Language school SEDA College, which closed physical classes on March 12, is offering free classes to all foreign students in Ireland and the world whose courses have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The free classes are available to all foreign students attending any English language college in any country – not just those at SEDA College Dublin.

The free broadcast classes are held throughout the day and can be accessed here.

SEDA College estimates that two-thirds of students from abroad who came to Ireland to study English are worried about how they will be able to continue to pay their rent and food costs.

The college polled 193 overseas students, of whom over half took up employment when they arrived in Ireland. 13% have retained their jobs, 19% have lost their jobs and are entitled to receive the government’s C-19 assistance payment, while another 17% also lost their jobs, but are not entitled to receive any state supports.

One in three of the survey sample say they can’t pay their rent and are anxious about being evicted.

In Association with

College CEO Tiago Mascarenhas (pictured) stated: “Many schools across Ireland and beyond have shut without offering a plan B to language students. We have a very comprehensive online platform in place and this can be accessed remotely and while on-the-go.

"We currently have 200,000 students from around the world registered on this platform, and we’re delighted to be in a position to open it to others who need our help at this challenging time. The service will be made freely available to all students, no matter where they have previously been studying.”

The college transferred instruction and assistance online for its 1,200 own students, and because many schools had to close without being able to provide such arrangements, SEDA says it took the decision to open its channels. Already, 800 students from other schools here and elsewhere have taken up the offer.

English Studio Liquidation

Meanwhile, Kinlay Group Ltd, which operates  student travel company USIT Ireland and The English Studio language schools in Dublin and London, has announced that it has sought the appointment of a provisional liquidator appointed to these businesses.

A third business owned by Kinlay Group, Teach & Travel Group, which is based in Leeds, which provides online TEFL training, continues to trade normally and is unaffected by this decision.

USIT employs 76 people, across its head fffice in Dublin, and regional offices in Cork, Galway and Limerick.

The company stated: “The outcome for customers who have booked with USIT is uncertain but management will provide as much support as possible to help customers assess their options.”

The English Studio, which employs 31 people in Ireland, closed its doors two weeks ago in compliance with Covid-19 measures. Kinlay Group said it has also reached a position where it was no longer possible to trade.

Chairman David Andrews commented: “Only a short few weeks ago, both USIT and the English School were trading successfully and we had exciting plans for the future.

“The tsunami of effects related to the Covid-19 pandemic have left us with no business whatsoever and no possibility of overcoming these challenges. My fellow directors and I greatly regret having to take this step, but unfortunately, it was the only possible option at this time.”