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ELS Language Centers, Houston

University of St. Thomas - Houston [Houston, Texas]

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Over 650 U.S. colleges and universities accept the ELS Certification of English in place of the TOEFL
  • Students enjoy ELS-organized and independent weekend trips to San Antonio, Dallas, New Orleans and Mexico
  • Enjoy studying in Houston, the nation’s 4th largest city with a warm year-round climate and located 50km from the Gulf of Mexico
  • Information
    • About the ESL School
    • Founded in 1961, ELS Language Centers is a group of private language schools that help millions of students from more than 140 countries significantly improve their English skills in the shortest time possible and prepare them for academic study at an American college or university. With more than 60 ELS locations available across 25 U.S. states, students are exposed to different cross-cultural ideas and influences that will deepen their English communication skills and cultural understanding. Learning from native speaking instructors, students study from a well-developed curriculum designed to enhance their fluency and accuracy and hone their skills in the areas of structure/speaking, conversation, and reading/writing. Students also select from a wide variety of elective classes to study topics pertinent to their individual interests, including TOEFL Preparation, Business English, Pronunciation, U.S. Culture, and Listening & Note Taking. As an added feature, more than 550 American colleges and universities accept the ELS Certification of English in place of the TOEFL in order to admit students to their undergraduate degree programs. ELS Language Centers is a proud member of AAIEP, the American Association of Intensive English Programs promoting professional standards and high-quality English programs.
    • Fast Facts
    • Affiliation : Private English School
      Establishment : 1961
      Membership/Accreditation : EnglishUSA
      Enrollment : 300
      Average Class Size : 12
      Airport Pickup : Available From School
      Tuition : Medium
      Community Type : Urban
      Transportation : Bus, taxi
    • CONTACT INFORMATION
    • ELS Language Centers
      Central Admissions Office
      400 Alexander Park
      Princeton, NJ  08540  U.S.A.
      TEL: +1 (609) 750 3547
      FAX: +1 (609) 750 3599
      E-mail: admissions@els.edu
      Website: http://www.els.edu
  • More Details
    • Housing
    • ELS provides students with the opportunity to live in an off-campus residence or enjoy a homestay experience. For students who prefer a more independent lifestyle, off-campus residences provide more privacy and offer opportunities to interact with people in the community outside the campus environment. ELS also arranges homestays for those students who want to experience American culture first-hand as a member of a family and practice their conversational English. Students are encouraged to make their housing arrangements as early as possible due to the limited amount of space available. Private off-campus apartments may also available; however students must make their own arrangements. For more information, use the Contact Address to ask the school directly.
    • Surrounding Area
    • The ELS Language Center on the University of St. Thomas campus is located in the dynamic city of Houston, Texas, the fourth most populous city in the nation and the largest city in Texas and the southern United States. Home to 4.8 million people in the metro area, Houston is a diverse community with more than 90 languages spoken within the region. Offering a truly multicultural atmosphere that is a source of pride for Houstonians, the city is host to a wide variety of festivals, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (the largest in the world), the International Festival, the Art Car Parade, the Children's Festival, and countless holiday celebrations. Sports fans feel right at home with Houston's professional teams playing year-round, including the two-time NBA champion basketball team, the Rockets; the four-time WNBA champion women's basketball team, the Comets; the major league baseball team, the Astros; and the newly established NFL football team, the Houston Texans. Houston's warm year-round climate offers its residents plenty of sunshine and temperatures averaging 80°F during the autumn, a comfortable 65°F in the winter, 78°F during the spring, and getting as high as 92°F during the humid summer months. The city of Galveston's beautiful Gulf Coast beaches are an easy 1 hour-drive from downtown Houston while the piney woods and the famous Texas Hill country are equally accessible.
    • About the College/University
    • Founded in 1947, University of St. Thomas (UST) is an independent, Roman Catholic institution that awards bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to over 3,600 students from 34 U.S. states and more than 60 different countries from around the world. Situated on a 21-acre urban campus, UST is affiliated with the Catholic faith and is dedicated to the religious, moral and intellectual growth of the whole person. With its motto being: Catholic, Classical and Cosmopolitan, UST’s academic programs are anchored in the classical tradition of education, with the humanities and sciences at the core of the undergraduate programs, while the campus’ location in downtown Houston affords students the opportunity to practice their professions hands-on in a cosmopolitan environment. Comprehensive academic programs are available to UST students with over 37 areas of specialization offered to undergrads, 10 to graduate students and a Ph.D. in Philosophy to doctoral students. Outside of the classroom, UST students are actively involved in campus organizations and activities, whether by joining professional, political, volunteering or religious-affiliated groups, international and multi-cultural clubs, the student-run newspaper, “The Cauldron,” drama, music and dance troupes, or campus sports teams including baseball, cycling, rugby and soccer. The UST Campus Ministry also plays a significant role on-campus and serves students of all faiths to facilitate and enhance their spiritual growth.
    • Conditional Admission / Credit Courses
    • Over 650 U.S. colleges and universities accept the ELS Certificate of English in place of the TOEFL test.

