Irish Language Schools and Language Education in Ireland

Irish language education is language education given in a language course within the borders of the Republic of Ireland for periods ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. Since 97% of the Republic of Ireland speaks English, continuous exposure to English during language education allows students who want to learn English to progress more easily.

With its long years of language education experience and quality institutions, Ireland is one of the most preferred countries in terms of language education. With the increasing demand for English language education in Ireland every year, Ireland also stands out with its increasing number of language schools.

Ireland language school prices are more affordable compared to countries such as England and the United States that provide English education. Ireland, which has been called the “green island” over time due to its magnificent natural beauty, has many locations to visit while receiving language education.

What are the Prices for Language Education and Schools in Ireland?

Irish language school prices for 2021 vary between €150 and €500 per week, depending on factors such as the quality of the English language school to be taken, the intensity of the lesson, and the course hours.

When accommodation and food expenses in Ireland are included and the same variables are taken into account, Irish language school prices vary between €300 and €850 per week.

How Long Does Language Education Take in Ireland?

Language education in Ireland takes an average of 4 to 25 weeks, depending on the intensity of the education, the number of lesson hours, and the number of courses that need to be taken to reach the desired language level. In cases where the English language education period is not sufficient, the education period can be extended by taking into account the validity date of the Irish language school visa.

In which cities in Ireland can language education be received?

Language training is available in the following cities in Ireland:

Dublin: Most Irish language schools are located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. Dublin language schools are generally more expensive than those in other Irish cities.
Cork
Galway
Killarney
Limerick
Waterford
Westport
Wexford

What Languages Can Be Studied in Ireland?

The following languages are available for study in Ireland:

English: One of the official languages of the Republic of Ireland, English is also spoken by 97% of the population. The most preferred language schools in Ireland are those that provide education in English.
Irish: One of the two official languages of the Republic of Ireland, Irish is spoken by 17% of the population. Also known as the Irish language.
Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Dialect

What are the Best Language Schools in Ireland?

The best language schools in Ireland are listed below.

The Linguaviva Centre, Dublin: Founded in Dublin in 1977, it is the oldest language school in Ireland.
Apollo English Language Centre is located in Dublin.
The Centre for English Studies is located in Dublin.
Cork English Academy is located in Cork city.
ULearn English School is located in Dublin.
EC English (EC English) is located in Dublin.
Cork English World is located in Cork city.
Twin Schools is located in Dublin.
Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre is located in Galway City.
Limerick Language Centre is located in Limerick city.

What are the advantages of language schools in Ireland?

The advantages of Irish language schools are listed below.

With 97% of the Irish population speaking English, there is constant opportunity to practice.
There is an opportunity to live in Ireland, which ranked 2nd in the Human Development Index in 2020.
According to Ireland’s Legatum Wellbeing Index 2020 rankings;
- 12th in the field of security,
- 8th in the category of individual freedom,
- 6th in economic quality,
- It is the 13th country with the most optimal living expenses,
- 13th in the field of education,
- And in the overall ranking, it ranks 12th out of 167 countries,
While studying a language in Ireland, you will have the opportunity to do many social activities such as nature trips, walking tours, sports competitions, debates, conferences, evening outings and visits to different cities.
Have the right to work part-time in Ireland while studying English,
There are experienced teachers whose native language is English,
There are well-established Irish language schools and small class sizes,
Students from Ireland and other countries who attend the training will have the chance to get to know their culture,
Gemze is available in Ireland, the 12th safest country in the world,
Compared to countries such as Canada, the United States and England that provide English language education, the prices of Irish language schools are cheaper than courses in England and the United States.

Why Are English Courses Popular in Ireland?

Here are some reasons why English courses are popular in Ireland.

97% of the Irish population speaks English,
English is one of the official languages of Ireland,
The friends you make while studying in Ireland are from various parts of the world, allowing you to exchange cultures with different countries.
Students who receive language education in Ireland can get to know Irish culture better and socialize with a multinational group of friends through activities such as nature trips, debates, sports competitions, and evening outings.
The opportunity to live in Ireland, which ranks 12th in the Legatum Well-being Index overall and safety rankings and in the top 5 of the Cato Institute’s Human Freedom Index rankings.
Experience in providing English language education since the first language school opened in Dublin in 1977,
A teaching staff trained and experienced in the field of English education.

