Fears for future of English language school

Fears were raised yesterday over the future of another Dublin-based language school despite assurances by management that its closure was temporary to facilitate a move to a new location.

Students and staff were informed on Tuesday in a meeting held in the college and through a Facebook post that the “English in Dublin” language school on Merrion Square was to close for a “special holiday”.

The college said that classes would resume on September 22nd.

However, a number of students who gathered at the college yesterday raised concerns over the closure after the Department of Education confirmed that it had lost its recognition from the State accreditation agency ACELS earlier this month.

It is understood that the school has until mid September to appeal the decision.

Six English language colleges – five in Dublin and one in Cork – have closed their doors since mid-April.

Sudden closure

Dave Moore, communications officer with the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) said the organisation had been in contact with a number of students concerned by the sudden closure this week, many of who require to be enrolled in a language school to satisfy their continuing visa requirements.

The doors of “English in Dublin” were open yesterday, but not for classes, and students were being given letters stating that they were enroled in the college and setting out their attendance records.

Most of the Venezuelan and Brazilian students who spoke to The Irish Times said they had paid between €1,000 and €1,800 for the course which includes six months of study and a further six months where they are not required to attend classes. However, one Venezuelan student claimed to have paid €2,860 to participate in the course.

Moved from other colleges

Two students who were previously enrolled with Eden College and Millennium College respectively, said they were among a number of students who had moved from other colleges which had closed after being suspended from a list of INIS-authorised colleges earlier this year.

Another student, Rosa Lynn Rojas from Venezuela said she needed accreditation from the course to allow her to take a post graduate course next year.

The Department of Education said yesterday that, following an inspection of the school, ACELS, which operates a recognition scheme for English language teaching organisations on behalf of the department had withdrawn recognition from “English in Dublin” a decision which the school may appeal before a fixed deadline expires.

A Department of Justice spokesman said there were no immigration restrictions currently in place for non-EEA national students attending “English in Dublin”.