About MEI / RELSA
MEI (Marketing English in Ireland), formerly known as MEI-RELSA (Marketing English in Ireland - Recognised English Language Schools Association), is the largest and longest-serving association of English Language Education (ELE) providers in Ireland. Recently rebranded as English Education Ireland, the organization has been representing English language schools across Ireland since the 1960s.
The association serves as the leading voice for quality accredited English language schools in Ireland, with over 90% of English language students in the country studying with MEI member schools. In 2019, MEI member schools hosted almost 122,000 students from 120 different countries, demonstrating the organization's significant role in Ireland's English language education sector.
MEI's mission centers around quality and assurance, ensuring that Ireland remains one of the best places to learn English in the world. The association works to strengthen Ireland's position as a leading destination for English language education through four key areas:
- Promoting Ireland as a premier destination for English language education
- Supporting Members by providing training, industry insights, and guidance
- Ensuring Standards by maintaining high quality standards in Ireland's ELE industry
- Building Partnerships by developing relationships within the industry and working with governments and embassies
Membership Requirements
All MEI member schools must meet rigorous standards to gain and maintain membership. The key requirements include:
- Government Accreditation: All MEI schools must be accredited by the Irish Government through ACELS (Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services), a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland. This accreditation process ensures that facilities and programs offered are of superior quality.
- Adherence to Association Standards: Members must comply with MEI's own rules, regulations, and standards, which go beyond the basic government requirements.
- Quality Teaching: Schools must maintain high standards of teaching with qualified instructors. For teaching English at MEI schools, instructors typically need a minimum of a Level 7 qualification on the National Qualification Framework of Ireland.
- Learner Protection: MEI schools must provide Learner Protection, guaranteeing that students will be able to complete all language courses for which they are enrolled, even if issues arise with the school.
- Facilities and Services: Member schools are expected to provide appropriate facilities and services for students, including suitable learning environments and student support services.
- Ethical Marketing: Schools must engage in ethical marketing practices, providing accurate information about their courses, facilities, and services.
- Regular Inspections: Member schools undergo regular inspections to ensure continued compliance with both government and MEI standards.
Complaint & Arbitration Procedure
While specific details of MEI's complaint and arbitration procedures are not explicitly outlined on their website, the association does have mechanisms in place to handle disputes and ensure quality standards are maintained:
- MEI works closely with the Irish government and relevant bodies to ensure the highest standards are maintained across all member schools.
- The Learner Protection scheme offers guarantees to students that they will be able to complete their enrolled language courses, suggesting a system for addressing situations where schools may fail to deliver promised services.
- As the representative body for English language schools in Ireland, MEI likely serves as an intermediary in disputes between students and member schools, helping to resolve issues that cannot be addressed at the school level.
- The association's commitment to quality assurance suggests that complaints about member schools would be taken seriously and investigated, with potential consequences for schools that fail to maintain standards.
General Information
Year of Foundation: The association has been representing English language schools in Ireland since the 1960s, with the formal organization likely established in the latter part of that period.
Total Number of Members: 63 member schools across 12 counties in Ireland, offering over 100 different courses.
Geographic Focus: Ireland, with member schools located in 12 counties and more than 180 study locations throughout the country.
Organisation Type: National association of English Language Education providers.
Contact Information
English Education Ireland (formerly Marketing English in Ireland)
Ground Floor, Unit 4, Manor Street Business Park
Dublin 7, Ireland
Phone: + 353 1 6180910 /11
Email: info@englisheducationireland.ie
Website: https://mei.ie/
Legal Entity: Marketing English in Ireland Company Limited by Guarantee
Company No: 207303