After 2017 marked the third year of strong growth for English language student numbers in Ireland, last year saw total enrolment in Irish ELT programs reach 121,462, a decline of 4.8%. However, total student weeks reached a record high.
The Irish government has appointed a mediator to work with stakeholders in the ELT sector and address some of the employment-related issues that have arisen in recent times.
This growth comes on the back of similar increases in previous years – numbers have risen by 30,000 students in the last 5 years according to MEI.
Students from the United Arab Emirates are able to travel to Ireland without a visa following the easing of travel restrictions to boost trade, tourism and business relationships between the two countries.
English language schools in Ireland have reported 11% growth for the 2016 calendar year, driven mostly by junior language programs catering to EU students and a strong pound throughout most of last year.
ICEF is launching an Irish Education Agent Course to provide agents with the latest information and updates about the Irish education market.
Eighty international students are being transferred to English language schools across Dublin after one of the oldest ELT schools in the capital closed its doors last week.
English language schools in Ireland saw a 10% rise in student numbers in 2015, driven by gains in adult student weeks and the fruition of targeted marketing campaigns in Asia.
