English Language Center (ELC) Los Angeles
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
At the English Language Center (ELC) Los Angeles, located in sunny southern California, students can find a perfect combination of abundant natural beauty, endless entertainment, and world-class universities and museums. The school is conveniently located on the exclusive west-side of Los Angeles, within walking distance to Westwood Village. When learning English at ELC, in Los Angeles students will find themselves perfectly situated to study, and have fun, too.
Los Angeles (or “L.A.”) is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. With a population of 3,976 million, it is the second-most populous city in the United States (after New York City). Los Angeles covers an area of about 503 square miles (1,303 km) and it is located in a large coastal basin surrounded on three sides by mountains. The city was officially founded in 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. Los Angeles is famous for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, widespread metropolis and of course, Hollywood, which makes it the major center of the world entertainment industry. Los Angeles is divided into over 80 districts and neighborhoods, the largest of which are Downtown, East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, the Harbor Area, Greater Hollywood, Wilshire, the Westside, and the San Fernando and Crescenta Valleys.
ELC LOS ANGELES AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1978
- City: Los Angeles
- Position in the city: Westwood Village
- Minimum age in adult school: 16
- Number of students in school: average 100, maximum 250 (based on number of classrooms)
- Main type of public transport: buses and metro
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 50
ELC Los Angeles: 10850 Wilshire Blvd #210, Los Angeles, California 90024, United States
“I have been working with ELC in both Boston and Los Angeles for years, and know the founder Ellyn Levine and her son Alex well. They have long been the only IALC accredited schools in both those cities, and the quality reflects it. The school offers a very wide variety of English language programs, as well as some unique English plus programs like English plus filmmaking that take advantage of the Los Angeles location. For the clients that I have sent there, the directors have expressed a genuine interest in their satisfaction with the school and their accommodation. The school is particularly well located in the city, as Los Angeles is huge and notorious for its sprawl, but Westwood Village is like a small university town located in a larger metropolis. There, students can travel on foot to cafés, shops, and other places that cater to students, and also benefit from the presence of an enormous, world-class university in the vicinity, UCLA. The University is home to American and international students alike, allowing ELC students to make friends with many persons their own age. Outside the University area, students have access to the rest of fashionable Los Angeles without having to travel far.”
ELC Los Angeles
Why study English at ELC Los Angeles?
There are many English language schools in the Los Angeles, which is one of the United States’ top destinations for English language learning. ELC Los Angeles distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- With its beginnings in 1978, ELC is one of the oldest English language schools in Los Angeles, and has been a leader in English language teaching since this time. It also has well-established relationships with host families and can offer students the best selection of schools in the city.
- ELC Los Angeles is located on the exclusive west side of Los Angeles, conveniently located in walking distance to Westwood Village, and close to Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
- ELC Los Angeles offers excellent facilities, resources, and academic support services, and works with over 40 universities that can offer students conditional acceptance.
- ELC Los Angeles allows students to experience living in unique U.S. cities by transferring from one ELC school to another (there are also ELC Santa Barbara or ELC Boston).
- The school has a full-time, year-round, on-site Housing Coordinator that places students in ELC-managed homestay programs or other desirable accommodations.
- ELC Los Angeles is accredited by ACCET and is a member of EnglishUSA, NAFSA, and is the only school in Los Angeles belonging to the prestigious IALC.
- With a number of different course options, durations and start dates, ELC Los Angeles is extremely flexible and have programs that meets all kinds of learning needs and language goals.
- ELC Los Angeles has a fantastic nationality mix, with students from over 50 different countries every year.
- The courses offer an exceptionally good value for money in the US English language school market.
- ELC Los Angeles is an authorized test administration site for all of the Cambridge exams, IELTS exam, as well as the institutional TOEFL and TOEIC exams.
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 20 classrooms
- Computer lab with 13 iMac student computers
- Free Wi-Fi
- Student Lounge
- Free academic tutoring hall
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Study Hall with Free Tutoring
At ELC Los Angeles, teachers can provide students with additional academic help, free of charge. The study hall is a special room furnished with reference books and extra study materials.
College and University Counseling
ELC Los Angeles offers individual college counseling services to all ELC students interested in continuing their education at an American college or university.
Fitness and Recreation
Special arrangements with nearby, up-to-date fitness centers in Los Angeles allow ELC students to enjoy short-term memberships at discounted rates.
Student Welfare
ELC Los Angeles makes students’ welfare its utmost priority, and all staff and teachers are available to support students in a professional and confidential manner with any problems that might arise while they are away from home.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Age: minimum 16
- English level: All
- Course duration: minimum 1 week (General English)
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Start dates: Any Monday (General English), see dates and fees (Exam Preparation courses)
- Number of students in class: average 9 maximum 12
General English
ELC Los Angeles offers 12 levels of intensity for its General English courses. The General English courses cover all of the major language skills including: grammar, vocabulary, conversation, pronunciation, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. All intermediate and advanced level students have a choice of electives two afternoons per week. Some elective options are Academic Skills, American Culture, Business English, Pronunciation, Slang and Idioms, and Filmmaking.
