Horner School of English Dublin (Adults 16+)
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
The family-run Horner School of English is located in the heart of Dublin, right next to the city’s best shopping area, Grafton Street, and the beautiful and relaxing city park, Stephen’s Green. The school offers excellent courses and an adventure-packed social program allowing students to explore the never-ending beauty of the historical city of Dublin while improving their English skills.
“Friendly and fun” are the words most visitors use to describe Dublin, and as a result it has fast become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Boasting everything from ancient ruins, to fashionable shops and restaurants, to a famously vibrant nightlife, Dublin caters to everyone.
Music, culture and art are everywhere in Dublin. Throughout the year there are hundreds of festivals and concerts, so whether students are interested in dance music or traditional music, there is something for each one. Areas such as Temple Bar and Vicar Street comprise Dublin’s “Latin Quarter,” and are always lively with a huge selection of restaurants, food and music from all over the world. There is plenty of Irish culture to be discovered around the city with Irish dancing shows, trad sessions (informal traditional music in pubs), buskers in the streets and Gaelic games.
THE HORNER SCHOOL OF ENGLISH AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1993
- City: Dublin
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 18
- Number of students in school: average 170, maximum 250
- Main type of public transport in Dublin: Buses and trains every day until 23:30
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 30
The Horner School of English: 40 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, Ireland
“The Horner School of English was one of the first language schools with whom I began working in Dublin, in 2004. It was recommended to be by the owners of several top language schools there, as it followed their same model of being focused on quality, and was family run. The school offers an exceptional assortment of good accommodation year round, which is not easy to find in Dublin outside of the summer, and all of the clients I have sent there have returned with consistent good feedback about their experience inside and outside of the classroom. One particular advantage that this school offers is the fact that it is just down the street from my favorite student accommodation in Dublin, the YWCA Baggot Street residence, which offers single or twin rooms with private bathrooms, a city center location as does the school, and breakfast and dinner every day, which is also difficult to find for adults not staying with host families in any city. The residence is available at a very reasonable price, it is small, allowing the staff to get to know the residents, and sometimes Irish students stay there, permitting English language learners to practice their English and make friends with some locals. A combination of a course and social activities at the Horner School and a room in this residence contribute to a perfect study abroad experience in Dublin.”
The Horner School of English
Why Study English at the Horner School of English?
There are many English language schools in Dublin, one of Europe’s top cities for English language learning. The Horner School of English distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- The school is family owned and managed, meaning that there is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and part of the family.
- The Horner School is conveniently located in the center of Dublin, within a few minutes’ walk of Grafton Street, all the main bus routes, train stations, restaurants, shops and theatres.
- All of Horner School’s teachers have been carefully selected to reflect the general high standards of the School, and hold a university Degree and ACELS recognized teaching qualification.
- The Horner School is located in a historical Georgian building with excellent, modern facilities.
- The Horner School has a very good nationality mix, with students from over 30 different countries every year
- The Horner School is recognized by ACELS, a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, for English language teaching (ELT).
- The school is able to offer a fantastic social program including evening social events, afternoon cultural activities and weekend guided coach tours.
- The courses are competitively priced for the Dublin market and offer good value for money
- In a city with a lot of language schools offering host family accommodation, the school is able to offer excellent homestays and its own student residences
- The Horner School of English is an official testing center for the TOEIC Exam Ireland.
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 17 year-round classrooms equipped with Interactive Whiteboards, DVD and CD players
- Free Wi-Fi
- Computer lab
- Self-access reference library and study facilities
- Coffee Room
- Beautiful garden
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Location
Located in the heart of Dublin, the Georgian school buildings are a short walk from St. Stephens Green (5 minutes) and Grafton Street with its many shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants (10 minutes).There are many establishments and attractions in walking distance of the school: coffee shops and delis (1-2 minutes), a supermarket (3 minutes), Merrion Square Gardens (2 minutes), Pearse Street Train Station (10 minutes), Bank of Ireland (2 minutes), Fly Fit Gym (2 minutes), a medical office (next to the school) and Dublin’s beautiful Grand Canal (4 minutes).
