ISE JR PCTO Programme
Unlock Your Potential, Skills for the Future, Guidance for Life.
Project-Based Learning in Ireland
Gain fundamental skills for your future career
Within any job, course, or activity, there are fundamental skills that are common and transferrable. It is impossible to put a price tag on abilities such as critical, creative, and analytical thinking. Talents such as English language, research, and presentation are invaluable. In that regard, the Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e l'Orientamento (PCTO) program at ISE is intended to address exactly that. The program trains students who are getting ready for university or the job market by equipping them with the crucial skills required. In designing the program, academics and practitioners have been consulted in order to converge years of experience that would specifically benefit Italian learners (16-19 years old), demanding more from their lives. The 21st century with its hyper-competitiveness, volatility, and shortage of opportunities requires individuals to be at the top of their game.
Key Programme Features at a Glance
- Location: Dublin & Waterford, Ireland
- Duration: 1 to 4 weeks
- Course Dates: Available throughout the academic year
- Arrival Days: Saturdays or Sundays
- Class Size: Maximum 45 students per group
- Student Age Range: 16-19 years
- Group Requirements: School groups must be accompanied by a Group Leader
- English Level Requirement: Minimum B1+ (Intermediate Plus)
- Certification: All class and activity hours are certified for PCTO credits
Course Overview
The PCTO program at ISE provides an integrated approach to training students where practical knowledge, theoretical understanding, human psyche, and English language meet. A special focus is placed on the individual student needs, as to provide a tailored and fulfilling experience. The program is designed to meet the criteria of the Italian Alternanza Scuola Lavoro law. It takes an indirect approach to the teaching of English language. Instead of teaching English, students will have many opportunities to engage in problem-solving, project management, and group work, whilst using this medium.
Program Highlights
Workshops
There is a wide range of available workshops customized to student needs and in various fields. Students can participate in activities within the domains of Hospitality, Business, International Relations, European History, Sustainability, Marketing, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Aviation, Tourism, and Globalization. These sessions consider the aspirations and aptitudes of students, placing them in situations mimicking what students will go through in their future careers. In case additional subjects are demanded, ISE can design customized courses according to specifications given.
Industry Visits
ISE makes every endeavor to arrange professional visits to companies, offering students direct exposure and insight into their operations. These visits are all relevant to the undertaken course, and provide unique hands-on experience. These visits are subject to company authorizations, restrictions, and timetable.
Project-Based Learning
A major focus within the program is encouraging cooperation amongst students within teams. The idea is to enable collective thinking and problem-solving. The projects involve a wide array of skills and simulate real-world scenarios, where students will be challenged to not only bring results, but deliver those results in English.
Job Market
With the limited opportunities in the international job market, the program emphasizes students’ emotional, social, linguistic, and cultural intelligence as to have a competitive edge over rivaling candidates. Learners are also drilled in reasoning skills utilizing English for their verbal and wri琀琀en communication. Finally, confidence when articulating ideas is key which they improve daily in a comprehensible and fluent manner.
Sample Weekly
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Project-based language lessons |
Tourism Workshop |
| Tuesday | Cultural Activity | |
| Wednesday | Visit to Local Company | |
| Thursday | Cultural Activity | |
| Friday | Certification Ceremony |
Cultural & Social Activities
In addition to the academic side of the PCTO program, submerging into the rich traditions, customs, and culture of Ireland is facilitated. Learners will be taken on two cultural activities per week, possibly including visits to historical sites, self-guided tours of museums, enjoying the parks, or a discovery of Ireland’s rich artistic scenery. These activities are intended to elevate the cross-cultural understanding of students and give a human feel to their trip.
Sample Activities
- Chester Beatty Museum Tour
- National Gallery Tour
- Pheonix Park Visit
- Shopping on Grafton Street
- Visit to St. Steven's Green Mall
- Chester Beatty Museum Tour
- National Gallery Tour
- Pheonix Park Visit
- Shopping on Grafton Street
- Visit to St. Steven's Green Mall
Why Choose ISE Ireland?
Customized Learning
Programs at ISE are designed with student preferences and requirements in mind, facilitating incoming colleges and schools to choose specific modules, workshops, and industries. ISE can provide a wide range of courses from Social Sciences & Humanities to Technological and more current topics such as AI and Cybersecurity.
Certified Education
The entirety of the classes, projects, company visits, and English language activities are formally accredited, enabling learners to earn PCTO credits, acknowledged by Italian educational officials.
Real-World Experience
Students visit various industries and corporations to get a hands-on feel of the world they will encounter. Furthermore, these trips enable students to make better career choices when evaluating their options.
Comprehensive Support
The ISE team is here to make the student experience as rewarding as possible. It offers accommodation, transport, cultural, emotional, and linguistic support, guaranteeing a pleasant trip for learners, group leaders, and teachers.
Cultural Immersion
On top of professional and intellectual exposure, learners will get a chance to dive into the rich world of Irish heritage. This will involve meeting local communities and absorbing elements of Irish culture such as mythology, language, music, cuisine, history, and landscape.
