43 best English schools in San Francisco, California

Today, San Francisco is considered to be one of the most popular American cities among international students. This city offers wide variety of entertainment and impressions: walks along colorful streets (including the world's most meandering Lombard Street), visiting unique sights such as the famous Golden Gate Bridge, which you have probably seen in many films. 

In addition to the availability of unique tourist places, San Francisco is famous for its openness and loyalty to representatives of different cultures and nationalities. There are also several city features that make this place truly unique and unique: it is a special landscape and hilly terrain, cable cars and a large number of one-way streets. In addition, tourists, students and business travelers will discover an incredible palette of tastes, because San Francisco is literally filled with market food traders, restaurants of different levels, where you can try everything from fresh seafood to Latin American dishes.

San Francisco is an amazing city that offers a wide range of opportunities to study English. Getting education in San Francisco allows to get amazing experience of studying abroad. Due  to the list of 15 best language schools, colleges and centers in San Francisco, you can find the most appropriate option. 

In addition to unique attractions and cultural heritage, there is a huge number of language schools, centers and courses. Here, foreign students from all over the world will find a variety of educational programs from a short week-long course to a language programme for several months. Students' goals can also be very different: someone wants to improve their communicative skills in English, someone needs to learn the language for work, and someone else needs preparation for entering the university.

When students arrive in San Francisco language schools or colleges, they usually have following schedule: the arrival of a new group takes place on Mondays, after which all students undergo an in-depth testing to determine the level of knowledge. According to the results of this test, students are divided into groups.

Usually, academic studies take place in the morning, and after lunch, students can already devote time to other activities. It can be both a sport and some kind of creative activity: for example, golf, diving, horseriding, windsurfing, skiing, sailing, music, dancing, squash, basketball, ballet, football, swimming, cooking, yoga and much more. other. In addition, the administration of language schools usually includes in the programme several excursions or other events. This helps students to better know the place where they study, and imbue with the atmosphere not only of language, but of local culture.

Laura Galindo

Marketing Director

What makes English so special for families from all over the world?

In 2023, statistics show there are about 1.5 billion people around the world who speak English both natively and as a second language. English is the global language for business, tourism, aviation, sciences, and media (to name a few).

It is most essential for families in that this will allow for the younger generations to have innumerable employment opportunities within and outside their birth country.

There are amny high-quality educational institutions in San Francisco:

• International educational network Stafford House International

Studying centers are spread over several countries. The campus of Stafford House San Francisco is located in an area connected with finance, just a few steps from Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and the famous city bay. This educational organization, formerly known as Intrax, moved to a new premise in 2015, which has an updated design, interactive equipment and other comfortable conditions for students. Here during the whole academic year, students, teenagers and students from 16 to 22-24 years old can study. To stay at the Stafford House San Francisco students are offered to rent rooms in friendly schools or family accommodation.

• Language Studies International (LSI)

It is an educational network that has over 40 years of successful experience teaching English for students from all over the world. The language schools of the network are distributed not only throughout America (Boston, New York, San Diego and not only) but are also present in Canada, Australia, Britain, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and even in Malta. In San Francisco, the organization opened its branch in 1979. The campus of the school is located in one of the most popular urban areas - Berkeley - where you can reach the center in just 35 minutes. Also within walking distance from the LSI building is the famous University of California. Language Studies International is considered average in capacity: for one calendar year up to 300 foreign students from different age categories can study here. Usually the minimum age of students starts from 13 years, and the maximum is unlimited. The largest audience is from 20 to 27 years. Over the past year, the LSI language school has become one of the three most popular institutions in the city for foreign students.

• Converse International School of Languages

It is considered one of the oldest in the city. Since 1972, this institution offers students who are interested in quickly obtaining high-quality results, language programs of high efficiency. The school itself is located across the street from the Montgomery metro station, in a historic 2-storey building, equipped with the most modern facilities. The building of the school has a terrace, which offers an incredible view of the San Francisco Bay and the city's architecture, capable of capturing the imagination of any tourist. Here, on the terrace, the students of the school can have dinner on sunny days and gather to communicate with fellow students during their free time.

In summer the average age of students is 29 years, and in the remaining months - 34 years. However, there are suitable programs for teenagers and schoolchildren from the age of 13. No less popular is the school for both students and young people. who would like to go to university abroad. And all by the fact that this school can be trained and self-tested by two Cambridge exams - FCE (First Certificate in English) and CAE (Certificate in advanced English). The pupils of this language school live either in the residence of an educational institution or in a host family. In both cases, rental housing can include meals on half board (breakfast only), and in other cases, students will be self-employed in nutrition for a couple of weeks of study.

• Embassy CES network

These schools have a reputation for being the best year-round schools of English around the world. Qualified teachers, excellent courses, excellent technical equipment - all this only confirms the high level of the school. At Embassy CES in San Francisco, students are offered classical programs: standard English (20 hours a week), intensive (25 to 30 hours a week), and such as "Travel and Culture". This is a combined programme, equally focused on studying the language and attractions of the States. Continuing the list of educational programs, we will also mention the business course of the English language, as well as the preparation for one of the most popular TOEFL tests. At CES Embassy are happy to see students from different countries, including Russian, since the age of 16. For residence, as in most language schools, students are offered one and options to choose from - a school hostel or an accepting American family. In the first case, the student has more chances to immerse himself in full fun student life, and the second option is perfect for those who prefer after a busy day to relax in an atmosphere of home comfort.

• English Language Schools: San Francisco

It was founded in 2010. The campus of the language school is located in the central area of the city, just a few minutes' walk from Union Square. Also, thanks to the successful location of the school building, students will always have access to public transport, which can be reached from virtually anywhere in the city, as well as many shops, restaurants, shopping centers where you can spend your free time. According to the feedback of the students who took the language courses at this school, English Language Schools distinguishes from other institutions for studying English a very convenient location and a high evaluation of the quality of the teaching material.

The cost of studying English at language schools depends on the particular school and its location in the city. In addition, the selected curriculum and its duration will influence the formation of the total cost of training (the more hours a week, the higher the cost).

Usually, the cost of the course includes: studying (by the number of hours), teaching materials (rarely paid separately), a certain entertainment and excursion programme, as well as accommodation (if on the school's residence). If the school offers a host family for accommodating students, then meals and lodging are separate. Also not included in the cost of the student's air tickets in both directions, transfer and visa processing.

On average, the cost of takinf a 2-week programme in the previously listed language schools in San Francisco ranges from $ 490 to $ 1,000. The exact cost must be requested additionally. In addition, do not forget about such an important point as pocket expenses.