Self-Access Center
The self-access center at the Horner School offers the most up-to-date technology and materials for students to use at any time. The school has a computer library with desktop PCs connected to the internet and free WIFI for students’ own devices. The computer library also has a selection of CD Rom language programs for self-study purposes. The school also has a dedicated self-access study library with graded-readers, a large DVD/CD library and magazines/business papers.
Student Welfare
All staff and teachers are available to support students in a professional and confidential manner with any problems that might arise while they are away from home.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH, BUSINESS ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Course duration: Flexible
- Number of lessons per week: 20 or 26
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Start dates: Most Mondays for General English, see dates and fees for Examination courses
- Number of students in class: average 9, maximum 19
Standard Course
The Standard General English Course is a great introductory English language course that focuses on the primary areas of language learning: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- English levels: All
- Number of lessons per week: 20
- Timetable: 9:30-13:10 Monday to Friday
Standard + Fluency
The Standard Plus Course is a more intensive version of the Standard General English Course with an additional 6 lessons per week. Options for 6 additional lessons per week:
- English levels: All levels
- Number of lessons per week: 26 lessons per week + afternoon English fluency improving speaking course
- Timetable: 9:30 – 13:10 Monday to Friday and 14:00 – 16:45 Monday and Wednesday
Standard + Business
The Standard Plus Business English Course is designed for people who have just started or about to start their professional working lives. Topics include: presentation skills, telephone language, interview skills, marketing and sales, business writing (customer complaints, writing reports, formal and informal), business meetings (chairing meetings, preparing agendas) negotiations (agreeing and disagreeing with a point, bargaining), business social events (etiquette and language). The course is taught using real situations, allowing students to lead meetings, negotiations, and presentations within the classroom.
- English levels: B2 – C1
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (General English) + 6 (Business English)
- Timetable: 9:30 – 13:10 Monday to Friday and 14:00 – 16:45 Monday and Wednesday
Standard + IELTS
- English levels: B2 – C1
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (General English) + 6 (IELTS Preparation)
- Timetable: 9:30 – 13:10 Monday to Friday and 14:00 – 16:45 Tuesday and Thursday
- Course Duration: 4 weeks
- Start Dates: see dates and fees
TOEFL Full-Time
- English levels: B2 – C1
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (General English) + 6 (TOEFL Preparation)
- Timetable: 9:30 – 13:10 Monday to Friday and 14:00 – 16:45 Tuesday and Thursday
- Course Duration: 4 weeks
- Start Dates: see dates and fees
Cambridge Examination Preparation for First Certficate in English & Cambridge Advanced English
The Horner School of English offers courses for the FCE and CAE Cambridge examinations. The Cambridge Examination preparation courses are intensive courses with morning lessons of General English and afternoon lessons specifically focusing on exam preparation.
- English levels: B2 (FCE), C1 (CAE)
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (General English) + 6 (FCE or CAE Preparation lessons)
- Timetable: 9:30 – 13:10 Monday to Friday and 14:00 – 16:45 Monday and Wednesday
- Course Duration: 4, 8 or 12 weeks
- Start Dates: see dates and fees
Semi-Intensive English Courses
The Semi-Intensive English Language Courses combine group tuition with individual private lessons. Students have the options of 22, 25 or 30 lessons, each providing group lessons in the morning and private lessons in the afternoons. The morning session aims to improve competence in General English. The afternoon intensive English language course is tailored to students’ individual requirements.
- English levels: All levels
- Options available: TOEIC, TOEFL, for Teachers
- Number of lessons per week: 22 (20 group + 2 private), 25 (20 group + 5 private), 30 (20 group + 10 private)
- Timetable:
22 lessons: 9.30 – 13.10 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 15.40 Fridays (Private lessons)
25 lessons: 9.30 – 13.10 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.05 Tuesday and Thursday
30 lessons: 9.30 – 13.10 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.45 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
One-to-One Course
The One to One English Courses are uniquely tailored to meet the requirements of the modern business and professional client. Individual English courses are suitable for those who wish to specialize in a particular area of English and for those who wish to make rapid progress within a short period of time. The Horner School of English offers a choice of 20, 25, 30 or 40 individual lessons per week.
