ACET: What is the difference between....
Its and It’s Its: is a possessive determiner similar to ‘my’ or ‘your’ Example: • The dog didn’t eat all of its food. • There is a problem with the dishwasher, its door is broken. It’s: Short form of ‘it is’ or ‘it has’ Examples: • (It is) It’s difficult to understand him. • (It […]
ACET: Other Ways to Say!!
Other Ways to Say – Take care!! • Be careful! • Take care of yourself! • Watch your step! • Mind yourself! • Mind your step! • Look after yourself! • Be safe!
ACET: Grammar Tip!!
Using Past Tenses Past Simple We use the past tense to talk about: • something that happened once in the past: I met my husband in 2015. • something that happened several times in the past: We ran everyday while we were on holiday. • something that was true for some time in the past: […]
INIS update (29 September 2020)
Registration updates & announcements Notice | Students on Stamp 2 permissions Working hours In March 2020, as part of the Governments response to the covid-19 pandemic, students who hold Stamp 2 permissions and who attended colleges which had physically closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were allowed in those exceptional circumstances to work 40 hours […]
ACET: Grammar Tip
Using Past Tenses Past Continuous We use the past continuous to talk about something in the past: which happened before and after another action: • The boys were watching tv when I got home. which happened before and after a specific time: • It was eight o’clock and I was writing a letter. which continued […]
Irish Prime Minister visits ACET
ACET received a visit from the Irish Prime Minister, Micháel Martin today in a bid to show support to local Educational establishments. As he looked around the language school he praised teachers and support staff for their hard work in keeping the school going during these difficult times. Unfortunately, ACET has been greatly […]
ACET: Grammar Tip
Use a serial (Oxford) comma in a list The serial/Oxford comma is a controversial rule of grammar. Some want to eliminate it, while others are unsure how to use it. The serial comma is the last comma in a list, usually appearing before “and”. The wildlife park has monkeys, tigers, and other creatures. […]
ACET: Word of the Day!!
Word of the day Palindrome noun: A word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards e.g. madam or nurses run The word palindrome originally comes from the Greek Language and is made up of two words, the first being palin which translates to mean again and the second being dromos which translates […]
Sheep's Head Peninsula
Sheep’s Head is the headland at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula situated between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork. The Sheep’s Head Way is an 88 km long-distance trail which follows old tracks and roads around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back. The Sheep’s Head Way network […]
ACET: Grammar Tip
Use a comma to connect two ideas as one FANBOYS are used when connecting two ideas as one in a single sentence, but don’t forget the comma. For example: • I don’t like tea, nor do I like coffee. • Mary went for a walk, and I went for a run. • Susan […]
ACET: Other Ways to Say....
Other ways to say…Because (of) • Now that • Due to • As a result of • Since • Owing to the fact that • On account of • Given
Mizen Head in Co. Cork
Mizen Head (Irish: Carn Uí Néid) is located at the extremity of the Mizen Peninsula in Co Cork with spectacular views. Mizen Head is one of the extreme points of the island of Ireland . The tip of the peninsula is almost an island, cut off by a deep chasm. Mizen Head Irish Lights Signal […]
ACET: The difference between....
Benefit and Advantage Both benefit and advantage refer to a good thing. Benefit is a noun and a verb, advantage is a noun. The difference is that advantage is sometimes used in the for comparison with something else; being better than something else. • Exercising regularly has many benefits. • All the students will […]
Cork port and morning walks
Taking an early morning stroll along Cork city port is medicine. Spending time on the river bank makes me feel more relaxed and refreshed. While listening to relaxing noises of water I always feel more relaxed. Furthermore, research shows that by spending time by water will not only lower the stress in your life, but […]
ACET: Grammar Tip
Use Conjunctions Sometimes you want to link two ideas with a second S+V+O combination. When you do, you need a coordinating conjunction. The new formula looks like this: S+V+O, COORDINATING CONJUNCTION+S+V+O What are co-ordinating conjunctions? For example; ‘and’ and ‘but’ Use this mnemonic to remember a selection of the most common conjunctions: FANBOYS • […]
ACET: Other Ways to Say...
