WELCOME TO
UCC LANGUAGE CENTRE
Visit
O’Rahilly Building (Room G36), University College Cork, Ireland
www.ucc.ie/esol
Telephone
+353 (0)21 490 2043 or 490 2898
Email
[email protected]
UCCLanguageCentre
@UCCLanguageCent
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ucclangcent.wordpress.com
Dear Student,
We are very happy to welcome you to University College Cork Language Centre. We know that you will greatly
benefit from and enjoy your time with us.
You will have a team of experienced, highly qualified teachers who will help you to make maximum progress in
English. Your progress also depends on you however. Here are some very good tips to help you:
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Speak only English while you are in the Language Centre (including break times)
Complete all homework given in class
Review class work in the afternoons/evenings
Start a vocabulary notebook for new words/phrases/expressions
Keep a learner diary in English which will improve your writing skills
Ask questions in class if you do not understand or need more information
If you have any particular requests, please speak to your teacher
To help you become familiar with the university we have included a map of the campus and information about
some of the facilities here and their opening times. We have also given you information about the Language
Laboratory Self- Access facility where you can come and study in your free time.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Looking forward to meeting you.
Kind regards,
Noreen O Mahony
Acting Director of Studies
G.47 O’Rahilly Building, UCC, Cork
+353 (0)21 490 3297
Email: [email protected]
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UCC MAIN CAMPUS
Main Quad
Student Centre
Honan Chapel
O’Rahilly Building (Language Centre)
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Boole Library
RESOURCE ROOM
The self-access facilities in the Resource Room
offer a valuable service to language learners of all
levels and abilities covering all aspects of
language learning: reading, writing, listening and
speaking. Facilities include the use of books,
DVDs and CDs in our language laboratories
during opening hours. (You are not allowed to
take these materials home).
THE RESOURCE ROOM:
 Is well stocked with textbooks/CDs geared towards those studying for Cambridge Examinations
(FCE, CAE, CPE) and IELTS.
 Runs a Book Club offering members the opportunity to take home English novels and graded readers to
help improve their English. (Membership Fee: €5)
 Has desktop computers in two language laboratories for students to use to practise their English.
 Keeps a folder with details for language exchange partners among students (contact us for more
information.)
Opening Hours
Monday
9:00 – 21:00
Tuesday
9:00 – 17:00
Wednesday
9:00 – 19:00
Thursday
9:00 – 21:00
Friday
9:00 – 17:00
BOOLE LIBRARY
The Boole Library also has a range of services and facilities that will help you to improve your English,
including:
 newspapers / periodicals reading area (Q floor i.e. Ground floor)
 Multimedia Area complete with large-screen monitors and an extensive DVD and CD collection (Q+3)
 study rooms which can be booked in advance for group study sessions or project work
 extensive collections of books and journals in subject-specific areas
 online resources including free tutorials on study, writing and research skills (see www.uccc.ie/en/red
for more on study skills)
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CLASSES
Timetable
TIME
9:00 - 11:00
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
11:00 - 11:30
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
11:30 - 13:00
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
14:00 – 16:00
Free Extra Class
Punctuality
Any student who arrives after 9:20 will not be admitted to class until after the break (11:30) because it disrupts
the rest of the class.
Attendance
A register of attendance is taken every morning. Any student who arrives after 9:20 will be marked absent on
the register. Certificates of attendance are given when you finish your course and if your attendance is is 80%
or more.
Extra Class
UCC Language Centre offers a two-hour class free to our full-time students. This is a chance to meet other
students from the Language Centre, practise your English and learn about life in Ireland and UCC in a fun
way. Activities include walking tours of historical parts of Cork, workshops about Irish music, dancing and
much more. Students will receive an email each week about the class and can then sign up on the attendance
sheet outside the Resource Room (G.29).
School Holidays
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St. Patrick’s Day: March 2017
Easter Break: 14 April – 21 April 2017
May Day: 1 May 2017
June Bank Holiday: 5 June 2017
Mobile Phones in Class
The use of mobile phones in class can be disruptive and disturbing to teachers and other students in the class.
You may only use mobile phones in class if the teacher requests you to use them. At all other times in class:
 Mobile phones must be on ‘Silent’
 Mobile phones must never be used for receiving or sending texts or emails or other messages
 Non-urgent calls on mobile phones may not be answered or made until the break
 If you are expecting an urgent call (for example from home, a child’s school, a hospital etc.), please tell the
teacher at the start of the class that you may have to leave the room to answer it.
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CLUBS & SOCIETIES
Sports clubs and student societies have been very important in UCC since its foundation in 1845. A
university education is about much more than getting an academic qualification. We have approximately 114
clubs and societies and there is a wide range of activities e.g. horse riding, journalism and many other sports
and interesting activities. You will improve your English, meet new people and have a great experience.
UCC has the most modern sports facilities in Ireland at the Mardyke Sports Complex. It includes a
swimming pool, gymnasium and outdoor areas which will help you to have a healthy lifestyle. meet more
people and continue to practice your English.