  • Study Options

    • ELS Intensive English Program (IEP)

    • Overview
    • The ELS Intensive English Program (IEP) program gives students the opportunity to focus on the academic skills needed to succeed at the university level. IEP is offered year-round with sessions beginning every four weeks. Students enrolled in IEP receive 30 hours of classroom instruction per week.

      In addition to all that is included in ELS’ General English program, IEP students will also be able to receive free university counseling while studying and apply for conditional admission to any of ELS’ 650+ partner universities. IEP is offered at 12 levels of instruction with Level 101 being the most elementary level and Level 112 being the most advanced. All students who complete the IEP program at Level 112 will receive a Certificate of Completion which is accepted as official proof of English proficiency at more than 650 colleges and universities. Upon arriving at ELS, students are required to take a placement test to help determine the level best-suited to their ability. At the end of each 4-week session, students are evaluated for advancement to the next level based upon their academic improvement.

      All levels of instruction are designed to improve each student’s academic skills in the fundamental areas of: Structure/Speaking Practice; Conversation; and Reading/Writing. IEP students benefit from morning classes that are designed to build a foundation for communication skills. To complement their studies, students are also provided with course work in ELS’ Language Technology Center to develop their skills. Afternoon classes for IEP students are focused on improving Reading and Writing skills. Classroom sizes range from 12 to 15 students per class. Every effort is made to keep classes at an ideal size for effective English language instruction.

      More than 650+ American colleges and universities partner with ELS Language Centers. All IEP students will receive an academic transcript and one free conditional application to any of these host institutions.
    • Data
    • CLASS SIZE: 12 - 15 Students
      CLASS LEVELS: 12 Levels
      COURSE LENGTH: 4,8,12,16,20,24 Weeks
      MINIMUM AGE: 17 Years Old
      REQUIREMENT: None
      VISA INFORMATION: I-20 Issued Upon Request
      HOUSING: Homestay
      Off-Campus Residence
    • Dates
      • Choose 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 Week Course from Starting Dates
      • 2023/03/27
      • 2023/04/24
      • 2023/05/22
      • 2023/06/19
      • 2023/07/17
      • 2023/08/14
      • 2023/09/11
      • 2023/10/09
      • 2023/11/06
      • 2023/12/04
    • Costs
    • APPLICATION FEE
      US$ 180
      TUITION FEE (2022 - 2023)
      4 WEEKS US$ 2,160
      8 WEEKS US$ 4,320
      12 WEEKS US$ 6,060
      16 WEEKS US$ 8,080
      20 WEEKS US$ 9,500
      24 WEEKS US$ 11,400
      HOUSING
      PLACEMENT FEE
      N/A
      HOUSING FEE
      LENGTH HOMESTAY DORMITORY / ON-CAMPUS APARTMENT OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCE
      4 - 24 WEEKS US$ 1,400 Per Month N/A US$ 1,040 Per Month
      Airport Pickup Service
      US$ 180 (George Bush International and William P. Hobby)
    • Remarks / Other Information
    • Dates and fees are approximate and may change without prior notice.
      Application fee is non-refundable.
      Homestay fees include meals.

    • Semi-Intensive English Program

    • Overview
    • The Semi-Intensive English Program is offered year-round with sessions beginning every four weeks. Students enrolled in the program attend classes during the morning only and receive 20 hours of classroom instruction per week.

