California State University (CSU), San Marcos

American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) [San Marcos, California]

HIGHLIGHTS

• Information
  • About the ESL Program
  • Established in 1992, the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) provides a challenging, academically-focused curriculum for students preparing to enroll in an American college or university and for professionals wanting to improve their English fluency. The ALCI provides TOEFL equivalency for qualified students enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at CSUSM. In addition to attending ALCI classes, advanced-level students may take CSUSM courses with American students and earn transferable academic credit.
    ALCI students receive individualized academic support and assistance to help them succeed in the American classroom and adjust to life in the United States. Outside of the classroom, students have plenty of opportunities to practice and develop their English skills. ALCI students participate in beach BBQs, bonfires, picnics, coffee hours, cultural celebrations, university clubs, and the Conversation Partners Program with American students. The ALCI is a proud member of AAIEP, the American Association of Intensive English Programs, promoting professional standards and high-quality English programs.
    
  • Fast Facts
  • Affiliation : Public University
    Establishment : 1992
    Membership/Accreditation : EnglishUSA
    Enrollment : 80
    Average Class Size : 12
    

    Airport Pickup : Available With Homestay
    Tuition : Medium
    Community Type : Suburban
    Transportation : Light Rail Train, Bus
  • A Message from School
  • Thank you for visiting our profile at ApplyESL.com. The American Language and Culture Institute is the English language program at California State University San Marcos in beautiful San Diego North – the heart of coastal Southern California. If you are looking for an academic program, you will find excellent English language instruction on a beautiful, modern, safe campus in sunny Southern California. ALCI programs provide challenging and interesting courses for international students and professionals. 90% of students in the Intensive English Pathway program continue to university and college degree programs. Our small classes, taught by highly qualified instructors, provide the opportunity for students to improve their English in an academic environment. Completion of ALCI’s highest level provides TOEFL equivalency for admission to the University. Conditional admission to undergraduate and graduate degree programs is available to qualified applicants. ALCI students are a part of the university campus life. Students receive a CSU San Marcos identification card and have access to campus facilities including the library, computer labs, student health clinic recreation center, as well as the opportunity to live in on-campus housing. To apply, complete ApplyESL.com's online application form. We look forward to meeting you.
    Mr. Grant Parsons,
    Director, American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI)
  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • American Language & Culture Institute
    California State University San Marcos
    333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
    San Marcos, California  92096-0001  U.S.A.

    TEL: +1 (760) 750-3200
    FAX: +1 (760) 750-3779
    E-mail: alci@csusm.edu
    Website: http://www.csusm.edu/alci/
  • 
• More Details
  • Housing
  • While attending the ALCI, students have the opportunity to live in on-campus dormitories or enjoy a homestay experience. Students living on-campus are close to classes, campus activities and other students – both American and international. While attending the ALCI, students have the opportunity to enjoy a homestay experience with a local family or live in on-campus apartments. Many students enjoy living in homestay during their first semester at the ALCI. Homestay is ideal for students who want to experience American culture and practice their English outside of the classroom.
    Students in the on-campus apartments live in a shared or private bedroom and share a kitchen, bathroom, and living space with other students. The on-campus housing fills up very quickly each semester, so students should arrange housing as early as possible.
    The ALCI can provide students with local resources to find private off-campus apartments. Each student must make his or her own housing arrangements. For more information, visit the school’s website or contact the ALCI directly by email.
    
  • Surrounding Area
  • The CSU San Marcos campus is located in San Marcos, a safe, welcoming, suburban community in the beautiful region of North San Diego County. San Marcos is a small city with about 83,000 residents.
    With an average temperature of 25°C (77°F), San Marcos is a great place for students to enjoy the area’s beautiful weather and moderate climate. Outdoor activities include hiking and biking along the many trails and playing sports such as soccer, tennis, basketball, and golf. The famous Southern California beaches, where students enjoy swimming, surfing, and sunbathing, are a short drive west of San Marcos. Downtown San Diego, where students can attend cultural productions, dance performances, opera, symphony, theatre, and countless music concerts, is a 35-minute drive south of San Marcos. For a weekend trip, the city of Los Angeles with its major attractions is a 150 km drive north of San Marcos.
    
  • About the College/University
  • Founded in 1989, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is one of the 23 campuses within the California State University system. CSUSM offers its 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students a proud tradition of low cost and accessible education marked by excellence in teaching. Located in the foothills of Northern San Diego County, the 304-acre campus is comprised of three academic colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Education. CSUSM students come from a broad range of life experiences and interact closely with leading academic scholars to study popular majors including Business Administration, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Communication. Outside of the classroom, CSUSM students have the opportunity to become even more involved with the campus community by joining one of over 60 student-run organizations including international clubs, political groups, music, art and theater groups, and the campus newspaper, The Pride.
  • Conditional Admission / Credit Courses
  • Students in the advanced levels may take CSU San Marcos university courses and earn transferable credits. Conditional Admission to the university is available for qualified students who complete the ESL program. No TOEFL score is required.
    (Undergraduate programs and some graduate programs)
    
• Study Options

  • Intensive English Pathway Program

  • Overview
  • The Intensive English Pathway (IEP) Program is a year-round program with 16-week fall and spring semesters and a 10-week summer semester. Students may join the IEP program for a shorter 9-week program half-way through the spring or fall semester.
    
