Ireland's ELT Sector Shows Resilience, but Adult and Non-EU Students Face Challenges
The English Language Teaching (ELT) sector in Ireland saw mixed trends in the first half of 2025. While student numbers remained robust with 60,402 students from 113 countries, there were signs of strain, particularly for adult students and those from non-EU countries.
Nearly half of all enrolments were ministays for juniors, with 29,451 students and a third of schools reporting growth. Meanwhile, adult students accounted for 82% of student weeks but faced challenges. 40% of schools reported a downturn in adult student intake due to visa pressures and administrative hurdles. Brazil sent the most adult students (5,654), followed by Italy, France, and Spain. However, Latin American and East Asian students faced visa barriers despite longer study durations.
Italy was the top source country for Irish ELT programs, sending 21,772 students. However, the sector faces renewed pressures around access and affordability for non-EU students. Looking ahead, 35% of schools expect a moderate decline in enrolments due to factors like visa denials and competition.
In the first half of 2025, Ireland's ELT sector showed resilience with strong student numbers. However, challenges persist, particularly for adult students and those from non-EU countries. Schools anticipate a moderate decline in enrolments, highlighting the need for the sector to navigate these pressures effectively.
