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.
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 10 (on average 6-7)
- 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
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: 30 to 45 minutes with public transport (maximum 60 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 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: 20 to 30 minutes via public transport
- Location: different areas of LA, close to UCLA or Venice Beach
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
- Swimming pool
- Barbecue
- Fitness centre
- 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 2020 – 2021
Dates 2020
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: 01/01, 21/01, 18/02, 27/05, 04/07, 02/09, 28-29/11, 25/12
The school doesn’t close during the Christmas Holidays, except for these specific dates: 25/12 & 01/01
Prices 2020
All taxes and registration fees included
| Lessons & accommodation for families, single room, breakfast OR shared standard appartment* Quadruple room, without meal | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 20 leçons & TOEFL | 24 leçons | 30 leçons |
| 2 weeks | € 1.275 | € 1.325 | € 1.430 |
| 3 weeks | € 1.825 | € 1.905 | € 2.060 |
| 4 weeks | € 2.375 | € 2.480 | € 2.690 |
| 6 weeks | € 3.450 | € 3.605 | € 3.920 |
| 8 weeks | € 4.470 | € 4.680 | € 5.100 |
| 12 weeks | € 6.615 | € 6.930 | € 7.560 |
| 16 weeks | € 9.045 | € 9.885 | |
| 18 weeks | € 10.155 | € 11.095 | |
| 20 weeks | € 10.740 | € 11.785 | |
| 24 weeks | € 12.850 | € 14.110 | |
| 32 weeks | € 16.795 | € 18.475 | |
| 36 weeks | € 18.875 | € 20.760 | |
| Additional week | € 520 | € 570 | |
| *Standard shared apartment, minimum 4 weeks | |||
| Supplements - Per week | |||
| Family, ch. single, half board | € 45 | ||
| Standard shared apartment, ch. twin, no meals | € 75 | ||
| Standard shared apartment, ch. individual, no meal | € 180 | ||
| Premium shared app, ch. part., without meal | € 65 | ||
| Shared app, Premium, ch. single, no meals | € 345 | ||
| Express shipping for visa | € 65 | ||
| Surf option (2 lessons x 2 afternoons / week) | € 225 | ||
| High season supplement (27 / 06-15 / 08/2020) | |||
| Family accommodation (per week) | € 15 | ||
| Transfer - from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) | |||
| Per journey | € 110 | ||
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 for TOEFL etc. (if applicable)
- Deposit (for residence or shared apartment)
- Visa fees
- Optional insurances
Important: A medical insurance is required to enter the United States
