Let’s hear from one of the academic team at a My Erasmus Course member school: Kieranne, Director of Studies at Apollo Language Centre in Dublin, plays a key role in shaping the school’s academic vision and ensuring its programs remain innovative, relevant, and student-focused.
Leading Through Change and Innovation
Adapting to change is central to Apollo’s success. Kieranne talks about the academic development at the school:
“There are two main ways we adapt our programs, sometimes it happens organically through requests from students, groups, or partner institutions. Other times, we adapt based on trends in the field of language learning and wider global developments.”
Her role requires staying connected to students, the market, and the evolving needs of communication in today’s world.
“Our main goal is to help students engage in meaningful communication,” Kieranne says. “Whether they’re preparing to work, study, or live in a multilingual environment, we want them to be ready.”
To achieve this, she organizes teacher training sessions, holds regular staff meetings, and fosters open dialogue across the team. Collaboration is at the heart of Apollo’s academic culture.
Keeping Education Real and Relevant
Program development at Apollo is designed to go beyond textbooks and into real-world application.
“All our programs must reflect the real world,” Kieranne explains. “Most of our students will go on to work or study in diverse, multilingual environments. We design our courses to prepare them for that reality.”
This focus ensures students leave with skills that matter in everyday life and in their future careers.
Supporting Teachers Beyond the Classroom
As Director of Studies, Kieranne is committed to supporting teachers in their professional growth.
“We have an observation schedule. I visit each teacher’s class twice a year. After the session, we sit down, discuss feedback, and identify areas of support.”
Whether teachers are new or experienced, the goal is continuous development. If needed, Apollo provides additional training and follow-up observations to ensure every teacher feels supported.
Staying Ahead in a Changing Education Sector
To maintain high standards, the school follows both national and international quality frameworks.
“In Ireland, we follow Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) guidelines, but we’re also voluntarily accredited by organisations like EAQUALS and YELP,” she says.
These accreditations help to ensure Apollo stays aligned with global best practices while also encouraging the team to take initiative and adapt proactively.
Through her leadership, experience, and passion, Kieranne ensures that Apollo Language Centre continues to provide education that prepares students for real-life success.