Ideal for students generally more mature students looking specifically for 30+ English courses, their General English courses have an average age of 26.
Not ideal for younger students in their late teens.
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.
Date of my inspection visit at EC English Language Centre Dublin: May 9, 2024
My overall take
EC English Language Centre Dublin (EC) is set in a fantastic location in the city centre of Dublin. The school is opposite the canal, a popular location for students and locals alike, especially on the weekends during the summer. Being on a busy road means several cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area.
The location of the school is essential as the school does not have a cafeteria or student kitchen, which is a common theme at EC schools. What is great about the school is its modern facilities and classrooms. The school has three different communal areas, one specifically for 30+ students. There is also a dedicated computer/study room where students can have space to continue self-learning outside of lessons.
The teaching technique used at the school is very hands-on. There are many interactive activities that the teachers use to make learning immersive. These activities include “learn and explore”, where students visit landmarks within Dublin, learn about the location, and learn the vocabulary connected to that landmark. Additionally, they offer FREE lessons once a week, EVERY week (i.e. an extra lesson on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation etc) for all students after classes.
The great thing about EC is the social programme, and how many of the activities are free of charge. The majority of activities are free and led by the school (including weekly visits to the Irish pub – perfect for mature students who want to bond over beer!). There are also free career workshops and conversation clubs for students who want to continue their conversational English skills outside of class.
As many students are 25+, this school caters to those who are more mature. Students who thrive at EC would be those who are interested in worldwide learning, interested in travelling to different locations, and willing to get involved in their lessons and outside the classroom.
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EC English Language Centre Dublin at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.4 (101 reviews) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Average Max. 15 students in General English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Below Average Diversity No nationality more than 40% Top nationality: Brazilian |
| Learning intensity | 3-5 hours of homework per week |
| Number of students | 230 adults in July 120 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 16 years |
| Accreditations | MEI, ACELS, ILEP, ALTO, Preferential Terms |
| Course range | General English course, English in the City, English for Work, Academic Semester, General and Virtual Internship, FCE, CAE, IELTS Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Residence, Studios |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €375 3 weeks: €1125 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €50 Course material fee: €7 per week (€56 maximum) |
| Price Level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €26.60 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.
“We don’t have a lot of people in our class so you have the opportunity to ask questions and speak one-to-one with the teachers.“
Patricia
30 years from Chile
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Niamh Burke, Student Services Co-ordinator of EC English Language Centre Dublin.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
Niamh Burke: “The real standout for us is our 30+ floor. Here at EC Dublin, we have a total floor dedicated to 30+ students, our mature students. Anyone who is over the age of 30 is in a classroom together with their own material, their own books and a dedicated floor just for them. But if you are a 30+ student and want to be in a class with younger students that is also fine”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
Niamh Burke: ” Of course, we do get students from all different backgrounds and ages but the students that do well here are eager to learn both inside and outside of the classroom“
School inspection report
Classrooms
All the classrooms are spacious, newly renovated, clean and well-furnished, even the one-on-one rooms. All classrooms have motivational quotes on the walls, which is a nice touch for those struggling with the lessons. Lastly, the technology is top-end, with each classroom having interactive smart TVs.
Facilities
There are three communal areas, one on a dedicated floor for 30+ students. The central communal space is on the ground floor (with no cafeteria on site, there is a vending machine for drinks and snacks). There is also a dedicated computer/study room where students can have space to continue self-learning outside of lessons.
Surrounding area
The school is very close to many transport links, mainly buses. The walk to the main shopping street in Dublin is also only a 15-minute walk. It is also opposite another large language school (Atlas Language School), so students can easily meet with other people from different schools.
Social activities
Over 60% of the activities offered on the social programme are FREE of charge. All the activities are led by the school except the weekend excursions. Unlike many other schools, they embrace the drinking culture in Ireland; thus, there is at least one pub group visit every week; this is the perfect location to bond with fellow students outside of class and with locals.
Trusted student ratings of EC English Language Centre Dublin on the web
| Total | 4.4 (101 reviews) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (75 reviews) |
| Boalingua | 4.4 (26 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 review.
Location of EC English Language Centre Dublin
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