ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA)
190 Palm Avenue, Pennafort Hall, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA
ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA)
S$ 254 discount for all courses and accommodations from 12-52 weeks Show details »
The Intensive English curriculum is designed for students who want to learn the language as quickly as possible within a short period of time. There are 30 morning and afternoon lessons per week. You will learn the key fundamentals of the English language in conjunction with vital study and classroom skills that will lead to success, including:
Key Language Skills: Our English courses cover all essential language skills such as: listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, and grammar. You will learn to speak with clarity, listen carefully, and gain the writing competencies necessary to complete your academic assignments with ease and accuracy.
Skills Enhancement Classes: ELS Centers offer Skills Enhancement Classes dedicated to subjects such as American Idioms, American Film, Current Events, and American Culture – enabling you to not only learn the English language, but to become part of the conversation and acquire the academic skills to succeed in higher education. Skill Enhancement Classes encompass two hours per day. In Levels 101-103, students work on Beginning Conversation and another skill area. In Levels 104-106, students focus on academic reading, writing, listening, or speaking skills. Starting in Levels 107-112, students work on academic skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, presentations, and note-taking.
Applied Learning: Students practice conversation and speaking skills using practical, real-world English. They learn to write with accuracy and effectiveness, develop strategic listening skills and improve their use of grammar. In the United States, Contact America! allows you to meet with native English-speakers, practice conversing while using real-world English, and listen to guest lecturers.
Key University Success Skills: To succeed in a US college or university, you will need more than just basic English language skills. Our program focuses on teaching you critical thinking, how to deliver presentations, public speaking, note-taking, academic research, and more. There are also more than 600 universities, colleges and career schools accept completion of an advanced ELS level as meeting the English language requirement for admission.
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.
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar
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 schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 12 students |
Maximum | 15 students |
Age range | 14 years old and older |
Average | 22 years old (20 in the summer) |
ELS/San Francisco - North Bay is located on the campus of Dominican University of California (DUC), in the town of San Rafael, just 30 minutes north of downtown San Francisco and 18 km north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The city of San Rafael, which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area, is safe and beautiful, and within walking distance of the DUC campus. San Rafael and San Francisco offer many exciting outdoor sports activities including hiking, mountain biking, golf, swimming and sailing. Excellent transportation links put the entire San Francisco Bay Area within reach.
The nationality and age mix at ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 22. In the summer, the average age is 20.
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.
Area Description
ELS/San Francisco-North Bay is located on the campus of Dominican University of California (DUC), just 18 kilometers north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The city of San Rafael is safe and beautiful, and is within walking distance of the DUC campus. San Rafael offers many exciting outdoor sports activities including hiking, mountain biking, golf, swimming and sailing. Excellent transportation links put the entire San Francisco Bay Area within reach of ELS students.
Area Attractions
San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Sausalito, Silicon Valley, Santa Rosa
Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, Microsoft
Stanford and UC Berkeley
World-renowned Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
Fabulous shopping opportunities at high-end shopping malls, numerous independent boutiques and several outlet malls
Parks and beaches: Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Sea Shore, Angel Island
Six-Flags Amusement Park, Great America Amusement Park, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
National Champion sports teams: San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Oakland Warriors and Raiders, San Jose Sharks
World-class Music
More than 50 inexpensive public golf courses as well as several award-winning golf courses
Top internationally-rated restaurants
San Rafael is Marin County's transportation "hub," so students can walk 15 minutes from the campus to a large bus terminal/SMART Train Station, or take a bus directly from the Dominican University campus.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying English in San Rafael. These homes are often between 25 - 50 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 18+. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Student residences often do not include any meal plan. Learn more about student residence accommodation
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. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $110 when you register.
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.
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 San Rafael based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
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.
Have questions? Get answers from ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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