Ask A Question
Q. When do ELC’s courses begin?
A. General Courses, TOEFL Course and Individual Courses may begin on any Monday. ELC has official start dates for all courses every four weeks.
Q. How long are the courses?
A. Students may study for any length of time, from 1 to 52 weeks! The average length of stay is 12 to 16 weeks. ELC also offers a longstay discount for students who book for 16 weeks or more.
Q. How many levels does ELC have?
A. ELC offers 12 levels, beginning through advanced.
Q. How will I know my level?
A. On your first day, ELC will give you a placement exam consisting of a grammar test, a writing sample and an interview. Based on this exam, you will be placed into the appropriate level for each class.
Q. When do I move levels?
A. At the end of every four week session, your teacher will evaluate your progress and make recommendations for students to advance to the next level. Typically, students will move one level per four weeks, but this depends on factors such as test results, homework assignments, class participation and attendance.
Q. Which ELC location is best for me?
A. Each ELC school offers the same high quality programs and friendly, personal atmosphere. Whether you choose Los Angeles, Boston, or Santa Barbara, ELC is dedicated to ensuring you have a successful, enjoyable experience. If you want to study at more than one ELC location, read about our special East Coast/West Coast Express.
Q. Where do your students come from?
A. ELC teaches students from more than 70 different countries from around the world. The actual percentages vary with the season and with the school. In general, 35 – 40% of our students come from Western Europe, 10 – 15% come from Latin America and 35 – 45% from Asia. The rest come from other parts of the world.
Q. What age are the students?
A. Students of all ages have studied at ELC from 11 to 76 yrs.! Most of our students average between 18 and 26 years old. In our Junior programs, the age is 14 to 17 years old.
Q. How big are the classes?
A. The average class size is 9 – 12 students. The maximum number of students in one class is 12, except for July and August when the maximum goes up to 14 for Intensive and Semi Intensive Courses.
Q. Does ELC have a computer lab?
A. Each ELC school offers a wireless computer lab with free internet access and computer-based learning materials. We also have a wide range of materials for students who want to use our self-study language laboratory.
Q. Is ELC BPPE Compliant?
A. Yes! BPPE Compliance Statements Period Covered: (i.e. defining the period covered by the “catalog”) (January 01, 2014 – December 31, 2014) 2015: https://elc.edu/assets/2015AnnualReportPerformanceFactSheet.pdf ELC Mission Statement: Mission Statement The English Language Learning Center (ELC) has been dedicated to providing English programs of the highest quality to international students since 1978. By employing highly qualified and dedicated instructors and by utilizing a dynamic and comprehensive curriculum, ELC provides the perfect environment for rapid language improvement. ELC also offers students extensive support services to ensure that their stay in the United States is culturally as well as educationally enriching. English Language Learning Center (ELC) is licensed to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. We are required by the State of California to give you the following information: 1. Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at P.O. Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818 www.bppe.ca.gov tel: 916-431-6959 fax: 916-263-1897 2. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet , which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement. 3. A student or member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s Internet Web site www.bppe.ca.gov 4. This school does not participate in Federal or state financial aid programs and does not offer student loans or any forms of financial aid. 5. ELC does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operated by a debtor in possession, has not filed a petition for bankruptcy within the preceding five years, and has not had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years which resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. 6. ELC retains your student records for a period of 5 years. 7. You must pay the state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) if all of the following applies to you: You are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all of part of your tuition either by cash, guaranteed student loans, or personal loans, and Your total charges are not paid by any third-party payer such as an employer, government program or other payer unless you have a separate agreement to repay the third party. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment if either of the following applies: You are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program, or Your total charges are paid by a third party, such as an employer, government program or other payer, and you have no separate agreement to repay the third party. 8. The State of California created the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic losses suffered by students in educational programs who are California residents, or are enrolled in a residency program attending certain schools regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. You may be eligible for STRF if you are a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following: 1. The school closed before the course of instruction was completed. 2. The school’s failure to pay refunds or charges on behalf of a student to a third party for license fees or any other purpose, or to provide equipment or materials for which a charge was collected within 180 days before the closure of the school. 3. The school’s failure to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federally guaranteed student loan program as required by law or to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the school prior to closure in excess of tuition and other costs. 4. There was a material failure to comply with the Act or the Division within 30-days before the school closed or, if the material failure began earlier than 30-days prior to closure, the period determined by the Bureau. 5. An inability after diligent efforts to prosecute, prove, and collect on a judgment against the institution for a violation of the Act. However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number. 9. ELC is accredited by The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) on English Language which is an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Q. How do I get an I-20 form?
A. ELC will issue an I-20 form for students enrolling in a course with a minimum of 24 lessons per week. After receiving the completed and signed application form long with all necessary fees and financial documentation, ELC will send the I-20 form within 24 hours.
Q. Must I get a student visa?
A. ELC recommends all students studying in a full-time program obtain a student visa. Students from certain countries may enter on the visa waiver program. Please consult your local U.S. embassy or an authorized ELC representative for further guidance.