Other languages that can be studied in Ireland other than English are listed below.

Irish
Spanish
French
Dialect
German
Italian
Russian
Japanese
Chinese
Portuguese

How to Get a Language Education Visa in Ireland?

To study at a language school in Ireland, an Irish language education visa is required. There are two different types of Irish language education visas:

Type C Irish language education visa: This is the type of visa required for language education that will last less than 90 days.
Type D Irish language education visa: This is the type of visa that must be applied for if the language education is planned to last more than 90 days.

It is recommended that you apply for a type C Irish language education visa from a country of citizenship at least 90 days before your expected departure date to Ireland. A type C Irish education visa is obtained by following the steps below:

Creating an online type C Irish language education visa application: The type C Irish language education visa application, which will be created via the AVATS (www.visas.inis.gov.ie) website, is completed by following the relevant steps.
Paying the Irish language education visa fee: The type C Irish visa fee must be deposited into the relevant bank accounts in accordance with the payment information provided at the end of the application completed via AVATS and a receipt must be obtained.
Submitting the passport and necessary documents to the visa application centre: The last step of the Type C Irish language education visa process is to complete the biometric procedures by declaring the necessary documents and passport to the address information provided via AVATS.

Once the type C Irish language education visa application is finalised, the visa decision is delivered to the applicant along with the passport.

Type C Irish language education visa is finalised within 8 weeks.

The above steps for applying for a type C Irish language study visa must be carried out by a legal guardian or parent for individuals under the age of 18.

The documents required to apply for a type C Irish language education visa are listed below:

Type C Irish language education visa result document given to the applicant via AVATS,
Type C Irish language education visa application letter: The reason for going to Ireland must be explained and the following items must be included in the letter:
- Full name,
- Open address,
- Planned departure and return dates to Ireland,
- Written declaration that the obligations of the Type C Irish language education visa will be complied with and that Ireland will be left after the visa expires.
Detailed plan of education to be received in Ireland: A detailed plan must be prepared containing the following information about the institution where education will be received with the Type C Irish language education visa.
- Full name,
- Open address,
- Telephone number,
- Email address,
- Website,
- A document proving registration to the institution (application acceptance letter, confirmation e-mail, etc.)
Accommodation plan: Documentary evidence of reservations for accommodation during your stay in Ireland.
Ireland travel health insurance: Although travel health insurance is not mandatory, it plays a positive role in the visa officer’s decision.
If necessary, receipt showing that the type C Irish language education visa fee has been paid.
Copies of all previous passports (if applicable) and a current passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure from Ireland.
2 passport size photographs, 45 mm high and 35 mm wide, complying with biometric requirements, taken on a white background, with the name and type C Irish language education visa application tracking number written on the back.
A letter or signed document that serves as evidence, in accordance with the conditions listed, confirming that the applicant will return to the country of origin when the Type C Irish language education visa expires.
- If the applicant for a type C Irish language teaching visa is working in their country.
  - Pay slips for the last 3 months,
  - A letter from the employer, stating the applicant’s employment period, departure and return dates to Ireland.
  - If he is an employer or a freelancer, it must be stated that he is obliged to return to his country to continue his work.
- A letter from the applicant for a type C Irish language education visa stating that he/she needs to continue his/her education in his/her country and clarifying the following:
  - The name of the institution where the training is received,
  - How long has the training been received at this institution?
  - Was there any time away from school during the training, and if so, for how long?
- If the applicant for the Type C Irish language education visa is a property owner or tenant in his/her country, official documents such as lease agreements and title deeds for the properties.
- If the applicant has a child under the age of 18 and is not travelling to Ireland with the trainee, the child’s original birth certificate must be included in the application documents.
Financial plan: A document that proves that there will be no problems in covering expenses during the period in which the language course will be taken in Ireland. The amount of money in a personal bank account, or personal bank account information belonging to someone else if the travel expenses are covered by this person can be given as examples.
If there are visa applications that have been rejected in the past, the original rejection letters of these applications.

