Category: News

Great news for adult students! The Babel Student App is here to make your learning easier and more fun. This app is perfect for all students enrolled at Babel, helping you get all the school and course info right on your phone.

How Does It Work?

Before your course starts, you will get an email telling you how to download the app. After you log in, you’ll find helpful info like the student handbook, links to our social media, and a test to prepare you for your arrival.

Why You Will Love This App:

1. Stay Updated: hen you get to school, you can see what you will learn each day and week. No more guessing!
2. Homework Help: You can check your homework and get personal study tips, making it easy to study on your own.
3. Track Your Progress: As you learn, you’ll see your test scores and feedback from your teachers. This helps you know how you’re doing!
4. Join Events: Want to be part of school events? The app has a calendar where you can sign up for fun activities.
5. Work and Study Info: If you are in the work and study program, the app helps you check your attendance and find important info about living in Dublin, like how to find a job.

Why Use the Babel Student App?

This app is a great addition to our fun classes and helpful teachers. It gives you extra support to help you enjoy your time at Babel Academy in Dublin!

Check out the video below for further information:

Download Babel Student App now!

No App? Learn with the Browser by clicking below:

Ready for an amazing trip to Dublin? This historical city has so much to offer! Here are the top tive things you won’t want to miss.

1. You Won’t Believe What’s Inside Trinity College!

Start your day with a nice walk along the River Liffey. Visit Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells. Make sure to stop by Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral for some great photos!

2. Shopping Streets in Dublin That Will Blow Your Mind!

Next, head to O’Connell Street to see the big Spire of Dublin. Then stroll down Grafton Street, where you can shop and listen to seagulls or “buskers,” playing music!

3. Learn English at Babel Academy, you will NEED IT!

While you’re in Dublin, why not improve your English? Visit the Babel Academy of English, where you can take fun and engaging classes. It’s a great way to boost your skills and meet new people! 😉

4. The Howth Cliffs, A View That Will Leave You Speechless!

For stunning views, take the DART train to Howth. You can hike along the beautiful cliffs or just enjoy the scenery. And don’t forget to try the famous fish and chips while you’re there!

5. Discover Dublin’s Hidden Gems: You’ll Want to Relax Here!

If you want to chill out, have a picnic at St. Stephen’s Green or visit Phoenix Park. You can see wild deer and even check out the zoo! These parks are perfect for relaxing after a busy day.

Bonus: The Secret Getaways You’ve Never Heard Of!

If you have extra time, take the DART to lovely coastal villages like Dalkey and Bray. You can also visit Malahide Castle and enjoy the beach at Portmarnock!

Dublin is full of history, fun, and beautiful sights. Get ready for a fantastic adventure!

Hey there, fellow Student! If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is how to get around. Luckily, the city has a fantastic public transport system that makes it easy to explore all that Dublin has to offer. Let’s dive into the details!

Getting from the Airport to the City Centre

When you land at Dublin Airport, you’ll find two great bus options to take you into the city:

• Dublin Bus Route 41
• Dublin Bus Route 16

These buses are convenient and budget-friendly, making them perfect for travelers looking to stretch their euros.

How to Pay

When it comes to payment, you’ve got a couple of choices:

1. LEAP Card: This handy card allows you to hop on and off various modes of public transport with ease. The Leap Visitor Card offers unlimited travel for different time periods:

• • 1 Day (24 hours) – €8.00
  • 3 Days (72 hours) – €16.00
  • 7 Days (168 hours) – €32.00

2. Exact Fare: Prefer cash? Just make sure you have the exact amount ready, as drivers can’t give change.

You can grab a LEAP Card right at the airport or at numerous shops in the city. For more info on where to buy one, check out the LEAP Card website.

Exploring Transport Options:

Riding Dublin Bus

Here’s a little insider tip: when you’re at the bus stop, don’t forget to raise your hand to let the driver know you want to board. If you’re ever unsure if the bus is the right one, just ask! The drivers are usually more than happy to help you out.

Taking the LUAS (Tram)

If you want to ride the LUAS tram, you can buy your ticket at the station or use your LEAP Card. Just remember to ‘tag on’ when you get on and ‘tag off’ when you get off. Forgetting to tag off can lead to being charged the maximum fare, which is something no one wants!

Riding the DART (Train)

The DART train is another fantastic way to see Dublin. It’s especially great for venturing out to the suburbs or enjoying the stunning coastline. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Tip to Stay Connected

For real-time updates on your journey, download the TFI Live app. It’s a super useful tool to keep on hand during your travels.

Do You Want to Learn English in Dublin?

Babel Academy is perfectly situated in the heart of Dublin, making it the ideal spot for students and visitors alike! You can find us at:

• 2nd Floor, Astor Hall, 4-6 Eden Quay, Dublin 1 (D01 N5W8)
• 160 Capel Street, Dublin 1 (D01 FK68)

Our locations are just a short stroll away from some of Dublin’s most famous attractions, including O’Connell Street, Trinity College, Stephen’s Green, and Grafton Street.

Easily accessible by public transport, we’re just minutes from Connolly and Tara Street Train Stations, and many city centre bus routes stop nearby. This means you can hop on a bus or train and be at our academy in no time, ready to dive into your English studies!

With so much to see and do right at your doorstep, you’ll love exploring Dublin while studying at Babel Academy!

