Top 10 English Schools in Dublin 2024 – Candid Reviews

Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland. Funnily enough, I had never been to Ireland, but visiting Dublin was a real treat. From the Irish charm to the beautiful landscapes, Dublin is one of those cities where you can’t help but feel at home. Everyone is welcoming, and the food scene is absolutely amazing. When you’re not studying, visit the Book of Kells, have a grand night at the Temple Bar or take a hike up Howth Cliff; Dublin has culture and activities for all.

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Schools on this page have been selected based on client reviews from independent sites, popularity (research of annual student intake), and appeal to different student types and budgets. Poorly rated schools have been discarded.
Every language school on this page has been personally visited by me. I’ve inspected the classrooms, facilities, and spoken with students and staff. My reviews reflect my honest opinion. I never accept money from schools. If you book through a link on this site, LingoTraveller may earn a commission from LanguageCourse.net, and you’ll pay less than booking directly with the school. Win-win. Click on the schools to see my detailed review and YouTube video of each school visit.

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1 Active Language Learning Dublin Full Review

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.

Ideal for students who want to be surrounded by nature in a quiet and safe neighbourhood.
Active Language Learning Dublin (Active) is located in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, about 30-35 minutes on the DART train to the city centre of Dublin.
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.

Address: Active Language Learning, 78-79, Mellifont Avenue, Dun Laoghaire-East Central DED 1986, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, A96 FT20, Ireland

Active Learning Language School Dublin Review

See my full review of Active Language Learning Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book Active Language Learning Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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2 ATC Language School Dublin Full Review

The good

• 60-minute lessons (one of the longest lesson times in Dublin).
• A large range of courses are offered for all needs and interests.

The bad

• Large student intake with a maximum capacity of 490 students.

Ideal for students who want to be very centrally located in Dublin.
ATC Language School Dublin (ATC) is one of Dublin’s best-located schools: a 2-minute walk to the main shopping streets, a 7-minute walk to Trinity College Dublin/The Book of Kells, and a short walk from the infamous Temple Bar area.
From my observations, the staff and teachers are very friendly and international, so students can speak with them in their mother tongue if they need help with anything. I recommend this school to students who want a very hands-on approach from the staff at this school, as they have a team to cater to all different needs.

Address: ATC Language School, 34-35 South William St. – Dublin 2 Dublin

Watch my review and tour of ATC Language School Dublin

See my full review of ATC Language School Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book ATC Language School Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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3 Babel Academy of English Dublin Full Review

The good

• Modern classrooms with large windows.
• Friendly, warm and welcoming staff members.

The bad

• The school is quite small and there is no real communal area on site.

Ideal for students looking for an intimate school right by the river.
Babel Academy of English Dublin is one of Dublin’s smaller language schools, located in a great location by the river. It’s a 2-minute walk to the O’Connell Monument, several theatres and a 15-minute walk to the National Wax Museum.
The main thing that stood out to me at Babel was their dedication to cater to every need; they know the students personally. The people at the school are open and social, and the staff are warm, friendly and eager to help with all the needs of the students.

Address: 2nd Floor Astor Hall, 4-8 Eden Quay – D01N5W8 Dublin

Watch my review and tour of Babel Academy of English Dublin

See my full review of Babel Academy of English including inspection report and student interviews

Book Babel Academy of English with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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4 EC English Language Centre Dublin Full Review

The good

• New modern building, with multiple communal areas.
• 30+ Lounge, with classrooms dedicated to the 30+ courses.
• Excellent location in the city centre right by the canal.

The bad

• One of the most expensive language schools in Dublin.

Ideal for students generally more mature students looking specifically for 30+ English courses, their General English courses have an average age of 26.
Interactive English Language School (IELS) is located in Hove, 15 minutes by public transport from the city centre.
If you want a quieter, simpler learning experience in Brighton without breaking the bank, this school would be perfect for you. I think this school is ideal for mature and independent students in their late 20s, but there are students of all ages at this school.

Address: La Touche House, Grove Road, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, Dublin 6, D06 HP29, Ireland

Watch my review and tour of EC English Language Centre Dublin

See my full review of EC English Language Centre Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book EC English Language Centre Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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5 Centre for English Studies (CES) Dublin

The good

• Excellent self-learning centre
• Business courses offered for specific professions
• Courses for different age groups, such as 12-17 years, 18-29 years, 30+ years

The bad

• Can feel a bit impersonal with such an amount of students at the school.

Ideal for wanting to be right in the heart of Dublin surrounded by its famous pubs, history, music and culture.
Centre for English Studies Dublin (CES) is an excellent school for generally younger students seeking an active, vibrant environment to learn English whilst exploring Dublin.
Concerning “chill-out areas”, there is a large communal cafeteria where the activity team is also based, and students can buy food from the cafeteria at an affordable price. Additionally, there is a beautiful rooftop terrace that is used for BBQs during the summer.

