English courses in Pacific Beach

Our language programme in Pacific Beach, Southern California is designed for young students and adults aged 16 and over. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn or perfect your English in an idyllic setting. Pacific Beach, or ‘PB’, is an iconic California destination, offering 5km of white sandy beaches, a surfing atmosphere and easy access to the centre of San Diego. Immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore Crystal Pier and its quaint shops overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or discover the lively nightlife of Garnet Street, with its bars, clubs and restaurants. Immerse yourself in the Californian dream while improving your language skills in an exceptional setting.

Destination highlights :

  • San Diego-Pacific Beach, a magnificent beach destination, ideal for surf enthusiasts
  • School located right in the city centre on Garnet Avenue, 300m fromone of the most popular beaches in Southern California
  • A lively and dynamic city with a thriving nightlife
  • Small level groups (maximum 12 students)

Our CEL partner school in Pacific Beach is located right in the centre of town on Garnet Avenue, 300m fromone of the most popular beaches in Southern California and a stone’s throw from bars, clubs, restaurants,… The school is renowned for its academic excellence, accredited by highly glowing inspection reports.

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

The school offers :

  • 10 bright classrooms equipped with the latest technology (smart TV)
  • Air-conditioned school
  • Free Wi-Fi access
  • Relaxation room with TV
  • Storage space for surfboards and bikes

English course: general information

  • Length of lesson: 45 minutes
  • Number of students per class: maximum 12 (average 7)
  • Timetable: lessons take place in the morning or afternoon.
  • Placement test: on the first day of the course
  • Certificate of attendance at the end of the course
  • Weekly progress evaluation
  • All teachers are university graduates (BA or Master) with specific training in teaching their mother tongue to foreigners

Standard courses

——
20 lessons of general English per week

4 lessons per day during which you will improve the 4 fundamental skills of written and oral expression, listening comprehension and reading. In this way, you will develop your ability to use practical English in everyday life.

Courses run from Monday to Friday from 08:45 to 12:00 or from 14:15 to 17:30 (in high season only).

Levels offered: beginner (A0) to advanced (C2)

Intensive course

——
28 lessons of general English per week

Ideal programme for rapid progress.
Courses include thestandard General English moduleof 20 lessons per week and 2 modules of your choice, each comprising 4 lessons.

Courses run from Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 2pm or from 12.30pm to 5.30pm (in high season only).

Levels offered: beginner (A0) to advanced (C2)

Semi-intensive course

——
24 lessons of general English per week

Ideal programme for rapid progress. Courses include thestandard General English moduleof 20 lessons per week and 4 lessons of a module to be chosen on site.

Courses run from Monday to Friday from 08.45 to 12.00 2 days a week from 12.30 to 14.00 or from Monday to Friday from 14.15 to 17.30 2 days a week from 12.30 to 14.00 (in high season only).

Levels offered: beginner (A0) to advanced (C2)

TOEFL preparation courses

——
23, 24 or 28 lessons per week:

– 20 general English lessons 3 TOEFL preparation lessons
– 20 lessons of General English 4 lessons of TOEFL preparation
– 24 lessons of General English 4 lessons of TOEFL preparation

Minimum level required: Advanced (C1)
Duration : from 1 to 8 weeks
Details and prices: please contact us

Every week, the school organises cultural activities in the afternoons and evenings, in which you are free to participate or not. These activities may be free or offered at cost, and their frequency varies according to the time of year.

Example of possible activities:

  • Orientation and city tour on day 1 for new arrivals
  • Sports activities (beach volleyball, basketball, baseball, surf football, kayaking, etc.)
  • Visit to San Diego Zoo, the Aquarium and museums
  • Hiking in Balboa Park
  • Bike rides along the beach
  • Barbecues on the beach….
  • Excursions to Seaworld, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Disneyland, Legoland…

Surfing option: 2 surf sessions x 2 afternoons per week to be combined with the course of your choice

Surfing levels: beginner to intermediate

Single room, shared bathroom, breakfast

Average travel time to school: between 30 and 45 minutes by public transport (maximum 75 minutes)

Options at extra cost:

  • Premium (travel time to school: maximum 35 minutes by public transport and direct line – limited availability)

Practical information :

  • Most families offer free Wi-Fi connection
  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry can be done in most homes

Shared room available on request, only for 2 people travelling together

Shared room, shared bathroom, no meals

Travel time to school: between 15 and 35 minutes by bus

Features:

  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Living room
  • Free Wi-Fi connection
  • Smart TV

Practical info:

  • Cleaning every other week
  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry available (chargeable)
  • Check-in Saturday from 4 pm, check-out Saturday before 11 am
  • 500 deposit, refunded if no damage found

Shared room, private bathroom, no meals

Average travel time to school: between 15 and 35 minutes by bus, close to supermarkets, restaurants and department stores

Features:

  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Living room
  • Free Wi-Fi connection
  • Smart TV
  • Swimming pool and small fitness room in the residence complex

Optional extras

  • Single room

Practical info:

  • Cleaning provided every other week
  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry available (chargeable)
  • Check-in Saturday from 4 pm, check-out Saturday before 11 am
  • 500 deposit, refunded if no damage found

Shared room, private bathroom per room, no meals

Average travel time to school: 25-minute walk to school

Features :

