Language skills for immigrants

Over ninety immigrants from more than thirty countries attended Belvedere English Language Lessons (BELL), a series of one-to-one classes co-organised by Belvedere College and the Jesuit Refugee Service. The organiser was Polly Dolan, and she was assisted by Eleanor O’Brien from JRS. They coordinated the generous work of nearly sixty Belvedere students, in classes held twice-weekly both in Georgian Court Direct Provision Centre (pictured here) and in Belvedere itself. Help came from many quarters: John King, a student who last year won a Poetry Aloud award, donated his prize money to help buy grammar books; the Parents Association also contributed to the purchase of books and supplies; a number of parents gave a hand at weekends; and Belvedere teachers Michael McGrath and Eoghan Keogh helped out occasionally with the teaching. The JRS intends to ensure classes continue on through the summer.