Page 43 - ELG2102 Feb Issue 474

FEATURES & COMMENT

(elgazette.com/elg_archive/
ELG1902/mobile/index.html#p=36).
Is this something that you have views
on or that ICOS would advocate for?
This year has been an extremely dif!cult
time for all involved in the ELT sector –
students, teachers and their schools. ICOS
believes that English language teachers
should be treated and paid fairly for their
work, as they are the life and blood of
English language schools. We welcome
their inclusion on the government’s ELT
Covid-19 Working Group, where issues
relating to the sector are discussed.

Finally, what three things would you
say are the biggest challenges right
now for English language teaching
and learning in Ireland, and what can
ICOS do to help address them?
Covid-19 is obviously the biggest current
studying in Ireland? Or is it a lack of that they can be aware of their rights and challenge. The health and safety concerns
work rights? campaign collectively when needed. for face-to-face teaching, even when
The USA, UK, Canada and Australia have adequate measures have been taken
the largest international student numbers We reported recently that language by schools, are a cause of stress for
in the world, and given that Scotland students in Ireland, who have international students.
is part of the UK, it is unfair to draw completed the maximum two years Until a vaccine for Covid-19 has been
comparisons between Scotland permitted, may remain as students universally rolled out, there will be
and Ireland. It is worth until the end of the continued disruptions to international
noting that according year provided travel, which will ultimately see the sector
to the ERSI, ICOS has they re-enrol continue to struggle.
non-EEA in an online As discussed earlier, there is an urgent
international continuously voiced its course need for online classes to be regulated to
student numbers of study ensure that international students’ rights
in Ireland grew concerns over the for the are protected and that rogue schools are
by 45% between lack of regulations and quality remainder held accountable. ICOS will continue to
2013-2017, and of the year. campaign on this issue.
this trend will assurances in the delivery However, In October, insurance premiums for
likely continue, there were international students who have lived in
depending on of online English concerns Ireland for one year or more increased
Covid-19. that signi!cantly – up to 450% in some cases.
Racism exists language classes students This is of great concern to ICOS, as it is
in all the countries were being unfair on international students and will
above, including mandated to likely have negative repercussions for the
Ireland, but we don’t believe enrol in classes, many sector, which is why ICOS is campaigning
that’s a reason people choose not to of which were not !t for purpose. for the increase to be overturn
come here. What is the current situation and
Ireland has attractive student working will you be campaigning for further
entitlements in comparison to places improvements? Laura Harmon
like the UK or USA, so this is de!nitely ICOS has continuously voiced its concerns is the recently
an attributing factor for the increase in over the lack of regulations and quality appointed executive
international students choosing to study assurances in the delivery of online director of ICOS
in this country. English language classes. While it is (Irish Council
our understanding that many language for International
Although you are focused on schools are doing their best to offer Students). Laura is
students’ rights, educational high-quality English classes, there are a former president
outcomes are often tied closely schools that are not, and this is why ICOS of the Union of
to how teachers are treated. has been calling on the Irish government Students Ireland,
What are your views on the to regulate online classes. as well as a former board member of ICOS
teachers’ rights movement in and the Higher Education Authority. She
Ireland and unionisation, and Because of Covid-related travel has worked on many equality campaigns in
how does this affect educational restrictions, many of the language Ireland, including for marriage equality, and
outcomes for students? schools in Ireland have closed, she was head of Mobilisation for Together
ICOS believes that teachers should putting teachers’ jobs at risk, for Yes. Prior to commencing her new role
have good standards of employment particularly those on zero-hours at ICOS, Laura worked as Women in
and security in their contracts. I think it’s contracts. We recently featured a Leadership coordinator at the National
important that teachers’ unions are active column by one frank Irish teacher, Women’s Council and was an Independent
in the third level sector. I believe teachers berating the state of the industry, Seanad NUI candidate in 2016 and 2020.
can only bene!t from joining a union, so even before the chaos of coronavirus
editorial@elgazette.com 43