We’ll be your guide as you explore the English language
Learn English to enhance and expand your career options and open up the world of education. The courses offered by EC are suitable for all levels of understanding, and are designed to focus on the area of your choice.
Choose an Academic, Business or General English Course and study in the company of like-minded individuals from all over the world in exciting cities like New York, London or Los Angeles.
With the help of supportive, experienced teachers, state of the art facilities and the very best teaching materials, you’ll enjoy a life-changing experience and leave with the skills needed to pursue your dream.
The Orange Carpet Experience
EC’s Orange Carpet Experience was the Silver Star Award winner in the 2016 UK Customer Experience Awards, setting a new standard for student care in our industry. The award recognises organisations for excellence in customer service, and our goal is to continue showing you what it means to be a VIP. From the moment you book with us until you complete your journey, you will always know you’re our star!
The EC Promise and what it means to you
Here at EC, our aim is simple. We’re here to help you set achievable goals, and give you the support you need to reach them. We provide the knowledge of language learning, the learning environment and social programme you need to make the most of your stay.
Our unique EC Promise means that, as long as you follow your personalised learning programme, we promise that your English will improve.
San Diego is California’s most laid back city
Once a Spanish colonial outpost, modern San Diego is a magnet for people who love surfing and the great outdoors. Known for having the perfect climate, it has some of the best beaches Southern California has to offer. If riding the waves between English language courses is what you’re looking for, San Diego will not disappoint.
At EC San Diego, you will improve your level and maximise your skills at a pace that works for you.
If you are anywhere between a Beginner and Advanced student, you will improve quickly and effectively while gaining confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing English.
- Learn English in this laid back, relaxed city with a wonderful California climate. You’ll thrive in the EC learning environment, with fun, interesting lessons and professional teachers who want to see you succeed.
- Our students come from all over the world. You will be exposed to different cultures, broaden your worldview and make lasting friendships as you practise and improve your skills with like-minded people in San Diego.
General English course options
On the General English Course, you attend a core of 20 lessons per week, which will give you a practical understanding of the English language and take you all the way to fluency. Your confidence will improve as we train you in all four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. You can also choose to extend and intensify your 20 lessons per week with these add-ons.
- Intensive English
This course is made up of 30 lessons (22.5 hours) per week including the General English classes. It also allows you to personalise your course by taking 10 lessons per week across a wide selection of Special Focus options.
- Semi-Intensive English
This additional option is only available to students studying in the USA or Canada. You get 24 lessons (18 hours) per week in General English including four lessons per week in your choice of Special Focus study.
- English for Work
This Special Focus Programme, available at all schools, combines 20 lessons of General English with 10 lessons focused on Business English. Topics cover negotiating, management, marketing, project management, giving presentations and interview skills.
- One-to-One sessions
Add One-to-One sessions to the General English course and maximise your progress through private lessons. With individual attention, these sessions are 100% focused on your requirements and designed by your teachers to match your needs.
Learn everything you need to know about English for Work in San Diego
Take an English for Work course at EC and you’ll be ready to take on opportunities in all parts of the globe.
The highly specialised teaching we offer will enable you to communicate in all situations, confident when interacting with colleagues and able to use the English language to achieve highly specific aims.
- As well as improving your English, you’ll develop many other workplace skills.
- The ability to solve problems, prepare for meetings and argue for your point of view will prove invaluable as your career advances.
- There are plenty of social activities to help you make the most of your time in San Diego, from beach volleyball to surfing, museums, regular outings and other events.
- We also offer Academic Extras to maximise your practice time, with activities including lectures, a pronunciation clinic, conversation class, and discussions on current events.
If you want the freedom and flexibility to be able to pursue the career of your choice anywhere in the world, English for Work could be the Special Focus Programme for you. English is the international language of finance, science and a host of other sectors, and this course will leave you feeling confident, fully equipped and able to follow the pathway you choose.
Reach your potential
Taking the time to seriously focus on your English will open up unlimited opportunities for you. This course will enhance your English language skills in a manner specifically designed for the workplace.
True language immersion
You will develop fluency, accuracy and appropriate uses of English across all four language skills. You will benefit from excellent guidance, monitoring and feedback throughout this course.