- Intensive 30
Students in the Intensive English Program study Monday through Friday during sections A, B and C on the sample timetable listed below.
Number of lessons per week: 30 group lessons
- Intensive 24
The Semi-Intensive Plus Course is designed to promote communicative competence in English and consists of Sections A and B Monday through Friday, and Section C on Tuesday and Thursday.
Number of lessons per week: 24 group lessons
- Semi-Intensive 20
The Semi-Intensive course is designed to improve communication skills and is perfect for students who want to study English in the mornings and enjoy the city in the afternoons. Students enrolled in this program meet for classes during Sections A and B.
Number of lessons per week: 20 group lessons
- Combination 20+10
This course is designed for students who wish to combine group work in General English with individualized work in a special area of English, such as Business English, Legal English or Medical English. Students in the Combination Course study General English during Sections A and B and take private classes during Section C.
Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons (20 group + 10 individual)
- Individual Intensive
In the Individual Intensive English Course, students can request a special emphasis on a particular language skill or area of expertise. Students meet for individual lessons during Sections A & B.
Number of lessons per week: 20 individual lessons
- Part-Time
Students with limited time for studying English may choose to enroll for one Section per day (A, B, or C only) in the Part-Time program.
Number of lessons per week: 10 group lessons
Sample General English timetable:
Individual Lessons
ELC Los Angeles offers individual or private group lessons in General English, English for Specific Purposes (Medicine, Law, Business, Marketing, IT and many more) and Test Preparation (SAT/GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT/TOEFL/IELTS).
Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) Cambridge Exam Preparation (only for 2018)
ELC Los Angeles offers the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) preparation course.
- Minimum English levels: Intermediate to Proficiency
- Course Duration: 8 or 11 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 20 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00am-12:40pm Monday-Friday
TOEFL Preparation
ELC Los Angeles offers a TOEFL preparation course during the summer.
- Minimum English levels: Intermediate to Proficiency
- Course Duration: minimum 1 week
- Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons (20 General English lessons + 10 TOEFL lessons)
- Timetable: 09:00 – 15:20 Monday to Friday
50+ Program (only for 2018)
The 50+ program combines the Semi-Intensive General English Course with a special adult activities calendar. The activities in this calendar include visits to local museums, cultural landmarks, cafes and bars. The 50+ Program is offered once a year so that mature adult students can learn English skills while taking advantage of the finest weather and best seasonal activities.
- Minimum age: 50
- English level: All levels
- Course duration: 2 weeks
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 20 English lessons + activities
- Start dates: see dates and fees
- Number of students in class: average 9 maximum 12
Summer Campus Program at UCLA
This program is offered during the summer months of July and August and allows students to combine living in a UCLA dormitory accommodation with one of the General English or Test Preparation Courses. Students attend morning ELC English classes Monday through Friday on campus in UCLA classrooms. This is the perfect way to improve English skills and have an authentic UCLA experience. Students wishing to also study in the afternoon may take their classes at ELC Los Angeles. Afternoon group activities are also available.
- Minimum age: 17
- English level: intermediate to proficiency
- Course options: General English or Test Preparation Courses
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 30, 24 or 20 lessons
- Start dates: see dates and fees
- Number of students in class: average 9 maximum 12
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Academic Year and Semester
The Academic Year and Semester programs are offered year-round. Students may select either the Intensive Course or Semi-Intensive Plus Course and may include Cambridge Preparation Course in their programs. Students looking for supplemental lessons can add optional one-on-one English classes.
- Minimum Age: 16
- English level: All levels
- Course duration: 12, 16, or 20 weeks (Academic Semester), 24, 36 or 48 weeks (Academic Year)
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 30 (Intensive) or 24 (Semi-intensive plus)
- Start dates: Most Mondays
- Number of students in class: average 9 maximum 12
University Pathways Program
This program is designed for students who wish to gain admission to an undergraduate degree or graduate degree program at an American university. The program is offered throughout the year and combines General English courses and/or test preparation courses with personalized college counseling and specialized academic services. Students in the Pathways Program select an Intensive English Course or a Semi-Intensive Plus Course, and may include Cambridge Exam Preparation or IELTS courses as part of their studies. Students can receive a conditional letter of acceptance (to participating universities) prior to arrival at ELC and/or a TOEFL waiver once they have achieved the required level of English.
- English Level: To enter a university, students will need to acquire an advanced level of English while studying at ELC.
- Minimum age: 16+
- Start dates: Start date depends on desired duration of study and university semester start date.
