Offaly Language Academy - Learn English
English Language Courses for Teenagers

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Choosing to study with Offaly Language Academy is a great first step in your learning English abroad journey.

Our particular approach to learning English takes you out of the classroom and the grammar books and into real Irish life.

Your Language Learning Journey Starts Here!

Nestled in the charming town of Birr in the scenic Midlands of Ireland, OLA is a family-run academy which values community and learning.

Our love for languages and diverse cultures drives us to provide exceptional learning experiences, and we are dedicated to helping you unlock your potential in a new language… Read more

Programmes for Teens

Programmes for Adults

Featured Courses

Why Choose Us?

Choosing to study with Offaly Language Academy is a great first step in your learning English abroad journey. Our particular approach to learning English takes you out of the classroom and the grammar books and into real Irish life. Come and develop your language skills with qualified, experienced and friendly teachers, stay in local homes with our hard-working, welcoming host families and explore and discover Ireland’s unique culture and heritage.

Offaly Language Academy - Why Choose Us?

Birr is a beautiful, Georgian town in the heart of Ireland. Less than 2 hours from Dublin, Limerick, Galway. It is a very safe town, where students feel at home and are welcomed into the town by its residents each year. There is also plenty to explore, with the Slieve Bloom mountains and the meandering River Shannon close by.

We offer fully immersive home stay programs. Students live with local families in the area, where they are treated like a member of the family. We work very closely with our families to ensure the best possible experience for our students. Many of our students stay in contact with the host families for years after their stay and make lasting relationships with their ‘Irish family’.

Our dedicated team work closely with our partners and group leaders to ensure your group’s every need is catered for. We have, over many years, formed a close working relationship with our host families and partners so that you will feel at home on every step of your journey.

All of our teachers are highly qualified and have many years of experience teaching English. We work very closely with our teachers to make sure they continue to strive to be the best, and continuously deliver high quality, engaging lessons.

At our family-run language academy, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to supporting our local community by partnering with local businesses, working closely with local schools and teachers, and ensuring that our students stay with welcoming local families. This keeps our revenue within the community, fostering growth and connection. We also take environmental responsibility seriously, making conscious choices to minimize our impact in all aspects of our operations. By choosing us, you’re not just learning a language—you’re becoming part of a sustainable, community-driven experience.

