Estimated cost includes tuition and housing costs only. All prices are listed in US Dollars. Program & housing availability as well as cost are subject to change.
Centers & Locations
Earn the Prestigious CELTA certificate
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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 and bookstores. ELS is in an ideal location near the San Francisco Bay Area that enjoys a temperate climate, good public transportation and easy access to San Francisco, San Jose and Marin County. Berkeley is also located near Muir Woods and Napa Wine Country. The city of Berkeley has a small population, but a big reputation and is host to many art and cultural activities including numerous festivals.
Walking-distance to the University of California Berkeley campus
Dorm housing (with UC Berkeley students) or homestay
Year-round mild weather
Easy access to San Francisco by public transportation
University of California-Berkeley campus & events
Use of select recreational facilities in area
Berkeley's cafes, restaurants, shops and entertainment
The Complete Prep Program for the TOEFL® iBT has been added to your estimate.
Cost Per Session
$1950
Hillside Durant(Student Off Campus)
Located one block from the main UC Berkeley Campus, and 5 blocks from ELS/Berkeley at Hillside Hall, Hillside Durant is a three floor building with 12 (double) rooms and 6 semiprivate bathrooms. The dormitory has two large kitchens and dining areas where students may prepare their own meals. Each room is furnished with beds, desks, chest of drawers, closets, sink, a small refrigerator and TV. There are coin-operated laundry rooms. Males & Females on the same floor, but in separated rooms and bathrooms. Linens are included. Students clean their own rooms during stay. Rooms for Married Couples may be possible (with permission) in a different dorm.
Price per Session
$830
Occupancy
Double - In some cases students will be placed in triple or quadruple occupancy if there is overflow. In these cases discounts will be offered.
Minimum Age
17
Airport Pickup
125
Meals / week or Meal Credit
Optional. Fully equipped kitchen allows students the option to cook their own meals. They may purchase a monthly meal plan or a $5 coupon per meal. Only a few blocks away are many restaurants serving tasty foods at low cost that appeal to students on a budget.
Dorm (Hillside Hall)(Student Off Campus)
Coed dormitory with American (UC Berkeley) students living in the same dorm and floor. Males & Females on the same floor, but in separated rooms and bathrooms. 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. All rooms have Wireless access. A common student lounge with cable TV, DVD, pool table, and ping pong table is available as well as a porch with BBQ area for students to use. Rooms for Married Couples may be possible (with advanced notice) in a different dorm. Different rates may apply for Married Couple rooms.
There are laundry facilities in the residence hall building.
Price per Session
$1250
Occupancy
Double - In some cases students will be placed in triple or quadruple occupancy if there is overflow. In these cases discounts will be offered.
Minimum Age
17
Airport Pickup
125
Meals / week or Meal Credit
17 per week (breakfast, lunch & dinner daily) taken in the Hillside Hall cafeteria.
Homestays in the area(Homestay)
Students are responsible for taking public transportation to the Center. Most students travel to ELS by bus or BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train.
Price per Session
$1115
Occupancy
Single
Minimum Age
16
Airport Pickup
125
Meals / week or Meal Credit
14 meals per week (daily continental breakfasts and dinners)
Baseball field
Computer center
Gymnasium
Ping pong
Running track
Snack bar
Soccer field
Swimming pool (indoor)
Golf course nearby (fee)
Tennis court(s)
Language Technology Center (LTC)
Movie theater
Health center
Basketball court(s)
Library
Recreational park
Billiards (pool)
Swimming pool (outdoor)
Volleyball court(s)
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes
Cafeteria
Meet the Staff
Kathleen Hylen
Center Director
Kathleen joined ELS Language Centers straight from the Peace Corps where she served from 2003-2005. While there, she taught English to high school students and adults. Prior to the Peace Corps she worked in international sales in the computer industry. It was here she developed her love for languages and travel. Kathleen is an advocate at school and in the community for cross-cultural understanding and social responsibility. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Sarah Thomson
Academic Director
Welcome to ELS Berkeley! I am your Academic Director. I love traveling and learning about other cultures (especially food). I studied in Spain, traveled to Switzerland and France, and taught English as a Foreign Language in Mexico. Someday, I hope to visit your country, too! I earned my Master’s degree in Bilingual and ESL Education at Western Illinois University. When I moved to Berkeley in early 2008, I started teaching at ELS Language Center. I became the Academic Director in September 2009 and my favorite part about my job is talking with each of you and helping you learn English in the best ways possible! In my free time I enjoy cooking with my husband, rock climbing with friends, riding my motorcycle, and playing the drums.
