Estimate includes tuition and housing costs ONLY. An additional Materials & Technology fee will be required for each session of study. All prices are listed in US Dollars the local currency of the ELS Center. Program & housing availability as well as cost are subject to change.
Centers & Locations
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ELS/Chicago is on the gorgeous campus of Dominican University, only 25 minutes from downtown Chicago. Cultural activities include the Lyric Opera, the Museum Campus (Aquarium, Planetarium, Natural History Museum), the Art Institute of Chicago, an exciting nightlife scene and world-class sporting events. The “Magnificent Mile” and Navy Pier offer stores and restaurants within walking distance of beautiful Lake Michigan.
Private University campus location
Executive Programs also available at this location
Convenient train to downtown Chicago
River Forest is walking-distance to shops & restaurants
The Residence Hall is located in the same building as the ELS Center. Food service six blocks away at the Main Campus. WiFi service is available and a student lounge and vending machines are in the building. Laundry facilities (for a fee) are available in the basement of the building. This is a co-ed dorm with separate male and female community bathrooms. The rooms have a sink, closet bed, desk and chairs. Linens are provided.
Price per Session
$1225
Occupancy
Single - At Dominican University
Minimum Age
18
Airport Pickup
135
Meals / week or Meal Credit
$200 meal card per session
Addison Hall(Student Residence (Off Campus))
2013 Temporary Summer Meal Adjustments ONLY applicable to Sessions 6, 7, 8 and 9: Addison Hall dorms will only offer food service at the main cafeteria from May 20th to August 7th from 11:15am - 1:00pm, Monday - Friday (food service will not be offered on weekends and on 4th of July).
Dormitory style double occupancy rooms are located at Concordia University just across the street from the Chicago Center. Students have access to Concordia University facilities, including the cafeteria and other food service options, using a meal card with $330 declining balance. Rooms contain two beds, two dressers, two desks, two chairs and two closets. Bathrooms are located in the hallway and are shared by floor. Wi-fi is available in the room and students have access to student lounges in the building for watching TV.
Price per Session
$1080
Occupancy
Double - On Concordia University ("off campus" of Dominican University)
Minimum Age
18
Airport Pickup
135
Meals / week or Meal Credit
$330 meal card per session
River Forest Apts(Student Residence (Off Campus))
Located in a quiet, safe and upscale neighborhood, ELS River Forest Apartments offer a shared bedroom in a two-bed, one-bathroom luxury apartment. Each apartment has a fully-furnished kitchen, wireless Internet, local phone service, cable TV, and air conditioning. Linens are included. [Note: Singles may be available at an additional price.]
Self-service laundry machines are available in the same building for a small fee.
Price per Session
$980 - 1800
Occupancy
Double, Single
Minimum Age
18
Airport Pickup
135
Meals / week or Meal Credit
None included
Homestays in the area(Homestay)
Host family students are responsible for their personal transportation. Most students arrive at the campus by bus. Some families are close and provide bicycles for students. We have a few families that are within walking distance of the campus.
Price per Session
$1085
Occupancy
Single
Minimum Age
16
Airport Pickup
135
Meals / week or Meal Credit
16 meals per week
Computer center
Gymnasium
Running track
Snack bar
Soccer field
Swimming pool (indoor)
Tennis court(s)
Language Technology Center (LTC)
Music practice room(s)
Basketball court(s)
Library
Recreational park
Racquetball/squash Courts
Fitness Center
Wheelchair accessible
Cafeteria
Meet the Staff
Christine Meyer
Registrar
After teaching at the elementary and high school levels and working at Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation as a Supervisor in Advertising and Sales Promotion, I assisted in opening the Chicago center at Dominican University (then Rosary College) in January 1993. I have served in the positions of Center Director and Registrar during my years working at Language Institute For English, Berlitz on Campus, and ELS Language Centers. The most enjoyable part of my job is meeting and interacting with our international students.
Deborah Holman
Academic Director
Deborah Holman studied a dual major in English and Spanish at Bradley University. She completed a post-graduate program in ESL – Applied Linguistics at the Universidad de Granada, where she lived and worked in Granada, Spain for over twenty years. Ms. Holman is bilingual in English and Spanish and understands the needs of international students. Her love of ESL began at ELS Language Centers, where she had her very first teaching job. She has been the Academic Director of ELS Chicago since 2007.
Jennifer Brumfield
International Student Advisor
I grew up in small town America, hoping to get out and explore the world. I went to a small liberal arts college and took a semester abroad. I traveled a little during that semester and had many exciting experiences, including getting off at the wrong train station in Warsaw. After earning a BA in Sociology, I eventually took the position of International Student Advisor in which I enjoy learning about students and their countries.