Other Ways to Say – I’m tired • I’m exhausted • I’m wrecked • I’m knackered • I’m drained • I’m wiped out • I’m worn out
ACET: What is the difference between....?
Sick and Ill A lot of the time they mean the same thing, e.g. to feel sick or to feel ill. But when used with different words or in different situations, we need to use either ill or sick. For example: To be terminally ill To feel ill/to feel sick To take sick leave […]
ACET: Grammar Tip
Use Active Voice – S+V+O Every language starts an active sentence with the subject, or the “doer.” In English, the verb (what’s being done) follows the subject. If there is an object (the receiver of the action), it comes after the verb. The formula looks like this and is the foundation of the English language: […]
Blackrock Castle
Originally developed as a coastal defence fortification in the 16th century to protect upper Cork Harbour and port, there is now an observatory, visitor centre and restaurant. In the late 16th century, the citizens of Cork appealed to Queen Elizabeth I to construct a fort at Blackrock to “repel pirates and other invaders”. In 1582 […]
ACET: Functional English
How to Invite Someone When you want to invite someone, you should ask them whether they are interested in your suggestion. Some suggestions for starting: Have you seen the new exhibition at the art gallery? Have you been to the new Chinese restaurant in the main street? Do you like swimming? Can you play […]
Delighted to be back at ACET!!
We are so excited to have re-opened on Monday, 24 August. We have been working hard behind the scenes to implement all the protocols as outlined by the HSE & Department of Education. We look forward to welcoming our students back to our school. Wherever clients see the COVID-19 Safety Charter logo, from failteireland you […]
ACET: What is the difference between.....?
Accept and Except Accept is a verb that means to take or receive something that is offered. We can accept material or immaterial things. For example, you can accept a gift or a new job. Except is a preposition that means “but not” or “other than.” We use it when we want to say “everything […]
CDMA Awards
*EXCITING NEWS* We are delighted to be a nominee at this year’s Cork Digital Marketing Awards in 4 categories Best Website Best Use of facebook Best Use of Twitter Best Use of Instagram #digitalcork20 Best of luck to everyone!!
Encouraging words from past student!
Thank you so much for your very kind words and encouragement – we are all delighted that you enjoyed your experience at our school and in Cork so much. We do try hard to make our students feel at home, and part of the ACET family. We believe that our school and homestay is personal […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
This week’s idiom is Dressed to Kill! This idiom means to get really dressed up in fancy clothes in order to be noticed. It is believed that this expression comes from the early 1900s. When women get really dressed up, they can make other women die with envy and men die from heart […]
ACET: Crossword
Fancy doing a crossword using relative clauses……..Relative clauses give us information about the person or thing mentioned. We usually use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a defining relative clause: who, which, that, when, where or whose. Here are some examples: Do you know the girl who started in 3rd year last week? Can […]
ACET: Proverb of the Week!
Birds of a feather flock together A flock is a group or family of birds that have the same type of feathers. This proverb means that people like to spend time with others that are of the same sort or with the same interests just like a flock of birds. This proverb has been […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is The Tide has Turned! The tide has turned or the turning of the tide means that something that was relatively constant has now changed. The phrase comes from when the sea tide changes from high tide to low tide or vice versa – this is called the turning of the tide or […]
Great Comedy drama set in the beautiful city of Cork
Meet Conor and Jock, the delinquent stars of The Young Offenders film, are back on our screens – TV screens this time (RTÉ2, Fridays, 9.30pm). Click this link to see a trailer. Written by Irish writer/director Peter Foott, the film has made a smooth transition from the big to the small screen. The characters […]
A day in the life of a Student at ACET!!
