After a 10 year absence the Greater Manchester Marathon in Trafford brings the ultimate running challenge back to Manchester. On the 29th April 2012 thousands of runners will take to the streets to achieve their personal dream. The 26mile 385yard course will take in some key landmarks and beautiful countryside around the borough of Trafford.
We are proud to announce that we are now able to send International students to study in IRELAND. please contact us to find out more about studying in Ireland………
Language |
| The main languages are English and Irish, most signposts in Ireland are bilingual. English is spoken by everyone, while Irish is generally confined to certain regions in the south-west, west, and north-west coastal areas. |
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Weather |
| The climate in Ireland is mild and temperate. The average temperatures range from 4C in the Winter to 20 C in the Summer months. Ireland has an average monthly rainfall of between 2 and 3 inches, with the daily sunshine averaging from 6 hours in June to 2 hours in December. |
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Money |
| There are two currencies, the Euro in the Republic of Ireland and Sterling in Northern Ireland. Foreign exchange bureau are available throughout the country in banks, tourist information offices, airports, some shops and many towns and cities. |
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Tipping |
| It is normal practice for hotels and restaurants to add 10-15% to the bill, especially for large parties. Tipping in pubs is not expected, unless for table service. In the case of taxis the fare is usually rounded up, incorporating a small tip. |
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History and Government |
| In 1923 the first government of the Irish Free State was led by William T. Cosgrove. Their chief aim was to establish infrastructure and administration for the new state. |
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Name of the State |
| Ireland in the English language and Eire in the Irish language. The modern word Ireland derives from a combination of the Gaelic ”Eire”, and the Germanic word ”land”. |
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The National Flag |
| Is a tricolour of green, white and orange. The green represents the older Gaelic and Anglo-Norman element in the population, the orange the Protestant supporters of William of Orange, while the white represents a lasting peace between the two traditions. |
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The National Anthem |
| Ireland’s National Anthem is ”Amhran na bhFiann” [The Soldier's Song], written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney. |
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The National Day |
| St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, celebrated by Irish Communities all over the world. |
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Public Holidays |
| Bank and Public Holidays in the Republic of Ireland in 2008 are January 1, March 17, April 10 & 13, May 4, June 1, August 3, October 26, December 25 & 26. Bank and Public Holidays in Northern Ireland are January 1, March 17, April 10 & 13, May 4 & 25, Aug 31, December 25 & 26. |
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The Constitution |
| The basic law of the State was adopted by referendum in 1937. It defines Ireland as a sovereign, independent and democratic state, it sets out the administrative structure of Government and states that all the powers of the Government derive under God from the people. |
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The President of Ireland |
| The President is elected by direct vote of the people for a term of 7 years. While the President does not have any executive powers, the role is more than a ceremonial one. The President has certain powers which essentially make him or her a guardian of the Constitution. The current President of Ireland is Mary Mc Aleese. |
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The Irish Government |
| Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. The national parliament is called the Oireachtas, and consists of the President and two houses. The Dail [the House of Representatives] and the Seanad [the Senate]. The Dail is the primary of the two houses.The current Irish Government consists of a coalition of 3 political parties Fianna Fail, Progressive Democrats and the Green Party. The Head of the Government is the Taoiseach. Brian Cowen is the current Taoiseach. |
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The Economy |
| The Irish economy is an open, mostly export based economy, that has experienced an unprecedented level of growth since the late 1990′s. It is expected this growth will continue at least for the first decade of this century, subject to the availability of a skilled labour force.
The Irish economy is heavily dependant on trade, with export goods and services accounting for 96.8% of GDP. Membership of the European Union and access to the Single Market has allowed Ireland to diversify its trade patterns. Although Britain has always been Ireland’s largest single trading partner, almost half of all Irish exports now go to other member states. |
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Culture |
| Throughout the centuries Ireland has produced many great authors, playwrights and poets, Irish Literature has become recognised for its quality all over the world. Among our most famous contributors are James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, W B Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Brendan Behan, and in more recent times Brian Friel, John Banville and Roddy Doyle. Four Irish writers received the Nobel Prize for Literature in the 20th century.
