Dublin-based language school chain Centre of English Studies has expanded its operation in the north of England with the acquisition of Action English Language Training Centre in Leeds.
Founded in 2007, AELT provides CELTA courses to around 150 students each year.
“CES is always looking to grow and will be expanding in 2017”
As of January, all of its courses will transfer to CES’s existing campus in the city centre.
“Action English is the leading CELTA training college in Yorkshire and has a fantastic reputation for the quality of their graduates,” commented Justin Quinn, managing director of CES, adding that the chain has itself recruited many AELT graduates.
“The synergy of our programmes and students with a CELTA training centre makes common sense.”
The addition of Action English to the CES portfolio boosts the chain’s presence in the north of England and is part of the company’s ongoing strategy for growth, Quinn told The PIE News.
Quinn said he had been in talks with AELT’s previous owners, who are retiring, for around 12 months about acquiring the business and integrating it into CES Leeds.
Founded in 1979, CES operates in seven locations across the UK and Ireland, including Leeds and nearby Harrogate. The expansion into the city happened in late 2011 with the acquisition of Leeds Languages, and CES recently opened a new city centre residence for its students.
“CES is always looking to grow and will be expanding in 2017,” added Quinn.
In addition to its junior and adult English courses, CES Leeds will run seven full-time CELTA courses and two online courses, preparing adult learners to teach English as a foreign language.