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The study of a language is often as much an advantage as a major need for any student or international traveller. If you have decided to come to study a language in its mother country, or you wish to improve your English, you will many opportunities

The Department of Education and Skills provide annual funding to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) from which English Language tuition may be provided to adult migrants. Some English classes are free.

Most English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) schools in Ireland are privately run and provide students with a full package of tuition, homestay accommodation and extra-curricular activities. The majority of schools offer preparation programmes for the major English language examinations, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge and Trinity College (London). TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) programmes are also available at many schools and a number of universities (University College Dublin, University College Cork, NUI Galway, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick.

The Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS) is the national body responsible to control the standards in English Language Teaching (ELE) schools and organisations through an inspection/recognition scheme.

Language Schools in Dublin

The list of recognised ELE organisations is published on an annual basis at the beginning of each calendar year - please see the Schools section on its website.

Private Language Courses in Dublin

Private language schools in Ireland offer courses, which range from basic tuition to courses leading to an internationally- recognised qualification. Several of the schools listed in the "ACELS Recognised English Language Teaching Organisations" also offer individual language lessons.

Language Exchange in Dublin

An exchange partner is an excellent resource for practicing a new language with a native speaker. As a bonus, language exchange partners can help you understand the culture of the area and inform you of local happenings. In the best-case sceneries, an exchange partner is not only your ambassador, but a friend.

Many library services also offer conversation exchanges in Dublin, where you may be able to learn English in exchange for conversing with someone in your own language. For a list of libraries in the Dublin City Council area participating in these exchanges, please visit Dublin City Libraries website.

In addition to the above, there are many non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and voluntary organisations in Ireland who offer English languages exchanges. Many of these classes are free of charge: For example, classes are provided by:

• Fáilte Isteach Project, run by Third Age Foundation. The Fáilte Isteach project involves older people volunteering their time to teach conversational English to new migrants from all over the world. Fáilte Isteach has a team of more than 750 volunteers who are offering a service to 2,200 migrant students from 75 countries every week.
• SPIRASI. A non-governmental organisation that works with asylum seekers, refugees and other migrant groups.
• Doras Luimni. It is a support organisation for migrants in the Midwest, particularly Limerick and the surrounding counties, which also provide English and cultural orientation classes.
• The Intercultural Drop-in Centre (which is part of the Dodder Valley Partnership) offers voluntary English language classes. Intercultural volunteer tutors assist students to speak, read and write English using conversation and easy to understand text-books at a pace to suit the individual.
• The Clondalkin Intercultural Centre is a social place for an intercultural dialogue, which acknowledges and celebrates diversity but also promotes common values. The centre is committed to be a guide and source of support to the immigrant population in their efforts to integrate into Irish society. There is an English language group class with professional teachers, Russian, Spanish, and Italian classes with native speaking volunteers, leaflets translation, one to one English classes with volunteers.

You can also find a tandem partner through EasyExpat's forums.

Other Ways to Further Your English Language Skills

In addition to attending English language classes, there are a number of things you can do yourself to help improve your English:

• Read English language magazines and newspapers.
• Many websites, including the BBC website, offer free English language resources.
• Another website offering free online language classes (not only in English) is Linguasnet.com, an EU- sponsored language initiative.
• Watch English language television. If you watch television programmes in your first language, use English subtitles whenever possible.
• Buy an English dictionary so you can look up the meaning of new words you come across on a daily basis.
• Listen to the radio in English. It is helpful to have it on in the background while you are busy at home with housework etc.
• When you are at the shops or visiting a service provider, try to communicate with the person serving you in English.
• Join a local sports or community group so that you get an opportunity to speak English while you are enjoying yourself.