Learning English

Currently, the Department of Education and Science are spending approximately €120 million per annum on language support in primary and second level schools and €10 million on language tuition for adults. There are 13,000 places available on the adult courses.

It is very important that you make every effort to learn and practice English. Doing so will make living in Ireland a less stressful experience and will make it easier to meet and befriend Irish people.

A higher standard of English will also mean that you can have greater range of employment and training possibilities open to you.

Where to learn?

Private Language Schools

Private language schools in Ireland offer courses which range from basic tuition to courses leading to an internationally- recognised qualifications.

The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) oversees private English language schools in Ireland. ACELS' remit, under the Department of Education and Science, is to promote the highest standards in the quality of educational services and to ensure that these standards are maintained.

Vocational Educational Committees

The thirty three Vocational Educational Committees (or VECs) throughout Ireland have a key role to play in the provision of English language classes. Some of these classes are free, some charge a small fee. To find a VEC near you, you can look up the Irish Vocational Educational Committee website which lists them all.

Adult Refugee Programme

In summer of 2008, the Government announced that it was transferring responsibility for the provision of English language programmes for refugees to the Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) sector from Integrate Ireland Language Training (IILT). Please also see the information provided in the Managing Diversity section of our website about the VEC Adult Refugee programme.

Voluntary and other Non-Governmental Organisations

In addition to the above, there are a number of non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and voluntary organisations in Ireland who offer English languages classes. Many of these classes are free of charge: For example, classes are provided by:

• SPIRASI – a non-governmental organisation that works with asylum seekers, refugees and other migrant groups.

• Failte Isteach Project, run by Third Age Foundation The Fáilte Isteach project involves older people volunteering their time to teach conversational English to new migrants from all over the world.

• Doras Luimni is a support organisation for migrants in the midwest, particularly Limerick and the surrounding counties which also provides English and cultural orientation classes.

Local library service

Your local library may have English language resources, such as books, DVDs, videos or cassette packs, which you can borrow and practice your English with. In addition, many libraries have internet access or open learning centres where you can practice English. For a list of libraries in you area vist the following link

Many library services also offer conversation exchanges, where you may be able to learn English in exchange for conversing with someone in your own language. For a list of libraries in the Dublin City Council area participating in these exchanges, please visit the libraries section of the Dublin City Council website.

Additional possibilities

In addition to attending English language classes, there are a number of things you can do yourself to help improve your English:

a	Read English language magazines and newspapers. Even if you do not understand everything, it will help you to familiarise yourself with the language.

a	Many websites, including the BBC website, offer free English language resources.

a	Another website offering free online language classes (not only in English) is www.linguasnet.com, an EU- sponsored language initiative.

a	Watch English language television. If you watch television programmes in your first language, use English subtitles whenever possible.

a	Buy an English dictionary so you can look up the meaning of new words you come across on a daily basis.

a	Practise your English at home. Get the whole family involved in helping each other to improve.

a	Listen to the radio in English. It is helpful to have it on in the background while you are busy at home with housework etc.

a	When you are at the shops or visiting a service provider, try to communicate with the person serving you in English.
a	Join a local sports or community group so that you get an opportunity to speak English while you are enjoying yourself.

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