TEFL Certificate Course for Non-Native Speakers
The TEFL Course is designed for non-native English-speaking teachers of English looking to refresh their teaching skills and improve their English. The course can be offered anytime for two weeks to groups of three or more participants (it is possible to book individually at a cost of a one-to-one course). The TEFL Course combines the General English Course with classroom observation and TEFL methodology.
- Minimum Age: 16
- English level: Advanced
- Course duration: 2 weeks
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 35 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 15:20 Monday to Friday
- Start dates: Most Mondays
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONALS
Individual Executive English
ELC Los Angeles’s Business English course has been designed for all business professionals seeking a specialized English education with professional and experienced teachers.
- Minimum age: 25
- English levels: All
- Course Duration: Minimum 1 week
- Number of hours per week: 25 hours
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 35 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 16:30 Monday to Friday
- Start dates: Any Monday
ENGLISH PLUS PROGRAMS
The English Plus Programs are 2 week programs that combine the Semi-Intensive English Course with specialized afternoon activities organized by ELC. Students in these programs will join General English Courses in the morning, and then enjoy ELC organized activities in the afternoon.
English Plus Programs offered:
- English + Surfing
The program includes 8 hours of surf, transportation to local beaches and free use of surfboard and wetsuit.
- English + Hollywood
The program includes 1 major studio tour, 1 Mt. Hollywood hike, 1 guided tour of Hollywood and 1 guided tour of movie stars’ neighborhoods.
- English + Photography
The program includes several guided tours of museums, historical neighborhoods and major landmarks, 1 two-hour photo review session and an apple photo book with finished images.
- English + Yoga
The program includes unlimited number of group yoga lessons, consultation with yoga advisor and yoga studio tour, yoga mat, bag, water-bottle and towel.
- English + Filmmaking
The program includes 20 one-to-one lessons with a film professional, use of professional film equipment, full rights to your finished film.
From our clients
I contacted Marshall Language Services the first time that I decided to take a vacation study in America. I was very happy with the agency’s services—for the whole organization of my trip, Rachel was always very available to answer questions I had about the English course and about the documentation necessary. The school I chose was in Westwood, Los Angeles, a university neighborhood of the city. I was very happy there—the lessons were interesting and I made some friends with whom I continue to stay in touch.
I have continued to use Marshall Language Services for other trips and, I have always been very satisfied with the service I received.”
–Eleonora, Milan
Do you have a positive experience to share? Write to Rachel.
HOST FAMILY
Living with an American host family is the best option for students who are enthusiastic about immersing themselves in American culture. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information
- Homestay accommodation includes single bedroom with shared bathrooms. (Twin or double rooms available upon request)
- Meals: Half-board (breakfast and dinner) or breakfast only.
- WIFI in most homestays.
- Homestay families provide bed linens
- The average commute to ELC Los Angeles is 30 – 60 minutes by public transportation
- Accommodation is from Saturday to Saturday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
STUDENT RESIDENCE
UCLA Dormitory
During the summer, ELC Los Angeles students can live on campus at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The university is located in the fashionable Westwood Village, close to many restaurants, cafes, and shops. Students also have access to swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoor fields, a fitness center, the UCLA Ackerman student center, and bookstore. ELC support staff live on campus with students to provide students with information and assist them with their needs. The minimum age to book UCLA dormitory is 17. The UCLA Dormitory is 25 minutes’ walk from the ELC main building.
UCLA Dormitory also offers:
- Shared (double and triples) rooms furnished with closets, desks, and beds
- Shared bathroom
- Half-board (breakfast and dinner)
- Bed linens are provided
- Student lounge
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Weekly cleaning service
- 24 hour reception and security
APARTMENTS
Los Angeles Apartments (only for 2018)
The Los Angeles apartments are a five-minute walk from ELC Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard. There are great coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets close by, and the apartments are a short bus ride away from the beach, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The apartment facility offers many luxury amenities such as a pool, jacuzzi, and parking. Each apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living room, and a kitchen. The minimum age to book Los Angeles Apartments is 18.
Los Angeles Apartments also offers:
- Single or double rooms
- Shared bathroom
- Common area with TV
- Kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- On-site laundry
- Weekly cleaning
- Security
The Barrington Plaza Apartment (from 2019)
The Barrington Plaza Apartment is conveniently located in one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in West L.A. Students staying at Barrington Plaza will find themselves perfectly situated just a 10-minute bus ride from ELC and a short bus ride from Santa Monica Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood and other top L.A. attractions. The apartment has many luxury amenities for students to enjoy including a heated Olympic size swimming pool and brand new fitness center. Each apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and living room. These apartments are a great option for students looking for a cost-effective, comfortable and well-located accommodation.
NO ACCOMMODATION
The Housing Coordinator at ELC Los Angeles can find short-term apartment rentals for students as well as make hotel reservations as needed. There is no charge for the service of finding a suitable alternative apartment or hotel accommodation.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
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