- English levels: All levels
- Number of lessons per week: 20, 25, 30 or 40
- Timetable:
20 lessons: 9:00 – 12:40 Monday to Friday
25 lessons: 9:00 – 12.40 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.05 Tuesday and Thursday
30 lessons: 9.00 – 12.40 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.45 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
40 lessons: 9.00 – 12.40 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 17.20 Monday to Friday
From our clients
I became familiar with Marshall Language Services in 2013, when my parents gave me a trip to Paris as a gift for my 18th birthday. I wanted an experience that would be useful and fun, i.e., to learn French while visiting the enchanting city of Paris, and at the same time meet foreign students (some of whom were English-speaking and allowed me to improve my English at the same time). For that stay, I requested a residence with a half board meal plan and a school that was very close by, even in the same building if possible. Ms. Marshall organized my 3-week stay there in exactly that manner, and it proved to be an experience that was extremely gratifying as well as cultural and enjoyable.
I had a similar request in 2016, for a two-week stay in Dublin, where I wanted to improve my English, just before taking the Cambridge First Certificate in English exam. Since she already knew my preferences, Ms. Marshall was able to satisfy my request in this city as well, by booking a course at the Horner School of English and the Baggot Street Residence. At the Horner School, the level of teaching was extremely high, such that my English teacher in Italy who was preparing me for the FCE in Italy adopted the same coursebook that the school used.
—Sara A., Genoa
 |  |
Do you have a positive experience to share? Write to Rachel.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to learn more about the people of Ireland is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. Homestay is in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of Horner students. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information:
- Meal plan: half-board from Monday to Friday (breakfast and dinner), full-board at weekend (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Single or shared rooms are available
- All families provide a fresh set of towels and a change of bed linen each week.
- Host families do students’ laundry once per week.
- Distance from school: all homestays are located in the Dublin suburbs with an average travel time to the city center of 45-50 minutes by bus or train. The city also has bicycle lanes and if students prefer that mode of transport, the school can help with bicycle rental.
- Accommodation is from Saturday to Saturday, Sunday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
- Private bathrooms in host families cannot be guaranteed.
- Adults aged 18+ do not have curfews.
CITY RESIDENCES
Highfield Park City Residence
New purpose-built Dublin student residence building, located a short distance from Dublin City Centre with easy access to Horner School by LUAS tram. These modern student apartments all come with single bedrooms, private en-suite bathrooms and a shared living room and kitchen for each apartment. The perfect home for students attending The Horner School of English.
Highfield Park City Residence also offers:
- Excellent location, a short distance from Dublin City Centre by LUAS Tram
- Single Bedrooms ALL with private bathrooms
- Fully equipped self-catering kitchens. (Shared Kitchens)
- Free Access to the Gymnasium located inside the building
- Games Room with consoles
- Cinema Room
- Laundry Area (additional cost)
- On-site 24-hour reception office
- Free internet access
Horner City Residence
This modern Dublin student residence is located a short walk from Dublin City Center and 5 minutes walk from the Horner School. The residence is available exclusively to the students of Horner School of English. The residence includes 5 bedrooms all with private bathroom (shower, toilet and sink) and built-in wardrobes.
Horner City Residence also offers:
- Single and double rooms available
- A fully furnished room with private bathroom
- Bed linens and towels are provided
- Fully equipped common kitchen
- Communal living room
- Super-fast broadband and Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
Residence amenities:
- Cable television in the common room
- WIFI in the study room
- Dining room
- Patio garden
- Washing machines and dryers
- Access to tea and coffee making facilities
Baggot City Apartments
Baggot St. City Apartments offer self-catering, self-contained accommodation, ranging from studios to comfortable 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. This property comprises two Georgian buildings, a private car park and a ground floor restaurant.
Baggot Street City Apartments also offer:
- Studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom apartments available
- Full en-suite facilities
- Fully equipped kitchen
- TV
- Telephone
- Outside laundry facilities available on request
NO ACCOMMODATION
It is possible to book only the course at the Horner School. For students who would prefer to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast, the school recommends these hotels and guesthouses:
- The Fitzwilliam Townhouse Guesthouse, located next door to The Horner School of English.
- The Mespil Hotel, 4 stars, located within 10 minutes’ walk of The Horner School of English. It is modern, comfortable and convenient to the school.
- The London Bridge Bed and Breakfast, located within 20 minutes’ walk of The Horner School of English. It is modern, comfortable and convenient to the school and city center.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Other Similar Programs
