English / Music Courses for Children in Ireland

Tullamore Classical Music School:
Located in the beautiful Irish countryside close to Tullamore in Co. Offaly, the Tullamore Classical Music School offers a well-rounded music programme of tuition and public performance for young classical instrumentalist on violin, viola, cello and piano.

Email: Contact us here

During the summer months the Tullamore Classical Music School offers a unique Study English and Music in Ireland - Homestay Programme for young people age 10-14. The two week programme is open to young musicians of all levels and we are happy to accept beginner language learners. Sessions run once per month throughout the summer.

The summer Study English and Music in Ireland - Homestay Programme offers a unique combination of classical instrumental music study and language learning in a beautiful Irish countryside setting delivered by professional cellist and TESOL certified English language teacher Adele O'Dwyer.

The programme is designed to be intimate in nature as a maximum of 4 young people are accepted for each two-week session. The programme incorporates language building activities through daily classes in English as well as through participation in musical, recreational and home-based activities. Sessions run once per month throughout the summer.

Daily Classes in English - one-to-one and group activities to develop skill in the four fundamental areas of language development; reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Learn English through Musical Activities - using the English language to convey thoughts and ideas with a musical focus. Musical activities give wonderful opportunities for English language learning as participants interact with professionals and learners alike while preparing and performing music both instrumentally and vocally.

Learn English through Recreational Activities - the daily recreational activity plan provides occassions to explore language use in public places and in relation to Ireland's natural and cultural heritage.

Learn English through Home-Based Activities - the 'cook together' sessions bring participants together in the kitchen to create the evening meal and to learn language appropriate to food and cooking! A specially prepared collection of 'user-friendly' recipes allow young people to have success in the kitchen while having fun learning about food, cooking and serving the Irish way.

In addition to the English language opportunities and instruction detailed above, the Study English and Music in Ireland - Homestay Programme has a musical focus as well. Music is a part of the daily life of all participants.

Vocal Music - A selection of poetry, studied as a component of the daily English classes, and a selection of beautiful melodies, learned in the daily music sessions, are put together to create songs to be sung (in English) with professional piano accompaniment in the final concert.

Irish Traditional Music - A traditional music specialist will visit daily to involve the young students in music-making through Irish Traditional music. All students will learn some Irish Traditional music on the tin whistle (a small very inexpensive metal whistle which is commonplace in Irish traditional music). The All-Ireland Music Championships will take place in the region from 21-23 August and the young visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy both traditional dancing and music when we make a visit to the festival.

Instrumental Music - Daily instrumental music instruction on violin, viola, cello or piano. There is a grand piano in the music room for lessons, practice and performance. Each participant will aim to learn three pieces for performance in the final concert demonstration.

Public Performance - A number of sessions of performance preparation with a professional accompanist will take place during each session in addition to group music-making with other participants and where appropriate with other local Irish musicians. Participation in the end of week concert demonstration is one of the highlights of the course - all parents are welcome to attend!

- Trip to Dublin City
- Nature walks at Clara bog, Lough Boora Nature Preserve and the Sleive Bloom Mountains
- Cultural Heritage vists to Clonmacnoise and other historic sites in the area
- Swimming (Tullamore Town Pool), Tennis (at Silver River Studios)

- Nightly 'cook together' sessions - see details above
- Movie Nights (one per week) - popular English language films
- English language 'scrabble' and other games for fun and learning
- English language 'library time' - encouragement will be given for particpants to use to library of English books to expand their language experience.

2-Week Programme: €1730 per student

Fees Include:
- private bedroom accomodation
- full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- daily music classes
- daily English language classes
- recreational activities package
- performance preparation sessions
- participation in demonstration concert
- airport transfers to/from Dublin airport

The fee does not cover airfares or medical insurance.