Berkeley, CA ELS - Berkeley



ELS Address: 2425 Prospect Street Berkeley, CA 94704
Tel.: (510) 845-0201

Center Information

ELS/Berkeley is located in Hillside Hall, a residence and classroom facility, which houses both ELS students and students from the University of California, Berkeley. Many of the world’s greatest scholars have studied in Berkeley, and students can take advantage of many libraries, cafes, bookstores and festivals. ELS is in an ideal San Francisco Bay Area location that enjoys a temperate climate, good public transportation and easy access to San Francisco, San Jose and Marin County.

Programs

Intensive English

Cost Per Session: $1,575.00
Start Dates 2010: March 01, March 29, April 26, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 13, October 11, November 08, December 06
Show Description
The ELS Intensive English Program, our most popular program of study, will help you significantly improve your English skills, achieve greater fluency, and fully prepare you for university study in the USA. More than 600 universities, colleges and career schools accept completion of an advanced ELS level as meeting the English language requirement for admission.

Semi-Intensive English

Cost Per Session: $1,210.00
Start Dates 2010: March 01, March 29, April 26, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 13, October 11, November 08, December 06
Show Description
The ELS Semi-Intensive Program is ideal for students who want to learn English while also having time to visit local cities and attractions. Students take classes in the morning and have afternoons free to explore and use their improving English.

The Complete Prep program for the TOEFL® iBT

Cost Per Session: $1,770.00
Starting Date: Click here for all dates
Show Description
ELS has developed a 12-week comprehensive Prep Program for the TOEFL® iBT that gives you the best preparation possible and the confidence you need to succeed! The new Internet based TOEFL® iBT requires students to answer questions related to speaking, listening, reading and writing – and measures not just what you know, but how well you can express yourself and apply your knowledge. By taking the Prep Program, you will practice integrated reading and listening skills, improve writing and speaking, as well as learn test-taking strategies.

American Explorer

Cost Per Session: $1,150.00
Start Dates 2010: March 01, March 29, April 26, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 13, October 11, November 08, December 06
Show Description
If you are planning a short vacation in the USA and would like to include some English classes, our American Explorer Program is perfect for you. Study English in the morning and enjoy the afternoons practicing your English while sightseeing and visiting local attractions.

Super Intensive English (30 lessons)

Cost Per Session: $7,050.00
Starting Date: Every Monday
Show Description
The ELS Super Intensive English Program is the fastest way to improve English proficiency. This course combines highly concentrated, one-to-one instruction and a curriculum targeted specially to the participant’s needs. Courses are individually designed based upon level of English ability, desired language use and outcomes, and length of time available for study. This program can begin on any Monday and may last for one week to four weeks or more. The Super Intensive Program consists of either 20, 30 or 45 private, 50-minute lessons each week, taught on a Monday to Friday schedule. ELS will provide assistance with accommodation arrangements.

Additional Learning Opportunities

American Conversation Partnerships
Interested in after-class conversation and friendship with an American student? Inquire after your arrival and we can arrange time with a native speaker.

Contact America! Program
Through regularly organized activities you can practice English both in and out of the classroom with native guest speakers or American students discussing various topics.

Music, Voice or Dance Lessons
We can arrange for students to take musical instrument, voice or dance lessons with faculty or qualified students.

Volunteerism Experience
ELS Language Centers offers a unique opportunity for full-time students who wish to participate in volunteer experiences at public and private, national and local organizations that provide services to adults, youth, children, elderly, handicapped and needy, or services protecting and improving the environment. Students who complete this experience will receive a certificate, which recognizes their participation.

TOEFL Testing Center
In addition to our academic TOEFL Prep Program, we offer the TOEFL exam on-site. For more information on the TOEFL test click here



Off-Campus Student Residence

Show Description
Minimum Age Requirement:
17
Hillside Durant offers comfortable double room accommodations with hallway bathrooms, just 1-block away from the main UC Berkeley campus. This residence hall has fully equipped kitchens, and residents have the option of purchasing the meal plan at nearby Hillside Hall (where the ELS Center if located) just 5-blocks away, or eating out at the many inexpensive and great restaurants for which Berkeley is famous.