Past student: Gerard Lopez I’m Gerard Lopez and I’m from Barcelona. This is my first experience studying abroad. My first impression of the city was like the scene of a film. A whole new environment. New homes, new streets, new people and neighbourhoods. Altogether, Cork is a magical town. ACET School was easy to find […]
Camden Fort, Crosshaven
Visiting Camden Fort in stunning seaside town, Crosshaven; History: 1550 Original Fortifications on the site originally date from around 1550 and were further added to in 1600. In 1601 Battle of Kinsale: Following the Battle of Kinsale, which finally saw England’s conquest of Ireland, the fort fell into disuse. The fort was fortified again […]
Visit Beautiful Cork and its surroundings
Visit Cork – The perfect beginning of your adventure. The southern starting point for the Wild Atlantic Way is just a 30-minutes drive from Cork City Here are some photos of what is in store Pic Credit: Pure Cork #purecorkwelcomes
While studying at ACET, why not visit Dublin?
Dublin is the capital of Ireland. Dublin is a city that truly captures your imagination. Cobbled alleys, Viking remains and Georgian squares. Dublin’s history goes back over a thousand years. The city is full of literary landmarks, from James Joyce Centre to Trinity College. Dublin is a medieval city with free museums and art […]
ACET: Idiom of the Week!!
This week’s idiom is It Never Rains But Pours! Have a series of unfortunate things ever happened to you one after another? Does it feel like you are having terrible luck lately? If this is so then you could say that it never rains but pours! The meaning of the expression is that when it […]
Ireland's Ancient East
Exploring Ireland’s Ancient East, and you wander though 5,000 years of history. From ancient high kings to modern day poets, scholars and fishermen, Ireland’s Ancient East is full of legendary tales. Ghostly tombs predates the pyramids and there are knights, kings, monks and Vikings which have incredible stories https://www.irelandsancienteast.com/discover/things-to-do Video Credit: Failte Ireland
Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands you can uncover unexplored tracks and trails, beguiling Blueways, exciting waterside towns and picturesque rural villages. The ebb and flow of peaceful waterways, the crunch of leaves underfoot on enchanting walking trails and the greetings of picturesque villages perched on the riverside. 5 Fantastic Experiences to Rediscover in Ireland’s Hidden […]
Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal touring route in the WORLD and stretches over 2500km over 9 counties. There are 15 signature Discovery Points, 150 hidden Gems and 188 Discovery Points where visitors can learn more about the must sees and hidden local gems like Skellig Islands […]
ACET: Proverb of the week!!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder This proverb means that everybody has their own opinion of what or who is beautiful. Nobody knows exactly where this proverb originated from. The following are a few earlier quotes: Plato:- “Remember how in that communion only, beholding beauty with the eye of the mind, […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is To Take a Rain Check! Has someone ever extended an invitation to you to an event or to do something with them but you wanted to decline politely? Well this is when you could use the phrase “I’ll take a rain check”. The phrase originated in America in the 1800s when […]
ACET: The Celtic World - The Irish Language
The Celtic World – The Irish Language What’s in a language? There are two official languages in Ireland. Everybody can speak English, but, although all children learn Irish at school, very few people use it in their daily lives. Only in Gaeltacht areas (see map) is it used as the everyday vernacular by about […]
ACET is compliant with COVID-19 Safety Charter
Wherever clients see the COVID-19 Safety Charter logo, from Failte Ireland you know that recommended safety and cleaning guidelines are being adhered to and that staff members have completed essential hygiene and safety control training. We are pleased that ACET is compliant with COVID-19 Safety Charter confirming that we are […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is Blow away the cobwebs! This expression means to energise yourself usually by getting some fresh air or exercise. As we all know, if we don’t clean the corners or picture frames or mantelpieces of our houses, cobwebs will form. This idiom is very appropriate because when we are tired and lack energy […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is Barking up the Wrong Tree So today we are continuing with our idioms with a dog theme! 🙂 This idiom means to be wrong in your thoughts or actions about something or someone. The meaning of this idiom comes from many years ago when hunters would go hunting with their dogs. The […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is Let Sleeping Dogs Lie The meaning of this idiom is to leave a situation as it is so as not to cause problems. The history of this idiom can date back to 1374 when Geoffray Chaucer said “It is nought good a sleeping hound wake”. However, the Celtic Druids stated before […]
My Experience in Cork...
