Education is a hugely important factor in integration and the Agency plays an active role in helping to co-ordinate education services for its client group.  The integration of non-national children into primary and post-primary schools in Ireland has been very successful and the Agency works closely with individual schools and Boards of Management to ensure that all newcomers' children receive their education in the communities where they live. The Department of Education and Science makes additional resources available to schools which have non-national pupils with significant English language deficits.

Third Level Education

Refugees have the same entitlements to further and third level education as Irish citizens. However, if they wish to avail of free third level education under the Free Fees Initiative and participate in a full-time undergraduate course they must have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceeding their entry to the course.

Where a person is not eligible for free tuition under the Free Fees Initiative and is pursuing an approved course at undergraduate level, the local authority may award a full or part grant in respect of the candidate's lecture fee, under the Higher Education Grants Scheme which is means tested.

The person shall have been ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the local authority from 1st October of the year prior to making an application under this scheme.

Language Training

Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT) has produced two publications which are designed to support tutors providing English language classes for adult members of the newcomer population (IILT is funded by the Department of Education and Science):

Published in 2003 Anseo: English for Living in Ireland is a resource book for English teachers working with adult members of the newcomer population. There are over 300 pages of adaptable classroom activities based on the everyday needs of migrants in a new host country. The book contains ten thematic modules – health, shopping, accommodation, education, intercultural awareness, dealing with officials, leisure, money and banking, transport, and work. All activities are photocopiable and address the needs of learners at A1, A2 and B1 levels of language proficiency, according to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference.

Each activity is accompanied by comprehensive notes for the teacher and further support is provided in a teachers' section.  This section expands on some of the teaching points encountered in the activities and includes suggestions for different approaches to the development of skills; tips for teachers in the preparation of their classes; grading materials for use with different levels; comments on giving instructions and setting up activities; and thoughts on monitoring learning and providing feedback.

Prices for one copy including postage and packaging:
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, €41.50
Great Britain, €43
EU, €52
Rest of world, €55

Payment by Irish Euro Draft to:
Integrate Ireland Language and Training, 126 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland.

* * * *

Féach: Looking at language and literacy is a new publication for teachers working with adult learners of English who are absolute language beginners and who also have very basic literacy needs. 

Designed as a resource book, Féach provides essential support in three distinct sections:

• A needs analysis pack helps tutors assess their learners' vocabulary range and language skills at the beginning of a course as well as their reading and writing skills.
• A series of theme-based activities for use in the initial phase of a course with learners who are not familiar with either the sounds or symbols of the Latin alphabet.
• A selection of activities which act as models for creating further materials and which include suggestions for whole class collaborative projects.

Each activity is accompanied by comprehensive notes for the tutor. Further support is provided in an introduction based on questions which tutors commonly ask when working with the learning group for the first time. The activities are highlighted by samples of students' work, and the book also contains a full colour section featuring 40 photos with ideas for using environmental print to explore language and literacy.

Prices for one copy including postage and packaging:
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, €36.50
Great Britain, €38
EU, €47
Rest of world, €50

Payment by Irish Euro Draft to:
Integrate Ireland Language and Training, 126 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland.

The first volume of these publications is available free of charge to voluntary groups. Thereafter they are available for purchase from IILT, 126 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Contact Details:

Telephone: (01) 6677232

                      (01) 6677295

e-mail:  bez.berridge@iilt.ie

               fiona.fay@iilt.ie

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