Praise for project
At the launch of the Fáilte Isteach Dublin 15 Initiative were (L to R): Ariana Ball, Assistant National Development Officer with Fáilte Isteach, volunteer tutor, Fergus O'Brien from Swords with students Svetlana Komarava, originally from Russia and...
FÁILTE Isteach, the community based project which operates in Swords and Balbriggan and sees older volunteers teach conversational English to new migrants, has been lauded by President Mary McAleese. Over 300 people, including volunteer tutors and students from Fingal attended the launch by the President at the Mountview Youth and Community Centre in Blanchardstown. The opening of these three centres brings to 17 the number of Fáilte Isteach projects currently operating throughout the country. Each week, 194 volunteer tutors teach basic conversational English to over 400 migrants from 53 different countries at classes held nationwide.
Weekly classes take place in Swords on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm at the BASE Resource Centre, Brackenstown and in Balbriggan on Wednesdays from 7pm9pm at the Old St George's School House.
First established in 2006 in Summerhill, Co Meath, by Mary Nally, founder of Third Age Foundation, the Fáilte Isteach project is helping to build stronger, more integrated communities through the practical, welcoming and inclusive manner in which the programme is delivered. New migrants not only improve their level of English proficiency by attending Fáilte Isteach classes, they also improve the quality of their social and working lives, participate to a greater extent in their community, form lasting friendships and gain practical advice on daily living in Ireland.