Isabel Maria Afonso Guizado, an ACET student recounts her experience in Cork…. “When I arrived in Cork at first I was nervous because I didn’t know anybody in this unfamiliar city. My first day was already fine because my Irish family introduced me to the city and that was very kind of them. The next […]
ACET: Word of the Day!!
Skulduggery noun: skull-DUG-uh-ree Definition: underhanded or unscrupulous behaviour: also: a devious device or trick Examples There was a whiff of skulduggery surrounding the real-estate deal, since the building managed to pass inspection even though everyone knew it wasn’t up to code. “Some House Democrats … cast a […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is Forty Winks This expression means to take a very short nap, usually during the day. As you know, it takes less than a second to wink so you can imagine that forty winks is truly a short rest. You can put this idiom in a sentence like the following: 1. Sarah […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is As Keen as Mustard As Keen as Mustard means that one is extremely enthusiastic in general or about something in particular. Example sentences: 1. We asked Adam to sing at the concernt because he was as keen as mustard. 2. Sandy got the job in the end because she was kind, […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
This week’s idiom is Cast Your Eye Over It Cast your eye over the picture on this page – what is it? It is an Irish breakfast. Cast your eye over it means to look at it quickly or to glance at it, without paying attention to the details. You could say take a quick […]
ACET: Idiom of the Day!!
Today’s idiom is SOUR GRAPES! Sour Grapes means to take on a negative attitude because you cannot have what you want. This expression comes from one of Aesop’s fables ‘The Fox and the Grapes’. The fable speaks about a very hungry fox who tried to reach a bunch of grapes hanging from a vine. He […]
ACET: Idiom of the day!!
Today’s idiom is Spoilt for Choice! What will I watch on TV tonight? I could watch a film, a police drama, a documentary, a comedy or soap opera. I can’t decide – there are some many channels for me to choose from. In fact, I am spoilt for choice. The idiom ‘to be spoilt for […]
ACET: Proverb - The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE This proverb describes the feeling when sometimes we would be happier in a different set of circumstances. This commonly quoted phrase describes the tendency to long for things that we do not have. Example: ‘If we lived in Australia, we could have a barbeque in the […]
ACET: Idiom of the week
This week’s idiom is You could cut the air with a knife! Look at this picture of a chess championship and imagine the atmosphere there. Are the people relaxed and are they laughing and chatting? No, they aren’t. They are tense and nervous and the air is thick with the tension and stress. To […]
ACET: Different ways to say Goodbye in English
We have a number of ways to say ‘goodbye’, some are informal and others are more formal. Let’s take a look at some of them. Bye – is the standard way to say goodbye. You can use it with friends and family as well as in work situations. Goodbye – is quite formal and we […]
ACET Idiom of the Day!!
Today the Idiom is As Scarce as Hens’ Teeth! Do hens have teeth? I don’t think so!! Like so many English idioms this conjures up a strange image. This idiom is used to express that something is very rare and hard to find. Example sentence – I looked in every shop to buy a red […]
ACET: Keep your English up to date!!
English is an evolving language and new words and expressions are often added and the meaning of existing words can change. Let’s take a look at some new words and the new use of some existing words. ‘Floordrobe’ – where do you keep your clothes? In a wardrobe or a chest of […]
ACET: Tips for Exams!
Here at ACET we prepare students for a variety of English Exams – KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL etc. so to help all our students studying for their exams we have asked some of the academic team for their top exam tips! • Make sure you fully understand what the course […]
ACET: Make the most of your Dictionary!!
