Los Angeles – Santa Monica

The unique city of Los Angeles (also known as “L.A.”), is the second largest city in the US next to New York. The ‘City of Angels’ has a booming cultural and arts scene, giving it a dynamic and individual identity. Not only is it the centre of the US’ film and music industry, but it’s also a huge business and trade quarter. This city really does have it all!

If you’re looking for entertainment, Venice Beach has some of the city’s best performers that crowds flock to go see or go on a hike up to the Hollywood sign. Take your pick from restaurants, bars, live music venues & rooftop views from seaside pubs. It’s safe to say you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Sea, sand and sun are all part of the lifestyle – and its ideal location in the Sun Belt keeps the temperature warm all year round meaning that you can enjoy lounging in the sun and benefit from its 340 days of sunshine a year.

Santa Monica is known as the ‘pearl of Los Angeles’ and is without a doubt one of the most European areas in the country. Located right next to the ocean, the pier is one of the beach’s many highlights. Dip your toes into the ocean and experience a culture unlike any other.

School temporarily unavailable

This school is temporarily unavailable. Do not hesitate to visit our other school in Los Angeles Santa Monica for a comparable language experience.

Our partner school, CEL is located near Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Pier, the beach, and Santa Monica’s main shopping road, 3rd Street Promenade.

The school has a reputation for its academic excellence, and is recognised as such by the following official instances:

Accreditations: CEA (Commision of English Language Accreditation), English USA

School facilities include:

  • 11 brightly light classrooms, equipped with the newest technology (smart TVs)
  • Air conditioned classrooms
  • Free WiFi access
  • Lounge room with a TV
  • Computer room

Language courses: the basics

  • Lesson length: 45 minutes
  • Number of students per class: maximum of 12 (on average 8)
  • Timetable : classes are held either in the morning or the afternoon
  • Placement test: the first day of classes
  • Certificate of participation at the end of your stay
  • Weekly evaluation of your progress
  • All teachers have university qualifications (BA or MA) + special training in teaching their mother tongue as a foreign language

20 lessons of general English per week

  • 4 lessons a day will help you to develop the 4 fundamental language skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening). You will also develop the ability to use your English in everyday situations.
  • Classes take place from Monday – Friday from 08:45 – 12:00 or 14:15 – 17:30 (peak season only)
  • Language level: Beginners (A0) to Advanced (C2)

24 lessons of general English per week

  • This is an ideal programme if you’re looking to make fast progress. This course includes 20 lessons of general English + 4 lessons on a subject of your choice from a selection on your arrival
  • Classes are held from Monday – Friday from 08:45 – 12:00 + 2 days a week from 12:30 – 14:30 OR Monday – Friday 14:15 – 17:30 (peak season only) + 2 days a week from 12:30 – 14:00
  • Language level: Beginner (A0) to Advanced (C2)

30 lessons of general English per week

  • This is an ideal programme if you’re looking to make fast progress. This course includes 20 lessons of general English + 10 lessons on a subject of your choice from a selection on your arrival
  • Classes are held from Monday – Friday from 08:45 – 14:00 OR 12:30 – 17:30 (peak season only)
  • Language level: Beginner (A0) to Advanced (C2)

20 or 24 lessons per week

  • Classes are entirely devoted to exam preparation: sample exams will help you to become familiar with the exam format and expectations so you can acquire the specific techniques required in order to score the best possible grade.
  • Language level required: Advanced (C1)

Each week the school organises cultural activities during the afternoons and the evenings. You are more than welcome to participate in these activities, though they are not mandatory. Some activities may be free and some may require a fee. The availability and variety of these activities depends on the season.

Possible activities may include:

  • Guided tour of the city on the 1st day for new arrivals
  • Sports activities (beach volley, basketball, baseball, football, surfing, kayaking etc..)
  • Hollywood tour, Venice Beach, Griffiths Observatory, Universal studios, etc.
  • Whale watching
  • Barbecues on the beach
  • Excursions to San Diego, Las Vegas, Disneyland, San Francisco, Universal studios, etc.

Surfing option: 2 surfing sessions x 2 afternoons per week combined with the language programme of your choice

Required surfing experience: beginner to intermediate

Single room, shared bathroom, breakfast

Extras: half-board

Distance from the school: 40 to 50 minutes with public transport (maximum 75 minutes)

Practical information:

  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry: Not all households in Los Angeles own a washing machine. Some of our host families may do their laundry at a nearby laundromat. Usually, host families with a washing machine at home will let you use it for your laundry.

