Donegal English Language School (Donegal, Ireland) ★★★

Gina’s love for languages started at an early age when her Mother opened DELS in 1989. The buzz of meeting students of various European nationalities throughout her childhood was an overriding reason for her taking over the school in 2007. She has over 25 years’ experience in the tourism & marketing industry, as well as 15 years in teaching English. Gina holds a degree in European Languages & Business and CELTA in teaching English. When not working, Gina enjoys spending time with her family, a bit of surfing, swimming, cycling or going for a walk with her dog, Mika. Gina’s has a passion for nature, sustainability and is very involved in her local community.

Adult Accommodation:

We have a choice of superb accommodation for our Adult students including our Residential Centre and selection of Homestays.

Residential
- 5 min walk to School
- Sea/mountain Views
- Rooms en-suite
- 5 min walk to Town
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Private, twin or triple rooms

Homestay
- A warm welcome
- A home from home
- Short walk to school

Junior Accommodation:

There is a choice of both Residential and Homestay accommodation.

Residential
- A small complex of spacious 4 bedroom houses
- 4 bedrooms, 3 to 4 bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, sitting room and all mod cons
- A quiet cul de sac less than one minute’s walk from the Atlantic Ocean and 3 minutes from school
- 15 minutes walk from the town centre
- Based on 8 – 11 students (three to four students per room and 1 coordinator per house

Homestay
- Carefully selected hosts
- All hosts police vetted, inspected and interviewed
- A warm Irish welcome
- Home from home experience
- 5-15 minutes from school
- Breakfast and dinner are provided by the host. A warm lunch is provided at the canteen
- Rooms are single or shared with another student from a different country
- Students are dropped to school by the host and dropped home by the host or school bus

Beginners: This is an introduction course to surfing. We work on the correct techniques to position on the board, paddle, getting through the waves and stand up. At this level our goal is to get you surfing the white water on your own, with a basic knowledge of currents, etiquette and technique. Ratio of students to instructor 1:8 max. We use a range of beginner soft boards from 7 foot to 9 foot.

Intermediate: Students focus on surfing techniques such as effective paddling, wave knowledge and selection, take off and bottom turning, trimming and duck diving. The courses also focus on surfing etiquette. We use video analysis to correct faults when appropriate. Ratio of students to instructor 1:8 max. We use a range of Torq intermediate soft top boards from 5’11 to 7’6.

Advanced: We are happy to accept students at advanced level. Please note that you will receive tuition on a Torq intermediate soft top board. Students work mainly on posture correction and technique, timing, positioning, turns and wave selection. We use video analysis to correct faults when appropriate. Ratio of students to instructor 1:8 max.

- all sizes of boards from 5’11 up to 9 foot
- 5/3mm wetsuits and 3mm boots provided
- changing rooms, hot showers and post surf hot chocolate provided
- 4 surf spots within a short driving distance
- male and female surf shop with 10% discount exclusive to Donegal English Language School students. (does not include Surf Co, own brand t-shirts and hoodies)

-Tour of Bundoran
- Water activities
-Team building events
- Nature and seaside explorations
- Irish history and culture lesson -
- BBQ’s
- Movie nights
-Traditional pub nights out
- Bowling nights
- Gaelic football
- Celli nights
- Irish Music and dance show
- Quiz nights
- Photo and video competitions
- Food days
- Book club
- Weekly cultural excursions to places including Glenveagh National Park, Queen Meabh’s Grave and Sligo town, Slieve League, Lisadell House, Parkes castle, Marble Arch Caves and Derry City.

* The number of evening activities organised varies according to the number of students in English Language Courses but is generally two – three per week.