How Much Do English Courses Cost in Dubai? A 2026 Price Guide

"How much does an English course cost in Dubai?" is one of the first questions people ask us, and it's hard to get a straight answer online. Prices depend on the type of course, how many hours you study each week and how long you study for. This guide gives you real numbers: our own fees, what other providers publish, and what to check before you pay.

The short answer

At our school, group General English works out at roughly AED 45 to AED 117 per hour of class, depending on how many hours a week you study and for how long. The British Council lists its group courses in the UAE from AED 102 an hour. Private one-to-one lessons with a qualified teacher cost more: AED 261 to AED 335 an hour with us. Longer courses and more hours per week almost always bring the hourly price down.

What affects the price of an English course?

• Group or private. Group classes share the teacher's time, so they cost far less per hour than one-to-one lessons.
• Hours per week. Intensive courses (around 20 hours a week) cost more per week but less per hour than part-time evening classes.
• Length of study. Most schools lower the weekly rate the longer you book. At our school, the weekly price for Semi-Intensive General English drops by almost half between a 1-week and an 18-week booking.
• Course type. Exam preparation (such as IELTS) and Business English are usually priced as fixed packages rather than per week.
• Extras. Registration fees, materials, level tests and VAT can add to the headline price. Always ask what's included.

Speak English Institute course fees (2026)

These are our current fees for courses at our Dubai (JLT) and Ras Al Khaimah campuses. Prices are subject to UAE VAT at 5% where applicable.

General English (group classes)

The weekly rate falls the longer you study:

• Semi-Intensive (10 hours a week, Monday to Friday): from AED 1,125 a week for 1 to 3 weeks down to AED 565 a week for 18 to 26 weeks. Four weeks costs AED 2,830, which works out at about AED 71 an hour.
• Intensive (20 hours a week, Monday to Friday mornings): from AED 1,805 a week for 1 to 3 weeks down to AED 905 a week for 18 to 26 weeks. Four weeks costs AED 4,560, about AED 57 an hour.
• Part-Time evenings (3 hours a week): from AED 350 a week for 1 to 3 weeks down to AED 188 a week for 18 to 26 weeks. Four weeks costs AED 992, about AED 83 an hour.

See all the options on our General English courses page.

IELTS preparation

• 3-week IELTS course (27 hours): AED 1,240, including course materials and three full mock exams. That's about AED 46 an hour.

The IELTS exam fee is separate and is paid to the test centre. We explain current exam fees and test centres in our IELTS guide for Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

Business English (evening groups)

• Business English, 5 weeks (15 hours): AED 1,240
• Business Pro, 10 weeks (30 hours): AED 2,190

More on the Business English course.

Private one-to-one lessons

• 5 hours: AED 1,555 (AED 311 an hour)
• 10 hours: AED 2,875 (AED 287.50 an hour)
• 20 hours: AED 5,345 (AED 267 an hour)
• 30 hours: AED 7,820 (AED 261 an hour)
• Single lesson: AED 335

Private lessons can be in Dubai, in Ras Al Khaimah or online. See private one-to-one lessons.

Extra fees

• Registration fee: AED 150, paid once with your first course only (not when you renew)
• Study materials: AED 150 per course

Full details are on our pricing page.

What do other English courses in Dubai cost?

Prices vary a lot between providers, and many don't publish them at all. Here is what we found publicly listed in September 2026:

• British Council UAE lists its in-person English course "starting from AED 102 per hour" and IELTS preparation "from AED 2,950".
• Coursetakers.ae, a course comparison site, lists spoken English courses in the UAE from about AED 650 for a 30-hour class to AED 3,000 for a 100-hour intensive programme.
• Tutor marketplaces list freelance private tutors at a wide range of hourly rates, some well under AED 100. Qualifications and experience vary a lot, so check them before you book.

When you compare, work out the price per hour of teaching and check what's included. A cheap headline price can hide a registration fee, extra materials or a very large class.

Are there free English classes in Dubai?

There are good free resources online, and you'll sometimes find free conversation meet-ups. They can be a useful extra, but they usually can't give you a structured course, a qualified teacher correcting your mistakes, or a certificate. If you're not sure you need a paid course yet, start with our free English level test: it's free, takes a few minutes and tells you your level.

How to get the best value

1. Know your level first. Take a free level test so you don't pay for a class that's too easy or too hard.
2. Book longer if you can. A 12-week booking costs much less per week than three separate 4-week bookings.
3. Match the hours to your goal. If you have a deadline (a job interview, a visa or an exam), intensive study gets you there faster and costs less per hour.
4. Ask what's included. Materials, registration, level tests, certificates and class size all affect the real value.
5. Try before you commit. At our Dubai campus you can ask for a free trial class.

Get an exact price

Every student's needs are different, so the quickest way to get your exact price is to ask for a quote. Tell us your level, your goal and how many hours a week you can study, and we'll send you the options with prices. Group classes start every Monday.