Hi °C | Lo °C A new language school in Belfast has generated sales worth more than £100,000 in its first summer.
International House Belfast (IHB) in University Street runs courses for English language students from abroad and offers training courses for language teachers, enabling them to teach English to foreign students.
Around 170 foreign students have come to Northern Ireland to learn English at IHB since April.
Invest NI provided funding of £60,000 to help the company to market its services in external markets, through support for attendance at trade shows, website design and the development and distribution of promotional material.
IHB is part of a larger family of companies, owned by Spanish based International House Language Services.
Its services include an accommodation placement service, a programme of social and cultural activities, and student counselling.
Managing director Jonathan Dykes said: "Our first summer has been a success, with a number of our services fully booked at the beginning of the season.
"The marketing support from Invest NI has been instrumental in promoting our services abroad, and the success this year will help to establish us internationally as a quality provider of English language services."
Invest NI's eastern regional office manager, Maurice Patterson, said: "International House, Belfast has experienced a successful start, availing of support from Invest NI to help increase its competitiveness.
"Not only is there a high standard of teaching at IHB but the associated programmes for the students will ensure that Belfast is placed firmly on the map as an even more attractive destination for all who wish to engage in English language learning."