There is a rich tradition of music in Ireland, both traditional and current. Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann [Fellowship of Irish musicians] has done much to preserve and promote traditional Irish music, both at home and abroad, the Chieftans, one of our best know traditional groups have done much to bring this heritage to international audiences. Today the likes of U2, Van Morrision, Sinead O Connor, and Westlife, very much keep Ireland on the musical map. Riverdance, which has become an international phenomenon, played a major role in ‘exporting’ the rich culture of traditional Irish music song and dance to a world-wide audience. |
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Sport |
| Gaelic Football and Hurling are our native sports and both very popular in Ireland. The All Ireland Finals are held in Croke Park in Dublin,a magnificent 86,000 capacity modern stadium. Soccer is also widely played in Ireland, many of our most talented players play in leagues abroad, particularly in England’s Premiership. Rugby Football is becoming increasingly popular and is played at club and school level. The Irish International Team has become increasingly successful in recent years and all major homes games are a sell-out. |
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Police |
| In the Republic of Ireland the law enforcement entity is called Garda Siochana, with both male and female officers known as Garda. Northern Ireland’s police force is called the PSNI – Police Service of Northern Ireland. |
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Passport & Visas |
| You need a valid passport to enter any European country. Visas are not required for everyone depending on the length and purpose of your visit. All citizens of non-EU countries, whether they require a visa or not, are subject to immigration control at point of entry to Ireland. Passports are not required by British citizens born in the United Kingdom and traveling from Britain, however identification may be needed. Citizens of European Union States and Switzerland may use a passport or national identity card. All other nationalities must have a passport. . More visa information is available from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs web site http://www.dfa.ie/. |
AFA Have officially sponsored an amateur football club, the vision is to help progress this club through the amateur leagues. The club is Managed by Darren Gordon
PTE Academic is a computer-based English language test which delivers real-life measures of test takers’ ability
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the heir apparent to the Saudi throne and one of the kingdom’s most powerful princes until illness sapped his strength in recent years, has died, raising complex succession issues at a time of political turmoil in the region
The Royal Court announced the death on Saturday, saying the elderly prince had died “abroad.†American officials confirmed that he died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. State television immediately switched to broadcasting Quranic verses.
His death leaves Prince Nayef, the powerful and feared interior minister who has led the battle against both Islamic extremists and freedom of expression, widely expected to be tapped as the next crown prince. But for the first time the appointment will most likely come from the new family Allegiance Council, which is expected to weigh a broader range of candidates, rather than from the king alone.
Prince Sultan, who built a close alliance with the United States during his nearly 50 years as defense minister, left one of his sons, Prince Khaled, running the ministry. Whether such an important ministry can be inherited, a legacy numerous senior princes are trying to provide for their sons, will be closely watched.
Prince Sultan has reportedly been battling colon cancer since 2004, and has left the kingdom for treatment for up to a year at a time since 2008. An American diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks described him in 2009 as “for all intents and purposes incapacitated.â€
He had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian over the summer, where in recent weeks he had been slipping in and out of a coma, according to several Saudi experts who did not want to speak publicly about the royal family. A state funeral will take place on Tuesday.
Prince Sultan, at least 80 and by some accounts 85, was a member of the Sudeiri seven — seven full brothers by the favorite wife of King Abdul Aziz al-Saud, who founded the kingdom in 1932. They have formed a kind of sub-tribe within the ruling al-Saud clan and often worked to block or stall King Abdullah’s reform measures.
King Abdullah, who left a hospital in Riyadh on Saturday after having back surgery, had formed a new family council to deal with succession questions, particularly when the throne might pass to a new generation. If summoned as expected, this would be the first time the 35-member council would endorse the inheritance.
Given the power of Prince Nayef, the nation’s top law enforcement officer since 1975, no serious challenge is anticipated, particularly since he was left running the country during frequent medical absences by the king and Prince Sultan.
The Saudi monarchy, which has sought to counter the revolutions shaking its neighbors, wants to be seen as stable while much of the Arab world is in political turmoil. Attempts to organize antigovernment demonstrations in the kingdom have largely fizzled, while those that did emerge among the Shiite minority in Eastern Province were put down forcefully.
“We will not see dramatic changes in the next two or three monarchs,†said Joseph Kechichian, the author of a book on succession in the kingdom. “The change will come when a new generation comes in.â€
Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to Washington from 1983 to 2005, is perhaps the most famous son of Prince Sultan, along with Prince Khaled, the deputy minister of defense, who was nominally in charge of the military during the 1991 war to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
Given the longevity of Saudi princes, several have turned their government ministries into personal fiefs, with their sons as their top aides. Prince Sultan’s death will be the first important test of whether such a crucial ministry can be inherited, a move his brothers are expected to contest.
In addition, since many of his regional portfolios were left in limbo in his absence, analysts are looking to see whether the country will now take a more forceful role in crises like the uprising in Yemen. “Although the late crown prince hasn’t been directly involved in relations with Yemen in the past few months, relations with Yemen will have to officially be moved to another senior member of the family,†said Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, a Persian Gulf-based analyst.
Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56.
Apple said he had been “the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives” and had made the world “immeasurably better”.
Mr Jobs had announced he was suffering from pancreatic cancer in 2004.
Tributes have been made by technology company bosses and world leaders, with US President Barack Obama saying the world had “lost a visionary”.
“Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it,” said Mr Obama.
A statement from Mr Jobs’s family said they were with him when he died peacefully on Wednesday.
“In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family,” they said, requesting privacy and thanking those who had “shared their wishes and prayers” during his final year.
Apple said the company had “lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being”.
Tim Cook, who was made Apple’s CEO after Mr Jobs stood down in August, said his predecessor had left behind “a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple”.
Flags are being flown at half mast outside the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, while fans of the company have left tributes outside Apple shops around the world.
“What he’s done for us as a culture, it resonates uniquely in every person,” said Cory Moll, an Apple employee in San Francisco.
“Even if they never use an Apple product, the impact they have had is so far-reaching.”
At the company’s Shanghai shop, customer Jin Yi said Mr Jobs had created gadgets which had “changed people’s perceptions of machines”.
THE QURAN ON FASTING
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.
Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” (2: 185).
“It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.
And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)” (2:187).
“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr.
And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is?
The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months
Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,
Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)
THE HADITH ON FASTING
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).
When to start fasting
Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you see the new moon, and do not end fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).
The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)
Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).
Breaking your fast
Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
Fasting during a journey
Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when on a journey, and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).
Behavior while fasting
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Providing for those who are breaking the fast
Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).
Lailat al-Qadr
Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).
Vocational courses
Holistic Therapies and English language
Start : September 2011
End: June 2012
Qualification: VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Complementary Therapies Techniques
This qualification will teach you the practice of Holistic Therapies giving you the skills and confidence to either continue your students in associated therapies such as Sports Massage or Indian Head Massage or to work within Holistic therapy practices including leisure centres, health clubs, spas, salons or hotels.
The course consists of Body Massage; Aromatherapy; Reflexology; Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies, Principles and Practice of Complementary Therapies.
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used including lecture, demonstration, individual project work, group work and discussion. The College has excellent facilities for both theory and practical work and you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills on members of the public in our well-equipped beauty/holistic salons.
You will also receive English language training to help improve your English language skills but you should have an English level equivalent to IELTS 5.0 to enter the programme…
PLEASE EMAIL admissions@afamarketing.com  TO BOOK THIS COURSE…
Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC) offers undergraduate and graduate foundation courses as a pathway to top Universities in Ireland and the UK.
Since 1,999, DIFC have placed more than 800 International students in universities in Ireland and the UK . DIFC has been appointed by the university consortium NCUK as their exclusive delivery center in Ireland for NCUK foundation courses.
Study in Ireland with DIFC. The complete package includes English courses, assistance with study visas, secure on-campus accommodation – and a guaranteed place at an Irish or UK university upon successful completion of the NCUK foundation course.
NCUK IFY and Graduate Diploma: DIFC offers the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) and NCUK Graduate Diploma (originally called the Pre-Masters Programme or PMP). The IFY programme includes an English for Academic Purposes module (EAP) which is accepted by universities and removes the need for a separate IELTS examination. All the courses are taught by qualified teachers approved by NCUK.
University placement: During the foundation courses, students participate in the NCUK / DIFC university placement system. Designed to make university entrance easy for International students, it provides one-to-one counselling and advice, along with a coordinated application procedure. Upon successful graduation, there is guaranteed placement into NCUK partner universities in Ireland and the UK.
NCUK GUARANTEE : students who complete course NCUK Foundation (IFY Graduate or diploma) and pass the exams (minimum D grade = 40%) are guaranteed by NCUK a place onto a suitable program in one of NCUK partner Universities / Colleges.
Pre-Foundation English courses: DIFC also offer general English courses throughout the year. These prepare students to enter the NCUK foundation programmes at DIFC.
AFA Marketing are proud to announce a new partner agreement with EC (English Language Centres). they are based in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Malta, Cape Town, San Diego, Boston, San Francisco and New York!!!
Want to learn English in the centre of London? English school is on a quiet street in covent Garden. It is very close to many of London’s best sightseing places. The school is modern and the staff are friendly and helpful. At EC London they operate like a big family! all students or professionals are welcome, we look foward to seeing you soon, so come and improve your English with EC Schools all over the World!!!