A good dictionary is invaluable when learning English. A monolingual dictionary is preferable and provides a lot more than the meaning of words. With a good dictionary you can: • check the spelling of a word (k-n-e-e) • check the plural of a noun or past tense of a verb (go – went – […]
ACET: Outdoor Chill spots in Cork City
Cork has been experiencing some beautiful sunshine and balmy temperatures throughout the past week. To keep our students informed of some of the hidden gems across the city, we have compiled a short list of places that are ideal for chilling out on our beautiful sunny days lately. 1. Fitzgerald’s Park […]
ACET: Missing everyday life of Cork City
After spending time apart social distancing, and witnessing the devastation caused by the coronavirus crisis, many may just miss simple social interactions and all the things we had going on in our lives Whether it’s going for a cup of coffee, taking a stroll and sparking up conversations with a friendly dog owner or enjoying […]
ACET: What is your learning style?
In the classroom it is clear that not all students learn in the same way. It is important for both the teacher and the student to be aware of their own learning style as this effects their behaviour in class and their response to different activities and material in class. The three most common learning […]
ACET Idiom of the day!!
PLAYING WITH FIRE Playing with fire is used to refer to something that is dangerous or risky that could lead to you being harmed. So, if you run across the street when there is traffic coming, you are playing with fire!
ACET Idiom of the day!!
“WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD” Worth its weight in gold can be said when someone wants to express gratitude to somebody else for helping them out in a situation. For example, if we were preparing for a big party 🙂 and a friend helps us to get everything prepared, we could say to our […]
Our CEO, Odile Migieu listed in the Top Leaders to Watch 2020 by Silicon Review
Active Centre of English Training: Cork’s First and now its Leading English Language School The Silicon Review: “We encourage our teachers to investigate teaching and learning so as to improve their own and their students’ learning.” With China’s growing economic might, is Mandarin becoming the preferred language of business? Not anytime soon, says a […]
Learn Idioms at ACET
As cool as a cucumber, means to be calm and in control of your emotions. Examples: • Jane is good in a crisis as she stays as cool as a cucumber. • The politician stayed as cool as a cucumber during the tough interview. It probably originates from the fact that cucumbers are quite […]
ACET: Improve your Listening Skills
In class a few weeks ago, a student said that spoken English is ‘too fast’ for him to understand. It was important to let him know that he was not alone as listening comprehension is considered to be the most difficult skills to develop. At ACET we acknowledge that although […]
NO Double Trouble at ACET!
Can two wrongs ever make a right?? We hear songs titles, such as – ‘Ain’t no sunshine when you’re gone’ or ‘Can’t get no satisfaction’. This is called a Double Negative – using no or not when you should use any. The two negatives cancel each other out and give a positive meaning. It […]
ACET: Verbs and Prepositions
Here we have a useful list of verbs with prepositions. Remember it is important to learn which preposition is commonly collocated with the verbs
Learning English Dos and Don'ts by ACET !
The aim of our blog is to counter the dos and don’ts of learning English. We will also make a recommendation to everybody who wants to improve efficiently the language of Shakespeare. Dos The most important thing is to allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. the next piece of advice is […]
ACET's English Language Trivia!!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “the black sheep of the family” and wondered what it meant? Well the phrase refers to somebody who is regarded as a little “different” ( 🙂 ) and stand out from the rest of their family, whether it is because they look different, act differently or have very different […]
A Thought from Odile
I frequently hear our past clients saying how much their stay in Ireland and ACET has changed their life. Attending a course in ACET is much more than improving your English – it is an experience! The Experience of living in a different country. The Experience of having to speak English all the […]
At ACET Present is Perfect
The Present Prefect, although it is easy to form, can be the most difficult for students to know when to use. Is it a past or a present tense? Take a look at the construction have/has + past participle. Have/has refers to the present. We use the Present Perfect when we look at when […]
ACET’s Top Tips for Better Spelling
