Page 9 - Ed Guide 15 July 2021

6. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is offered to Protection Applicants free. There are different levels depending on your fluency.
• You may need to take an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test (or similar) to start University in Ireland if you do not have a Leaving Cert or a QQI Qualification.
• It is not necessary to have a Leaving Certificate (level 5) to start university you can take a one year course at level 5 or 6 called PLC, or you can take a University Access Course (see page 13), or you can apply as a Mature Student.
• Please contact your local ETB to ask about English Language classes – click HERE
7. PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) Level 5 & 6
• PLC courses provide an excellent education after which you might look for work or you can use your PLC course as a pathway to an Undergraduate Degree (Higher Education).
• There are many courses all around the country at level 5 and 6 which are generally full-time and last for one academic year (September – May).
• PLC courses are generally provided by Colleges of Further Education, Further Education Institutes or Community Colleges.
• These Colleges are grouped into 16 areas across Ireland (see map on the previous page). Find your local Education and Training Board (ETB) HERE.
• Each ETB has their own website, look for their list of Schools / Colleges to find one near you. Your local secondary school may also provide adult and further education courses.
• Apply directly to your local College of Further Education or Community College if you are interested in Further Education or Adult Education courses.
• Protection Applicants with a work permit are not required to pay International fees to attend PLC courses, you will be charged the same as an Irish Citizen.
• If you have a work permit, and are over age 21 you may be eligible to attend free under a scheme called VTOS. See page 10 for more details.
• If you are in Ireland more than 3 years in August you may be able to apply for state funding called Student Support Scheme (if you are still a Protection Applicant) or SUSI (if you have Stamp 4 status. See page 16 for further details on both of these student grants.
All information is for guidance only, it is not complete and any errors are unintentional. Please consult the relevant websites for accurate information
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