Ideal for students who want to be in a very cultural location.
Not ideal for students who have mobility issues as they do not have lifts.
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.
Date of my inspection visit at ISI Dublin: May 9, 2024
My overall take
ISI Dublin (ISI) is in the centre of Dublin, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main shopping streets in Dublin. The area has many different restaurants and cafes serving many different cultural cuisines.
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. The main thing that stood out to me at ISI Dublin was the available communal areas.
The communal area is extremely modern with an industrial chic vibe. The cafeteria is the main ‘chill out’ area where students can purchase snacks from sandwiches to muffins. There is also a mini library/reading corner where students can borrow books and study in their free time. Additionally, there is a dedicated computer room where students can use the PCs or just use as an extra study area.
Another advantage of this school is the job opportunities for students. I spoke to students who worked and studied part-time at the school and saw they advertised for another role. Additionally, there are electives available to students who take 20 or 25-lesson courses, and these students can choose to focus on specific parts of their learning during the electives.
In conclusion, this school is perfect for students in their early 20s and 30s, looking to progress in their careers post-university or studying.
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ISI Dublin at a glance
| Rating of former students | Insufficient number of student ratings |
| 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 | 1 hour of homework per week |
| Number of students | 270 adults + 120 juniors in July 230 adults + 50 juniors in January |
| Minimum student age | 14 years for specific junior courses 16 years for adults |
| Accreditations | MEI, Trinity, Equals, ELT, ALTO, Cambridge, Erasmus Plus, Language Cert |
| Course range | General English, Academic Year, General English + Business, Teacher Training programme, FCE, CAE, IELTS Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Student Residence |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €290 3 weeks: €870 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €60 Course material fee: €60 |
| Price level – Standard Group Course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €22.00 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.
“I like the building and the canteen, we have a really nice space to spend time. The classes are also more dynamic, and you are “forced” to speak in English. There are a lot of students from all around the world, so it is interesting to share different experiences from different cultures.“
Melissa
28 years from Mexico
“It doesn’t matter if a student is shy, introverted or extroverted, it doesn’t matter. We welcome all types of people here. If we see someone who is a bit shy, we try to welcome them into our group.“
Jorge
18 years from Spain
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Greg Hoile and Nicoly Wapenik, CEO and Partnerships Manager of ISI Dublin.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
Greg Hoile: “There is a really cool atmosphere here, there’s a proper community, all the students get on very well together. We also have elective classes for students who take 20-25 hours of English they can take extra elective classes which can be grammar or conversation.”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
Greg Hoile: “Most of our students are university-age or just starting work, so we align our programme with taking that next step in life. We are very mindful of students that aim to get on to the career ladder or get onto a further education course”
School inspection report
Classrooms
The classrooms are average in size but look refurbished with new furniture – full-sized tables and comfy chairs. There are also TVs and an interactive whiteboard in every single classroom. This school is one of the most technologically advanced schools in Dublin.
Facilities
The school has a large cafeteria and library corner as well as a computer room that students can use to do further independent studies.
Surrounding area
ISI is located a 10-minute walk from the main shopping streets in Dublin. The area has many different restaurants and cafes in its immediate surroundings. Other places of interest within walking distance include The National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland, Jervis Shopping Centre, the O’Connell Monument, and Brother Hubbard, a beloved city brunch spot.
Social activities
Many of the activities are free, but many are also academic activities. There are many “fun” activities available, although they do have multiple options for activities on a Saturday, which is unusual. Many other schools, if not all, usually have one choice of a day trip on the weekends.
Trusted student ratings of ISI Dublin on the web
| Total | Insufficient number of student ratings |
|---|
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.
