English in San Francisco

Discover San Francisco

The beautiful San Francisco, located on the tip of a peninsula in Northern California, is one of the best places to improve your English in a gorgeous natural setting. Surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, San Fransisco is continually ranked as the US’s most beautiful city, this vibrant, eccentric metropolis is famous for its steep hills, incredible views over the bay, iconic architecture, Cables Cars, Alcatraz Island, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Nob Hill and many others.

Today the Bay Area is also known as Silicon Valley, and is the epicentre of tech-start ups with the likes of Facebook, Google and Apple. Recognizable as the setting of many movies and serials, one can feel at home there in a very short period of time. However, the city hasn’t lost its liberal and extremely laid-back vibe. It is now up to you to climb the famous hills, jog across Golden Gate Park, walk around the magnificent Victorian houses, and ride the streets on the last existing cable tramways.

Our partner school, EC, is located in the heart of San Francisco on Montgomery Street. Merely a short walk from Union Square with restaurants, cafes, shops and entertainment options nearby, EC is perfectly located. It also has great public transport links for you to explore the neighbouring areas.

EC is accredited by ACCET and English USA.

School facilities include:

8 bright, spacious classrooms
SmartBoards in each classroom
Computer room
Free WiFi access throughout the centre
Cafe on ground floor level
Excellent library facilities
Self-study room
Wheelchair accessible

Service VIP – The Orange Carpet Experience

EC welcomes you with their orange carpet

Before your arrival: access to the online platform of EC to prepare for your stay
A warm welcome upon your arrival at the airport of station
A warm welcome in the residence or in your host family
A welcome activity on Sunday to meet the other students
On the first day of course: a VIP reception at the school
A presentation of all members of the EC team

Now you’re ready to learn!

Language courses: the basics

Lesson length: 45 minutes
Class size: Average 12 students (maximum 15)
Schedule: morning and/or afternoon lessons
Placement test: first day of lessons
Certificate of completion at the end of your stay
Open access to the online EC platform up to 12 weeks after your stay
Regular progress tests (oral test every week, written test every 6 weeks)
CELTA-qualified native English teachers

EC Teaching Methods

EC follows a ‘Communicative Method’ syllabus, which works to develop all four English language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. Special attention is paid to speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

To give an engaging and relevant framework to learning these skills, each lesson will focus on a specific topic, which will vary from current affairs to everyday issues. Your professional and friendly teachers will select topics that create interest, discussion and debate in the class, allowing you to develop your confidence both in speaking and listening throughout your stay, in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

The teaching materials EC uses are specially designed by the school and realia such as newspapers, videos and other materials is also used.

As well as taking an active part in classroom discussions – the best way to improve your fluency – you will work on your language skills in small groups, pairs or individually on tasks and projects. EC’s teachers work to create a welcoming environment with mutual support among students – so you’ll feel at home while your English improves!

4 lessons a day will give you a practical understanding of the English language and take you all the way to fluency. See your confidence improve as EC trains you in all four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Language level: all levels

The ideal course to get your English where you want it to be, fast. Includes 20 lessons of General English with an additional 4 lessons of General English per week.

You will improve all four English language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – and develop your ability to speak the English of the everyday life.

Language level: all levels

The ideal course to get your English where you want it to be, fast. Includes the above General English classes, and also allows you to personalise your course by taking an additional 10 lessons per week across a wide selection of electives (see the choices below).:

Write Now
Media Studies
The Language of Music
Film Studies
Global Citizenship
Comparative Culture & Communication
Basic English Writing
Academic Techniques in Practice (writing assignments, taking notes and preparing presentations)
Get Talking
And many more!

Language level: all levels

EC’s English for Work course will allow you to improve your English fluency and empower you with the language, knowledge and skills to confidently deal with a variety of business issues. Every week you will take 24 lessons: 20 lessons of General English and 4 lessons of Business English.

