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American Explorer Program

ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL)
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Special offer

S$ 257 discount for all courses and accommodations from 12-52 weeks Show details »

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Course description

The American Explorer Program at ELS Language Centers is designed for students wishing to include some English lessons in their short stay. Students receive 15 weekly lessons of morning instruction, and will have the afternoon free to explore the surrounding area.

ELS recommends that students select a duration in 4-week increments (4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, etc.). Durations under 4 weeks (2 or 3 weeks) and in non-4-week increments may be available if space permits. These durations require special request and must be approved by the ELS Center Director.

Course topics

The curriculum for Vacation English at ELS Language Centers focuses on the following topics: English structure and speaking practice, reading and writing, practice of learned skills at the Language Technology Center.

Class schedule

Course duration
1-12 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday (except for beginners)
Start dates for beginners
03 Mar 2025, 31 Mar 2025, 28 Apr 2025, 27 May 2025, 23 Jun 2025, 21 Jul 2025, 18 Aug 2025, 08 Sep 2025, 06 Oct 2025, 03 Nov 2025 and 01 Dec 2025
Classes per week
15 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
17 Feb 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 26 May 2025, 19 Jun 2025, 04 Jul 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 24 Dec 2025, 25 Dec 2025

ELS does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Morning session
08:30 AM - 09:20 AM
Break
09:20 AM - 09:30 AM
Morning session
09:30 AM - 10:20 AM
Break
10:20 AM - 10:30 AM
Morning session
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test before your arrival in Chicago to determine your class level.

Class size

Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 23 years old
(21 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

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.

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Cultural Trips
  • IELTS Test Center
  • TOEFL Test Center
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area
  • Audio Learning

Teacher qualifications

Teachers with English teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 23. In the summer, the average age is 21.

ELS teaches students from all over the world, including:

Japan
35%
China
17%
Brazil
10%
Saudi Arabia
9%
South Korea
9%
Spain
5%
Turkey
5%
Other
10%

School holidays

ELS does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
17 Feb 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 26 May 2025, 19 Jun 2025, 04 Jul 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 24 Dec 2025, 25 Dec 2025

School location

Area Description
As the third largest city in the U.S., Chicago offers a variety of cultural activities including the Lyric Opera, Symphony Orchestra, world-famous Art Institute and an exciting nightlife ranging from blues and jazz venues to comedy clubs. Chicago's "Magnificent Mile" offers an international showcase of famous architecture, elegant shops and superb restaurants within walking distance to the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan. ELS/Chicago is situated on the beautiful Dominican University campus, just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway and the site of the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio. The tree-lined streets in their seasonal colors encourage joggers, strollers, and afternoon walks with family and friends.

Area Attractions
River Forest is walking-distance to shops & restaurants
Chicago's Magnificent Mile, blues, jazz and comedy clubs, world-class museums and symphony and professional sports
Lake Michigan shoreline and Navy Pier complex (entertainment, amusement park, dining, and shopping)
Ice skating, skiing, concerts, top-notch shopping (Apple, Nike, Louis Vuitton, luxury outlets)
Indiana Dunes State Park
24 shoreline beaches
Navy Pier dining and shopping
Near professional sporting events: Bulls, Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, Fire, and Bears
Close to world-class museums, theatres, concert halls
Ski slopes and water parks

Local Transportation

This suburban campus is centrally located, with easy access to downtown via the Green line and Chicago O'Hare International Airport via the Blue line. The campus is also convenient to a variety of CTA and Pace buses, as well as a free shuttle to the main campus and apartments.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) 1/9
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) 2/9
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) 3/9
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) 4/9
  • Campus 5/9
  • City of Chicago 6/9
  • City of Chicago 7/9
  • Entrance to ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) 8/9
  • Rooms 9/9
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 7 reviews
5 stars
3
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"It was excellent !"

Sayuki Hirotomi, student from USA

Teachers answered all questions from everyone. All classes were so fun. After class I went to downtown with my classmates.My host family are so kind and friendly. I had a great time there.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
13 Aug 2018 - 7 Sep 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Perfect staff and wonderful classes"

Aisha Abdulaziz Abubshait, student from USA

I am fortunate that I studied at this school .I learned with the best teachers and housing varied teaching strategies. I know an international students who have an amazing experience with ELS. Thanks for everything.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
11 weeks
Date of study
19 Jun 2017 - 8 Sep 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Perfect environment in order to learn English."

