ESOL students Maude Wadelec and Celine Gallardo from France have relocated to Belfast for a year to study English at Belfast Metropolitan College’s Centre for English Language Teaching. The College has become the first regional college in Northern Ireland to be accredited by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.

Belfast Metropolitan College’s Centre for English Language Teaching has become the first Further Education College in Northern Ireland to be accredited by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. The number of students studying English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) at Belfast Met now makes up 4% of the student population and with a year on year increase in demand for these courses the rise in international students is set to continue.

When ESOL courses first started at the College over twelve years ago student numbers were in single figures; this academic year 2000 students are enrolled in 140 English language courses which equates to more than a 200 fold increase in enrolments. This growth sector is currently worth around £350,000 in revenue to the College and the receipt of British Council accreditation will allow the College to expand its recruitment on an international level.

Andrea da Silva, Centre for English Language Teaching Manager is delighted to be the first Further Education College in Northern Ireland to have the quality of its English Language provision recognised in this way:

“ British Council accreditation is something we have been working towards for a number of years along with the College’s International Office and Students Services. This will enhance our reputation as a high quality English language provider for International students and will facilitate additional recruitment overseas. The Centre for English Language Teaching is very proud of this achievement and look forward to the opportunities for further growth that accreditation will provide.”

Congratulating the College on their accreditation Wendy Waring, Head of HE/FE programmes at the British Council in Northern Ireland said:

“Congratulations to Belfast Metropolitan College on being the first local FE College to have gone through this rigorous assessment process, resulting in accreditation that provides an internationally recognised hallmark. Through our Choose NI programme we have been actively promoting Northern Ireland’s education provision as a quality study destination. Information is available throughout our international network of offices with the aim of attracting international students to study and learn English at universities and colleges in Northern Ireland. Belfast Met will now benefit from being part of this global marketing campaign”

For further information on the courses offered by the Centre for English Language Teaching at Belfast Metropolitan College telephone 028 9026 5184 or e mail mmcgahan@belfastmet.ac.uk