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American Explorer Program

ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA)

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Special offer

NZ$ 323 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
2-12 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday (except for beginners)
Classes per week
15 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

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 San Rafael to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 14 years old and older
Average 22 years old
(20 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/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.

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Studying Area
  • Sports Activities

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 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.

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
None

School location

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.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 1/21
  • Acivities 2/21
  • Gym 3/21
  • Campus Gym 4/21
  • Tennis Court 5/21
  • City of San Rafael 6/21
  • Swimming Pool 7/21
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 8/21
  • Gym 9/21
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 10/21
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 11/21
  • Building of ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 12/21
  • Market 13/21
  • Student residence offered by ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 14/21
  • Student residence offered by ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 15/21
  • Student residence offered by ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 16/21
  • Student residence offered by ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 17/21
  • ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 18/21
  • ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 19/21
  • ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 20/21
  • ELS Language Centers at Dominican University of California: San Rafael (CA) 21/21
housing

Housing

ELS offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

NZ$ 790
weekly
Age range: 14 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 790
Live like a local with host families. American families are often very different from how they are portrayed in the media. Each one is unique; staying with an American family is an eye-opening experience into different lifestyles. It is common for families to have children and pets - the more the merrier! Everyone helps out around the house and students are responsible for keeping their bedroom area neat and generally picking up after themselves. The Golden Gate Transit bus line serves the San Rafael area and there are bus stops within a 15-minute walk of the Center. Students may be responsible for transportation to/from the Center.

The average commute time is currently 30 minutes by car, and in some cases, host families are willing to provide transportation, although not required. The Center's homestays are conveniently located close to GGT bus stops, so students have the freedom to travel at their own pace. Almost all homestay families are less than 45-55 minutes by public transportation.

Home types vary, but in general, ELS host families live in safe and affluent neighborhoods near the Center. ELS students will be assigned single rooms, most with shared bathrooms. All homes have heating and wireless internet but may not have air conditioning. ELS students will have access to living areas, the kitchen and laundry areas in the home.

What better way to practice your English and learn about American culture than to live with an American family!

14 meals per week. Homestay families offer a continental breakfast as well as a full dinner everyday. The host parents are encouraged to spend time with their student during mealtimes though it is not always possible in the morning. If the student has any special dietary needs, it is imperative that the student informs us and also has a conversation with their host family to ensure that the need is met.
student-residence

San Rafael Student Home - Student residence (off-campus) - 2-person shared room - No meals

NZ$ 602
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 179 Los Ranchitos Road , San Rafael, , CA 94903, USA
Location: San Rafael Student Home
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, and tV room
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 602
Note:
Doubles Delux and Single Delux are females only
Single Room is available per special request. Contact Center directly.
Males and females are in the same building. Gender-specific designations apply only to rooms.

The San Rafael Student Home is located in a very safe, quiet area. It is within a short, five-minute, free shuttle ride offered to and from the Center; the shuttle also provides free trips, upon students' requests, to the nearby mall and grocery stores.

The San Rafael Student Home offers private (single) and shared (double and triple) bedrooms. Shared bedrooms and bathrooms are usually for two to three students. In the female wing, a single superior room is available (cable-installed television and DVD player located in the room).

Students who choose standard rooms will share a bathroom and living area with other residents. Please know that there is only private bathroom in the double deluxe space (female only). When a bedroom is shared, students are usually paired with another student from a different country, but students can also request to be paired with a friend.

Each room is provided with linens (mattress cover, bed sheets, two blankets, one towel and one pillow) as well as a desk and closet space. There is additional storage space located at the facility to place empty luggage and bicycles. All students have access to plates, pots and pans, cutlery and cooking utensils.
Located in a safe, residential neighborhood just 3.5km from ELS
Free daily shuttle van to ELS and anywhere in San Rafael
Walking distance to a large shopping mall with cinemas, restaurants and inexpensive food court
Next to bus stop with bus service to San Francisco
Shared living rooms with TV and DVD players
Wireless internet
Shared dining room
Shared fully-equipped kitchen
Recreation room
Laundry room
Daily cleaning service for common areas and requested bathrooms
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. 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.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Visit the US Department of State website »

Flights and airport transfer

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.

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 of California: San Rafael (CA) staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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