Ideal for getting to know many different students from various study backgrounds.
Not ideal for students looking for an intimate atmosphere. This is a large school with a large intake.
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.
Date of my inspection visit at International House Dublin: May 7, 2024
My overall take
International House (IH) 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.
The primary teaching technique used at this school is the communicative approach, and the materials used in class are English File, Cambridge Gold, and supplementary YouTube videos. The range of different materials allows the lessons to be informative and interactive. They also are flexible with students changing their language level as weekly tests are provided instead of every 4-6 weeks, like many other schools. They do not handhold you and have an autonomous approach to learning; for example, instead of compulsory homework, they encourage the optional independent study of 3-4 hours of reading.
IH has an AMAZING communal area, one of the best I have seen in Dublin. They have a large rooftop cafeteria alongside an open rooftop terrace. Hot breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at this school, all at a reasonable and student-friendly price. Unlike the London school, they do not have a dedicated “Executive Lounge”. However, they have a relatively extensive library with study cubicles, computers, and books for all different study backgrounds, not just those for the study of the English language.
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. For this reason, this school would cater well to students of all ages, as they have many courses to suit the different needs of different students.
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International House Dublin at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.5 (2 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 30% Top nationality: Brazilian |
| Learning intensity | 3-4 hours of optional additional reading |
| Number of students | 450 adults in July 170-200 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 14 mini stay groups 16 years adults |
| Accreditations | International House World Organisation, EQUALS, MEI, AGPI, ACELS, Cambridge Exam Centre |
| Course range | General English, General English with work experience, Junior courses, Business English, B2 Business Preliminary and Vantage Exam Preparation, Speciality courses, CELTA exam preparation, CAE, CPE, FCE, PET and IELTS Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Residence |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 55min/lesson | 1 week: €330 3 weeks: €990 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €100 Course material fee: €50 |
| 14 years for mini-stay junior group courses 16 years for General English | €19.00 per 60min tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Aishling Coyne, Sales and Admissions Manager
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
Aishling Coyne: “The school has been in operation in Dublin for 26 years and is known worldwide. We don’t just offer a course; we can also assist you in finding a job and accommodation. We also have many team members who speak a wide range of languages: Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French. For students that don’t feel comfortable talking in English they can speak to the staff members their own language”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student who would enjoy and benefit from their time here?”
Aishling Coyne: “We welcome students from beginner all the way to advance. From 18 all the way to a student that was 75 years old. So we do welcome students of all ages and also of all levels”
School inspection report
Classrooms
The classrooms range in size, some are more modern than others. But the common factor in every classroom is the large tables, comfortable chairs, and projectors.
Facilities
There is a large rooftop cafeteria and terrace. Hot breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at this school; there is also a vending machine with snacks and drinks, all at a reasonable and student-friendly price. There is also a fully operational library with computers, cubicles and books.
Surrounding area
The school is within walking distance of one of the main transport hubs, Connolly Train Station. There are also several restaurants, cafes and pubs within a 5-minute radius of the school. So, although students can eat in the cafeteria at the school, they also have the option to eat at one of the various eateries in the local area. One thing that concerned me was the safety of the area, as I did see quite a few homeless people sleeping and loitering outside the school complex and almost had my phone snatched. So, if you do attend this school it is wise to stay vigilant about your surroundings.
Social activities
There are many different activities, academic and social. There is also often more than one daily activity, a cultural excursion and an educational or skills-based workshop. Better yet, the majority of the activities are FREE. There aren’t many pub-related or party activities, indicating this school is not party-oriented.
Trusted student ratings of International House Dublin on the web
| Total | 4.5 (2 reviews) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.5 (2 reviews) |
Ratings as of June 21, 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.
