How We Use Your Data
Whenever you contact Babel Academy of English, use our website, or engage with us, we collect and process your personal data to respond to your inquiries, including those submitted via our website chatbot, provide information about our courses and services, improve our programmes, and send you relevant marketing or promotional offers.
What Data We Collect
Depending on your interaction with us—whether it be an inquiry, booking, or employment—we may collect contact details such as your name, address, phone number, and email; personal information including date of birth, gender, nationality, passport or visa details, and PPS number; other relevant information such as education background, medical or dietary needs, employment history, exam results, bank details, photos or videos, and emergency contacts.
For host families, we also collect household information including the full name, address, email address, phone number, and date of birth of each family member. In addition, we may request a photo of the room intended for students, along with documents necessary to fulfil Garda vetting requirements (such as the NVB1 and/or NVB3 form, proof of address, and a valid identification document).
Please note that this information is provided voluntarily, and by doing so, you confirm that you have obtained consent from any contacts you provide.
How Data Is Collected
Most of your data is provided directly by you through forms, applications, emails, or contracts. Occasionally, we may receive your data from third parties such as Education Tour Operators who provide application details on your behalf, or employers who may give references or share information if your course is arranged through work. Additionally, where applicable, we may share course attendance and test results with your employer.
For host families, we collect personal data during house visits, phone calls, text messages, or via electronic communication, including email (Outlook) and/or WhatsApp. Please note that data shared through these platforms is also subject to their respective privacy policies, which you can review here: Outlook Privacy Policy and WhatsApp Privacy Policy.
We may also collect personal data through interactions with our website chatbot, including messages you submit and any information you choose to provide during the conversation. Please avoid sharing sensitive personal information (such as health or financial details) when using our chatbot.
Data Retention
We keep your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or to meet legal or regulatory requirements. Once the relevant retention period has ended, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised.
For host families, we retain the personal data collected during the application and hosting process. This includes the full name, address, email address, phone number, and date of birth of each family member, as well as a photo of the room intended for students. In addition, we retain documents required to meet Garda vetting requirements, such as the original NVB1 and/or NVB3 form, proof of address, and identification documents for each family member over the age of 16. These records are kept for the entire duration of the family’s participation as a host family with us, after which they will be securely deleted.
Your Data Protection Rights
Under data protection law, you have the right to access the personal data we hold about you, correct any inaccurate or outdated information, request the erasure of data that is no longer necessary, withdraw your consent for data processing at any time, transfer your data to another provider, restrict processing if there is a dispute regarding its use, object to processing unless required by law or legitimate interest, and file a complaint with the Data Protection Commission at www.dataprotection.ie.
Third Party Websites
If you choose to engage with Online Learning Platforms accessed via our website, such as GEL and Zoom, and participate in your learning programme, your login data including name and email address will be shared with these third parties. Their terms and privacy policies are available on their respective websites, GEL and ZOOM. We also use Fidelo to securely store all student information, including course enrolment details, contact information, and accommodation arrangements. Fidelo stores data within the European Union and applies strong security measures. You can read Fidelo’s privacy policy on their website.
We use Fidelo to manage and securely store host family information, including contact details and hosting arrangements. This information is processed to ensure smooth communication and placement of students, and to meet our legal and contractual obligations. Fidelo stores this data within the European Union and protects it with industry-standard security measures. You can view Fidelo’s privacy policy on their website for more details.
We may use third-party chatbot and communication service providers to operate chat functionality on our website. Where you engage with our chatbot, your messages and any personal data you provide may be processed by these service providers on our behalf. These providers operate under data protection agreements and apply appropriate safeguards in line with applicable data protection law.
Cookie Policy
We use cookies to monitor general website usage and improve user experience. Cookies may collect device and usage data, which can in some cases be considered personal data under applicable law. Cookies are used by tools such as Facebook Pixel, Hotjar, Squarespace, and Google Forms to collect anonymous usage statistics; WhatsApp widget to support customer interaction; and social media widgets from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to display external content and enable interaction. These services may collect traffic data even if you do not actively use them.
All collected data is used solely to enhance our website’s content and usability. We do not share user data or statistics with third parties.
To request further information or to make a complaint, please contact:
Babel Academy of English
2nd Floor, Astor Hall, 4-6 Eden Quay, Dublin 1 (D01 N5W8)
Phone: +353 1 547 7665
Email: info@babelacademy.ie
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Dublin Office
21 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2
Phone: +353 57 868 4800 / +353 76 110 4800
Email: info@dataprotection.ie
Health & Safety Policy
Babel Academy of English is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of our staff, students, and all others who interact with us.
In compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Section 20), we have developed a comprehensive Safety Statement that outlines our approach to risk management, procedures, and responsibilities across all areas of our operations.
Our policies cover accident and hazard reporting, fire safety, first aid and manual handling, health and wellbeing including stress, harassment, and COVID-19, disability access and expectant mothers, waste management and hazardous substances, contractor and lone worker safety, display screen equipment, driving for work, adverse weather, anti-bullying, substance abuse, and workplace behaviour.
Our goal is to prevent accidents and promote a safe, healthy environment for everyone.
For a full copy of our Health and Safety Statement or specific policies, please contact info@babelacademy.ie.