Q. What can I do in my free time?
A. Each ELC school has a dedicated Student Services Coordinator who arranges after school and weekend excursions. We offer a variety of cultural and social activities each month to provide even more opportunities for you to practice your English and learn about the culture in the U.S.
Q. Where will I live while I study at ELC?
A. Each ELC school has a full-time Housing Coordinator and offers a variety of accommodations. Our most popular option is living with an American host family. We also offer student residences, dormitories, apartments, and summer campus programs depending on which ELC location you choose.
Q. Can I transfer from ELC to an American college or university?
A. Yes! ELC offers free College Counseling and University Placement services for all ELC students. We will help you select a college and coach you through the application process. ELC partners with a number of colleges which give ELC students certain advantages. These special advantages include, conditional letters of acceptance and special TOEFL waiver agreements, as well as concurrent enrollment and auditing opportunities.
Q. How can I pay?
A. ELC accepts the following forms of payment: international money order; bank check (drawn on a U.S. account); travelers’ checks; credit cards and bank wire transfers (see prepayment form). You may also pay using cash if paying directly at the school.
Q. What if I have to cancel my course?
A. Here are our policies:
TEST TEST A $50 change fee will be applied for all confirmed course and accommodation changes. No fee will be charged for course cancellations, upgrades, extensions or pre-arrival changes for non-I-20 students.
Full payment is due on or before the first day of your course subject to the ELC Refund Policy
Refund Through Representatives
For students who enroll at ELC through a representative, all refunds subject to the policies of the representative and will be issued by the representative.Pre-Arrival Refund Policy (Cancellations/No Show, Excluding Accommodations)
For any cancellation ELC receives by the first day of the program, most fees are fully refundable. The exceptions are:- The $150 application fee and the $75 express mail fee are nonrefundable.
- Airport transfers are refundable with cancellation at least one business day before the service date requested.
Post-Arrival Refund Policy on Tuition (Withdrawal/Termination, Excluding Accommodations)
Los Angeles & Santa BarbaraELC will refund 100% of the amount paid for institutional charges, less the nonrefundable $150 application fee if notice of cancellation is made through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.
- There will be a pro rata refund for students who have completed 60% or less of their course.
- There will be no refund issued for students who have completed more than 60% of their course (includes scheduled vacations).
- For students whose last day of attendance occurs at any point in the first four weeks of their course, there will be no refund issued.
- For students whose last date of attendance occurs after the first four weeks but before or at the midpoint of their course, there will be a pro rata refund of tuition, minus any non-refundable charges.
- For students whose last date of attendance occurs after the midpoint of their course, there will be no refund issued.
- ELC reserves the right to expel any student whose conduct is not in compliance with government rules or laws and/or regulations of ELC.
- All refunds will be issued at the weekly rate, which will be calculated based on the total number of weeks completed.
Junior Program Refund Policy
A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due at the time of booking.Summer Junior Program Refund Policy
- A 50% refund is possible for cancellations, downgrades and/or changes in program received before May 31.
- Cancellations received June 1 and after will receive no refund.
- Full payment is due by June 1 for all campuses.
Winter Junior Program Refund Policy
- A 50% refund is possible for cancellations, downgrades and/or changes in program received before November 30.
- Cancellations received December 1 and after will receive no refund.
- Full payment is due December 1.
Accommodations Refund Policy
For any accommodation cancellation, ELC will issue a full refund of accommodation fees with at least four full weeks’ advance notice of cancellation. International Guest House, ESL Townhouse, and dormitory accommodations have their own refund policies.
ESL Townhouse
ESL Townhouse Pre-Arrival Cancellation Policy:
- Move-in fee is charged with less than 30 days’ notice of cancellation.
- No weekly fees are due with at least 15 days’ notice of cancellation.
- With less than 15 days’ notice, the first two weeks are charged.
- Move-in Fee is nonrefundable.
- Reservations of one to four weeks: No refunds are possible.
- Reservations of five weeks or longer: Refunds are possible with four weeks’ advance notice from the Saturday after notice is given in writing
International Guest House
- For cancellation requests received one to seven days prior to the students’ scheduled check-in date, the first week is charged.
- For cancellation requests received on or after the students’ scheduled check-in date, no refund will be given.
UCLA dormitory
- A refund of 50% will be given for dormitory accommodations if cancellation is received prior to June 1.
- After June 1, no refund will be given.
Accommodation Deposit Requirements
Accommodation deposits are refundable only according to the conditions listed in the above Refund Policy on Accommodations section.
Homestay, Claremont Hotel & Extended Stay HotelIn order to confirm Homestay, Claremont Hotel & Extended Stay Hotel, an accommodation deposit of $150 must be prepaid.
Los Angeles apartments, ESL Townhouse, International Guest House & La Brezza ApartmentsIn order to confirm the Los Angeles apartments, ESL Townhouse, International Guest House & La Brezza Apartments, an accommodation deposit of the first two weeks must be prepaid.
UCLA dormitoryIn order to confirm dormitory accommodation, all dormitory fees must be prepaid.