English Language Center (ELC) Santa Barbara
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 English Language Center (ELC) Santa Barbara, located in sunny southern California, students can find a perfect combination of stunning scenery and palm-lined, white-sand beaches. A 25-minute walk from the beach, ELC Santa Barbara is perfectly located in its own award-winning building. The neighborhood around the school is the arts and culture area of Santa Barbara. In the charming, small and friendly city of Santa Barbara students will be able to choose from a variety of programs for studying English while enjoying the outdoors all year with their friends.
The charming city of Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, is located between the steep hills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, just two hours north of Los Angeles. Its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, and colorful culture make Santa Barbara a premier resort destination. World-class accommodations and dining await its many visitors.
ELC SANTA BARBARA AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1997 (Closed from 2001 to 2011)
- City: Santa Barbara
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 16
- Number of students in school: average 50, maximum 182
- Main type of public transport: buses
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: Over 30
ELC Santa Barbara: 1100 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States of America
“I have been working with the owner of the ELC Schools, Ellyn Levine, and now her son Alex for many years. The ELC schools were among the founding members of IALC in the 1980s, and are among the oldest English language schools in their respective cities (Los Angeles, Ellyn’s hometown, Boston, and Santa Barbara.) As a result, they have long-standing relationships with high-quality host families, many of whom do not work for other language schools. In Santa Barbara, staying with a host family is a particular desirable accommodation option, as the city is small enough to render the travel time manageable (but not so small that there is little to do.) Santa Barbara is an upscale city in the United States, as is much of the state of California, with extremely strict architectural codes. For this reason, students will be able to appreciate the man-made beauty and regularity of the city. It is an ideal location for students who would like a maritime atmosphere, warm weather year round, and everything that Southern California has to offer without the wide spaces and potentially long travel times of Los Angeles. Lastly, as a city that is not full of international English language schools, students have good access to the best accommodation options and the opportunity to speak English with a population that is not dominated by foreigners.”
ELC Santa Barbara
Why study at this school?
ELC Santa Barbara distinguishes itself from other English language schools in the city in the following ways:
- With its beginnings in 1997, ELC is one of the oldest English language schools 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 homes in the city.
- ELC Santa Barbara offers excellent facilities, resources, academic support services, and works with over 44 universities that can offer students a conditional acceptance.
- ELC Santa Barbara allows students to experience living in different U.S. cities by transferring from one ELC center to another (it also has schools in Los Angeles and Boston).
- ELC Santa Barbara is accredited by ACCET and is a member of ALTO, EnglishUSA, NAFSA, and the prestigious IALC.
- ELC Santa Barbara has a fantastic nationality mix, with students from over 30 different countries every year.
- The courses offer an exceptionally good value for money in the US English language school market.
- ELC Santa Barbara offers activities and excursions, which gives their students the opportunity to get to know their classmates, practice their English, explore the city, and experience the culture.
- ELC Santa Barbara is an authorized test administration site for all of the Cambridge exams and IELTS exam.
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 13 classrooms
- Computer lab with 9 iMac student computers
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Student Lounge
- Free academic tutoring hall
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Study Hall with Free Tutoring
At ELC Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara 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, state-of-the-art fitness centers in Santa Barbara allow ELC students to enjoy short-term memberships at discounted rates.
Student Welfare
ELC Santa Barbara 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
- Minimum Age: 16
- English levels: All
- Course duration: 1 week + (General English)
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Start dates: Most Mondays (General English), see dates and fees (Exam Preparation courses)
- Number of students in class: average 9, maximum 14 (July and August only)
General English
ELC Santa Barbara 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 and Slang and Idioms.
- 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 20 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
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 and B.
Number of lessons per week: 35 individual lessons (25 hours)
- 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:
Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) Cambridge Exam Preparation
ELC Santa Barbara offers the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) preparation course.
- Minimum English levels: Intermediate to Proficiency
- Course Duration: 9 or 11 weeks (Spring and Autumn sessions), 4, 6 or 10 weeks (Summer session)
- Number of lessons per week: 20 lessons 30 lessons per week (we are offering the 20 lesson option in Los Angeles)
- Timetable: 9:00 am-3:20 pm (Monday-Friday)
50+ Program
The 50+ program combines the Semi-Intensive General English Course with a special adult activities calendar (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 levels: All
- 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
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 General English courses, and students may include a test preparation course in their programs. Individual English lessons can be added on.
- Minimum Age: 16
- English levels: All
- 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. Please contact Marshall Language Services for course dates and bookings.
- Minimum Age: 16
- English levels: Advanced
- Course duration: 2 weeks
- Length of each lesson: 50 minutes
- Number of lessons per week: 35
- Timetable: 09:00 – 15:20 Monday to Friday
- Start dates: Most Mondays
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONALS
Individual Executive English
ELC Santa Barbara’s Business English course has been designed for all business professionals seeking a specialized English education with experienced teachers.
- Minimum age: 25
- English levels: All
- Course Duration: 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 the activities in the afternoon.
English Plus Programs offered:
- English + Surfing
The program includes 8 hours of surf, transportation to and from local beaches and free use of surfboard and wetsuit.
- English + Tennis
The program includes 6 one-hour private tennis lessons, additional access to court time and provides racquet and balls for the lessons.
- English + Yoga
The program includes an unlimited number of group yoga lessons, consultation with a yoga advisor, a yoga studio tour, mat, bag, water bottle and towel.
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 and double rooms are available upon request for students traveling together)
- Meals: Half-board (breakfast and dinner) or breakfast only.
- WIFI in most homestays.
- Homestay families provide bed linens
- The average commute to ELC Santa Barbara 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
Santa Barbara Residence
The centrally-located Santa Barbara Residence is a newly renovated, clean and simple accommodation, conveniently located on Calle Real, Santa Barbara, which is about 20 minutes’ commute via public transport from the ELC main building. The studio apartment includes a fully-equipped kitchen, a bathroom and ample space. The minimum age to book the Santa Barbara Residence is 18.
The Santa Barbara Residence also offers:
- Single or double room (available for two people)
- Breakfast and dinner or breakfast only meal plans
- Bed linens
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Weekly cleaning service
APARTMENTS AND HOTELS
The Housing Coordinator at ELC Santa Barbara can find short-term apartment rentals or hotels at no extra 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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