible for you to receive attendance for any class in which you are not officially registered.
Disability All Learners are required to inform SEDA of any disability or medical condition that may require special provisions to be provided by SEDA.
Timetables Learner timetable information is provided at the Induction Day and will also be displayed on the notice boards. Please check this regularly as rooms and timetables may change from time to time during your course. All changes are advised in advance.
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Attendance policy The SEDA attendance database is controlled by the DOS and the teachers. Any absenteeism not covered by medical certification will be recorded as non-attendance and will be dealt with according to our low attendance policy. •
A Learner who arrives more than fifteen minutes late will not be allowed into their class and will have to wait for the break before being admitted into the class.
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Absenteeism will not be tolerated unless the Learner has given prior notice to the teacher and has a valid reason for being absent e.g. doctor's appointment, lack of public transport due to snow.
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Any learner absenteeism through sickness or injury must be supported by a hospital note or doctor certification
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In the event that a Learner is unable to attend their class for any reason, written confirmation giving reason for non-attendance must be submitted to the administration at the learner’s earliest opportunity. This requirement is mandatory for international learners in order to comply with both SEDA and GNIB regulations. Sick certificates or letters do not replace the actual attendance of a learner. Learners who become seriously ill or who are involved in accidents which necessitate an absence from school of longer than three weeks, will, depending on individual circumstances be allowed to re-start and/or repeat their course or part of it free of charge. This is only permitted when a Learner has a doctor's note.
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Learners must maintain an attendance rate of 85%, as required by law.
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If you do not attend class for four days consecutively, you name will be removed from the list and you will no longer be regarded as registered in your class. You must talk to the academic administration office to return your name to the list.
Low attendance If attendance is a provision of the Learner’s visa, non-attendance may result in the loss of a learner’s permission to study in Ireland. Should a non-EU Learner’s attendance fall below the requirement laid down by the GNIB and SEDA for a period of longer than three months, disciplinary action will be taken against them which will result in them having their enrolment with SEDA terminated.
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The automated attendance system If after three weeks, your attendance falls below 80%, you will receive an email informing you that you need to maintain a higher rate of attendance. If after a further three weeks, your attendance has not improved, you will receive a second, more strongly worded email informing you that you need to improve your attendance. A note is made of any Learner who responds to this email by phone, in person or by email. After a further week you have not responded to this email, you will be contacted by phone or in person. If after a further three weeks your attendance has not improved, a meeting will be scheduled with the principal, who will explain to you that your low attendance puts you in danger of expulsion. If, by the next meeting of the board of directors, you have not improved your attendance to above the accepted level, your case is brought to the board and you will be expelled. Notification of expulsion is sent to GNIB.
Holidays IR Learners receive a one year visa from SEDA. You attend SEDA for the first 25 weeks of this year. The time after your course has finished, but in which your visa is still valid, is classified as holiday time. Most Learners begin their course within one week of their arrival in Ireland. Learners attend induction on the first Friday after their arrival and begin their class the following Monday. All of SEDA's sales team and agents are informed of the start dates for courses so Learners can make arrangements to arrive in time for the start of their course. The Learner's course runs for 25 weeks consecutively from their first day in class. Learners are not permitted any holidays other than public holidays, Easter week and the three week Christmas break. Easter week and Christmas are not counted as part of a Learner's 25 week course. If a Learner cannot come to school due to long term sickness or bereavement, they must notify the school. In some cases, Learners may take a leave of absence. All such cases are dealt with by the DoS or Principal, who will arrange with the Learner an appropriate timeframe for their return to class.
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Learner Behaviour Learners are required to adhere to the following: •
Although teachers and staff are there to help learners, please ensure you communicate courteously and respectfully any problems/issues you may be having in class, around the College or administratively. Learners using foul or abusive language will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action will be taken where necessary and ultimately Learner expulsion may ensue.
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Learners are required to turn off mobile phones during their classes and not to use them again until after class finishes or unless they are on an official class break.