  • Location: Pacific Beach/Mission Bay, 5 min. walk to the Bay (calm waters) and 20 min. walk to Pacific Beach (waves)
  • Each flat consists of :
    • 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
    • 1 fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher
    • Free WI-FI connection
    • 1 living room with TV
    • 1 balcony
    • Air conditioning (common areas only)

Optional extras

  • Single room

Practical info :

  • Bed linen and towels provided
  • Laundry service (chargeable)
  • Cleaning is done once a week. The rest of the time, you are responsible for cleaning your room.
  • Swimming pool
  • Barbecue area
  • Fitness centre, tennis and beach volleyball courts
  • Car park (chargeable)
  • Check-in Saturday from 4 pm, check-out Saturday before 11 am
  • 500 deposit, refunded if no damage found

Travel

Day of arrival: Saturday
Day of departure: Saturday

If accommodation in shared flat: Check-in: after 16:00; Check-out: before 11:00

Airport of arrival:

  • San Diego International, SAN OR Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

Transfer available on request (chargeable, see price table)

Note: do not book your ticket until we have confirmed your stay.

Visa information

Do you need a visa to follow this programme? For more information, please consult our Visa Information page.

Note for EU nationals: standard courses lasting less than 90 days do not require a student visa. However, an ESTA is still required.

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

Dates 2025

Starting dates : Classes start every Monday throughout the year, except if Monday is a public holiday, in which case the session starts on Tuesday.

Public holidays (no classes will be given on these dates): 1/01, 20/01, 17/02, 26/05, 19/06, 4/07, 1/09, 27/11, 28/11, 25/12

Lessons on 28 November will be made up. The school will not be closed during Christmas week, except on 25 December.

Prices 2025

All taxes and registration fees included

WPCS 42.0.3
Cours & logement chez l'habitant, chambre individuelle, petit-déjeuner ou chambre partagée, demi-pension ou Résidence*, chambre partagée, sans repas
Durée20 leçons24 leçons30 leçons
2 semaines€ 1.405€ 1.460€ 1.580
3 semaines€ 1.925€ 2.010€ 2.185
4 semaines€ 2.500€ 2.615€ 2.850
6 semaines€ 3.655€ 3.830€ 4.175
8 semaines€ 4.695€ 4.925€ 5.385
12 semaines€ 6.945€ 7.290€ 7.985
16 semaines-€ 9.505€ 10.430
18 semaines-€ 10.670€ 11.710
20 semaines-€ 11.255€ 12.410
24 semaines-€ 13.470€ 14.855
32 semaines-€ 17.585€ 19.435
36 semaines-€ 19.760€ 21.840
Semaine suppl.-€ 545€ 600
*Résidence, séjour de 4 semaines
Suppléments - Par semaineBasse saisonHaute saison (26/06-14/08)
Logement chez l'habitant
Chambre individuelle, petit-déjeuner-€ 10
Chambre partagée, demi-pension-€ 20
Chambre individuelle, demi-pension€ 30€ 50
Premium, chambre partagée, demi-pension€ 60€ 75
Premium, chambre individuelle, demi-pension€ 125€ 145
Logement en résidence Standard
Chambre individuelle, sans repas€ 75€ 75
Logement en appartement partagé
Superior Pacific Beach, chambre partagée, sans repas€ 50€ 65
Superior Pacific Beach, chambre individuelle, sans repas€ 315€ 415
Autres
régime spécial (vegan, sans lactose)€ 35-
Frais d'envoi express pour le visa€ 70-
Option surf (2 leçons x 2 après-midi/semaine)€ 165-
Transfert - depuis l'aéroport de San Diego (SAN)
Aller€ 95
Aller-retour€ 190

The above prices include:

  • The chosen course programme
  • Accommodation as described
  • Teaching materials
  • Unlimited Internet access
  • All taxes and school administration costs

Not included:

  • Return journey to destination
  • Transfers
  • Optional exam fees, if required
  • Deposit for the shared flat ($500 to be paid on site – credit card recommended)
  • Visa fees
  • Optional insurance

Note: medical and assistance insurance is compulsory to enter the United States. For more information about the insurance offered by Langues Vivantes, click here.

Similar programmes

English in New York City – EC

Study English in New York. From age 16, minimum 2 weeks. General English, semi-intensive or intensive courses, English for Work or English in the City. Accommodation with a host family or in a residence. 2 weeks from US$ 2,130 (20 lessons & accommodation with a family, single room, breakfast).

English in San Diego Downtown

Study English in San Diego! Ages 16 , 2 week stay minimum. General, standard or intensive English, and TOEFL exam preparation. Homestay or shared apartment accommodation. 2 weeks from US$1,610 (20 lessons, shared apartment, no meals)

English in San Francisco – EC

Study English in San Francisco! From age 16, minimum 2 weeks. General, semi-intensive or intensive English courses, business English. Accommodation with a host family or in a flat. 2 weeks from US$ 1,850 (20 lessons).

English in Los Angeles – Santa Monica – EC

Study English in Los Angeles! Ages 16 , 2 week stay minimum. Standard, semi-intensive or intensive English lessons, business English. Homestay or shared apartment accommodation. 2 weeks from US$1,710 (20 lessons, homestay accommodation, single room, breakfast.)

English in Los Angeles – Santa Monica – CEL

Language programme in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. Ages 16 , minimum 2 week stays. General, standard or intensive English classes. TOEFL exam preparation available. Accommodation with a host family or in a shared apartment. 2 week starting from US$ 1460 (20 lessons, accommodation with a host family, shared room, breakfast).