Beaumont, Noella
(2023)
“The Poor Relation.”
ESOL in Ireland: A Holistic View from the
Experiences of Tutors in Adult Education.
Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
Immigration into Ireland is increasing year on year and particularly since March 2022
when Russia invaded Ukraine. With this, the need for English acquisition is
augmenting in Ireland. English can create barriers into Irish society, a society which,
for many immigrants, differs greatly from their home countries. English language
classes, named ESOL, are offered to immigrants in Ireland’s public Adult Education
sector.
Both a critical and social constructivist theory were utilised to analyse the current
literature for ESOL. The possibility of a learner-centred or liberating critical pedagogy
and the conceptual presence of hegemony through accreditation were explored. The
implications, for the tutor, of power in the workplace were also considered. In doing
so, a rationale for a safe, learner-centred environment in the classroom and a
supportive work place for the tutors could be provided.
Through a qualitative method of research, the complexities of teaching ESOL and
potential issues for tutors were revealed. This method involved semi-structured
interviews with 6 ESOL tutors currently working in Adult Education in Ireland.
The findings indicated that when possible, tutors strive for dialogue and learnercentredness
in the group. While poor conditions in the workplace was revealed, tutors
resistance to a neo-liberal agenda was also uncovered.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(Masters)
|
| Keywords: |
Poor Relation;
ESOL; Ireland; Holistic View; Experiences; Tutors; Adult Education; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Adult and Community Education |
| Item ID: |
17682 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
12 Oct 2023 13:55 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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