Business Skills:

Expressing personal opinions
Making suggestions
Presenting case studies
Problem-solving

Business Focus – 4 tailored lessons :

Negotiating contracts
Management and HR
Branding and promotional strategies
Project management
Business ethics and CSR

Specific business techniques such as business English on the phone and interview skills are also covered.

Language level: Lower Intermediate to Advanced

Activities and events during your stay

As an EC student, you will enjoy a calendar of various social and leisurely activities in the afternoons/evenings every week. These activities are optional and some may require a fee. All activities are subject to change and vary depending on the time of year. Activity planning can be viewed on the online EC platform.

Some of the many activities available include:

Welcome Event
Tour of San Francisco’s iconic neighbourhoods
Museum outings
Yoga classes
Movie and restaurant nights
Excursions

Single room, shared bathroom and half board.

Shared rooms are available for students travelling together.

Travel time to EC: San Francisco’s residential areas are in the suburbs of the city. Travel time to EC takes 45-65 minutes by public transport. San Francisco boasts an excellent public transport system.

Practical information:

Linens/towels provided
Laundry: Not all households in San Francisco 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.

The Colombus Residence offers students a unique opportunity to live with both international and American students.

Features:

Single or shared room
Private bathroom
Refrigerator and safe in each bedroom
No meals included
Travel time to EC: 10 minutes walk
Located in the heart of San Francisco, near Jackson Square
Deposit to be paid on arrival (see Dates & Prices tab), to be refunded at the end of your stay provided no damages are incurred

Facilities and services

Linens/towels provided on arrival
Free WiFi access
Fully-equipped shared kitchen
Common room
Resident advisor
Access to a rooftop patio
Coin laundry facility on-site
Weekly cleaning service; please note that outside of this service, students are responsible for cleaning their rooms

Travel

Arrivals: Saturday

Departures: Saturday

If residence accommodation: Check-in: 12:00-6:00 p.m. (Saturday); Check-out: 8:00-10:00 a.m. (Saturday)

Arrival airport:
San Francisco International, SFO

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see price list)

Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course.

Visa Information

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

EU citizens do not require a visa for stays in the United States under 90 days. However, EU nationals do require an ESTA Travel Authorization.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.

Dates & Prices 2023

Dates 2021

Beginning of the sessions: the majority of courses start every Monday throughout the year unless otherwise stated below. If Monday is a public holiday, the session starts on Tuesday.

Holidays and vacations (no classes will be held on these dates or rescheduled at a later date; no compensation will be given): 01/01, 18/01, 15/02, 31//03, 31/05, 05/07, 06/09, 11/10, 11/11, 25/11, 26/11, 24/12, 31/12

Business English course starts: every Monday for a maximum of 10 weeks.

Prices 2021

All taxes and registration fees included

Courses & Homestay accommodation, single room, breakfast
Duration	20L	24L or Business	30L
2 weeks	€ 1.775	€ 1.890	€ 2.025
3 weeks	€ 2.535	€ 2.705	€ 2.905
4 weeks	€ 3.285	€ 3.515	€ 3.785
6 weeks	€ 4.795	€ 5.140	€ 5.545
8 weeks	€ 6.310	€ 6.770	€ 7.305
12 weeks	€ 9.095	€ 9.385	€ 10.245
16 weeks	€ 12.040	€ 12.425	€ 13.575
20 weeks	€ 13.515	€ 13.945	€ 15.240
24 weeks	€ 14.980	€ 15.460	€ 16.900
32 weeks	-	€ 19.150	€ 20.270
36 weeks	-	€ 23.505	€ 24.885
Additional week	-	€ 26.415	€ 27.965
Accommodation supplements (per week)
Host family, single room, half board
Colombus Residence, single room, no meals	€ 75
High season supplement course (15/06 - 11/09) (per week)
From 1 to 12 week (s) only
High season accommodation supplements (13/06 - 12/09) (per week)
Family accommodation
Colombus Residence, shared room, no meals	€ 40
Colombus Residence, single room, no meals	€ 250
Other supplements
Express shipment Visa I-20 document	€ 75
From San Francisco Airport (SFO)	€ 145

* Round trip compulsory for children under 18.