    Students enrolled in IEP receive 24 hours of classroom instruction each week. The IEP offers instruction at 6 levels of English proficiency, ranging from beginning to advanced. Students take an English placement test on the first day of the semester and each student is placed in classes based on English language ability.
    
    Designed to prepare international students for study at an American college or university, the IEP curriculum develops students’ skills in the areas of academic writing, reading, vocabulary, grammar, public speaking, listening, and test preparation. Students at the advanced level may enroll in CSU San Marcos university courses with American students and earn transferable academic credit.
    
    Additionally, the ALCI provides TOEFL equivalency for qualified students enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at CSUSM. ALCI students receive individualized academic support and assistance to help them succeed in the American classroom and adjust to life in the United States.
    
    In and out of the classroom, students have plenty of opportunities to practice and develop their English skills. ALCI students participate in beach BBQs, bonfires, picnics, cultural celebrations, university clubs, and the Conversation Partners Program with American students.
    
    Class sizes range from 12 to 16 students. Every effort is made to keep classes at an ideal size to promote effective English language instruction.
    
  • Data

  • CLASS SIZE:	12-16 Students
    CLASS LEVELS:	6 Levels
    COURSE LENGTH:	8,10, 16 Weeks
    MINIMUM AGE:	18 Years Old or High School Graduate
    REQUIREMENT:	High School Diploma
    VISA INFORMATION:	F-1 Student Visa Required (I-20 Form Issued Upon Request)
    HOUSING:	Dormitory/On-Campus Apartment Homestay

  • Dates
  • 2024

    8 WEEKS:
    10/17 - 12/14

    10 WEEKS:
    6/3 - 8/9

    16 WEEKS:
    8/19 - 12/14

  • Costs

  • APPLICATION FEE

    US$ 150

    TUITION FEE (2024)

    8 WEEKS	US$ 4,300
    16 WEEKS	US$ 5,950
    10 WEEKS	US$ 4,650

    HOUSING
    PLACEMENT FEE

    US$ 300 (Homestay), US$ 50 (Dormitory)

    HOUSING FEE

    LENGTH	HOMESTAY	DORMITORY / ON-CAMPUS APARTMENT	OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCE
    10 WEEKS	US$ 4,070	US$ 4,070	N/A
    16 WEEKS	US$ 8,140	US$ 8,140	N/A

    Airport Pickup Service

    N/A

  • Remarks / Other Information
  • Dates and Fees are approximate and may change without prior notice.
    Application fee is non-refundable.
    Homestay Fee includes meals.
    
  • • FAVORITE
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• Location
  • United States　San Marcos, California
  • Location
    American Language & Culture Institute
    California State University San Marcos
    333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos, California  92096-0001  U.S.A.
  • Getting To Your School
  • San Diego International Airport:
    Airport pick-up service is provided for homestay students for US$75 to take them directly to their host family’s home. Students not living in homestay should reserve their own local shuttle from the airport to San Marcos.
    
    Los Angeles International Airport:
    Students should reserve a local shuttle service to take them from Los Angeles to San Marcos. Los Angeles is approximately 160 km (100 miles) north of San Marcos. Students are not advised to take a taxi from the airport to campus.
    
• Student Reviews

  • Academic Quality:	4.0
    School Environment:	3.8
    Helpfulness of Staff:	3.8
    Activities and Social Life:	3.6
    Accommodation:	4.0

    3.8

  • There are 5 reviews for this school

  • Academic Quality:
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    Fen
    [ Beijing, China, Female ]
    
    Happy Place
    

    ALCI offers us a happy place to learn English where we get to meet students from all over the world.
    Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

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    Jin Young
    [ Seoul, Korea, Female ]
    
    Learned About Different Cultures
    

    I had great time at the ALCI. I made friends from different countries, learned about different cultures, and improved my English.
    Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

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    Academic Quality:
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    Hiro
    [ Tokyo, Japan, Male ]
    
    Academic Advising
    

    The ALCI staff and instructors emphasize academic advising for students planning to attend a college or university in the U.S.
    Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

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    Jessica
    [ Stockholm, Sweden, Female ]
    
    Great Teachers
    

    The ALCI has great teachers and a really good campus. If you want to learn English, you should come here. I loved it , and you will too!
    Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

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  • Below you will find additional reviews in other languages.

  • Academic Quality:
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    元留学生
    [ 大阪府, 日本, Age 21, Female ]
    
    13 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
    カリフォルニア州立大学サンマルコス校について
    

    静かで比較的安全な場所に位置しているので、勉強をするには非常に良い環境にあります。また、４０分あればサンディエゴ、２時間半あればロサンゼルスなどの都会にも行くことができるので、週末等に息抜きもでき、留学生活を楽しく送ることができると思います。私はＡＬＣＩ（ＥＳＬ）に２学期間で学びましたが、留学前からのスタッフの連絡が早かったので手続き等がスムーズに進み、留学中も親身になって話していただきました。
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