Looking for an English language Summer school for your child in 2019? In this blog, we describe our Summer School and explain why Babel Academy is the best option!

1. Great location.Our Summer school is located in Raheny, Dublin 5. Raheny is a residential area on the north side of Dublin. The school is 5 minutes away from Raheny train station which connects to the city centre. Our campus has spacious classrooms, a canteen serving hot lunch, a gym, tennis courts and outdoor sports pitches. Our host families are within 30 minutes from the school.
2. Good nationality mix and classes focused on communication skills. In the Summer, Babel welcomes students from all over the world. We have had students from Portugal, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia and so on. The Summer school is a great way to make new friends through English! Our morning classes are focused on improving communication skills to encourage our students to communicate outside the classroom, with their host families and new friends.
3. Fun! We have a great variety of afternoon, evening and weekend activities and excursions. From hockey and tennis to art and drama, summer discos, beach games and trips outside of Dublin – there is something for everyone. Our staff will always accompany the students on excursions and make sure they have a great time. We give our students the chance to visit the best attractions in Dublin city as well as organising activities on campus so students are always kept active and engaged.
4. We care. We understand students come a long way to improve their English skills. We know how difficult it is to adapt to a new environment, a new city and a new language. This is why we are always available to help and support our students. Our programme staff spend time with students during breaks as well as during activities and check that they have everything they need, including a chance to talk if they are feeling a little homesick.

Our Summer school is suitable for students ages 8-18 years old. It runs from the end of June until mid-August. For more information, read our Summer school page or contact us for more details on info@babelacademy.ie.

Join us for a Summer of fun, friends and learning. We look forward to meeting you!

Finding long-term accommodation in Dublin can be difficult, as there is usually plenty of demand, especially for areas close to the city centre. To stand out from the crowd, it’s a good idea to be organised, know what you want and ready to react if you find the right place. Here are ten tips on finding your ideal rental home in Dublin.

1. Research your areas

   – Dublin is a capital city and therefore fairly large in size. For most people, areas close to the city centre are the most convenient, but they tend to be the most expensive and most popular. Public transport is good in Dublin, so look further afield at the suburbs, as even when you consider the cost of transport, you may still save money. Look at areas on the Luas line and on the Dart line. Read more about public transport in Dublin here.

2. Think carefully about your budget

   – long-term retail accommodation can be expensive in Dublin, and the cost is rising. For up-to-date information on the cost of accommodation, go to the Beginning a Tenancy page on the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) website, which contains lots of useful information on finding the right home for you, as well as a link through to the average rental prices per area for Ireland.

3. Go online

   – there are a number of websites that advertise both short- and long-term rental accommodation in Dublin and beyond. Daft.ie is by far the biggest, and you can sign up for alerts in your chosen area. Other sites worth looking at include rent.ie, property.ie, spotahome.com and let.ie.

4. Get organised

   – potential landlords will want references from work and/or previous landlords, as well as proof of ability to pay rent. Make sure you have these ready to go. If you don’t, focus on ads placed by tenants rather than landlords, eg for house shares.

5. Use preferred contact details

   – Read the ad carefully for information about contacting the landlord. Some prefer direct contact by phone or text, but others prefer contact only through the website. If you have a choice, phone or text is the best option; otherwise pay attention to how the landlord wants to be contacted.

6. Get an Irish mobile phone number

   – this is important, as a potential landlord most likely won’t answer or return a call from a foreign number. If he or she doesn’t answer the call, even if you don’t have an Irish mobile number, leave a message with your contact details.

7. Have a deposit ready

   – a security deposit is generally paid to the landlord as part of the rental agreement, and returned to the tenant at the end of the agreement, once no rent arrears, bills, taxes or charges are due or damage beyond normal wear and tear has occurred. In general, the deposit is one month’s rent. Avoid paying by cash and always get (and keep) a receipt. See the Deposits section on www.rtb.ie for more.

8. Ask about bills

   – Generally speaking, if you are renting your own place, the bills are your responsibility. Ask about electricity and gas costs, and if there are other bills that need to be covered. If you are renting in a shared house, ask if any bills are included, or how the bills are divided and paid. Keep on top of this, as you could be liable for the full bill if someone doesn’t pay.

9. Avoid being cheated

   – The Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, has the following advice:

   • Ideally only do business with established rental agencies, or check if a landlord is registered with the RTB on www.rtb.ie.
   • Always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented.
   • Ask for photo identification of the landlord or letting agent and take a photo of the document on your phone.
   • Pay the deposit to the landlord and not the persons leaving the property/courier other person.
   • Use cheques or bank drafts to pay the deposit and keep copies of receipts of payments and any correspondence.
   • Ensure keys fit, open door lock and sign rental contract, prior to payment of deposit.

10. Become an au pair

    – Another option for people coming to Dublin to learn English is to become an au pair (childminder who lives with the family). As an au pair you will enjoy many comforts such as not paying bills, food or rent. However, your timetable will be conditioned by the family needs. Depending on the family, number of children and their age, they will ask you to work certain hours for a fixed weekly wage. For more information on au pair rights and employer responsibilities contact the Migrant Rights Centre in Dublin directly: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, 28 North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1 (just off Parnell Street – look for the blue and white building) Phone: +353 1 889 7570 Email: info@mrci.ie.