Secondary School Programme · Ages 12–17
A term or a year in an Irish school.
Join an Irish secondary school as an ordinary student for one term, two terms or a full year. You live with an Irish Host family, make Irish friends and live in English every day. WILD looks after everything outside the classroom.
Why go
Why spend a term in an Irish school?
English that stays
A term living in English does more than years of classes at home. By Christmas you're thinking in English, not translating.
Friends, not visitors
You're in the class group, on the team, in the school musical. These are friendships that last long after you fly home.
Something to stand on
Universities and employers notice a student who has studied abroad and lived away from home. You'll have real stories for every interview.
Growing up, safely
Your own bedroom in an Irish family, a welfare officer a phone call away, and your parents hearing from us in their own language. Independence with a safety net.
Ireland from the inside
Music sessions, GAA matches and school trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren — the parts of Ireland tourists never get to.
Try before you commit
Start with one term. Most of our students love it so much they come back for the full year.
At a glance
Is this for you?
- Ages
- 12 to 17
- Year groups
- Second Year, Transition Year or Fifth Year
- English level
- Intermediate (B1) or higher, tested by WILD
- Who can apply
- EU citizens, so no visas are needed
- Irish class
- Spanish and Italian students are exempt from Irish. In those classes you study English with WILD
Schools in Limerick, Clare and Galway. We never put several students of the same nationality in one class.
The Irish system
How Irish secondary schools work.
Second Year
Junior Cycle · around 13–14
You join a class that has settled in already and stay with them through every subject. A gentle, social year — and our most popular entry point.
Transition Year
Around 15–16
A year Irish schools fill with projects, trips, outdoor pursuits and work-experience tasters instead of heavy exams. Many schools call it their best year for an international student.
Fifth Year
Senior Cycle · around 16–17
You join the start of the two-year Leaving Certificate course. The most academic option, and the one that asks the most of your English.
- The school day
- Classes run from about 9am to 4pm, with a short break mid-morning and lunch. Most Irish secondary schools have a few hundred students, so you get to know everyone quickly.
- The school year
- School starts in late August and finishes at the end of May, with breaks at Halloween, Christmas, February mid-term and Easter. You arrive and leave with your class, never in the middle of term.
- Uniform and books
- Nearly every Irish secondary school has a uniform, and books are rented or bought through the school. We arrange all of it before you arrive.
- Subjects
- English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Business, a European language, Art, Music and PE. Irish teachers use group work, discussion and projects as much as textbooks.
- Sport and clubs
- Gaelic football, hurling, rugby, football, basketball and athletics — plus music, drama and debating. Joining a team or a club is the fastest way to make friends.
- No state exams for you
- Irish students sit the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate. As a WILD student you follow the classes and sit the school's own tests, so there is no exam pressure on your stay.
Choose your stay
Four ways to join.
Term 1
Late August to Christmas · About 16 weeks
Our most popular option. You start with your class from day one.
Term 2
January to Easter · About 12 weeks
For you if you can't miss the autumn term at home.
Terms 1 and 2
Late August to Easter · About 28 weeks
A longer stay without the exam term.
Full year
Late August to end of May · About 36 weeks
Full immersion, best in Second Year or Transition Year.
You arrive and leave at the start and end of the Irish school term, never in the middle.
Your safety
We look after you, every day.
- A carefully chosen, Garda-vetted Host family with your own bedroom and full board
- WILD is your local guardian for the whole stay, with a 24/7 emergency line
- A named welfare officer and check-ins with you and your Host family at least every month
- Medical, liability and travel insurance, airport transfers and an orientation when you arrive
- Uniform, books, school transport and lunches arranged for you
- Your parents hear from us in their own language, and school reports reach them through WILD
How it works
Four simple steps.
1
Apply
An online interview with you and your parents, a recent English test, school reports and a reference from your school.
2
Get matched
We find the right Irish school and Host family for you. The school sees your profile and says yes.
3
Arrive
We meet you at the airport, settle you in with your family and take you through your first days.
4
Live it
You go to school like any Irish student. We check in every month and are on call day and night.
Places for September 2027
Ready to become a real Irish student?
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