ICLS is a woman-owned, independent language school based in Washington, DC.
ICLS was founded in 1966 to provide English as a Second Language (ESL) and foreign language training. We also offer high-quality internships at US companies and organizations through our “WIN in the USA” Program.
Our relationships with government agencies and international organizations such as the Department of Defense, US Agency for International Development and the World Bank have been long standing; most have been our clients for over 20 years. Our relationships with individuals who have made language learning a life-long commitment have been just as long.
We are much more than a language school, though. We are a community of teachers, students, and staff who believe in life-long language learning, and we foster a strong student-centered and communicative approach to teaching. Our unique programs, such as our full-service Washington International Internship Network (WIN in the USA) Program and High-Intensity Language Training (HILT), were designed to meet the needs of the international, national, and local communities.
Because we are a boutique language school, our staff provides a high level of personal service and attention to meet the needs of our foreign language and English language students as well as our internship program participants. We place students quickly in a program that is tailored to fit their needs and with a teacher who will ensure they meet their personal and/or professional goals. Our instructors believe in the active use of authentic language and view grammatical knowledge not as an end in itself, but as a tool to convey and comprehend intended meaning in the target language.
The ICLS mission is to offer student-centered language programs that develop authentic target language use, focus on individual goals, and enable students to be successful in a global environment.
Intensive English Program (IEP) includes daily practice of speaking, listening, and reading and writing, with a strong emphasis on conversation and pronunciation.
Our IEP goes beyond our classroom doors. We provide students with information on housing solutions to help them settle into Washington, DC. Teachers lead weekly trips to local sites of interest such as museums, monuments, national parks, and seasonal events, creating conversation opportunities for students.
Because ICLS is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students, students on student visas can maintain their F-1 status by enrolling in the IEP.
Key Benefits
Diverse student body
On average we have students join us from over 45 different countries each year
Four classes daily
Each classes with a different highly-skilled teacher, allow for well-rounded curriculum
Small class sizes
We have average of 7-8 students per class
Emphasis is on understanding and speaking
Emphasis is on understanding and speaking like native English speakers
Weekly activities and field trips
Weekly activities and field trips allow students to practice their English and explore the D.C. Metro area
Designed to accommodate students, private classes are customized to help our students achieve their unique academic, professional, or personal goals. Students can design their own schedule and study at their own pace. Private students complete proficiency testing and a needs assessment to determine the focus of their course.
We help our students define their professional, academic, and/or personal goals by customizing private classes to meet individual learning requirements. Private classes are flexible because students can choose from many scheduling options. Through proficiency testing and needs assessment, we determine students’ language proficiency level, identifying and focusing on their areas for improvement.
Teachers work with students to target and address each student’s unique language weaknesses, such as pronunciation, fluency (confidence), accuracy (grammar). Private courses can include specific professions’ language needs such as business, hospitality, law, or medical English.
All private english classes can be scheduled on demand.
Key Benefits
Emphasis is on what you need
The emphasis can be on general proficiency or specific skills such as speaking, pronunciation, or writing
Expert Feedback
Students receive feedback from experts on how to improve their skills
Designed for your schedule
Designed to accommodate the diverse needs and busy schedule of the student
On-site or Virtual Classrooms
Classes can take place either on site at ICLS or via the Internet in a live virtual classroom
Dynamic & highly-engaging classes
Expert instructors teach dynamic, highly-engaging classes which help students to reach their goals
Vacation English includes daily practice of speaking, listening, and reading and writing, with a strong emphasis on conversation and pronunciation.
Our Vacation English goes beyond our classroom doors. We provide students with information on housing solutions to help them settle into Washington, DC. Teachers lead weekly trips to local sites of interest such as museums, monuments, national parks, and seasonal events, creating conversation opportunities for students.
Key Benefits
Diverse student body
On average we have students join us from over 45 different countries each year
Four classes daily
Each classes with a different highly-skilled teacher, allow for well-rounded curriculum
Small class sizes
We have average of 7-8 students per class
Emphasis is on understanding and speaking
Emphasis is on understanding and speaking like native English speakers
Weekly activities and field trips
Weekly activities and field trips allow students to practice their English and explore the D.C. Metro area
Offered both at ICLS or online, the Communicating in Business English course will allow you to improve language skills critical for your professional success. Students will practice English through various real-world simulations. This course is intended for individuals with an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency. Our program includes the following topics:
- Presentations
- Work emails
- Negotiations
- Customer service
- Interpersonal workplace communication
- Meetings
- Marketing and promotions
- Participating in an internship
and more…
Key Benefits
Small class sizes
We have an average of 5 to 6 students per class
Designed for Professionals
Challenging program to fit the unique needs for the workplace
Easy-to-use strategies
Useful workplace communication strategies you can use immediately
Offered at ICLS or Online
Classes take place in downtown DC near the McPherson Square and Farragut North Metro stations. You also have the option to take the class online from the comfort of your home.
For more than 20 years, ICLS has offered a TOEFL® preparation program that helps students achieve a satisfactory score on the Next Generation TOEFL® iBT exam. Class time is spent learning specific skill-building exercises, reviewing test-taking strategies, and practicing with simulated TOEFL® test problems. High Intermediate to Advanced English proficiency is required.
Key Benefits
Language proficiency in all four skills
Improve your academic speaking, listening, reading, and writing
Individualized feedback
Take pre- and post-tests and get targeted feedback on how to improve your score
Effective Test-taking Strategies
Understand how the test really works by identifying question types and managing your time.
Grammar and vocabulary review
Learn the structures and language you need to succeed on the test.
More than 20 years of experience
We have the know-how to help you reach the score you need.
Let ICLS Bring Our Classroom to You!
The International Center for Language Studies (ICLS) is an accredited, independent language school with over 52 years of experience offering language training, testing and curriculum development in English and over 85 languages to a wide range of students.
Our students come from private, business, government and diplomatic communities, many of whom have been our clients for over 30 years. As our horizons have expanded and today’s student is no longer tied to the classroom, ICLS has developed a robust Distance Learning Program that brings the live classroom experience to you in real time, wherever you are.
In Your Time Zone
- Private Instruction
Tailored to your goals on your time
Short-term or long-term instruction
Taught in over 85 languages
- Group Instruction
Ongoing group instruction that anyone can join, from anywhere
Customized training programs for 3 or more students
Lively and immersive environment
- Virtual Classrooms
Train from any location through our live, interactive, virtual classroom
Crystal-clear audio, digital white board and chat features
Ability to record sessions
Designated by the U.S. Department of State as an exchange visitor sponsor in the Intern and Trainee categories, ICLS contributes to educational and cultural exchange as authorized by the Fulbright-Hayes Act (1961), the objective of which is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, and to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and other nations.
WIN in the USA is designed to foster cultural exchange, mutual understanding and career-focused learning opportunities for international students, recent graduates, and young professionals. Through programs such as bona fide training, participants have the unique ability to represent their country and culture, exchange knowledge, enhance understanding and international partnerships through their experiences in the United States.
WIN in the USA offers customized programs for university students, graduates and young professionals who wish to improve their English language skills, gain valuable cultural and professional learning experience, build an international network and share cultural and professional learning experience upon returning home.