European students are coming to Ireland to learn English during the summer.

European students who have come to Ireland to study English during the summer months arrive at Dublin Airport. Sixty-six students boarded an Aer Lingus jumbo jet in Madrid. They are a snapshot of the 30,000 foreign students expected to come to Ireland in 1971. It is estimated that students visiting Ireland on language courses will contribute £2 million to Ireland’s tourist revenue.

The value of student travel is not lost on Aer Lingus. Travelling with the students is Edward Cassidy, the Aer Lingus youth student travel executive. He explains that the airline expects to handle about 3,000 students coming from France, 2,400 from Spain, about 1,500 from Belgium and about 500 from Italy.

Ireland is known for having a high standard of English being spoken, making it a great choice for students learning the language. One student agrees,

It is beautiful, more beautiful than the perfect English of England.

Another student has chosen to learn English in Ireland rather than in London. Not because of the standard of English, but because Ireland is quieter.

Another student has chosen Ireland because it is an interesting place to spend the holidays. She does not necessarily think Ireland has the best standard of English,

Everywhere there is good English and there is bad English, it’s a matter of taste.

Hilary Heuston is the President of the Student Organisation Association of Ireland. When foreign students get to Ireland, there is a wide range of educational options available to them. Many opt for intensive classes as they are only visiting for a short period.

In 1970, 20,000 students from all over the world visited Ireland. Due to violence in Northern Ireland, visitor numbers have been affected, particularly those coming from France.

Parents are naturally nervous about sending their children to this country.

Hilary Heuston hopes things will improve in the future and she will handle increasing numbers of students each year,

We have facilities for doing so and I don’t see why we shouldn’t.

She would like to see students being placed outside the capital and believes there is tremendous potential outside of Dublin.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 July 1971. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.