Clubs in UCC
Sport and recreation is an integral part of the student experience at UCC. The university has over 55 Sports
Clubs ranging from traditional team sports such as GAA, Soccer, Rugby, and Hockey to Martial Arts,
Indoor Sports, Water Sports and Adventure Sports such as Snowsports, Kite surfing and the recently
formed Parachute Club. There is everything for the committed sports person and for the occasional
participant. Many Clubs provide specialised coaching for both Beginners and the more Advanced Athlete.
Further information on Sports Clubs can be found on the Students' Union Clubs Website at
www.collegeroad.ie/clubs
Societies in UCC
UCC has 78 active student societies spanning a wide range of artistic, social, charitable, scientific, academic
and political interests. Students are supported in the planning, financial management and organisation of
their societies and events. Successful participation in intervarsity competitions, both national and
international, hosting of educational and entertainment events, and innovative fundraising initiatives are a
feature of society life.
Further information on Societies can be found at www.collegeroad.ie/societies.html
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COMPUTER FACILITIES
1 Where are all the computers that I can use?
IT Centre Location
Opening Hours:
In Term
Opening Hours:
Out of Term
Boole Library
Q, Q+1, Q+2, Q+3
As per opening
of building
As per opening
of building
Boole Basement,
near lecture theatre
M-F: 08:30 - 22:30
S-S: 09:00 - 21:00
M-F: 08:30 - 22:30
S-S: 09:00 - 18:00
Block A, 4th Floor
Food Science Building
M-F: 08:30 - 18:00
S-S: Closed
M-F: 09:00 - 18:00
S-S: Closed
Kane Building
3rd Floor
M-F: 08:30 - 19:00
S-S: Closed
M-F: 09:00 - 18:00
S-S: Closed
Áras na Mac Léinn
3rd Floor
As per opening
of building
As per opening
of building
Áras na Mac Léinn
Café
As per opening
of building
As per opening
of building
2 How do I Log on?
When the computer is switched on, a Log-on dialogue box will appear.
 Type in your log in details.
Username: Student ID number.
Password: Your Network Account password
You can obtain your Network Account Password from the IT Helpdesk in the Boole
Library/Basement on presentation of your Student ID card. The very first time you log on to a
computer, you will be asked to change the randomly generated password that you obtained from
the IT Helpdesk to something that you yourself decide upon.
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3 What do I do if I have a problem?
The staff in the Computer Centre IT Helpdesk for Students (located in the Boole Library and also in
the Boole Basement) are very approachable, and are there to help you. They will be identifiable by
their maroon coloured t-shirts with "Computer Centre" written on them. They may not always
know the answer straight away, but will always try to solve the problem. Alternatively, you can email
[email protected]
4 Connecting to the Student Wireless Internet
Please check the details from the following website:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/network/wireless/
Don’t forget to log in to your Umail account (UCC student email) for updates on what’s happening on
campus!
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Wireless Hot Spots
Building
Location of Hotspot
a) Open Areas, Block B
b) Ground Floor Café
a) Café and Atrium
b) Devere Hall
O'Rahilly Building
Student Centre
Boole Library
and Basement
All Floors
a) Mini-Rest
b) Main-Rest
a) Kampus Kitchen Cafe
b) Kane IT Centre, 3rd Floor
c) Chemistry: 2nd and 4th Floor
Restaurants
Kane Building
Áras na Laoi
Economics Postgrad Room 1st Floor
Photocopying / Printing
Printing and photocopying services are available in the many IT centres throughout the University, including
in the Boole Library. You will need your Student ID card which you can top up online (smartcard.ucc.ie) or in
the Boole Library (Q-Floor room) or the Student Centre (main foyer).
OTHER FACILITIES
Student Development and Employability
UCC Language Centre offers all its full-time students access to careers advice – how to write CVs and cover
letters, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews etc. You can go to www.ucc.ie/en/careers/ to make an
appointment with a careers expert who can offer one-to-one advice for you.
Student Counselling
Student Counselling & Development (SCD) is a free confidential service to all registered students and
provides individual counselling to students with emotional, psychological, academic or personal development
needs. Other supports and services offered by SCD include personal development and support workshops as
well as online multimedia interactive programmes and self-help information. Visit
www.ucc.ie/en/studentcounselling/ for more information or to make an appointment.
Student Health Centre
The Student Health Centre is located at Ardpatrick, College Road, Cork.
Phone: +353 (0) 21 4902311
In the event of an emergency, the contact number for the emergency services is
999 or 112.
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Sports Complex & Leisure Centre MARDYKE ARENA
Adult Swimming Pools
A relaxing swim, lane swimming, exercise in water or the challenge of learning to swim are just some of the
opportunities that await you in the pools.
Fitness Gymnasiums
The Mardyke Arena boasts an extensive variety of exercise and fitness equipment. The equipment at the Arena
is Life Fitness, one of the top brands worldwide. A plentiful supply of treadmills, steppers, cross trainers, bikes
and rowers will help to provide a good aerobic workout while the resistance equipment and free weights area
ensures that all levels of fitness and requirements are met by all users no matter when they train.
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: http://www.mardykearena.com/static/index.htm
Membership applications will only be accepted from students on receipt of a letter
from their host department
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I get a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes. The certificate will give information about
your attendance and the level of the course.
