Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, Tralee

Education traditionally has been one of the principal ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. Because of our ageing profile fewer Sisters are now involved in formal education.  In a new era with different needs, Sisters of Mercy, in collaboration with other Congregations in Ireland, have entrusted this valued ministry of education to other bodies. www.ceist.ie

As Sisters retired they responded creatively to the new educational needs which include working voluntarily with the “New Irish”, helping with homework, engaging in adult education and adult literacy in centre’s such as Welcome English Language Centre as well as helping in primary and secondary schools.

Working Voluntarily

Organised voluntary activity contributes to the up building of society and to society sustaining itself. It involves the concept of community and is flavoured by self-giving and self-interest.

‘New Irish’

We are involved, mainly in teaching English Language to Asylum Seekers, in the Information and Support Unit of the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre (ERIHC) Mt. Sion Waterford. More>>

Welcome English Language Centre

In response to a need in the Cork City Region, the Mercy Sisters, enabled Sister Celestine Forrest to set up ‘The Welcome English Language Centre’ to teach English to asylum seekers.  In recent years it became clear that there was a need for English classes for other immigrants in the Cork area who couldn’t afford paid classes and were in danger of becoming marginalised.

The Centre has now widened its scope to include refugees and unemployed immigrants, many who have come from the new accession countries in the EU.

From a starting point of just one class with a handful of students the centre has grown to cater for 200 students a day from 53 countries with the help of 45 volunteer tutors.

The centre offers classes in six levels ranging from Pre-Beginner to Upper Intermediate. The teaching schedule includes classes from Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Monday to Thursday 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Each session contains a break where tea/coffee and biscuits are available to all. This affords the students an opportunity to interact and share their particular experiences in an informal way if they so wish.

People who work in Centres such as ‘Welcome English’, become very aware of the vulnerability of those students, who come mostly from the most troubled zones in the world, to find refuge on our shore.   So many of them have been exposed to indescribable suffering, and while still very traumatised they have fled to our island for refuge. The prospect of a new life in a country, world renowned for its generosity and its long history of Christian and Missionary activity throughout the world, offered them a glimmer of hope.  They provide support, not only for the teaching of English, but look out for signs of negativity or depression in the students and offer encouragement; they lend a listening ear and assistance, when possible, to enable the students to cope with problems encountered outside the Centre.

Contact Details
Welcome English Language Centre
Mercy House,
Convent Place,
Crosses Green,
Cork, Ireland

Telephone:
Office – 021 4316537
Mobile:  087 2281584

Email:
welcomeenglish@hotmail.com

Website:
www.welcomeenglish.ie

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