Don’t be embarrassed by your spelling Let’s take a few minutes to think about ways to deal with the challenges of English spelling. Here at ACET, we were discussing tips to help with spelling issues. One teacher remembered being at school and having difficulty with the word address (one ‘d’ or two? one ‘s‘ or […]
ACET GUIDE TO THE APOSTROPHE
While stuck in a traffic jam the other day I passed the time by reading some of the advertisements around me. My heart skipped a beat when I saw a van, advertising ‘Irelands best bread’. Missing and misplaced apostrophes may not bother everyone, but for an ELT teacher, they are a real heartbreaker. A nice […]
Easter in Ireland
Easter in Ireland in the Past In Ireland preparation for Easter usually begins on the first day of Lent, forty days before Easter Sunday. From the first day of Lent many Irish people stop eating meat or quit something they enjoy such as favourite food, alcohol, cigarettes and even television. Typical Easter Sunday Many family […]
A Traditional Patrick's Day Celebration
With all the St. Patrick’s Day parades cancelled due to COVID 19, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on simpler times in the past and how St Patrick’s Day was originally celebrated. […]
Valentine's Day
Who was Saint Valentine? There might have been two or three different Saint Valentines, but the most likely one was Saint Valentine who defied Emperor Claudius II. At the time, Claudius had banned marriage because he thought it distracted young soldiers from their duty. Valentine felt differently and he illegally married couples until he […]
Christmas Traditions in Ireland
The Gaelic greeting for Merry Christmas is’ Nollaig Shona Duit,. which is pronounced as ‘null-ig hun-a dit’. THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW The lit candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is a symbol to welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter. In the past, the […]
Halloween
Did you know that Halloween originates in Celtic Ireland? The origins of Halloween are based on the festival of Samhain in Ireland’s Celtic past. It marked the end of the time when the crops had been gathered and placed in storage for the long winter ahead. But it was also the time when the […]
ACET: New Words added to Oxford English Dictionary
English is an ever-growing language, with new words added every year. Over the recent years we have seen blog, crowdfunding, twerk and Brexit added to the dictionary. Who invents these words and makes them catch on? A selection of new words has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Some of the slang words […]
ACET: Apps to Consolidate your Learning
Using Apps to Consolidate your Learning Without a doubt, the best way to learn and improve your English is to study at a quality language school such as ACET. However, once you have left the school you need to think about how to consolidate your learning and continue improving. Benefits • Using an app […]
Weather in Ireland
Here in Ireland, we love to talk about the weather. It is a good way to break the ice. We talk about the weather on the phone and in person. Friends and family chat about it before discussing what’s going on and what’s new. At work we talk about the weather at the start […]
Business All-Star
Delighted to receive Business All-Star Accreditation Our team has been very busy over the last 8 weeks working with the All-Ireland Business Foundation to achieve our Business All-Star Accreditation Certificate. This accreditation is an outstanding achievement and recognises the hard work and dedication of our team in providing a best in class service to all […]
The Magic of Irish Pubs
The magic of Irish pubs Let’s start from the beginning: If you go to Ireland, you should go to an Irish pub! It’s part of their tradition and it could become an interesting, different and magnificent experience. What do I mean by saying this? It’s simple. When you enter an Irish Pub, the cosy, […]
Creative Writing by Delia Bazzurri
This is not a fairy tale like the others ….. Everything started as a normal visit but unexpectedly all became magical, at times fabulous and at times terrifying. She was walking in the park, nothing suggested that soon everything would change or that an enchanted portal (or, better, a sort of portal) would appear […]
Creative Writing by Delia Bazzurri
Like a ray of sunshine It was a morning like every other one, the roads swarmed with people and the cars stood still at the traffic light. The sky was tinged with grey and a few drops began to fall lightly wetting the soil. It had been raining for weeks now, which was actually quite […]
CELTA at ACET
ACET is now accepting applications for CELTA course commencing in September 2016. This Certificate in Language Teaching course is accredited by Cambridge University and recognised worldwide. Contact Laura on academic@acetireland.ie for further details.
Cambridge Testing Centre Success
Our exam centre was recently highly commended by Cambridge English for our professionalism in conducting examinations.