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New year, new opportunities! ✨ Make 2026 the year you: ✅ Improve your English ✅ Explore Ireland’s rich culture ✅ Make friends from all over the world ✅ Experience life with a welcoming host family Offaly Language Academy combines immersive language learning with authentic cultural experiences in the heart of Birr, Ireland. Small classes, friendly teachers, and unforgettable adventures await! Ready to make your English journey a 2026 resolution? Start planning now! Check out our brochure at the link in our bio or visit us at www.offalylanguageacademy.com today! #OffalyLanguageAcademy #StudyEnglishInIreland #LearnEnglishInIreland #CulturalImmersionIreland #BirrIreland
What a year at Offaly Language Academy! 🎉🇮🇪 From hurling lessons to Irish dancing, cooking traditional foods, and exploring castles, 2025 was full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories. Birr, our beautiful heritage town, gave students a safe, welcoming, and immersive environment where English is lived every day, from host families to chats with locals. Huge thanks to our amazing students, teachers, and host families for making this year so special! 💛 Planning your 2026 adventure? Our new website and group brochure make it easier than ever to start your English journey in Ireland. What was your favourite OLA moment in 2025? Tell us below! 👇 #OffalyLanguageAcademy #StudyEnglishInIreland #LearnEnglishInIreland #CulturalImmersionIreland #HostFamilyLife
🎄☘️ Festive Fun the Irish Way! 🇮🇪✨ Christmas and New Year in Ireland is full of joy, tradition, and cosy moments. Here are 3 festive highlights you might enjoy: 1️⃣ Traditional Irish Christmas Dinner: Roast turkey or ham with all the trimmings, plus delicious Christmas pudding for dessert. 🍗🎂 2️⃣ Carols and Music: Singing festive songs and enjoying live Irish music is a big part of the season. 🎶 3️⃣ Winter Walks & Local Festivities: From decorated town streets to holiday markets, there’s always something to see and explore. ❄️🏘️ At Offaly Language Academy, students don’t just learn English; they experience Irish culture firsthand, from festive food to seasonal traditions. Which Irish holiday tradition would you like to try? 🎅☘️ #OffalyLanguageAcademy #LearnEnglishInIreland #StudyEnglishInIreland #CulturalImmersionIreland #ChristmasInIreland
Plan Your Group’s Language Trip to Ireland! Offaly Language Academy combines high-quality English learning with authentic Irish cultural experiences. Located in the heritage town of Birr, we provide small, personalised classes, immersive homestays, and expertly managed group logistics including accommodation, excursions, and visa support. Whether it’s a school tour, summer immersion camp, or adult programme, we tailor each experience to meet your group’s needs, ensuring students learn, explore, and create lasting memories. Our new brochure is now available! Check the link in our bio to start planning your group’s English adventure in Ireland.
We have so many common Irish Slang words, but here are a few of our favourites! Using slang words when you are speaking English can make you sound more native and help you express yourself better! What's your favourite Irish Slang word?? #offalylanguageacademy #learnenglishinireland #studyenglishinireland #englishasasecondlanguage #ireland #irelandtravels #birr #offaly #slang #travelireland
Our incredible students teaching us how to prepare mate. But what is Argentinian mate? Mate is more than just a drink in Argentina. It is a daily ritual and a symbol of connection. Mate is made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant, enjoyed from a shared gourd with a metal straw called a bombilla. It is a social tradition. Friends, families, and colleagues pass it around, making mate a way to build community and share time together. For our students, discovering mate is often a highlight of learning about South American culture - language and culture always go hand in hand. #CulturalImmersion #LanguageLearning #Argentina #studyenglishinireland #learnenglishinireland #offalylanguageacademy #irelandtravels #ireland
Why Choose Birr? When students come to Ireland to learn English, they often imagine busy streets and crowded classrooms. But there’s another way. Birr is a small Irish town where: You can walk everywhere safely. Life moves at a calm, unhurried pace. Students are welcomed into the community like locals. It’s a place where English isn’t just studied in the classroom, it’s lived every day. Conversations with host families, chats with shopkeepers, and friendships with locals all become part of the learning experience. Birr is proof that sometimes the best experiences happen away from the crowds. Would you choose a town like Birr for your English journey? #StudyInIreland #CulturalImmersion #LanguageLearning #offalylanguageacademy #birr #ireland #irelandtravels #studyenglishinireland #learnenglishinireland #efl
What better way to explore different cultures than through food? Our students enjoy making traditional Irish foods to taste, and love sharing foods from their own countries too. What is your favourite traditional Irish food?? 🍀🍲 #offalylanguageacademy #learnenglishinireland #studyenglishinireland #englishasasecondlanguage #ireland #irelandtravels #birr #offaly
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Reviews

“I have first-hand experience working with Offaly Language Academy. Cannot recommend them enough. An excellent standard of teaching combined with a fun and a safe environment ensures students have memories that last a lifetime”

Chris, Former OLA Teacher

“I had a fantastic experience with Offaly Language Academy! The team is super professional, friendly, and truly dedicated to helping students succeed. The classes are well-structured, engaging, and tailored to individual needs. Highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their language skills in a supportive environment!”

Ebony, Student
“I’ve hosted students from Offaly Language Academy and there’s never been a problem from start to finish, Una and Nessa have everything organised from the time the students land in Ireland until they depart, they are constantly in contact with host families and are at the end of phone line 24 hours a day. I look forward to working with the girls again this summer, they are a pleasure to work with.”
Deirdre, Host
“Amazing people with such a wonderful passion for teaching and languages. Incredibly well run language school with plenty of fun and exciting activities in a beautiful town.”
Eve, Student
“I had a great stay there despite the rain because the good humor of all the speakers and teachers made every day sunny. I think it’s one of the best ways to improve your English while having a great vacation.”
Gabrielle, Student