Adriana Silva
IELTS Administrator
Adriana was a student at our host institution and joined our staff as an assistant. Quickly it was evident that her skills at organization were excellent. When the opportunity arose, she became the IELTS Administrator. Since joining us she has completed her degree in Sociology/Criminology, how perfect for someone dealing with IELTS candidates.
Idell Fishman
Administrative Assistant
For many years Ms. Fishman was the Registrar at ELS/Chicago when it was located on the campus of Concordia University. After the merge with Berlitz, she moved on to other accounting jobs. We are happy she has returned to ELS and is a valued assistant to all of us in the ELS office.
Hanako
August 17, 2012
The reason why I decided to study at ELS/Chicago is that the school has a good environment for study. I had known that the problem when we studied at language schools was the opportunity to communicate with native speakers. However, this school is located on a university campus and we have time to have conversations with native speakers. I enjoy the classes. Most of our classes have less than ten people so we can talk with the teacher and we help each other as international friends during class. All areas of my English have improved since I came here, but now my reading skills are helping me in many situations. Now I can understand English websites, and some other information in public places. It will help me when I go on trips to any country around the world. I want new students to learn about other countries in ELS/Chicago. Of course you have to learn English here, but this school has a lot of diversity. This is a great opportunity to be an international person.
-Hanako,Japan
Takashi Aoyama, Japan
September 17, 2009
My major is Ethnic Studies; therefore Chicago is really an interesting city for me. There are many ethnic communities, a lot of local festivals and great museums. Also I like watching sports, accordingly, Chicago is the best place for watching pro and college sports’ matches. It is an amazing place for me. Before I came here I thought English is a subject; however, now I think English is one of the tools for connecting with people all over the world. My grammar and listening skills have improved the most. Do not only interact with people who speak the same language, talk with people from other cultures and religions, and walk around Chicago and Illinois to find your favorite places.
- Takashi Aoyama
Maria Fernanda Quintana, Ecuador
September 17, 2009
I wanted to improve my English, and I thought the best way was by studying and practicing in a city where English is the official language. Also it is important that the school has experience in this field and is recognized by the results. Several people recommended ELS/Chicago to me and I chose it because I thought it is a city with a good environment, several cultural activities and spectacular tourist attractions. For me this experience is not only to learn a new language, but also enjoy the city and its customs and people. At ELS/Chicago I have improved my grammar and writing the most. I have improved my vocabulary too. If it’s possible, it is a good idea to study for three months or more, because it is necessary to practice grammar and speaking with American people and other students. Also try not to speak in your native language.
- Maria Fernanda Quintana
Andre Campana, Brazil
September 17, 2009
When I decided to come to study abroad I tried to find a big and famous city with a good school to help me improve my English; ELS/Chicago has all these characteristics. When I came to ELS I had problems with my speaking and my grammar. Nowadays all my skills have improved, mainly my vocabulary. ELS/Chicago is one of the best English schools in the US They give us all the opportunities to improve our English. However, it is necessary to study by ourselves at home. I enjoy meeting different people from different countries and also having contact with American culture and people.
Kuo-Chen Chu, Italy
September 17, 2009
I decided to study at ELS/Chicago because here I have some friends. Here I met and knew good teachers and good boys and girls. I learned grammar and many new words. I’m very proud because now when people speak I figure out what they say. Following the lessons is very important, but it’s most important to speak with American people and to watch T.V. or movies.
Sinan Kirsever, Turkey
September 17, 2009
I decided to study at ELS/Chicago to improve my English very quickly. I chose Chicago/ELS because Chicago is very orderly city and the teachers are very friendly. At ELS, we had a lot of activities so I enjoyed most about activities. We went shopping, museums….In these activities I improved my English and saw why the people like USA While I was at ELS/Chicago, I improved speaking because I had a lot of friends from another countries and so I heard many different pronunciation. It’s very good for me. If you prefer to come to ELS/Chicago, you will have many times to practice with people. So don’t be shy to speak. Talk about everything. Don’t think if they don’t understand you.
Ana Karina Fernandez, Venezuela
September 17, 2009
I decided to study at ELS in Chicao because I think that this course offers a high quality of English teaching and also offers many different class alternatives to learn a new language. The most important thing that I enjoy studying at ELS is the contact with people from different cultures that I have never had before. I improved many areas of English such as writing, reading, speech and grammar. My advice is that students shouldn’t miss the opportunity to study English abroad because they will have contact with American people to practice their knowledge and learn about their culture.
Provides a brief description of ELS, our Programs and the Chicago ELS Language Center. The flyer also offers some specific attributes of the university, its programs and other helpful information.
We have many unique opportunities this session, a trip to H Mart, a trip to the Brookfield Zoo, an ELS Movie Night, and a trip to Six Flags Great America. Fun times in Chicago!