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Learners are expected to respect both their teachers and their fellow class mates during classes at all times. Any Learner found being disrespectful during class will be asked to leave the class and will lose their attendance for that day. All episodes of this nature will be reported to administration and kept on the Learners file for the remainder of term. Learners continuously found to be disruptive or abusive in class could ultimately find themselves being expelled from SEDA and reported to GNIB.
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The language of the classroom is English. You are not allowed to use any other language in class. Speaking only English will help you to learn more quickly.
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You must not eat or drink in the classroom.
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You must turn up on time for your classes. If you turn up more than 15 minutes late, you will not be allowed into your class.
Examinations Registration and exam fees must be paid by learners. Examination dates will be displayed on the notice-board. It is your responsibility to find out the date of your exam and turn up to the selected room. Please check regularly for changes. If you miss your exam and wish to sit at a later date you will have to re-register and pay your examination fee again.
Cheating and Plagiarism SEDA will NOT TOLERATE cheating or plagiarism, any learner found doing so may be expelled. Cheating includes: bringing unauthorised material into an examination, communicating with other Learners during an exam, or seeking to gain an unfair advantage in any other way. Plagiarism is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes: copying information directly from the internet or books without referencing the material; working with one or more other people on an individual piece of coursework and submitting the joint coursework as your own individual effort; copying another Learner’s coursework; paying someone else to do the work for you.
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Guidelines for terminating your studies If you are unable to complete your studies in the current academic year, for whatever reason, then you need to inform SEDA immediately. If the learner intends to withdraw from the course then he/she is strongly advised to seek advice before doing so. If learners are studying in Ireland on a learner visa, then they are strongly advised to consult learner services through SEDA administration. In all cases they must complete a learner cancellation form and return it to administration. If the learner wishes to change their course then he/she needs to ensure that a course transfer form is completed. These are available from SEDA reception. An administration fee is chargeable in relation to all transfers. If a learner is expelled from SEDA, their status as a student shall be terminated and the Garda National Immigration Bureau will be informed.
Learner Responsibilities Below are reminders of some of your key responsibilities. It is your responsibility to: •
Maintain your attendance at SEDA
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Find out information regarding timetables.
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Find out examination dates and locations and arrive on time for the exam
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Submit your coursework on time
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Attend all progress tests – you must sit for progress tests to ensure you continue in the same class. Make sure that you find out your results and details of how to retrieve failed courses.
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Attend classes and examinations.
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Advise administration of any changes to your contact information immediately.
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Accident reporting All accidents must be reported so that the causes can be identified and action taken to prevent a recurrence. Don’t delay in reporting accidents, however trivial they may seem at the time.
Complaints SEDA takes all complaints made against its staff or facilities very seriously. Should you have any complaints please follow the procedure below: •
Speak to the staff member directly related to your area of complaint, for example, your teacher if your complaint is course related.
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If your complaint has not been resolved through step one, speak with that staff member’s supervisor or Director of Studies.
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If you are still not happy please proceed to complete the official learner complaint form and return it to administration.
SEDA will ensure that your complaint is investigated within a reasonable timeframe and you will receive a response from the director of studies or her representative as soon as possible. Learner complaint forms are available from reception.
Academic Appeals Any Learner pursuing a grade appeal must follow the process outlined below: Step one: The Learner must write a short letter (within 1 week after results given) stating the exact nature of the appeal and the reason for asking. Step two: The Director of Studies must read the appeal, meet with the learner, and grant or deny the Learner’s request. •
Please note: All of our official course exams (EDI, ABE, ICM, etc) have their own, direct appeals policies which are separate to those of SEDA. For information, please contact reception.
Direct Complaints Procedure for City & Guilds Courses If you have a problem, you must first raise the matter with your course provider/centre using their formal complaints/appeals procedures. If after doing this, you are unhappy with the outcome, you may raise your complaint with City & Guilds, remembering to send copies of all correspondence between you and your centre relating to your complaint. Please ensure you provide City & Guilds with your enrolment number (if known), your date of birth and the details of your centre (centre number if known). Please send to: Customer Relations – Complaints, Customer Relations, City & Guilds, 1 Giltspur Street London, EC1A 9DD or email to:
[email protected]
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Similarly, if you are dissatisfied with some aspect of City & Guilds' service, please direct a letter of complaint or email to either of the above addresses. As part of the complaints procedure you can expect to receive an immediate acknowledgement to an email or in the case of a letter, an acknowledgement will be sent within 2 working days. The complaint will either be resolved, or an outlined course of action will be sent to you within 10 working days.
