San Diego
Our language program in Pacific Beach, Southern California, is designed for young students and adults aged 16 and above. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn or refine your English skills in an idyllic setting. Pacific Beach, or “PB,” is an iconic destination in California, offering 5 km of white sandy beaches, a surf vibe, and easy access to downtown San Diego. Immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring Crystal Pier and its quaint ocean-facing shops, or experience the lively nightlife on Garnet Street, with its bars, clubs, and restaurants. Dive into the California dream while enhancing your language skills in an exceptional environment.
San Diego has been named as one of the best cities to live within the United States on more than one occasion.
Highlights of the destination
- San Diego-Pacific Beach, a beautiful beach destination, perfect for surf enthusiasts.
- School located in the heart of downtown on Garnet Avenue, 300m from one of Southern California’s most popular beaches.
- Lively and vibrant city with a thriving nightlife.
- Small level groups (maximum of 12 students).
Our partner school, CEL in Pacific Beach is located in the middle of town on Garnet Avenue. Only 300 metres from one of the most popular beaches in southern California, CEL is just around the corner from numerous bars, clubs and restaurants. The school is known for its academic excellence, and goes through regular evaluations to ensure it keeps its academic standard to the highest level.
Accreditations: CEA (Commision of English Language Accreditation), English USA
School facilities include:
- 10 brightly light classrooms, equipped with the newest technology (smart TVs)
- Air conditioned classrooms
- Free WiFi access
- Lounge room with a TV
- Space to store surf boards and bikes
English Classes: General Information
- Lesson length: 45 minutes
- Number of students per class: maximum of 12 (on average 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..)
- Visit to San Diego zoo, the Aquarium, Museums
- Hiking in Balboa Park
- Bike rides along the beach
- Barbecues on the beach
- Outings to Seaworld, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Disneyland, Legoland..
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 included
Average travel time to the school: between 30 and 45 minutes by public transportation (maximum 75 minutes)
Extra option
- Premium (travel time to school: maximum 35 minutes by direct public transportation – limited availability)
Practical informations :
- Most families offer complimentary Wi-Fi
- Bed linens and towels provided
- Laundry facilities available in most households
- Shared room available upon request, only for 2 people traveling together
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
- Smart TV
- Swimming pool and small fitness room in the residence complex
Pratical informations :
- Cleaning is provided every other week.
- Bed linens and towels provided.
- Laundry facilities available (fee applies).
- Check-in on Saturdays from 4 p.m., check-out on Saturdays before 11 a.m.
- $500 security deposit, refunded if no damage is observed.
Services/Facilities available:
- Bed linens and towels provided
- Laundry facilities available for a fee
- Cleaning is done once a week. The rest of the time, you are responsible for cleaning your room.
- Swimming pool
- Barbecue area
- Fitness center, tennis and beach volleyball courts
- Parking (fee applies)
- Check-in on Saturdays from 4 p.m., check-out on Saturdays before 11 a.m.
- $500 security deposit, refunded if no damage is observed
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 :
- San Diego International, SAN OR Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
Transfers available on request (for a fee, please see ‘Dates and Prices 2018’ tab)
Note: 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 2021
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.
Bank holidays & holidays (no classes will be held on these or rescheduled) 01/01, 15/01, 19/02, 27/05, 04/07, 02/09, 29/11, 25/12, 24/12.
Classes scheduled for November 29th will be made up. The school will not be closed during the Christmas week, except on December 25th.
Prices 2021
| Cours & logement chez l'habitant, chambre individuelle, petit-déjeuner ou chambre partagée, demi-pension ou Résidence*, chambre partagée, sans repas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Durée | 20 leçons | 24 leçons | 30 leçons |
| 2 semaines | € 1.435 | € 1.490 | € 1.610 |
| 3 semaines | € 1.965 | € 2.050 | € 2.230 |
| 4 semaines | € 2.550 | € 2.670 | € 2.905 |
| 6 semaines | € 3.730 | € 3.905 | € 4.260 |
| 8 semaines | € 4.790 | € 5.025 | € 5.495 |
| 12 semaines | € 7.085 | € 7.440 | € 8.145 |
| 16 semaines | - | € 9.700 | € 10.640 |
| 18 semaines | - | € 10.885 | € 11.945 |
| 20 semaines | - | € 11.485 | € 12.660 |
| 24 semaines | - | € 13.740 | € 15.155 |
| 32 semaines | - | € 17.945 | € 19.830 |
| 36 semaines | - | € 20.160 | € 22.280 |
| Semaine suppl. | - | € 555 | € 615 |
| *Résidence, séjour de 4 semaines | |||
| Suppléments - Par semaine | Basse saison | Haute 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 | € 80 | |
| Premium, chambre individuelle, demi-pension | € 130 | € 145 | |
| Logement en résidence Standard | |||
| Chambre individuelle, sans repas | € 80 | € 80 | |
| Logement en appartement partagé | |||
| Superior Pacific Beach, chambre partagée, sans repas | € 50 | € 70 | |
| Superior Pacific Beach, chambre individuelle, sans repas | € 325 | € 420 | |
| Autres | |||
| régime spécial (vegan, sans lactose) | € 35 | - | |
| Frais d'envoi express pour le visa | € 75 | - | |
| Option surf (2 leçons x 2 après-midi/semaine) | € 165 | - | |
| Transfert - depuis l'aéroport de San Diego (SAN) | |||
| Aller | € 100 | ||
| Aller-retour | € 195 | ||
Prices include:
- The chosen language programme
- Accommodation with a host family, shared room & half board 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 San Diego 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
