How to Choose an English Language School in Dubai: 8 Things to Check

How do you choose an English language school in Dubai? Before you pay, check that the school is properly licensed and approved (in Dubai, by KHDA), that teachers are qualified, that classes are small, that you're placed at the right level with a proper test, that the price per hour is fair once you add registration fees and materials, and, if you need one, that the school can sponsor a student visa. This guide explains each point, the questions to ask, and the warning signs to look out for.

Quick checklist

• Licence and approval: is the institute licensed to teach in the UAE, and approved by KHDA if it's in Dubai?
• Teachers: are they qualified English teachers (for example CELTA, DELTA or equivalent), and are they native or highly proficient speakers?
• Class size: what's the maximum number of students in a class? Under 10 is small for General English.
• Level test: will you take a placement test before you start, and can you move up when you're ready?
• Real price: what's the total cost including registration, materials and any visa fees? What's the price per hour?
• Schedule: are there morning, evening or weekend options, and can you start any week?
• Visa: can the school sponsor a student visa, and what are the attendance rules?
• Reviews: what do recent Google reviews say about teachers and progress?

1. Check that the school is licensed and approved

In Dubai, private training institutes that teach languages are regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). A KHDA-approved institute has been checked and is allowed to offer the courses it advertises. Ask the school for its licence details, or look it up on the KHDA website. In other emirates, different authorities apply, so ask the school which one licenses it.

Speak English Institute is DMCC licensed and KHDA approved in Dubai, with a second campus in Ras Al Khaimah.

2. Ask who the teachers are

Good teaching makes more difference than anything else. Ask:

• Are the teachers qualified to teach English as a foreign language, for example with CELTA or DELTA?
• Are they native speakers or highly proficient speakers with teaching experience?
• Will you have the same teacher each week, or a different one every day?

If you want to sound more natural, hearing native-speaker English every day helps, especially for listening and pronunciation. At Speak, all our teachers are native English speakers.

3. Check the class size

Small classes mean more speaking time and more feedback. In a class of 20, you might speak for a few minutes a lesson. In a class of 7, you speak far more. Ask for the maximum class size, not the average. As a guide:

• General English: under 10 is small, 10 to 15 is average, over 15 is large.
• Exam preparation (IELTS): classes can be larger, because a lot of the work is exam practice, but you still need individual feedback on Writing and Speaking.
• Private lessons: one-to-one, best for specific goals or busy schedules. See our guide to private English tutoring in Dubai.

4. Make sure you start at the right level

A good school tests your level before you start, using a written test and usually a short speaking check, then puts you in a class with learners at the same level. It should also have clear levels, ideally based on the CEFR (A1 to C2), and regular progress checks. Read our guide to CEFR English levels, or take our free English level test to see where you are now.

5. Compare the real price

Prices are hard to compare because schools quote by week, by month, by hour or by course. To compare fairly:

1. Work out the total cost, including registration fees, books and any exam or visa fees.
2. Divide it by the number of class hours to get the price per hour.
3. Check the class size. A cheaper hour in a class of 20 isn't better value than a slightly higher price in a class of 7.

For current prices across Dubai, read our English course price guide. For IELTS, see the best IELTS course in Dubai and RAK: how to choose.

6. Match the schedule to your life

• Full-time or intensive (around 20 hours a week): fastest progress, ideal if you're on a student visa or between jobs. Read can you learn English in 3 months?
• Semi-intensive (around 10 hours a week): a balance of progress and free time.
• Evening (3 hours a week): for people who work full-time.
• Rolling enrolment: lets you start any week instead of waiting for a term to begin.

7. Check student visa sponsorship

If you're coming to the UAE to study, the school must be able to sponsor your student visa. Ask how long the visa lasts, what it costs, how many class hours you must take, and what the attendance rules are. See our guide to studying English in the UAE on a student visa and our student visa page.

8. Read recent reviews

Look at Google reviews from the last 12 months. Look for comments about specific teachers, progress and organisation, not just a star rating. A school with many detailed, recent reviews is usually a safer choice than one with a few short ones.

Warning signs

• No clear information about licensing or approval.
• No placement test, or everyone is put in the same class.
• Prices that are only available "on request", with extra fees revealed later.
• Very large classes, or class sizes the school won't confirm.
• Pressure to pay for a long course before you've tried a class.
• Promises of a guaranteed score or "fluency in one month".

Frequently asked questions

What is KHDA approval?

KHDA is the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which regulates private education in Dubai, including training institutes that teach English. KHDA approval means the institute is officially permitted to offer its courses.

Which is the best English language school in Dubai?

The best school for you depends on your goal, level, budget and schedule. Use the checklist above to compare licensing, teachers, class size, levels, price per hour and reviews.

How much does an English course cost in Dubai?

It depends on the hours per week and the class size. At Speak, evening courses cost under AED 1,000 for 4 weeks, and full-time intensive courses cost more. Our English course price guide lists current prices.

Can I get a student visa through an English course in the UAE?

Yes, if the school is licensed to sponsor student visas. You'll need to enrol in a qualifying course and meet attendance rules.

Is it better to learn English in a school or online?

A school gives you more speaking practice, a fixed routine and the chance to use English with classmates. Online lessons are more flexible. Many people combine them.

Visit Speak English Institute

We're a KHDA-approved English school with campuses in Dubai (JLT) and Ras Al Khaimah (Al Hamra): native-speaker teachers, small classes of up to 7 students in General English, CEFR levels from A2 to C1, and new classes starting every week. Explore our General English courses, Business English and IELTS preparation, or read why students choose Speak. Take a free level test or contact us to visit the school.