Rachel Kassem
International Student Advisor
I'm Rachel, the Student Advisor here at ELS Berkeley. I was born in Canada but I moved to California at a very young age. I first lived in Santa Cruz, then I attended high school in the silicon valley city of Cupertino, and for university I went to UCLA. Before working at ELS, I taught English to international students and groups of business people. Now I organize and lead student activities, tours, and day trips, so I get to take my lessons outdoors! In my spare time, I enjoy hiking in the hills, reading amazing books, trying new restaurants, and going dancing in San Francisco. I love meeting students from all over the world and helping them make the most of their time here in California--there's a lot to see and do! I look forward to meeting you!
In celebration of the holidays, all ELS Language Centers in the United States, Canada and Australia, plus Princeton Headquarters, will be closed on several different days. Read more to find out.
Dear ELS Students,
With the close of 2011, ELS reflects with deep appreciation on your choice to attend ELS Language Centers. We would like to take this opportunity to again say thank you. It is truly rewarding to work with all of you in our common goal of enabling you to fulfill your career and life goals through education.
In celebration of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, all ELS Language Centers in the United States, Canada and Australia, plus Princeton Headquarters, will be closed on several different days.
Please refer to the following grid as a guide to which days our various units will be closed:
Regular class schedules will resume on Tuesday, December 27 in the USA (Wednesday, December 28 in Canada and Australia) and on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 (in all locations).
ELS wishes you a wonderful holiday season, and much success in 2012!
Calling All Merit Scholars! We are proud to present our ELS 50th Anniversary University Tuition Scholarship in celebration of Fifty (50) Years of ELS Leadership in International Education.
This scholarship is a special recognition for students like you--with outstanding academic achievement in your undergraduate, graduate, and/or secondary school.
If you meet the minimum grade point average (GPA) and several other requirements, ELS will award 50 percent of your ELS Language Centers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) tuition. The ELS 50th Anniversary University Tuition Scholarship will be paid directly into your student account at the ELS Host Institution or AEC member that issued your CLA, making the process simple and official.
Contact an ELS-authorized Counseling Agent, who will ensure that you follow the admissions process properly, meeting all scholarship terms and conditions. Participating ELS university partners are as follows:
ELS has expanded to now include pathways to tertiary institutions in Australia!
Interested in studying in Australia? Choose from ELS Universal English College in beautiful Sydney or the new center opening in May 2012 in Brisbane, located on the campus of Metropolitan South institute (MSIT) of TAFE.
ELS provides a full range of English training programs, as well as pathways to over 40 institutions in Australia, including prestigious and popular institutions like Macquarie University, University of Western Sydney, University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, TAFE New South Wales and Le Cordon Bleu.
Now over 650 schools, colleges, TAFE, and universities worldwide accept the ELS certificate of completion as evidence of English proficiency, and fulfilling the English language requirement for admission.
ELS Now Provides Higher Education Pathways from India to the US, Australia and Canada.
Last Thursday marked the opening of ELS International Pathways office in Chennai, India! This momentous next step for ELS was celebrated with traditional Indian foods, Indian dance performances and presentations of the history of ELS and the new mission of ELS in India. We will provide objective education counseling to help students achieve their higher education goals in the USA, Canada and Australia.