Emergency situations In emergency situations, should it become necessary to evacuate the building, the alarm will sound. It is then necessary for all Learners to leave the building quickly and quietly following the instructions of the Fire Officer. DO NOT waste time collecting personal belongings. When the emergency situation is over the Fire Officer along with teachers/ administration staff will supervise the Learners’ re-entry into SEDA premises. Fire drills take place six times a year. These are an important part of ensuring your safety while you study in SEDA. Your teacher will let you know about upcoming fire drills.
Health and Safety • Do not bring food or drink into the classrooms • Smoking is not allowed in any part of SEDA • Mobile telephones must be switched off. As this will disrupt other Learners whilst classes are in progress. • Keep bags, coats etc. away from the aisles and escape routes • In the event of a fire or fire alarm being sounded follow the displayed evacuation procedures • Keep SEDA tidy at all times • Please note personal belongings are the sole responsibility of the Learner. SEDA cannot be held responsible for any items reported lost or missing; however Learners are still required to report all incidents to their teacher as soon as it is discovered
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Computer Laboratory Codes of Practice •
SEDA will assign a login account for all Learners for use during their IT related courses. Your computer login account is for your exclusive use.
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Do not attempt to breach the security of any of the computer systems unless it is part of coursework. ANY attempt to breach such security will be treated very seriously by the College. Do not copy software from SEDA computers.
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Do not copy data or programs belonging to other Learners.
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By enrolling with SEDA you agree to be bound by the conditions of the SEDA’s computing code of practice.
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You must not install and/or run any software on the network that can be accessed either internally or externally without permission.
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You must obey all instructions given to you by any member of academic or technical staff. Refrain from making excessive noise.
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If you are using a computer that has been booked for class use, please leave it as soon as you are requested to do so by the computing staff/lecturer. At busy times the computer laboratory staff may logout unattended computers after 15 minutes to free them for other users.
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Games must not be played on the computers; peer to peer file sharing programs (e.g. Limewire, Napster, torrent software) must not be downloaded or installed.
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Do not interfere or attempt to interfere with any aspect of the operation of the computer systems.
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Viewing of offensive or illegal material is strictly prohibited and may result in your expulsion
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Contact the computer laboratory staff if your files are reported as having viruses. The computers virus application software will try to automatically detect viruses before they damage your work. Software and Data
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SEDA has an extensive range of software and data, most of which is available for anyone to use, though the total number of concurrent users may be limited.
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Do not bring software or data into SEDA unless you can prove that it can be legally used in this way and that its installation will not affect our computing facilities. Remove such software after use.
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Do not use SEDA software or data for any non-educational or non-research purposes without first consulting a member of staff. Most of our licenses prohibit commercial and consultancy work, or require a supplementary fee to be paid.
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Do not copy, or attempt to copy, SEDA owned software or data from the computers or networks without authorisation.
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Do not interfere with the files, user areas, printed output, etc belonging to other users.
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Computer Misuse Act 1990 This Act makes it a criminal offence to attempt to access, use or alter any computer data, programs or services to which you have not been granted authorised access. The attempt does not have to be successful for an offence to be committed.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 This Act makes the unauthorised copying, reverse engineering, amending etc of software illegal. In addition users must comply with the terms of the software licenses. You must not make copies of software (including CD duplication) without first proving that you have a right to do so. You may only scan small proportions of copyright text or images for 'private study and research' - these can be placed in your own computer area or on memory sticks.
Disciplinary Procedures Failure to comply with the rules governing the use of SEDA’s computing facilities may result in the temporary or permanent withdrawal of access to the facilities, and/or a recommendation to proceed through SEDA’s disciplinary processes. Contravention of any of the Acts mentioned earlier is a legal offence, which may also lead to expulsion from SEDA.
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