October 4

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English Schools in Cork, Ireland

By Gordon Gaffney

October 4, 2021


English Schools in Cork, Ireland

There are about 6 schools of English in Cork city that are accredited by ACELS, with another 6 outside Cork city in county Cork.

Cork is becoming more and more popular as a destination to study to English in Ireland as it is a lot cheaper than Dublin.

I have researched 5 English schools in Cork city and prices and general information is correct on September 29th 2021, just as Covid restrictions are ending on life slowly returns to normal.

Cork

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

But first a little bit about the city. Cork, Ireland's second largest city after the capital city Dublin, is located in the south of the country about a 3/3.5 hour drive from Dublin.

It has a population of 125,000 with a metropolitan area of 400,000.

It is pretty city with many hills and it hosts lots of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, has good nightlife and is popular with tourists.

The big advantage of Cork is that it is significantly cheaper to find a room in a house or apartment compared to Dublin.

The cost of living is also cheaper than Dublin and there are still plenty of things to see and do in your free time.

It also has an international airport so you can visit many destinations in Europe for reasonable prices though not as many as from Dublin airport.

However, from my research it appears that Cork may not have as many job opportunities for Brazilians as Dublin.

If you do find work then you probably will spend less time and money on transport travelling to and from work compared to Dublin.

As in my guide to English schools in Dublin, I advise that you only do a course in an English school in Cork that is accredited by AELTS.

As of September 29th 2021 there are a total of 12 accredited schools in the entire county of Cork, you can think of a 'county' as a very small state, that is 8 in Cork city and 4 outside of Cork City.

It seems like none of the schools offer the CELTA teacher training course, this means that they might not offer free English classes like some English schools in Dublin, though one at least, ACET, offers CELT which is similar so they probably do offer free English courses.

Remember these free courses do not allow you to receive a visa.
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The English Market

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

The English market has nothing to do with learning English! It is a world famous historic indoor market selling all sorts of meat, fish, cheese, fruit, vegetables and other food.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth visited here on May 20th 2011 and it is #9 of 123 'things to do' in Cork city and county on Trip advisor.

No trip to Cork is complete without a visit and I use this famous landmark in the city centre as my reference point for location of colleges.

Information on courses including prices are form September 29th 2021.

1. CEA Cork English Academy

http://www.corkenglishacademy.com/

Cost 20 week course for 1 week: €220

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

One of the most popular english schools in Cork, Cork English academy is located just a 4-minute walk from the famous English Market.

Their courses include standard general English along with FCE (Cambridge First Certificate of English) and IELTS exam preparation.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Inicial page of Cork English Academy

Students also have the option of staying in Deans Hall apartments. This is specialist student accomodation where you have your own small single room and then you share the kitchen and living area with 4 other people. 

So there is a total of 5 single bedrooms per apartment. Other English schools in Cork also offer students the option of staying in Deans Hall.

Staying with a host family is also possible for €185 a week and if you like you can try and find your own room or apartment on websites such as Daft, which might be suitable if you are planning on staying for longer than a few weeks.

In my research for this article, unfortunately, there seemed to be a lot of complaints back in the Irish summer of 2017, around June time, where classes were taught in the cafeteria due to overcrowding, although I haven't heard of any recent complaints but it is something to remember.

Cork English Academy also have a section on special offers or discounts on their website so do check it often.

The website is adequate but is a little dated and they don't have as much information as other English schools in Cork.

What brazilan studants say:

Um absurdo está acontecendo na CEA. A escola está LOTADA! Não estão pensando na qualidade do ensino e sim na quantidade de alunos que podem "enfiar" na escola. Essa semana o refeitório virou sala de aula, sim, eu disse REFEITÓRIO como sala de aula.

Hoje pedi um horário para falar com o diretor e ontem outra pessoa da minha sala também pediu e a resposta foi: ele não tem horário disponivel. A recepcionista disse que poderia falar para ela o assunto e quando relatei meu descontentamento com a escola e com a organização da mesma ela me perguntou se eu estava precisando pegar água no refeitório e me informou que posso pegar água em outro andar, que não preciso usar o refeitorio. Sim eu posso, e sei que posso, mas estou inconformada/ preocupada com as próximas semanas, com os alunos que estão estudando no refeitório e com os próximos.

Lembrando que o refeitório SEMPRE foi área comum da escola, alunos em seus contra turnos usam o mesmo para estudar (ou melhor usavam).