4 weeks minimum

Features:

  • Shared room (4 beds) with students from other countries, 2-person room or single room also available for a fee, with shared bathroom.
  • No meals included
  • Travel time to school: 30 to 40 minutes by public transportation
  • Location: Various neighbourhoods in Los Angeles (Westwood, for example)

Each apartment is equipped with:

  • 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
  • 1 fully equipped kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Services/Facilities available:

  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry services (for a fee)
  • Rooms are cleaned once a week but students are responsible for keeping the apartment clean the rest of the time

Features:

  • Shared room with a student of a different nationality or individual room and private bathroom
  • No meals included
  • Distance from school: 10 minutes walk
  • Location: in the center of Santa Monica, near the beach, shops and the 3rd Street Promenade

Each apartment is equipped with:

  • 2 rooms with 2 bathrooms
  • 1 fully equipped kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi access
  • 1 lounge with TV
  • A balcony

Facilities/Services:

  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry facilities (for a fee)
  • Rooms are cleaned once a week, but you are responsible for keeping it clean the rest of the time.

Features:

  • Shared room with a student of a different nationality or individual room and shared bathroom
  • No meals included
  • Distance from school: 15 minutes by public transport
  • Location: in Santa Monica, near shops, the bus stop and lots of restaurants

Each Student House is equipped with:

  • 1 fully equipped kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi access
  • 1 lounge with TV (Netflix),1 dining room and 1 study room

Facilities/Services:

  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry facilities (for a fee)
  • Rooms are cleaned once a week, but you are responsible for keeping it clean the rest of the time.

Travel

Day of arrival: Saturday
Day of departure: Saturday

If you are staying in a shared apartment or the residence: Check-in: after 4 pm; Check-out : before 11 am

Arrival airport :

  • Los Angeles Airport, LAX

Transfers available on request (for a fee, please see ‘Dates and Prices’ tab)

Note: please do NOT buy your ticket before we have confirmed your place in the programme.

Visa Information

Do you need a visa for this programme? To find out more about visas and if you qualify, please see our page Visa information.

For people coming from the European Union: standard classes that do not exceed 90 days do not require you to obtain a student visa. ESTA will suffice for a short trip.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by mail or phone if you would like more information on this subject.


Dates & Prices 2022

Dates 2021

Session start dates

Classes start every Monday all year round, except in the case that Monday is a holiday, in which case classes start on a Tuesday.

Holidays

No classes will be held on these dates, neither will they be rescheduled at a later date or refunded, with the exception of the 23/11 which will be rescheduled: 1/01, 18/01, 15/02, 31/05, 5/07, 6/09, 25/11, 26/11, 24/12.

The school doesn’t close during the Christmas Holidays, except on the 24/12.

Classes of the 26/11 will be rescheduled.

Prices 2021

All taxes and registration fees included

WPCS 42.0.1
Lessons & accommodation (homestay, single room, breakfast OR shared standard appartment* Quadruple room, self catering
Duration20 lessons24 lessons30 lessons
2 weeks 1.555 1.620 1.750
3 weeks 2.230 2.325 2.515
4 weeks 2.900 3.030 3.285
6 weeks 4.210 4.405 4.790
8 weeks 5.460 5.715 6.225
12 weeks 8.080 8.465 9.235
16 weeks 11.045 12.070
18 weeks 12.400 13.550
20 weeks 13.115 14.395
24 weeks 15.695 17.230
32 weeks 20.515 22.560
36 weeks 23.055 25.355
Additional week 635 700
Supplements - Per weekLow seasonHigh season
Homestay
Single room, breakfast- 20
Single room, half board 55 75
Apartment accommodation
Standard shared apartment, twin room, no meals 65-
Standard shared apartment, single room, no meal 190-
Premium shared apartment, shared room, no meal 160-
Premium shared apartment, single room, no meals 460-
Student House accommodation
Shared room, no meals 160-
Single room, no meals 425-
Others
Special Diet 35-
Express shipping for visa 80-
Surf option (2 lessons x 2 afternoons / week) 275-
Transfer - from Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
Per journey 135

Prices include:

  • The chosen language programme
  • Accommodation with a host family, single room & breakfast OR in a standard apartment, shared room and no meals (4-week minimum)
  • Course materials
  • Unlimited internet access
  • All taxes and school administrative fees

Prices do not include:

  • Travel to Los Angeles and airport transfers
  • Exam fees (if applicable)
  • Deposit:
    • Standard shared apartment : 300-500$
    • Premium shared apartment : 350$
    • Student House : 350$
  • Visa fees
  • Optional insurances

Important: A medical insurance is required to enter the United States