Edgar Munoz, student from Colombia

The teachers are very good because they prepared for their classes. The location is excellent because students have the chance to interact with other American students from the university.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
1 Apr 2013 - 24 May 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Wasn't expected"

Dong Hyun Lee, student from Mexico

The experience was good. I was looking for something like business, speaking, listening but It was different because it was like a school.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
1 Apr 2013 - 26 Apr 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Intense and valuable week to improve my English skills."

Ricardo Gentile Rocha , student from Brazil

As a general overview, I really liked the course. The first day was somewhat tedious, but was quickly adjusted in the following days, making the course become very pleasant. The teachers were extremely professional. They are very well prepared, dedicated, and really good at their jobs. The location and facilities are good. I would recommend a wireless connection. We had some difficulties when it was planned to use internet as a support in classes. About the city, I am very happy to have chose Chicago, the city is amazing and people are kind.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
21 Oct 2013 - 25 Oct 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was very nice."

Rachel Paranhos, student from Brazil

I had a private class, so sometimes I felt bothered. However, all of the teachers were very good; there was just one that I did not like. I had a problem with him, but it was solved quickly. The location was perfect. My host mother was perfect, too. She drove me to school every day.
Thank you for everything!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
3 Jun 2013 - 14 Jun 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Now I know what I want!"

Ksenia Mukhanova, student from Russia

I am working at the American Center in Moscow and this English course was really important for me. I was in Chicago only 4 weeks, to tell the truth, for it was not enough. But after this trip I feel more confident while talking to Americans at my work. I think that this is a big progress. I want to say thank you for an amazing hosting family, Anne (I do not remember her last name, she lives 1716 North Natoma Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707). She is very interesting woman. She tried to help in everything, explained what I wanted to know and she cooked wonderfulyl. And she lived close to the courses, so I could even get there by foot. Among teachers I very much liked Melissa. She is a great teacher. She gave so much. She works like she really want to give us knowledge.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
4 weeks
Date of study
15 Oct 2012 - 9 Nov 2012
Age group
35 - 49
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

ELS offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

S$ 593
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Distance to school: 30 minutes
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
S$ 593
Description:

Many of the ELS\Chicago homestays are located within walking distance from the ELS center in the historic neighborhoods of the local community. Most students walk or bike to school. Located on the outskirts of Chicago, homestays provide students with a safe and quiet place to live and experience American life during the week and the chance to explore downtown Chicago on the weekends.

These communities are connected by an extensive public transportation network of buses, trains, and two subway lines, which provide easy access to the ELS Center and downtown Chicago, which is fewer than 30 minutes away. The local community also provides a wide variety of grocery stores, restaurants, and shops within walking distance of most host families.

Meals:

14 meals per week. ELS host families serve a variety of healthy American and international dishes. Families are generally happy to accommodate students' preferences and to prepare foods based on lifestyle choices and cultural sensitivities.
student-residence

Chicago Student residence (off-campus) - 2-person shared room - No meals

S$ 571
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 479 N. Harlem Ave Oak Park, Chicago, IL 60301, United States
Location: Outside the city center of Chicago
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen and laundry
Distance to school: 15 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
S$ 571
ELS’s Chicago Student Residence is an apartment-style accommodation offering double occupancy rooms, in two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments close to shops, movie theater, bookstore, and a variety of restaurants. The residence is located within 30 minutes’ walking distance, or 15 minutes by public transportation from the ELS center.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying full time in the United States for more than 18 hours per week, you will receive an I-20 that you need to submit to the US embassy along with your F-1 student visa application. The I-20 has a SEVIS tracking number on it. Students who wish to apply for a student visa must pay the SEVIS fee online before going to the US embassy or consulate for their visa interview.

Your I-20 will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Please note that United States law states that an I-20 can only be issued to students who intend to pursue full-time English language studies. United States law does not permit students to study part-time with an F-1 Student Visa. If you are studying for less than 18 hours per week, you have to apply for a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) on your own.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Visit the US Department of State website »

Flights and airport transfer

The closest airport to the school is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (OHR).

The school offers airport pickup services. If you wish to be picked up, just give us your flight details and arrival date. The price of a one-way airport transfer from Chicago O'Hare International Airport is $135. You must book your airport transfer in advance when you register.

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Chicago based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from ELS Language Centers at Dominican University: Chicago (IL) staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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