Fui informada pela mesma secretária que a escola possui um limite máximo de alunos e pasmem: Não atingiram ainda o limite máximo. Já já teremos aula dentro da direção! Aguardem!

Na minha opinião gastamos muito dinheiro para estudar aqui e a escola enquanto instituição deveria nos proporcionar no MÍNIMO um ambiente adequado para isso.

Os professores estão fazendo "dança das cadeiras"..cada hora um professor em sala de aula, até aula com pessoal do administrativo já tivemos semana passada, pois alguns professores estão de férias e a escola desorganizada não fez uma escala adequada.

Como o diretor não está disponível para atender os alunos, acredito que a melhor maneira de solucionarmos essa situação patética que a CEA chegou é contactando nossas agências do Brasil. Nossos consultores precisam saber a que ponto chegamos, pois possuem parcerias com as escolas e desconhecem tal situação.

Aconselho quem está pensando em vir para a CEA estudar a possibilidade de troca, pois alguns anos atrás até poderia ser uma boa escola, agora não mais, estão querendo abracar o mundo com duas mãos. Apesar do preço compensar, não está valendo a pena o desgaste!

2. CEC - Cork English College

https://www.corkenglishcollege.ie/

20 hours of General English €245

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Cork English College was established in 1978 and from their website they are proud to be in business for 40 years and it is a 9-minute walk from the English Market.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Cork English College have a great range of courses for both teenagers as well as adults and their adult courses include standard general English, English for Business, but also English for specific purposes which include English for aviation, military English, English for the oil and gas industry, and the maritime industry.

You can also study for Cambridge and IELTS exams and there is a university foundation programme if you need to have a certain standard of English before being accepted into university.

Their website is fast, well-designed and has a lot of extra information about festivals, visas, how to get a ISIC student card for discounts etc.

They offer accommodation:

What Brazilian students say:

Se você tem condições, invista na CEC.

Acho que se você puder investir na CEC não tem nem o que pensar, é uma das melhores da Europa. Mas a ACET também é muito boa, não tenho do que reclamar!

Vai para CEC.

Se tah com grana, pelo que sei a CEC eh exelente!
CEC, sem pensar duas vezes. Ela é, seguramente, a melhor de cork. Eu estou estudando na ACET e também é muito boa!!

Na minha opiniĂŁo entre essas duas a CEC sem duvida!

CEC Ă© a melhor na minha opiniĂŁo, estudei na CEA que Ă© muito boa mas tem mais brasileiros que a CEC.

A Ăşnica coisa ruim aĂ­, Ă© a CEC q pula de 20h para 28h e fica puxado... Queria umas 25...

Geralmente Ă© a mais cara. Mas o mix de nacionalidade Ă© grande e a estrutura muito boa. Ah, e tem os professores mais graduados da Irlanda

Não que as outras sejam ruins, mas a CEC é referência mundial. Dá uma olhada na Acet Cork tbm. Têm se falado bem dela.

CEC e ACET sĂŁo as melhores de cork.

Olha vou te falar eu estudo em outra escola fiz cotação na cec mas pra mim e pro meu marido ficava pesado, 6 meses na cec pra um pagou 6 meses pra mim e 3 pra ele onde estudo. mas se vc tem condições de ir pra cec não pense duas vezes. pq a qualidade da outras não é das melhores..

Eu recomendo a CEC... quase nĂŁo tem brasileiro...

CEC Ă© a melhor.

3. CEW - Cork English World

https://www.cew.ie/

1 week of 20 hours of general English €224

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Cork English World is excellently located just an 8 minute walk from the English Market and they offer general English, English for business courses and they also prepare students for Cambridge exams and IELTS.

They also can provide accommodation in Deans Hall apartments for €150 per week, which is right beside the school.

They also have a host family option for either €189 or €294 per week.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

CEW Cork English World

Their website is modern and well-designed with a live chat feature, an online English test, lots of good information on visas.

They also have a 25 page PDF student handbook you can download for free from their site which is a nice touch. 

What Brazilian students say:

Eu tbm estou contente com a CEW e conheço vários amigos que estudam lá e tbm estão felizes.

Eu já conheço inúmeros que estão super descontentes. Depende muito do que você espera da escola.

Cew Ă© top.

Eu estudo na CEW e gosto, nĂŁo tenho do que reclamar, foi o que coube no meu bolso, agora se vc pode investir em uma escola melhor, com certeza a CEC e ACET.

CEW âť¤ď¸Ź the best option.

