According to the International Education Strategy for Ireland “Irish Educated: Globally Connected”, around 106,000 international students are studying in high-quality English language training centres every year in Ireland. There has been a big increase in the number of weeks that language students are spending in Ireland (29% increase between 2010 and 2014). Ireland’s reputation and popularity among students of English is growing every year.

If you are thinking of being one of the students that come to Ireland to learn English, you probably have lots of questions. It’s not easy to know which School you should go to, what city you should study in, etc. We hope that we can answer some of your questions here. If you have any other questions, you can contact us and we will be happy to help.

Find the best English school in Dublin

Are you considering studying English in Ireland?

There are thousands of languages in the world, but English is the main language for global communication. Studying the language in an English-speaking country is a very advantageous option because you will find that you push yourself in order to communicate with others in a variety of situations. It will also enrich your vocabulary and grammar, and that improvement will occur spontaneously.

You will naturally improve your English in any English speaking city, but we recommend Dublin. It is a charming city and a very popular choice amongst international students. It has the perfect balance of keeping you entertained without it being too chaotic. Irish people are also very welcoming, which will make you feel comfortable from the get-go. If you want to learn more about things to do in Dublin, you can check out the Visit Dublin website.

How can you choose the best English Language school in Dublin?

Studying English abroad can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you can decide to have. It is an opportunity to enhance your skills, improve your career prospects, meet new people from all over the world and learn about their culture. It can open your mind, give you a new perspective on things and allow you to learn about yourself too. Whatever your motivation is, it can be an amazing decision and an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. The advantages are endless.

We have narrowed down five of the most important factors to bear in mind to help you make the right decision, as you will be investing precious time and money. Here are tips for finding the best English School in Dublin.

5 things to consider when booking an English course

1. Price of the English Course.

Is the cheapest English school in Dublin really the best for you?

Do some research into what is actually being offered. How long is the duration of the lesson, check if the registration fee and/or coursework material is included. Accommodation is not normally included, so ask about how much it is. Remember there will be different prices for full-time English courses, part-time courses as well as different prices for morning and evening English courses.

It is important to consider both the price and the quality of the course before booking your English course. The Spanish agency Aprending Idiomas has made a useful table which compares different schools in Dublin based on the price, length of course and reviews and ratings, these can help you decide which is the best English school in Dublin.

2. Class size and Nationality Mix in the English School.

What is the average number of students per class and where do they come from?

If there are no more than four students per class, the possibility of speaking and practicing the language with the classmates will be lower. On the other hand, if there are too many, the teacher will not be able to attend to all students personally. As with everything in life, it is important to find a balance. The limit for language schools in ireland is 15 students per class. Everest offers smaller groups (maximum 13 students per class).

There should also be a good mix in nationalities in the classroom, because otherwise you could find yourself surrounded by people speaking their mother-tongue which would be frustrating when you have paid specifically for English.

3. Social Programme and Facilities Provided by the College.

Does the school run social events and how much do they cost?

Find out if there is a common area, a place to use computers or if refreshments are provided - it is important for you to remember to give yourself a break. If you are coming over to Dublin alone you can join in with social activities, where you will be able to meet people from many different backgrounds and learn whilst enjoying yourself. Ask what is on offer and what the fee is, if any.

4. Location of the Academy in Dublin.

Where is the school based?

Have a look on the maps and see if the school is in a convenient area.  We are located in the heart of the city centre, situated next to many shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and the river Liffey. We can be very easily accessed with public transport links on our door-step!

Quality city centre schools include:

• Centre of English Studies
• Oscar's International
• Everest Language School

There are many more on this map of English schools in Dublin city centre

5. Quality of the English School and Teachers.

Are the teaching staff fully qualified? How do you know that the school is as good as its website says it will be?

• Teachers: All teachers must have a primary degree (in any subject) and a CELT, CELTA or an equivalent qualification ( An English teaching qualification). You should only choose a school that has qualified teachers.
• Reviews: If you want to check the quality of the classes, social activities and student experience, the best thing to check are reviews and recommendations from past students. We recommend you check the school’s reviews on Google and Facebook before you book any course.

• Accreditation: The second thing you need to consider is accreditation. There is a strange situation in Ireland at the moment. ACELS (the old accreditation organisation) is no longer available for schools. Now, the ILEP (List of approved English schools in Dublin and Ireland), is the only kind of accreditation or approval that is available to Irish schools  that have opened in the last 5 years. If you are taking a course and you need to apply for a study visa, you need to check that the course is on the ILEP. We understand that this is very complicated and if you want to read more about the ACELS situation, you can have a look at this post.

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