Page 5 - ELG2207 Jul Issue 481

WELCOME . EDITORS’ LETTER

From rankings

to real estate

theteam

Where does your university come in the REF MELANIE BUTLER,
and where will Ireland put all those language editor-in-chief,
started teaching EFL in
students banging on its door? Iran in 1975. She worked
for the BBC World Service,
Pearson/Longman and
Just what is the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and what benefit is it to those interested MET magazine before
in teaching English? If you’re confused or want to know how it’s relevant to you, Melanie Butler taking over at the Gazette in 1987 and
explains all – along with how the UK’s universities have fared in its rankings – in our special also launching Study Travel magazine.
feature beginning on page 16. Educated in 10 schools in seven countries,
she speaks fluent French and Spanish, and
Now that we’ve entered into what some are calling the ‘new normal’ and others simply post- rather rusty Italian.
Covid (though it hasn’t really gone away, has it?) and the dust is settling, it’s pretty clear that melanie@elgazette.com
there’s been a seismic shift in where students are going to learn English – and it really hasn’t
anything to do with the pandemic. No, this time we can point the finger of blame on Brexit and LIZ GRANIRER,
the added complications it’s created for those who might previously have chosen the UK as their editor, has edited for
go-to destination to study English. parenting, travel and kids’
Where are these potential students heading instead? Mostly, it seems, to Ireland, which magazines, writes for a
remains in the EU and looks favourably on those who wish to work while they’re studying. While number of print and online
publications, and has
this might initially appear to be good news for Irish language schools, the knock-on effect in other worked on a range of
areas – most notably accommodation for all those additional students – is proving disastrous. well-known consumer and
Rents have gone sky high, standards have gone way low and the students are getting fed up. contract magazines.
Meanwhile, the government there doesn’t seem inclined to provide any solutions for an industry editor@elgazette.com
that adds an estimated €130 million to the economy every year and students are being turned
away. Turn to page 7 to read more about it. GILL RAGSDALE,
There’s also an interesting look at the working conditions of English teachers in Ireland, research news reporter,
focusing on their own perspective of themselves through a recent study. Turn to page 26 to read has a PhD in Evolutionary
Anthropology from
about this. Cambridge and teaches
For this issue we spoke to a number of people involved in language acquisition, whether they’re Psychology with the Open
on the testing side, the teaching side or the learning side, to find out what’s new, what we can University. She also holds
learn from them and what to expect as we move through the halfway point of the year. Take a an RSA-Cert TEFL. Gill has taught EFL in
the UK, Turkey, Egypt and to refugees in
look at the interviews and, as ever, let us know what you think. And, if you’d like to contribute to the Calais ‘Jungle’ in France. She currently
the Gazette – perhaps you’re doing research, have useful teaching tips or are involved in a project teaches English to refugees in the UK.
delivering English – please get in touch.
CHARLOTTE DYASON,
LIZ GRANIRER, EDITOR senior sales, a graduate
editor@elgazette.com of Canterbury and
experienced education
marketer, Charlotte has a
wealth of expertise and
PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS info@elgazette.com, tel 020 3137 9119.
knowledge to assist with
promotional campaigns.

IAN CARTER,
publisher, has a
Masters in Strategic
Business Management
(Westminster) and
30 years’ publishing
experience in the
professional and academic sector.
elgazette@media-shed.co.uk,
tel 020 3475 6811.

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Copyright 2021. ISSN 1368-2628.00

Liverpool made it into our top 10 of the REF for English – see page 20
editorial@elgazette.com 5