Olha me indicaram a CEW, estou indo por ela .

Eu tbm estou contente com a CEW ate agora nĂŁo tive problemas.

Estou bem contente com a CEW também.

Sim, e isso é questão de opinião, para mim a escola super me atende e até pretendo renovar com ela.
É opinião e sorte, porque eu mesma não renovaria com ela nem que fosse de garça. Odeio ser tratada como um piece of shit igual a diretora me tratou.

Ok é a sua opinião... E eu estou falando a minha e eu nunca tive problemas com a direção.

Exato, opiniĂŁo. E cada um tem o direito de expor a sua, nĂŁo precisa concordar apenas aceitar.

Mais dá uma pesquisada na CEW é uma boa opção...

Eu estudo na CEW… eles te dão toda atenção e suporte necessário pra tudo, desde abrir conta em banco, revisar currículos caso queira, enfim... eles sabem exatamente quem é quem na escola, não somos apenas um número.

Que sensacional Bruna! Várias pessoas me recomendaram a CEW ou a CEC.

Graças à CEW, recebi 7,5 no meu IELTS ... Eu sempre recomendaria CEW ... o melhor!

4. ACET – Active Centre of English Training

https://www.acetireland.ie/our-courses/general-english-3/

20 hours of General English for €240 per week

CELTA: no but they offer CELT which is similar which means that they probably offer free English classes. They also have some information on CELTA training but it is not clear if they actually provide this.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Founded in 1975, the Active Centre of English Training is a family-run English school in Cork offering courses for teenagers and adults and is located a 12-minute walk from the English market on the north eastern side of the city.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Inicial page of ACET

They offer standard general English courses as well as exam preparation for IELTS, Cambridge and TOEIC exams as well as a 1-week long intensive corporate training in English for Business. There is also a pathways university program to help students achieve the level of English required in order to enter university.

Homestay is available as well as student accommodation from June-August, which is a 30 minute walk from the school but they don't say where exactly though form photos on their website it appears to be Victoria Mill in University College Cork.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

Their blog was not very active for a long time, but they have updated it and posted their most recent article in May 2021. 

What brazilian students say:

A melhor ACET sem dĂşvidas!!! Essa semana termino meus estudos e estou super feliz com a qualidade!!

Estudo na Acet e super recomendo!!!

Estou pesquisando sobre a ACET. Ela tem um preço mais acessível que a CEC e do que li das pessoas falando é uma ótima escola.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

ICOT is not an ACELS accredited school but they have lots of non-Irish staff so they should be able to understand a lot about your situation be able to help you out.

They offer General English and IELTS preparation but still on September 29th 2021 they don't have the price of 20 hour general English course on their site. You can look at this downloadable PDF brochure.

English Schools in Cork, Ireland

They have 2 schools in Dublin as well and their English school in Cork is excellently located on 11 Drinian Street only a 6-minute walk to the English Market.

In fact most of their staff seems to be foreign and there were some English mistakes on their website when I first wrote this article but they have been corrected.

You can read what Brazilian students say below, but I am naturally suspicious that they don’t display their prices and also are not on the ACELS list. So caveat emptor! (Buyer beware!).

What brazilian students say:

Respeito com os alunos é o diferencial! Vc pode contar com o suporte da equipe da ICOT a todo momento. Já tive dois professores e ambos foram excelentes. Cheguei para aprimorar o ingles também. Antes eu sabia, mas com pouca confiança. Hoje, 2 meses depois, ja me sinto tranquilo para falar. Espero ter ajudado, boa sorte!

Renovei na ICOT agora em setembro e estou gostando bastante. Estou no nível avançado e o professor é mto bom! Melhor custo x benefício com certeza!

Ensino, staffs, localização, atenção e respeito com os alunos, pode fechar com a ICOT sem pensar duas vezes. 

Espero ter ajudado, boa sorte.

Melhor preço, total atenção e recebi recomendações de um pessoa especial e que confio muito. Sucesso e depois conta aqui como foi!

Super agradeço a atenção de todos vocês, quem sabe não nos conhecemos pessoalmente em Cork.

To help with your studies, you can also learn here the difference between TOEFL and IELTS or read my reviews of TOEFL exam simulation software here.

Are you planning to visit any of these schools? If so, wich one was your favorite? Leave in the comments below!

Gordon Gaffney

About the author

Gordon is The Irish English Teacher, creator of this blog and many products to help all students learning English as a second language, but with a focus on Portuguese speakers.

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