It is recommended to apply for a type D Irish language education visa at least 3 months before the prospective date of departure to Ireland. The type D Irish education visa allows you to stay in the Republic of Ireland for more than 90 days. After 180 days, it is mandatory to apply for an Irish residence permit.

The steps to follow to obtain a type D Irish language education visa are given below.

Creating a Type D Irish language training visa application online: A Type D Irish language training visa application must be created by completing the necessary steps on the AVATS website (www.visas.inis.gov.ie).
Paying the type D Irish language education visa application fee: The type D Irish language education visa application fee must be paid to the payment information provided by AVATS and a receipt must be obtained.
Declaration of the required documents and passport to the relevant authority in order to obtain a type D Irish language education visa: The required documents and current passport must be declared for the application to the visa application center directed by the AVATS system.

The documents required to obtain a type D Irish language education visa are listed below:

2 passport size photographs with a white background, meeting biometric requirements, measuring 45 mm X 35 mm.
Current passport used for the D type Irish language education visa application and copies of all previous passports, if any. The passport used for the D type Irish language education visa application must be valid for at least 12 months after the date of departure from Ireland.
A signed application letter:
Document proving enrollment in an Irish language school
A document that proves that payment has been made to the language school to be attended with the Type D Irish language education visa.
Financial status: A document issued by the bank that proves that the visa holder has sufficient financial means to support himself/herself during the period of language education in Ireland.
Ireland travel health insurance.
If the applicant has had visa applications rejected in the past, the original rejection letters of these applications.

Can I Work While Studying in Ireland?

While receiving language training in Ireland, holders of a type D Irish study visa can work, while holders of a type C Irish study visa cannot work.

Type D Irish language education visa holders must obtain an Irish work permit in order to work. You can apply for an Irish work permit by following the necessary steps on the website epos.djei.ie.

Finding a job while studying in Ireland is easier than in other European Union countries, thanks to the many alternative Irish job opportunities. Working within the scope of short-term Irish language school programs is only possible by applying for an Irish work visa after receiving a job offer from a company operating in Ireland.

What are the Accommodation Options in Ireland?

Accommodation options for students in Ireland are listed below.

Hotels, hostels: Prices per night start from €50 per person and can go up to €150.
Guesthouses: Prices range from €40 to €60 per night.
AirBnB: Prices vary depending on the quality of the accommodation, but can start from €20 per person per night and go up to €200.
Campsites: Many campsites are free.
Internet-based applications like Couchsurfing

Students with a type D visa can rent a house for the duration of their residence permit in Ireland . Ireland offers different alternatives for different budgets in terms of accommodation options.

What Are The Living Conditions Like While Studying Languages in Ireland?

Living conditions for students studying in Ireland vary from year to year. The Republic of Ireland is considered a suitable alternative to countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in terms of student living conditions.

In Irish language schools, an average of 4 hours of lessons are taken per day, the remaining time can be spent working if you have a type D Irish language education visa and an Irish work permit. The minimum hourly wage in Ireland was determined as €10.2 in 2021.

Countries	Room Fee (Monthly)	Internet (60 mbps)	Transportation (Monthly pass)	McDonald’s average menu	Language School Prices
Ireland	€350	50€	€100	8€	150-500€
United States	400€	€55	65€	€7	450-1000€
United Kingdom	450€	45€	€125	8€	500-1200€
Canada	450€	65€	€75	8€	600-1000€

In language school price comparison, Ireland is cheaper than the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. When the living conditions of the compared countries are compared, life in Ireland can be described as easier.

What is the Difference of Getting Language Education in Dublin?

The differences in getting language education in Dublin are listed below.

As one of the most English-speaking cities in the world, Dublin offers trainees the opportunity to practice constantly,
It is the capital and most developed city of Ireland. The cost of living is higher compared to other cities in Ireland.
The best international language schools are located in this city.
Irish language schools provide an advantage for students to find jobs easily
The best teachers in Ireland are located in Dublin.
There are more job opportunities in Dublin than in other cities in Ireland, so you can work part-time while studying the language.