About Us
Active Language Learning is a welcoming, family-run English language school situated in the charming coastal town of Dún Laoghaire, just outside Dublin city centre. Our boutique-style school offers a friendly, personal atmosphere in one of Ireland’s most scenic and vibrant locations.
Since 1989, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming students from around the world to enjoy a unique and truly Irish learning experience.
Founded by Kay Mahon, her legacy continues today under the guidance of her sons, Kieron and Brian Mahon, supported by a dedicated and carefully selected team.
As an EAQUALS accredited school, we’re proud to offer high-quality English language courses to both adults and younger learners. We place a strong emphasis on academic excellence while also ensuring that students feel supported and cared for throughout their time with us.
As founding members of ELE-Ireland, we are committed to upholding the highest standards across all aspects of the student experience—from the classroom to accommodation and beyond.
Our School
Our year-round school is ideally located in the very popular Dublin suburb of Dun Laoghaire, just 20 minutes by train to Dublin city center.
In the center of Dun Laoghaire, our stunning spacious purpose-built school building has 15 classrooms over 3 floors and also features a lift.
Our large, comfortable Student Chill-Out Area allows students to relax on breaks and out of class time. They can chat with new friends, read a book from our library, play one of our musical instruments, or enjoy some table tennis/ping pong or fuzzball or watch a movie.
On the top floor, our bright and airy Student Lounge offers tea and coffee, snack vending machines and facilities (fridge, microwave, kettle etc) for students to enjoy during their breaks. The student lounge opens onto our stunning Rooftop Terrace where students can relax while looking out onto Dublin Bay and breathing in the fresh seaside air.
Free internet and Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and there are a number of comfortable quiet areas throughout the school which students can use for private study.
Each floor is serviced by the elevator and each floor has separate suites of male and female bathroom facilities.
Our Location
We are so proud of our location. There is no doubt that we have an incredible location! Not sure? Ask any Irish person about Dun Laoghaire and they will confirm it!
Our school is located in the heart of Dun Laoghaire town, within walking distance of everything the town has to offer.
Located just 15 minutes from Dublin city, Dun Laoghaire (pronounced ‘Don Liri’) is a beautiful, safe and peaceful seaside town ideal for students who want to learn English and experience authentic Irish culture in a spectacular setting.
Staying in Dun Laoghaire, you have all the benefits of a small town but with Dublin city very close by. Trains go to the city every 10-15 minutes. In Dublin city, students can enjoy the wealth of museums and shops of a capital city as well as the, now proven, world famous Irish hospitality.
The area also has a rich cultural heritage: The James Joyce Museum at the Sandycove Martello Tower, setting for the opening chapter of Ulysses, The Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre, The Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire and many archaeological sites near by. Students can enjoy Hill-walking, Horse-riding, Golfing and a host of other activities, all set in spectacular countryside.
There’s a wide selection of shops, shopping malls, cafes, restaurants and pubs, a cinema, a theatre and one of Europe’s largest state of the art public library.
Our Team
Academic Team
Teacher
James
Academic Team
Teacher
Anna
Academic Team
Teacher
Vinny
Academic Team
Teacher
Vinny
Academic Team
Teacher
Joanne
Academic Team
Teacher
Jamie
Academic Team
Teacher
Muriel
Academic Team
Teacher
Kate
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Academic Team
Teacher
Stephen
Academic Team
Teacher
Anastasia
Academic Team
Teacher
Meika
Academic Team
Teacher
Noel
Accreditations
Quality is the heart of everything we do at Active Language Learning. Our focus is on practical classes where students learn to use real-world English. Our teachers are all highly qualified, experienced and carefully selected.
We have a very simple philosophy at ALL – We want our students to learn real-life English and to be able to communicate naturally and fluently. Group classes in the school have a strong speaking focus, and even when studying grammar, students will have lots of opportunities to use their English to talk to each other.
Our courses are recognised by Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS), a service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), for English language teaching (ELT).
We are proud to be accredited members of Eaquals, a European organisation which advocates and provides training for quality language schools. We are founding members of Irelands newest unique quality organisation, ELE Ireland (www.ele-ireland.ie), ensuring your student’s English course and fees are protected throughout your stay.
