Page 30 - ELG2301 Jan Issue 483

FEATURE .

PHOTOGRAPH SHUTTERSTOCK

Take a teaching holiday in Ireland
ake a teaching holiday in Ir
eland
T

With beautiful scenery, a rich history and a welcoming population,
you could well be tempted to head to the Emerald Isle, says Alannah

Kenny, of Marketing English in Ireland

reland is a dynamic, lively, modern country language teaching career in 2014 in Costa Ireland is renowned for its beautiful,
with a young population and a successful, Rica, but is now settled in Ireland. “I have unspoiled countryside and scenery. The rugged
tech-oriented economy, but also remains been an English teacher since 2014,” he says. landscapes and outdoor tourist attractions of
Ia country steeped in culture and tradition, “I started my journey in Costa Rica and have the Wild Atlantic Way are perfect for scenic
where music, conversation and making friends lived in South Korea, Czech Republic, Spain excursions. Some of the most popular sites
matters. It is small island nation, but also a and Italy before I arrived in sunny Ireland in include the Cliffs of Moher in the mid-west,
dynamic and open society. 2021. I love teaching phrasal verbs in class and the Connemara National Park and the Ring
In pre-Covid years, more than 100,000 my hobbies include travelling, walking in the of Kerry, among many more. Ireland’s oldest
students from over 120 countries travelled to countryside, watching overrated TV series and indigenous language is Gaeilge (Irish) and can
Ireland to learn English annually. The English going to the pub.” be heard in conversations in Gaeltacht (Irish
language education sector in Ireland has been MEI is the leading and longest-serving speaking) communities in the west of Ireland.
thriving for 50 years and Ireland has approved association of English language schools in The Wild Atlantic way is also home to
courses and programmes to cater for all types Ireland. The association partners with many three European Cities of Culture – Galway,
of learners and levels. ELT groups and organisations around the Cork and Limerick – and many famous Irish
Ireland’s student demographic is world to promote excellence in English towns and villages where you can experience
approximately 54% junior students under language teaching in the country. There are 68 traditional Ireland and its rich heritage of arts,
the age of 18 and 46% adult students. Junior English language providers across the Republic music and food.
students are predominately from Europe, of Ireland that are members of MEI. This location is an impressive blend of
with Italy and Spain being the two largest MEI member English language schools can ancient with modern as it’s also a Hollywood
markets. The adult market is more divided be found in the bustling towns and cities, movie location with many large productions
between EU and non-EU students. Most adult scenic coastal towns and stunning countryside, filmed there, including Star Wars: The Force
students on short courses are European. The and are recognised around the world as offering Awakens, which was filmed on Skellig Michael,
most prominent markets for long-term general world-class facilities and the highest standards an old monastic settlement dating back to the
English programmes are in Latin America, of education. MEI member schools are 6th century BC.
notably Brazil and Mexico, but long-term categorised in three distinct regions known as
adult students also travel from Japan, Korea the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East Ireland’s Ancient East & Heartlands
and Turkey, among other locations. and Heartlands, and Ireland’s capital, Dublin. Ireland’s Ancient East & Heartlands
Teaching in Ireland provides an invaluable encompasses 17 counties and has nine MEI
opportunity for international teachers seeking The Wild Atlantic Way member schools. It’s a great starting point
a sense of adventure, culture and heritage. There are 21 MEI school members located for your teaching journey, with most schools
Language teachers will also gain unique along the 2,500km driving route (one of the being family owned and managed, with vast
working experience in high-quality language longest coastal routes in the world) which passes expertise in language education. Visitors to
school environments. through nine counties and three provinces, the region can also immerse themselves in
Chris Gooch, a teacher at Marketing English stretching from County Donegal’s Inishowen Ireland’s vibrant history through local legends,
in Ireland (MEI) member language school Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in mythical tales and castles or visits to stunning
ACET, in the heart of Cork City, started his Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast. lakes and beautiful forests.
30 January 2023