Pictured (L-R): Comedian PJ Gallagher, MC of the AONTAS STAR Awards; Kitty Noonan, EAL volunteer with the EDNIP English Conversation Club; Lisa Martin, EDNIP Project Leader; Niamh McGoldrick, Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) and AONTAS Chair, John D’Arcy.
The AONTAS STAR Awards recognises the excellence in adult learning in Ireland and the Embracing Diversity & Nurturing Integration Project (EDNIP) at Mary Immaculate College won one of seven awards for its unique English Conversation Club, which is an initiative aimed at migrants who are parents of children attending DEIS schools in Limerick City.
EDNIP works with five schools that have the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) designation (helping children and young people who are at risk of or who are experiencing educational disadvantage). There are children from 64 countries across these schools involved and the aim of the club is to create a safe space for people to practise their language skills.
EDNIP Project Leader, Lisa Martin, commented that all involved in the project were delighted at the accolade from AONTAS—Ireland’s National Adult Learning Organisation—in one of the five categories at the awards.
“Social Inclusion is at the heart of EDNIP. This weekly club, in CBS Primary School, is a safe and welcoming space for parents to come together to socialise and practise their English. The club is supported by three fantastic volunteers—Mary Daly, Kitty Noonan and Maura Twomey—who support the learning of the parents. This award has raised the profile of the power of a relaxed, collaborative environment to enhance learning and the dedication of the parents to improving their language skills.”
EDNIP is under the umbrella of Transforming Education through Dialogue (TED)— a strategic partnership between MIC and the schools and agencies and organisations of the Limerick region and beyond. Dr Ruth Bourke, TED Coordinator, added:
“It is an honour to win an AONTAS STAR award for social inclusion. EDNIP has been working very successfully with DEIS schools for a number of years to support cultural diversity and promote and support inclusion and integration in the community. The English Language Club is key to achieving this as parents can get to know each other and develop their language skills in a safe space. The award is a testament to the dedication of the wonderful parents who attend each week as well as to the fantastic EDNIP staff and volunteers.”
The STAR Awards shortlist is divided into five categories of adult learning initiatives that support people with: Health and Wellbeing; Learner Voice; Social Inclusion; Global Citizenship Education, and Third-level Access and Engagement. The awards are judged by an independent panel of educators, policymakers, adult learners, and other adult learning experts.
Dr Kate Smyth, Strategic Communications Officer with AONTAS, said:
“We celebrate and acknowledge the incredible adult learning initiatives going on across the country, in support of learners, as part of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival. This year, there were 24 fantastic shortlisted initiatives, and on Friday 8 March in Croke Park in Dublin, we announced seven fantastic winners. But everyone involved deserves to be recognised for the wonderful work and learning they do every day.”
The STAR Awards is supported by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), SAOLTA, Mental Health Ireland, Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) [which sponsored EDNIP’s award], the Open University in Ireland, and the European Social Fund.
