Ideal for students who want to be surrounded by nature in a quiet and safe neighbourhood.
Not ideal for students who want to be in the busy centre of Dublin.
The good
- One of the smallest student intakes in Dublin (more one-on-one time with teachers in lessons).
- One of the most affordable schools in Dublin.
- 5 minutes walk from the harbour.
The bad
- Limited range of courses.
- Limited range of social programme activities.
Date of my inspection visit at Active Language Learning Dublin: May 7, 2024
My overall take
Active Language Learning (Active) is located in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, about 30-35 minutes on the DART train to the city centre of Dublin. This school’s location is perfect for students who want to escape Dublin City centre and be surrounded by nature with the option to hike in the nearby mountains or explore the nearby coast.
The main thing that stood out to me at Active was the available communal areas. Although the communal areas could be more modern, there are three separate spaces where students can come together and relax outside classes. The games room has a Ping Pong table, a fussball table, a TV, and a small library/resource corner. On the top floor, there is a sizeable cafeteria and a rooftop terrace overlooking the neighbourhood, and you can catch a glimpse of the sea.
As for the teaching, the school is technologically underdeveloped and relies on traditional teaching equipment, i.e. whiteboards, but to make up for this, they do have interactive class trips interwoven with the lessons. Students visit museums and have access to 1-hour language workshops, which are “Everyday English” and “Conversation Club”.
This school is for a specific type of student. The directors know every student because it’s a small, boutique-style, family-run school. It is the perfect school for students who want to be in a safe environment, away from the busy city centre but only a short commute away. It is also suited for people with a tight budget, as this school is one of Dublin’s most affordable language schools.
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Active Language Learning Dublin at a glance
| Rating of former students | 5.0 (4 reviews) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Average (but they keep the class sizes at 10 unless its peak season) Max. 15 students in General English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: No percentage was given. Top nationality: German. |
| Learning intensity | 1-2 hours of homework per week |
| Number of students | 200 adults in July 80 adults + 60 juniors in January |
| Minimum student age | 11 years for specific junior courses 17 years for adults |
| Accreditations | ACELS, Eaquals, ELE |
| Course range | General English, Intensive English, Work & Study, IELTS Exam Preparation, Intensive IELTS Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 15 lessons/week: 60min/lesson | 1 week: €200 3 weeks: €530 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €35 Course material fee: €35 |
| Price Level – Standard Group Course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €13.30 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfiltered comments from random students I met at the school and asked about their experience.
“There are so many opportunities to visit Ireland, and every day of the week, there is something to do. One time, we went to an escape room. It was really, really good; I enjoyed it a lot. You never get bored.“
Roger
20 years from Italy
“I used to be in another language school in the city centre, and it was very lively there, but for me, I just enjoy a quiet place. That is why I like here better.“
Yenlinka
36 years from China
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Danielle Wall, Global Marketing Director of Active Language Learning Dublin.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
Danielle Wall: “As a boutique family-run school, our students get a very personalised level of attention. I would also say our location in Dún Laoghaire is a beautiful upmarket coastal town, so students here get to be part of a proper Irish experience.“
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
Danielle Wall: “We have a community feel here, and everyone is very welcome. We have students, professionals; we have everyone. So someone who is ready to experience an authentic Irish experience and is willing to enjoy being here would fit here really well and benefit.”
School inspection report
Classrooms
The classrooms are smaller than the average classroom size in other Dublin language schools, but they are all well-lit with large table space and comfortable chairs.
Facilities
The school has 3 different communal areas (a games room, a cafeteria and a rooftop terrace). They also have a small computer room and resource corner where students can borrow books.
Surrounding area
Active is located in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin. The school itself is 5 minutes from the harbour where students can find many different coastal restaurants and cafes. It is also a 5-minute walk to the closest train station that takes you to Dublin city centre.
Social activities
Many of the activities are free, but many are also school-based activities. There are only social activities outside the school 3-4 days a week (similar to Babel Academy of English). This social programme is suited to students who prioritise improving their English above all else.
Trusted student ratings of Active Language Learning Dublin on the web
| Total | 5.0 (4 reviews) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 5.0 (4 reviews) |
Ratings as of June 20, 2024
Why no Google or Facebook ratings? Schools may have requested Facebook, Google or Trustpilot reviews only from those students that previously gave positive after-course evaluations. I only trust ratings from independent booking platforms/agencies, that allow exclusively clients who booked via their platform to rate the schools. I have checked each of these sites above and they have no disproportional number of positive vs negative reviews.
