Page 42 - ELG2102 Feb Issue 474

THOUGHT LEADER .

Laura Harmon:mon:
Laura Har

Advocating for ing for the rights the rights
Advocat

of international students international students
of

in Ireland means valuingeland means valuing
in Ir

teachers too
teachers too

Ron Ragsdale in conversation with Laura Harmon

You’ve led a very politically charged and there are many hurdles in relation to I’ve also done some translation work
life, twice running for a seat in the this in the higher education sector. in the past when I was a student. I
Seanad, as well as holding critical considered travelling abroad to teach
roles in the Labour party and the You have an MA in Applied English, but my career took me elsewhere
Union of Students in Ireland. What Linguistics, which is often a and I’m really pleased to be working in
led you to take such a public career professional route into English the education sector with a fantastic team.
path and what motivates you now? language teaching. In fact, in this
Will you run again for the Seanad? issue of the Gazette, we will be Your political activism has focused
I got involved in political activism and publishing our annual listing of on the rights of groups marginalised
campaigning when I was a student at ELT-related MA programmes across by mainstream society or politics,
University College Cork. Through the the UK and Ireland – which of course but you are now in a role focusing
students’ union there, I got involved in a includes University College Cork. on students, many of whom are
range of campaigns, including education Have you ever taught English or international students in Ireland –
equality, student mental health and Gaelic? And if not, what was your do you see this as a group needing
human rights. This led me to become intent when doing the MA? advocacy? How are international
politically active. I’ve always been interested in languages, students treated in Ireland and what
I have no intention currently to and I received my primary and secondary do you feel should change?
run for election any time soon and education through the Irish language. Overall, international students are treated
I am really enjoying my new role as I’ve tutored secondary school students in well in Ireland and I know that colleges
executive director of the Irish Council Irish and English, but I have never taught have been working hard to support
for International Students (ICOS). I’m English to anyone who was learning it for them during Covid-19. However, mental
motivated by campaigning for equality the !rst time. health supports, insurance costs and
accommodation are all issues affecting
international students.
We need to ensure that Ireland
implements the International Education
Mark to guarantee course quality.
ICOS also campaigns on the regulation
of online classes, and ICOS regularly
consults with international students
so that our campaigns are re"ective of
their needs.

Ireland has the biggest EFL industry
per capita in the English-speaking
world, but the smallest number
of international students in its
universities. Why? Irish schools
often tell me it’s because they
are so small, but Scotland is only
about 10% bigger and 20% of
all its university students are
international. Do you think there
are problems with racism that puts
Ireland’s spectacular coastline is just one more reason to study here international students off from
42 February 2021