Free language workshops
Free language workshops take place in an informal setting and target specific linguistic skills. Expect interesting lectures, topical conversation sessions and pronunciation practice.
Social Activities
Social activities will take in the most lively and interesting areas of the city you choose to base yourself in. Enjoy everything from city tours, the arts, sports, dining, shopping and nightlife.
Prepare to pass the TOEFL exam in laid back San Diego
No matter whether you need TOEFL in order to enter the university of your choice, or to pursue a career, the EC San Diego TOEFL Exam Preparation course will leave you feeling confident, prepared and ready to take the exam on.
- The combination of TOEFL expertise and personalised support tailored to your needs means you’ll maximise your TOEFL exam score in the shortest possible time.
- Complete an EC TOEFL Exam Preparation course and you’ll be ready to take the first step into an exciting future.
- You will challenge yourself, become more independent and make lasting international friendships.
- Take the EC San Diego TOEFL Exam Preparation course for a genuinely life changing experience.
Get a Higher Score
In this special training course our goal is very simple: to help you improve your exam result. Since it began, thousands of students have taken this course, and over 97% of them were able to increase their score with our help.
Exam Technique
Our proven system of teaching has helped thousands of students achieve great results because you only have to study things that you will need to know in the exam.
Expert Instructors
All our exam teachers have received special training. They also have expert knowledge of the exams and experience teaching English and exam classes.
Serious Classes
Every day you will study and practise authentic exam questions. Your classmates will have the same goals and attitude as you and your teacher will do everything possible to help you succeed.
Unique Teaching Materials
We combine the best commercially-available course books with our own materials, developed by people who have worked with Oxford University Press and ETS.
Learn the language and acquire the skills you need to excel academically. This course is designed specifically for those students who want to be thoroughly prepared for higher education at an English-speaking university, with the aim of giving you the tools and confidence needed for a successful academic experience.
- There are plenty of social activities to help you make the most of your time in San Diego, from beach volleyball to surfing, museums, regular outings and other events.
- This is a Special Focus Programme, combining 20 lessons of General English with 10 Special Focus lessons of Academic English for a complete intensive experience that is tailored to you and your personal reasons for learning.
- You’ll challenge yourself, become more independent, and make lasting friendships with people from all around the world!
This is a Special Focus Programme, combining 20 lessons of General English with 10 Special Focus lessons of Academic English for a complete intensive experience that is tailored to you and your personal reasons for learning.
Academic focus
Your 10 weekly Academic English lessons will focus on areas such as:
- Listening to lectures
- Understanding academic texts
- Report writing
- Taking notes
- Giving presentations
- Expressing ideas and opinions
Real skills
This course provides you with the essential skills and knowledge required to succeed at college or university, while training you to become a more independent learner through self-study skills. You will learn the techniques required for real success in higher education.
Free language workshops
Free language workshops take place in an informal setting and target specific linguistic skills. Expect interesting lectures, topical conversation sessions and pronunciation practice.
Social Activities
Social activities will take place in the most lively and interesting areas of the city you choose to base yourself in. Enjoy everything from city tours, the arts, sports, dining, shopping, and nightlife.
Spend an Academic Semester/Year in stunning San Diego
Develop fluency and accuracy while you learn the appropriate uses of English across all four core language skills.
- You will benefit from excellent guidance, progress-tracking and detailed feedback throughout this course.
- As your English and confidence levels improve, you’ll broaden your horizons and gain a huge advantage in your chosen career or education.
- There are plenty of social activities to help you make the most of your time in San Diego, from beach volleyball to surfing, museums, regular outings and other events.
- We also offer Academic Extras to maximise your practice time, with activities including lectures, a pronunciation clinic, conversation class, and discussions on current events.
- Studying abroad for a good length of time will reward you with some incredible experiences.
- You’ll challenge yourself, become more independent, and make lasting friendships with people from all around the world!
Choose from three course levels: General English, Semi-Intensive English, and Intensive English. Each level can be tailored to help you achieve fluency while challenging yourself and developing life-long friendships.
Reach your potential
Taking the time to seriously focus on your English will open up unlimited opportunities for you. This programme is for students who study for 24 weeks or more.
