On April 17th 2008, County Dublin VEC held a hugely successful national conference on ‘ESOL, international students and second level schools: issues, challenges and possible solutions’. The conference was attended by over 200 participants and took place in Finnstown Country House Hotel, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

The conference was opened by the Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan TD. The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Michael McCarthy of the University of Nottingham – a speech thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. Breda Naughton of the Department of Education & Science spoke of department initiatives within the area of ESOL and her speech was followed by 6 highly informative workshops – resouces and hand-outs of which are available to download from the publications section, listed under E for ESOL.

According to feedback the conference was a huge success, addressing many current issues and providing much needed information and is likely to become an annual event.

County Dublin VEC would like to thank all those who worked to ensure the success of the conference both on the day and in the preceding weeks and months, all the speakers and workshop presenters, all the participants from all four corners of the country and the hotel for facilitating the event.

Should anyone require any follow on information or have any general query, please contact Grainne Scully on g.scully@codubvec.ie

Pictured (L to R): Pat O'Connor - CEO County Dublin VEC, Conor Lenihan T.D, Minister of State with special responsibility for Integration Policy, Stephen Bearpark - County Co-ordinator of English Language Training, County Dublin VEC, Marie Griffin - Education Officer, County Dublin VEC.