Regulatory Bodies
Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS)
The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) was established in 1969 under the auspices of the Irish Department of Education & Science to control standards in EFL schools and organisations through an inspection/recognition scheme.
ACELS officially administers the recognition of English language schools in Ireland on behalf of the Irish government. Schools must meet strict criteria laid down by ACELS to be officially recognised and teach English in Ireland. These include adherence to correct policy regarding facilities, insurance, immigration requirements, staff qualifications and tuition hours.
ACELS inspectors visit English language schools on a regular basis. New schools receive two inspection visits, 10 months apart. If ACELS is satisfied after the second inspection, it will recommend to the Department of Education that the school be officially recognised. ACELS will inspect existing schools at least once every three years to make sure that they are adhering to the regulations.
ACELS' remit also includes recognition of teacher training (TEFL) courses and the development of materials and examinations for overseas students. ACELS has been heavily involved in the design and implementation of a new EFL exam - the Test of Interactive English - for English language learners. For more about the TIE see the Recognised Qualifications section of this website.
International Education Board of Ireland
The International Education Board was established by the Irish government in 1993 to facilitate and support the development of Ireland as an International education centre. The Board has representation from all interested sections of Irish education- Universities, Institutes of Technology, Independent Colleges and Language schools as well as from other Government Departments and agencies. IEBI is actively supported by Enterprise Ireland (the Irish industry body), many foreign embassies in Ireland and Fàilte Ireland (the Irish tourism body).
Educationireland.ie is the IEBI website. IEBI promotes Ireland as a quality destination for students and trainees, supports the international activities of Irish education institutions, acts as a national point of contact and referral to and from Irish suppliers of education services and the international market place, promotes Irish education expertise as a valuable resource for international institutions, development agencies and governments and liaises with education interests and government to identify and remove barriers to the development of the international education sector.
The IEBI responds to numerous enquiries from overseas students interested in the study options available in Ireland. It promotes Irish education overseas via advertising, developing and circulating generic information and by participating at education fairs, seminars and workshops.
Irish Council for International Students
ICOS (The Irish Council for International Students) is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organisation established in 1970 to promote the general welfare of international students in Ireland. It organises support services, provides specialised advice, information and support services to international students and to their advisers, and offers training and information workshops to staff of member colleges who work with international students.
ICOS provides advice and information to potential students on study options in Ireland and the practicalities of living here, and offers an advisory service for international students already in Ireland. It may take up problems affecting individual students with their host institutions, or raise medical, financial or immigration issues with relevant Government Departments.
ICOS also administers Irish Government-funded and other official Study Fellowship Programmes, and provides academic, administrative and practical support services to Study Fellows in Ireland and the UK.
