ACELS – the Advisory Council for English Language Schools – was reconstituted in 1995 to regulate the teaching of English as a foreign language – TEFL – industry in Ireland. It operates under the aegis of my Department. As well as the Department of Education and Science, the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs are represented on its board. Bord Fáilte, Dublin Tourism, MEI-RELSA – Marketing English in Ireland – the Recognised English Language Schools Association – and FELT – the Federation of English Teachers – and Enterprise Ireland are also represented on the board. ACELS runs an inspection system for schools affiliated to it. The list of recognised schools is then ratified by my Department. I will forward the current list to the Deputy in the next few days.
RELSA is the association which represents the industry, that is, the owners of TEFL schools. FELT represents the teachers. There is another association, ATT – Association for Teacher Training – which exists outside the operation of ACELS.
There is no obligation on schools to belong to ACELS. However, affiliation to ACELS is the only means by which schools can gain the official recognition of my Department. This recognition is of such importance for marketing reasons that most schools belong to ACELS.