      The Semi-Intensive Program is offered at 12 levels of instruction; Level 101 is the most elementary level while Level 112 is the most advanced. Upon their arrival at ELS, students are required to take a placement test to help determine the level best-suited to their ability. At the end of each 4-week session, students are evaluated for advancement to the next level based upon their academic improvement.

      All levels of instruction are designed to hone students’ academic skills in the fundamental areas of: Structure/Speaking Practice; and Conversation. To complement their studies, students are also provided with course work in the Multi-Media Lab (MML) to develop their skills using leading technology. Elective courses are also part of the curriculum for intermediate and advanced-level students to allow them to study topics pertinent to their interests while building their core language skills. The most popular elective courses offered are: TOEIC and TOEFL Preparation; American Film; U.S. Culture; Current Events; Grammar Review; and Listening & Note Taking.

      Classroom sizes range from 12 to 15 students per class. Every effort is made to keep classes at an ideal size for effective English language instruction.
    • Data
    • CLASS SIZE: 12 -15 Students
      CLASS LEVELS: 12 Levels
      COURSE LENGTH: 4,8,12,16,20,24 Weeks
      MINIMUM AGE: 18 Years Old
      REQUIREMENT: None
      VISA INFORMATION: I-20 Issued Upon Request
      HOUSING: Homestay
      Off-Campus Residence
    • Dates
      • Choose 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 Week Course from Starting Dates
      • 2023/03/27
      • 2023/04/24
      • 2023/05/22
      • 2023/06/19
      • 2023/07/17
      • 2023/08/14
      • 2023/09/11
      • 2023/10/09
      • 2023/11/06
      • 2023/12/04
    • Costs
    • APPLICATION FEE
      US$ 180
      TUITION FEE (2022 - 2023)
      4 WEEKS US$ 1,660
      8 WEEKS US$ 3,320
      12 WEEKS US$ 4,680
      16 WEEKS US$ 6,240
      20 WEEKS US$ 7,300
      24 WEEKS US$ 8,760
      HOUSING
      PLACEMENT FEE
      N/A
      HOUSING FEE
      LENGTH HOMESTAY DORMITORY / ON-CAMPUS APARTMENT OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCE
      4-24 WEEKS US$ 1,400 Per Month N/A US$ 1,040 Per Month
      Airport Pickup Service
      US$ 180 (George Bush International and William P. Hobby)
    • Remarks / Other Information
    • Dates and fees are approximate and may change without prior notice.
      Application fee is non-refundable.
      Homestay housing fees include meals.

    • American Explorer

    • Overview
    • The American Explorer Program (AEP) is a part-time study vacation option offered year-round with sessions beginning every two weeks. The program is suitable for students who want to enjoy a short vacation in the United States and study English part-time. It is also ideal for students who are visiting the USA for the very first time, and want to travel and do sightseeing as much as possible. American Explorer Program participants take 15 lessons per week and usually have a tourist visa or come under the Visa Waiver Program. Be sure to contact the school’s admissions staff if you have any questions.

      The AEP Program is recreational and cultural in nature and is offered at 12 levels of instruction from Beginning to Masters with four weeks of instruction per level. Three morning lessons are offered per day and afternoons are free for recreation and relaxation. Students attending this program may also participate in the evening and weekend social activities that are available at all ELS Language Centers. Upon arriving at their school, students are required to take a placement test to help determine the level best-suited to their ability. At the end of each 4-week session, students are evaluated for advancement to the next level based upon their academic improvement.

      All levels of instruction are designed to improve English skills in the fundamental areas of Structure, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Technology plays an important role in English language studies and all American Explorer students have access to ELS Language Technology Centers (LTC). LTC centers provide computer access for a wide range of English learning activities such as CD and DVD-based programs, language learning software and internet access. In the LTC, students work through goals outlined in their Individualized Learning Plans. Students who wish to emphasize English study during their time abroad and study full-time should consider choosing either the Intensive or Semi-Intensive English Programs also offered at ELS Language Centers.

