What it’s like to live with a host family
Ever wondered what it’s really like to live with a host family? Karen, a long-term student at EC Malta...
English
Whether you’re scrolling through your phone, browsing the supermarket aisles, or sitting in a work meeting, English is all around us. In today’s connected world, speaking English isn’t just useful, it’s an essential skill. Over 18% of the world is fluent in English, a number that is expected to reach 50% by 2050—but you’re not here for stats.
Language learners often look at English as a barrier, the only thing standing between them and endless opportunities. You can look at it that way, but you can also embrace English as a meeting point in a world that doesn’t come with subtitles.
We get it; it can be discouraging, especially for adult learners who are just starting out. We’ve seen many students with the same doubts come and go over the years, students who can now hold business conversations in English.
So, where does Dubai come into all of this?
As the latest addition to our global study network, EC Dubai is our first school to open in a non-native English-speaking country. Sounds contradictory, but here’s the thing:
Over the past few decades, Dubai has emerged as a global hub. It has an impressive roster of education institutions and a massive international student population. EC Dubai has joined 27 colleges and universities at the Dubai Knowledge Park.
Millions of students and professionals confidently choose Dubai as their home-away-from-home every year, but why?
There are a few obvious perks to living in Dubai:
With that out of the way, let’s get into it.
The Emirate capital is the very definition of a melting pot, with expats making up more than 85% of its population. It’s a true cosmopolitan city, where people and cultures from all corners of the world are folded in together. Trust us, standing out should be the least of your worries.
Even though Dubai is a Middle Eastern city which hosts over 200 nationalities, the locals and the expats alike default to speaking English. Practice is the best teacher when learning any language (second only to our lovely teachers), and there could be no better environment for English speaking practice than a place where most people have been in your shoes.
Living in a major city can be scary, whether you’re staying away for a week or a year. Luckily, expats themselves would tell you that Dubai is the kind of place where you don’t have to worry about leaving your door unlocked.
Year after year, the city’s extensive security measures result in low crime rates and high safety rankings. Whether you’re walking to class during the day or exiting the metro station at midnight, you can do it without the usual threat of big city crime.
Getting around itself is easy, Dubai’s metro system is so convenient that trains come every 2 minutes or so—it’s like the trains are catching you, instead of the other way around. Plus, public spaces are well-kept and protected.
If your English learning goals are career-related, Dubai could not be a better learning destination for you.
With a consistently thriving economy, Dubai is a major player in both Western and Eastern markets. Its geographic position between Africa, Asia and Europe makes it an important location for international business and trade.
The city is a vibrant playground of opportunities, full of growing multinational companies with positions to fill. Picture yourself networking on a stroll along the Bright Jumeirah beach, or over a game of billiards at Rails gaming cafe.
Sounds good? Luckily, we offer Business English courses for this exact purpose. You’ve got the ideas; we’ve got the words you need to share them with international audiences. Who knows? Make the right connections during your time spent at EC Dubai and you might open a door to something bigger!
Browse our English language courses and find the best one for you!
Dubai has a variety of attractions, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, pristine beaches, theme parks, and all the high-end bars your heart desires. Its size and efficient public transportation makes sightseeing easy – you’d be surprised
how much ground you can cover in just a few days.
Dubai is famously a leader in urban architecture, but that goes beyond the bright high rises illuminating the city’s skyline. Between the many skyscrapers fighting for the title of second-highest building in Dubai, you can find impressive feats like the Museum of the Future, the first operative 3D-printed building in the world.
From opulent hotel bars to yacht parties, Dubai offers its visitors a taste of luxury, and that comprises much of its entertainment. The city has a huge shopping culture with its many malls, like the Mall of the Emirates and the Global Village, and there’s even a whole festival dedicated to shopping!
Beyond the glitz and glamour of luxury brands, there are traditional souks out on the street selling handwoven textiles, gold jewellery, perfumes, and even spices. You can even get out of the city and take a daytrip to Abu Dhabi for a more traditional and relaxed atmosphere!
If your preferred vice is adrenaline, you can go skydiving on the beach one day and quad biking in the desert the next. Prefer winter sports? Don’t think that hot weather’s going to stop Dubai. The city is actually well-known for its indoor skiing resort; the first one ever launched in the Middle East.
For a city that sprints towards modernity with such determination, its feet remain firmly planted in local traditions and cultural heritage.
From camel races to traditional souks, hints of Old Dubai are scattered all over the futuristic city. There’s a strong effort to keep the local culture alive, to not let it get lost in the melting pot. It can be seen in extravagant festivals highlighting local cuisine, the strict laws, heritage preservation projects like The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, and much more.
Emiratis will welcome the world into their home, and they’ll even bring out the fancy silverware, but you must leave your shoes by the door, and you will taste the maq’louba before you go.
The spirit of pre-industrial Dubai lingers in the city through its people, standing the test of time much like the desert on its outskirts.
Studying English in Dubai is a journey in every sense of the word.
Here’s why you should take it with us:
Learning English is about more than knowing your verb tenses; It’s about having a conversation, building connections and building a future for yourself along the way.
At EC English, we’ve got your back no matter what your starting point is. We offer a wide range of English language courses designed to match your goals and lifestyle, whether you’re just starting out or aiming for advanced fluency. From everyday conversations to career-focused communication, our English lessons help you build real-world language skills that actually stick. You’ll grow your confidence, sharpen your writing skills, and strengthen your overall English language skills in ways that matter—that means both in the classroom and in everyday life.
When you join EC, you’re not just joining a school, you’re joining a global community. EC Dubai is our 25th school to open in 34 years of providing education, joining a network that spans the UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Malta, and now the UAE!
Thanks to the collective effort of our skilful and dedicated team, we bring top quality English language education and experiences to over 40,000 students from more than 120 countries every year. As an English language school with a global reputation, we aim to provide more than lessons; we create opportunities for personal growth, cultural exchange and meaningful progress in all aspects.
Our drive to lead, innovate, and change the game has earned us a strong track record of success and global accreditation over the years. With our brand-new school in the UAE, we are venturing further into career-based education by offering globally recognised certificates in Business, Marketing, and Management.
Strong English skills and solid language skills are key to standing out in today’s global market. Whether you’re polishing your CV, switching careers, or aiming higher in your current role, EC Dubai is the perfect place for you to grow. EC Dubai meets the personal and professional needs of its students, offering cutting-edge facilities and high-quality English courses for adults, against the vibrant backdrop of dazzling Dubai.
At the end of the day, our main goal is to help you meet your own. We are here to give you the confidence to speak in a room full of fluent English speakers, the ability to broaden your educational or professional prospects, and to say goodbye to Google Translate for good.
Whether you have an exam to pass or a promotion at your fingertips (or maybe you just want to understand the songs on the radio), it really is all about taking a chance on yourself and leaping—think of us at EC as your safety net!
Bet on yourself and your future. Take the first step and get in touch today.
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