True language immersion
You will develop fluency, accuracy and appropriate uses of English across all four language skills. You will benefit from excellent guidance, monitoring and feedback throughout this course.
Free language workshops
Free language workshops take place in an informal setting and give you more opportunities to practice your language skills. Expect interesting lectures, topical conversation sessions and pronunciation practice.
Social Activities
Social activities will take you to some of the most lively and interesting areas of the city you choose to study in. Enjoy everything from city tours, the arts, sports, dining, and nightlife.
Where you choose to live is a central part of your study abroad experience. We have a variety of accommodation options to suit your lifestyle, budget and needs. You can live with other EC students or in a homestay with local English speakers.
Residences often have lively atmospheres suitable for anyone who loves socialising. Our accommodation options are convenient for public transport, making it easy for you to get to school.
If you choose a Homestay, you will live with local English speakers and experience an authentic lifestyle. You will live as your hosts live, eat what they eat, and spend time at home together. Many students enjoy the home-cooked meals and the extra feeling of security in a homestay.
Whether you've booked a homestay or residence, you'll always receive a warm, personal welcome. All our hosts are fully briefed on how to make you feel comfortable and well-prepared for your first day of lessons. At our residences, an EC representative will be available at the weekend to help you with anything you need and answer any questions.
Homestay
Homestay familes have their own set of rules which will be explained to you when you arrive. Some host families have curfews as well as a time limit for showers. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from school.
Every meal is fresh and prepared daily. A variety of food is provided each one packed with nutritional value. Host families make an effort to adjust the type of food offered to the tastes of the students and take religious beliefs into consideration when preparing meals. Vegetarians or people with food allergies should be specified upon booking.
Breakfast varies from family to family. It is usually self-service and includes bread, coffee, cereal. Hosts offer whatever food is typical for their home. If you book half board you will eat whatever the family eats. If the host family is dining out, you will accompany them as a guest.
Dinners are usually quite early in America but families will inform you of the time when they eat. Not all families sit down and have dinner together every night. Some hosts will allow you to use their kitchens to cook on their own, but this varies from family to family.
Distance to school: 30 to 90 minutes journey by public transport.
Residence
Socialise with like-minded people from all over the world and live independently while enjoying and exploring your chosen destination together, giving you many opportunities to practise your English skills.
Where you choose to live is a central part of your study abroad experience. We have a variety of accommodation options to suit your lifestyle, budget and needs. You can live with other EC students or in a homestay with local English speakers.
Residences often have lively atmospheres suitable for anyone who loves socialising. Our accommodation options are convenient for public transport, making it easy for you to get to school.
If you choose a Homestay, you will live with local English speakers and experience an authentic lifestyle. You will live as your hosts live, eat what they eat, and spend time at home together. Many students enjoy the home-cooked meals and the extra feeling of security in a homestay.
Whether you’ve booked a homestay or residence, you’ll always receive a warm, personal welcome. All our hosts are fully briefed on how to make you feel comfortable and well-prepared for your first day of lessons. At our residences, an EC representative will be available at the weekend to help you with anything you need and answer any questions.
Homestay
Homestay familes have their own set of rules which will be explained to you when you arrive. Some host families have curfews as well as a time limit for showers. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from school.
Every meal is fresh and prepared daily. A variety of food is provided each one packed with nutritional value. Host families make an effort to adjust the type of food offered to the tastes of the students and take religious beliefs into consideration when preparing meals. Vegetarians or people with food allergies should be specified upon booking.
Breakfast varies from family to family. It is usually self-service and includes bread, coffee, cereal. Hosts offer whatever food is typical for their home. If you book half board you will eat whatever the family eats. If the host family is dining out, you will accompany them as a guest.
Dinners are usually quite early in America but families will inform you of the time when they eat. Not all families sit down and have dinner together every night. Some hosts will allow you to use their kitchens to cook on their own, but this varies from family to family.
Distance to school: 30 to 90 minutes journey by public transport.
Residence
Socialise with like-minded people from all over the world and live independently while enjoying and exploring your chosen destination together, giving you many opportunities to practise your English skills.