      Classroom sizes range from 12 to 15 students per class. Every effort is made to keep classes at an ideal size for effective English language instruction.
    • Data
    • CLASS SIZE: 12 - 15 Students
      CLASS LEVELS: 12 Levels
      COURSE LENGTH: 4,8,12 Weeks
      MINIMUM AGE: 16 Years Old
      REQUIREMENT: None
      VISA INFORMATION: No Student Visa Required
      HOUSING: Homestay
      Off-Campus Residence
    • Dates
      • Choose 4, 8, 12 Week Course from Starting Dates
      • 2023/03/27
      • 2023/04/24
      • 2023/05/22
      • 2023/06/19
      • 2023/07/17
      • 2023/08/14
      • 2023/09/11
      • 2023/10/09
      • 2023/11/06
      • 2023/12/04
    • Costs
    • APPLICATION FEE
      US$ 180
      TUITION FEE (2023)
      4 WEEKS US$ 1,600
      8 WEEKS US$ 3,200
      12 WEEKS US$ 4,500
      HOUSING
      PLACEMENT FEE
      N/A
      HOUSING FEE
      LENGTH HOMESTAY DORMITORY / ON-CAMPUS APARTMENT OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCE
      4-12 WEEKS US$ 1,400 Per Month N/A US$ 1,040 Per Month
      Airport Pickup Service
      US$ 180 (George Bush International and William P. Hobby)
    • Remarks / Other Information
    • Dates and fees are approximate and may change without prior notice.
      Application fee is non-refundable.
      Homestay fees include meals.
  • Location
    • United States　Houston, Texas
    • Location
      ELS Language Centers, Houston
      University of St. Thomas
      2990 Richmond Avenue, Suite 600 Houston, Texas  77098  U.S.A.
    • Getting To Your School
    • From George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
      ELS Language Centers arrange airport pick-up service that costs US$180 and brings students directly to the University of St. Thomas campus in approximately 30 minutes.

      From William Hobby Airport:
      ELS Language Centers arrange airport pick-up service that costs US$180 and brings students directly to the University of St. Thomas campus in approximately 20 minutes.
  • Student Reviews
    • Academic Quality: 3.8
      School Environment: 3.8
      Helpfulness of Staff: 4.4
      Activities and Social Life: 4.2
      Accommodation:

      4.1

    • There are 5 reviews for this school

    • Nasraldin Alarbi
      [ Tripoli, Libya, Male ]
      Activities
      ELS is not only an educational institution, it is a place to get to know people from all over the world and have a lot of fun participating in the activities the school offers to its students, that includes going to watch live NBA basketball games, arranging trips to other cities, having student picnics, going to music concerts and so on. Thank you ELS for the unforgettable experience you gave me. To anyone who wants to learn English as well as enjoy it and have fun, ELS Houston is the right destination.
      Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

      Husain Hashem
      [ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Male ]
      I Didn't Know How To Speak or Write
      Thank you ELS for everything that helped me a lot to improve my English skills. I realized that when I came to ELS, Houston, I didn’t know how to speak or to write, but by practicing the language with native American teachers, I saw a difference. Also, ELS has given me the good opportunity to live in a different culture and to know how to respect others’ beliefs. On the other hand, what I liked the most about ELS is the wonderful friendships between the students and teachers. I recommend to anyone who wants to improve his or her English skills to try ELS, Houston and you will see the difference.
      Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

      Pei
      [ Beijing, China, Female ]
      A Bridge to further education
      The most valuable gift I received here is an English environment which greatly fostered my fresh life in the U.S. We all come from different countries, but everyone only speaks English here. We improved both spoken English and communication skills. When we do our group projects, for example, it is hard to get everyone on the same boat in the beginning because of our different ways of thinking. However, we tried our best to communicate creative ideas, to adjust team members' language mistakes and to cooperate in harmony. Finally, with our teachers' patience and encouragement, we finished our projects successfully and made huge progress in English.
      Whenever I look back on the first day I came to the U.S., I see the most amazing change that happened in my life. So, ELS is not just a language school for me, it is also a window to a real English world, a bridge to further education, a theater of American culture and a big party to meet friends from other parts of the world.
      Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 

      Andres Marquez
      [ Caracas, Venezuela, Age 24, Male ]
      50 of 61 people found the following review helpful.
      My Experience
      Learning english at ELS was a great experience. All my teachers were excellent and I met people from many different countries. The school was a bit small, but overall, I enjoyed my experience at ELS. Thank you!
      Was this review helpful to you?Yes No 
    • Below you will find additional reviews in other languages.

    • 學生
      [ Taipei, Taiwan ]
  • Video

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