Studying English in Ireland
Learn English or improve your existing skills in one of the friendliest places in the world. Ireland has become a firm favourite among students interested in studying English abroad, and right throughout the year the country is buzzing with students from all over the world. Visit Ireland in summer and you’ll be overwhelmed by the wide variety of students here to study English.
Ireland’s a great place to study the English language, regardless of your age and ability, and the warmth of the Irish people means you don’t have to be shy about speaking.
Family ties
Many students coming to Ireland to study stay with an Irish family, which gives them a great chance to experience Irish life first-hand as well as make lots of new friends.
All host families are carefully checked and monitored to make sure they are safe, friendly, welcoming and enjoyable for students to stay with.
English language schools will arrange accommodation for you while in Ireland, and while much of the accommodation is with families, there are also hotel, guest house and B&B options available.
Making the right choice
There are English language schools all over Ireland with various courses to suit your requirements, from longer courses to short personal tuition.
A wide variety of English language classes are available in Ireland including Junior Programmes, General English, Executive & Business English, one-to-one tuition and English for Specific Purposes, such as English for aviation, medical, legal and engineering.
Students are also prepared for Cambridge, Pitman, Trinity College London, TOEFL, IELTS, TIE and other examinations.
Finding schools
You can organise things yourself if you want by arranging your holiday independently and finding a language school that suits your needs. There is a difference in the accreditation process for schools in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
ACELS (The Advisory Council for English Language Schools) has a list of all approved English language schools around the Republic of Ireland. Recognition is only given to those schools that meet the high standards required for premises, extramural activities, teaching programmes and qualified staff. Mei~Relsa, a marketing body for schools, supplies excellent information on behalf of their members.
English Language Schools in Northern Ireland are accredited by a different organisation – The British Council. There are three language schools in Northern Ireland accredited by this body: The University Of Ulster, Coleraine, Queen’s University, Belfast, and The Foyle Language School, Londonderry. Details of all these schools can be accessed by contacting the British Council.