Classes
How can I find out what my level of English
is?
Before beginning the course you will need to take
a placement test (grammar, vocabulary, writing,
and speaking). The test then determines your level
and your class.
What should I do if I have a problem I need to
discuss?
Arrange to speak to (a) your teacher (b) the Acting
Director of Studies, Ms. Noreen O’Mahony, or (c)
the Acting Director, Prof. Elisabeth Okasha.
Do I have to take an external examination like
IELTS or First?
No. Some of our students like to focus on
preparation for external exams in English but
many do not. Classes are aimed at improving all
the skills (listening, speaking, writing and reading)
as well as vocabulary and grammar, and sometimes
exam skills too. If you are interested in taking an
external exam like IELTS, First or Advanced,
please enquire at the Language Centre Main Office
(G.36).
UCC
Where’s good to eat on campus?
There are lots of options. Closest to the Language
Centre and also in the O’Rahilly Building is Coffee
Dock. In the immediate vicinity you will also find
the Main Restaurant with the Mini Restaurant
upstairs, two cafés in the Student Centre and a
lovely restaurant in the basement of the
Glucksman Gallery.
Cork
Where can I go to see live traditional music?
There are lots of live music venues. For updates on
daily ‘sessions’ (informal traditional music
performances) go to www.theleesessions.com
Will I have to buy a course book?
This can depend on the teacher of your course.
Some teachers design their own materials for class
work, while others may follow a course book. If
your teacher is using a course book, then you will
need to buy it.
What can I see and do around Cork in my
afternoons and at the weekend?
Some of the most popular places to visit around
Cork include Fota Wildlife Park, the historic town
of Cobh, and the seaside town of Kinsale.
How many students are usually in a class?
The maximum number is 15, but an average is
usually about 12.
Visa
What countries do they come from?
Students in the Language Centre come from a
wide range of countries – from Spain to Saudi
Arabia and Germany to Japan.
Where can I find information on visa
requirements for Ireland?
The International Student website of UCC can
give you lots of information. This website also
gives you the information you need about visas.
Also, this is a good starting point for information
on visas.
Will I be given homework?
Yes. The homework will be corrected by your
teachers.
Will we have a test or examination at the end
of our course?
Some teachers may give you one or two progress
review tests during the course, but many teachers
do not. Many students often prepare for an
external examination (Cambridge, IELTS or BEC
Vantage) and this is usually taken at the end of the
course.
What about working when I am studying?
This website www.entemp.ie gives lots of
information and guidance about working in
Ireland.
How can I open a bank account?
On the University campus you will find the Bank
of Ireland, and very close to the University you
can find AIB and Ulster Bank. Staff in the banks
will assist in how to open your bank account.
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STUDENT RULES: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
3. The standards of conduct outlined in paragraph 1
above apply whether a Student is on or off
campus, and whether engaged in a placement or
study abroad.
A. INTRODUCTION
1. University College Cork positively encourages its
Students to participate fully in university life and
in an atmosphere that supports the attainment
of academic achievement.
2. Consequently, the University requires all its
members to conduct themselves as responsible
members of its community.
3. It is important that you understand what is
expected from you and also your rights and
obligations should you be a Respondent to a
complaint, a Complainant or a Witness.
4. The Rules describe the standards of conduct
expected from our Students.
5. Should you require any help, support or clarification
in respect to these Rules, please refer to the
information, advice and guidance set out in
Section G below. You are encouraged to make
use of the Student Services available to you.
C. EXAMPLES OF BREACHES OF
THE RULES
It is impossible to provide an exhaustive list of what
may or may not be regarded as a serious or more
minor breach of these Rules. Each case will be
considered on an individual basis. However, for the
purposes of illustration only, it is likely that the
following would be regarded as more serious matters:
- Use of an offensive weapon;
- Assault;
- Forging documents;
- Damage to property;
- Bullying and/or Harassment.
- Conduct which disrupts or is likely to disrupt
teaching, research, study, examinations, or the
administration of the University
B. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
and the following probably less serious:
- Non-payment of library fine;
- Off Campus conduct such as excessive noise and
unruly behaviours likely to bring the University or
the student body into disrepute;
- Minor damage to property;
- Littering.
1. The University requires its Students to conduct
themselves in an appropriate and reasonable
manner which ensures:
1.1 Dignity, honesty and integrity;
1.2 Respect for all members of Staff;
1.3 Respect for fellow Students;
1.4 Respect for the Rules and Regulations of the
University;
1.5 Compliance with the academic processes of
the University;
1.6 That the University is not brought into
disrepute;
1.7 That the views, values and beliefs of others
are respected;
1.8 That no damage or injury is caused to any
person or property;
1.9 That the University community is free from
intimidation and discrimination.
2. Any Student who acts contrary to the standards of
conduct set out above shall be in breach of
these Rules.
The above rules are designed to make your time
at University College Cork safe, pleasant and
enjoyable.
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UCC Campus Map
Student Development & Employability
Language Centre
Student IT Centre
Boole Basement
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Student Health & Counselling
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