English at Galway Business School

English at GBS

Galway Business School is an international community. Our students come from across Europe, Latin America, Asia and beyond, and bring a wide range of first languages and cultural backgrounds with them. We welcome that diversity, it is one of the things that makes life at GBS interesting and prepares our graduates for international careers.

Our language of instruction

All Galway Business School programmes are taught and assessed in English. Lectures, workshops, group work, presentations, written assignments, examinations and tutorials are conducted in English. Communication with academic and administrative staff is also in English.

Studying through English requires a good working command of the language, and our entry requirements include English language proficiency at a level appropriate to honours degree study. If you would like to develop your English before or alongside your studies, our English language department Galway Cultural Institute offers a full range of programmes designed to support academic English.

English in the academic environment

We encourage students to use English wherever possible during the academic day: in classrooms, in group projects, in study sessions, and when meeting with lecturers and staff. The reasons are practical:

• Inclusion: Group work and class discussion only function when everyone in the room can take part. Using English keeps the conversation open to all your classmates.
• Confidence: The more you use English in academic settings, the more comfortable you become and the better you will perform in presentations, interviews and the workplace.
• Fairness: Assessment is conducted in English, and using English throughout your day is the most natural way to prepare.

Outside the classroom

You are very welcome to speak your own language with friends and family in social settings, on the phone, and in your own time. We do not police private conversation, and we recognise that staying in touch with people at home in your own language is an important part of feeling settled in Galway.

Support with English

If you find any aspect of your studies difficult because of English language demands, academic writing, reading, presentations, or following lectures, please talk to your Academic Manager or to the Office Manager. We can offer practical guidance and, where appropriate, refer you to additional language support through GCI.

T: 00 353 91 529 000
E: info@galwaybusinessschool.ie