The Horner School of English — Your Dublin Hub for Real-Life English
Horner School of English was established in 1993 and operates from two beautifully restored school buildings on Fitzwilliam Street in the centre of Dublin City.Horner School focuses mainly on English language courses for adult students. The minimum age for International classes is 18 years, the average age is 27 years +. We provide full range of business, examination and general English courses. Our courses can be commenced every week. Classes are internationally mixed, in small groups of max 14 students.Accommodation includes: Carefully selected host families located in the suburbs. City centre residence & city apartments.
Want to immerse yourself in English surrounded by Georgian architecture, vibrant cafés, and global friends—while improving your skills every day? Horner School lets you do exactly that, right in the heart of Dublin.
School Overview & Reputation
- Founded: 1993. Since then, it has been family-run by the Horner family, who emphasise quality, personal care, and student welfare. English Education Ireland+3Horner School of English+3Quality English+3
- Location: 40 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2. Beautiful Georgian buildings in central Dublin, close to Grafton Street, Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green. Very walkable, cultural, scenic. English Education Ireland+2Learning Languages Abroad+2
- Accreditation & Memberships:
• ACELS (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) accredited. Edufind+1
• Member of Quality English; also involved with Marketing English in Ireland etc. Quality English+1
Classes & Curriculum
Here’s what they offer, how they teach, and what kinds of courses you can choose from:
- Types of Courses: Course TypeWhat It CoversGeneral EnglishEveryday communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar. Horner School of English+2Study Destiny+2Business EnglishFor professionals who need English in work settings—emails, presentations, negotiation etc. Quality English+1Exam PreparationIELTS, Cambridge (FCE/CAE) etc. Horner School of English+2Horner School of English+2One-to-One TuitionIntensive, personalised lessons fitted to your specific goals. Horner School of English+1English for Groups / Mini-StaysGroup programmes; school / group stays. Horner School of English+1Erasmus+ Courses / Special ProgrammesCourses for educators or professionals (teacher training, etc.) via Erasmus+ and special interest tracks. Erasmus Courses Ireland+1
- Teaching Methods & Levels: • Levels from beginner through advanced; placement testing on arrival. Visit Dublin+2Learning Languages Abroad+2
• Small class sizes: average around 10 students per class, sometimes fewer. Learning Languages Abroad+1
• Native English-speaking teachers, many with university degrees & TEFL qualifications. Learning Languages Abroad+2English Education Ireland+2
Facilities, Support & Student Experience
- Facilities: • 17 classrooms across central Georgian houses. Classrooms are well-equipped—interactive whiteboards, WiFi, comfortable space. Learning Languages Abroad+2Visit Dublin+2
• Student lounges, study library, gardens/patio, kitchen/coffee areas. Amenities to help you relax outside class. Learning Languages Abroad+1 - Accommodation Options: • Host family / homestay – good way to practise English and live locally. Horner School of English+1
• Student residences, studio apartments, off-campus residences. Many are walking distance or short transit from the school. Learning Languages Abroad+1 - Social & Cultural Programme: • Weekly excursions — both afternoon and full-day trips. Horner School of English+2Learning Languages Abroad+2
• Evening activities, social events, cultural immersion. Students often mention these as highlights. Horner School of English+1
Student Reviews & Feedback
- Ratings: On Edufind, average ~4.7 / 5 from 20+ votes. Edufind
- What Students Say: • That teachers are professional, patient, creative. Horner School of English+2Learning Languages Abroad+2
• Many like the “international mix” of students: you meet people from many countries. Learning Languages Abroad+1
• Others highlight that because the school is centrally located, it’s easy to explore Dublin, practice English outside lessons, enjoy cafés, shops etc. Learning Languages Abroad+1
Location, Lifestyle & What It’s Like Living There
- Dublin is lively, cultural, historic; you get the buzz of a capital city with a mix of modern & old. The Georgian area around Fitzwilliam Street is elegant, leafy, central. Visit Dublin+1
- Access to transport, eateries, shopping, museums; all close by. Good for students wanting both study and sightseeing / social life.
- Cost of living is higher than smaller towns but less than London. Accommodation & homestays help reduce costs. Be ready for expenses like meals, transit.
What Makes Horner School Unique Among Language Schools
| Unique Feature | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|
| Family-run with long heritage (since 1993) | Personal touch, consistency, good reputation. |
| Small, internationally mixed classes | More speaking opportunity, more peer learning, less intimidation. |
| Full range of exam prep + General/Business English + Erasmus+ | Flexibility: you can choose based on your goals. |
| Central Dublin, high-quality amenities | Comfort + immersion + a city experience. |
| Strong social, cultural & excursion programmes | Helps make learning real, boosts confidence, fun. |
Practical Details: Fees, Visa & Things to Ask
- Typical Costs: • General English (20 lessons/week) ≈ €265/week during standard season. Horner School of English+1
• Intensive / more lessons per week cost up to ~ €320/week. Horner School of English+1
• Exam preparation courses similarly priced depending on length and intensity. Horner School of English - Start Dates & Duration: Courses start nearly every Monday. Apparel for mini-stays or short time stays. Longer courses of several weeks or months available. Horner School of English+2Study Destiny+2
- Class Size: Max ~14 students in class; average ~10. Learning Languages Abroad+1
- Age Minimum: 18+ for most adult courses. Some courses/groups might accept younger (mini-stay) students. Learning Languages Abroad
- Visa / Entry Requirements: For non-EU students, especially for longer courses, check visa requirements. The school offers guidance. Horner School of English
- Accommodation: Options include homestays, residences, studios. Quality is generally good; many are centrally located. Learning Languages Abroad+1
Who Horner School Is Best For
You’ll thrive at Horner if:
- You are an adult (18+) looking for high quality, well-rounded English language courses.
- You want exam prep or business English, not just casual conversation.
- You enjoy being in a city, want to practise English daily, like going out, exploring, socialising.
- You want the support of small classes with attention from your teacher.
It might be less ideal if:
- You prefer very small (one-to-one) or extremely intensive immersion vs group learning.
- Your budget is tight, especially during high-season or with accommodation included.
- You are very young and want youth-oriented courses (unless the school offers mini-stays).