On-campus Student Residence

Show Description
Minimum Age Requirement:
17
Shared double occupancy rooms in Hillside Hall, which is the same building as the Center. Shared hallway bathrooms. Linens are included. Students clean their own rooms during stay.

Homestay

Show Description
Minimum Age Requirement:
15
All ELS Centers offer homestay accommodations with an English-speaking host family. ELS host families are carefully screened to ensure they provide a pleasant and safe “home away from home” for our students. Living with a host family can help you learn English faster while experiencing American customs and culture firsthand. Students often develop very close relationships with their hosts — friendships that can last a lifetime. Students usually have their own room, but occasionally a shared double occupancy room may be assigned in the case of room shortage. Students are responsible for their personal transportation.

No Accommodation Needed

Show Description
Minimum Age Requirement:
15
Students have the option to find their own housing. Stay at a local hotel or choose to live with nearby family and friends.


General Facilities

  • Baseball field
  • Basketball court(s)
  • Billiards (pool)
  • Cafeteria
  • Computer center
  • Language Technology Center (LTC)
  • Library
  • Ping pong
  • Recreational park
  • Running track
  • Snack bar
  • Soccer field
  • Tennis court(s)
  • Volleyball court(s)

  • University of California-Berkeley campus & events
  • Berkeley's cafes, restaurants, shops and entertainment
  • Easy access to San Francisco by public transportation
  • Muir Woods (redwood forests)
  • Napa & Sonoma Wine country
  • Year-round mild weather

Area

18 Square Miles.
46.62 Square Kilometers.

Population

102,743 People.

Distance to Key Locations (from ELS center)

Minutes Method
Bank 10 Car
Airport 50 Bus
Bus Stop/Subway 10 Car
Downtown Area 20 Car
Post Office 10 Car
Restaurant(s) 5 Car
Shopping Mall/Outlet 30 Bus
Supermarket 15 Car
Sports Stadium/Center 15 Car
On-Campus Residence 1 to 5 Car
Homestay 30 to 40 Bus

Car Bike Bus Walk Train/Subway

Electricity

110V 60KHz.
Electric Plug Details

Tourist Attractions

Contact form


Activities

ELS Activities

ELS-Berkeley Fall Session PDF - 602 KB Download
ELS-Berkeley Spring Session PDF - 501 KB Download
ELS-Berkeley Summer Session PDF - 511 KB Download
ELS-Berkeley Winter Session PDF - 565 KB Download

Center Staff

Steve Shin
Center Director: I love interacting with students from all over the world! I began as a teacher and have worked at several different ELS centers. I made my way out to California from Washington, D.C., stopping in Michigan along the way. I also have experience abroad in Europe and South America. Living in many different places have made me appreciate the various culutres and their people. I am excited about getting our students involved around Berkeley, and I enjoy helping all the students, speaking with them everyday about things that interest them.

Allison Hines
International Student Advisor: I take a while to explain where I am from. Born in the Midwest, moved to Seattle, moved to the rural North West, studied overseas in the UK, studied more in California, lived in China for a year, and now back to Berkeley! Whew! – and that doesn’t even include travel. After moving so much and meeting people from all over the world, I’ve developed a love of cultures and attitudes different from my own. There is always something new to learn, and working for ELS Language Centers, I can finally plant my feet somewhere while still meeting fascinating people from all corners of the globe.

Kelly Williams
Registrar: After growing up in the Bay Area and LA, then later earning my Bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego, I can call myself 100% Californian. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to study in Germany and became fascinated with other cultures and ways of life. After earning my TESOL Certificate I taught Kindergarten in Nagoya , Japan. I love working at ELS Berkeley because of the unique social atmosphere at Hillside Hall and the chance to attend fun activities such as culture night, Oakland A’s baseball games, and ELS Prom!

Change Location


Need some help?

Downloads

Student Testimonials

Gallery

Map

Weather

Light Rain
49°
Current conditions as of Tue, 09 Feb 2010 3:53 am PST

TODAY


Rain
High: 52°
Low: 44°

TOMORROW


Mostly Sunny
High: 59°
Low: 47°
Data by: Yahoo Weather
Icons by: Stardock's©

Time Zone UTC -8

Print this page