Address: Centre of English Studies (CES) Dublin, 31 Dame StDublin 2, D02 CX73, Ireland

Watch my review and tour of Centre for English Studies Dublin

See my full review of Centre for English Studies Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book Centre for English Studies Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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6 Twin English Centre Dublin Full Review

The good

• Great location very close to the centre of Dublin.
• Great facilities including communal kitchen/dining area, garden and library.
• Very employability-focused with the ability to complete an internship at the school and beyond.

The bad

• The 2 buildings have multiple floors and no lifts.

Ideal for students who are thinking of long-term employability options within Ireland and beyond.
Twin English Centre Dublin is set in a fantastic location in the city centre of Dublin. The school comprises two buildings, only a 5-minute walk from each other.
Their social programme is very varied and has many options. 50% of them are suggestions of different museums and landmarks to visit, whilst the other 50% are excursions outside of Dublin, academic, acclimatisation workshops (i.e. the accommodation and job workshops) and general tourist activities. Many students here are career-minded and are looking for an opportunity to network and improve their career prospects beyond just learning English.

Address: 4, North Great George’s Street, Rotunda A Ward 1986, Dublin, Dublin 1, D01 A3F8, Ireland

Watch my review and tour of Twin English Centre Dublin

See my full review of Twin English Centre Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book Twin English Centre Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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7 Atlas Language School Dublin Full Review

The good

• A great employability programme and welfare support is available.
• Great on-site facilities.
• 50-minute lessons.

The bad

• Limited range of courses.

Ideal for if you want to be at a school centrally located and right by the river.
Atlas Language School Dublin is in the centre of Dublin, right by the canal and opposite the EC English Centre (EC).
Quality is at the forefront of all the services they provide, and they pride themselves on the quality of their teaching, customer service, and welfare support provided to the students. This school would be perfect for students who want to take their studies seriously.

Address: House 34A, Richmond St S, Portobello, Dublin 2, D02 YH79, Ireland

Watch my review and tour of Atlas Language School Dublin

See my full review of Atlas Language School Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book Atlas Langauge School Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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8 ISI Dublin Full Review

The good

• One of the more affordable schools in Dublin.
• ISI Dublin has won the “Star Awards” for best English Language School in Europe 5 times.
• Students have a common consensus that all the teachers are great.

The bad

• Below average diversity, and most of the students are Latin-American.

Ideal for students who want to be in a very cultural location.
ISI Dublin is in the centre of Dublin, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main shopping streets in Dublin.
If you are a student looking for a school certified for being the BEST language school, ISI may be the one for you. They have won the “Star Awards” for best English Language School in Europe 5 times.

Address: 4, Meetinghouse Lane – D07 VY06 Dublin

Watch my review and tour of ISI Dublin

See my full review of ISI Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book ISI Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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9 International House Dublin Full Review

The good

• Well-maintained facilities, spacious classrooms and up-to-date technological equipment.
• They offer an extensive range of courses for different age groups, including courses for Juniors, 50+ learners and multiple exam preparation courses.
• Great communal cafeteria and rooftop terrace (students can purchase hot breakfast, lunch and dinner on-site).

The bad

• A below-average diversity mix within the student body.
• They have a relatively large intake.

Ideal for getting to know many different students from various study backgrounds.
International House Dublin is a great school for students looking for a central location to learn while exploring Dublin. The school building is shared with an independent college, and because of that, students can communicate with many different students from various study backgrounds.
From my observations during the school visit, the staff at IH provide a comprehensive service to all students from the moment they book a course to when they leave.

Address: Block B, The Steelworks, Foley St. – D01 X997 Dublin

Watch my review and tour of International House Dublin

See my full review of International house Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

Book International House Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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10 EF International Language Centre Dublin Full Review

The good

• Located in a residential affluent area, meaning it is generally a very safe area in Dublin.
• The school is large, with excellent facilities, including a huge outdoor area.
• Their social programme is one of the best in Dublin; they have several creative activities for free at the school and off-site.

The bad

• By far one of the most expensive language schools in Dublin.
• There is not an extensive range of courses.

Ideal for students looking for an upscale school in a safe neighbourhood.
EF International Language Centre Dublin is a great school for students who are generally younger and seeking an energetic youthful environment to learn English whilst exploring Dublin.
This school is a lot more expensive than other schools within Dublin, so I would definitely recommend this school to younger students who are looking for a full package immersion experience and who do not mind paying the high cost.

Address: 30, Fitzwilliam Square South, Mansion House B Ward 1986, Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 T922, Ireland

Watch my review and tour of EF International Language Centre Dublin

See my full review of EF International Language Centre Dublin including inspection report and student interviews

EF International Language Centre Dublin with exclusive discount When booking via the above link to the online booking platform LanguageCourse.net you get a lower price and better cancellation and payment terms than when you book directly at the school’s website. I also earn a commission, but I recommend them because it is the best option for booking your course.

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School locations