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American Explorer Program

ELS Language Centers at Saint Joseph's University: Philadelphia (PA)
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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
School holidays
25 Dec 2024

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 Philadelphia to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 17 years old and older
Average 23 years old
(22 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/Philadelphia is located close to downtown Philadelphia on the University City campus of Saint Joseph’s University. Philadelphia is a modern yet historic city, offering a lively experience in American culture and a wide range of restaurants, world-class museums and recreational activities.

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Cultural Trips
  • 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 Saint Joseph's University: Philadelphia (PA) varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 23. In the summer, the average age is 22.

ELS teaches students from all over the world, including:

Saudi Arabia
29%
Spain
19%
Portugal
15%
Turkey
10%
China
8%
Other
19%

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
25 Dec 2024

School location

Centrally located, adjacent to downtown Philadelphia on the stunning, University City campus of Saint Joseph’s University, English Language Center Philadelphia is located in the fifth-largest city in the country. Popular for its historical sites, the city attracts nearly 40 million visitors per year.

Using the city’s extensive public transportation system, students can enjoy Philadelphia’s culture, iconic sights, professional sports, dining, shopping, and entertainment. When students are not studying English courses in Philadelphia, they can visit tourist attractions, historical sights, food markets, bars, and artistic and cultural attractions.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Art Museum 1/4
  • Library at ELS Language Centers at Saint Joseph's University: Philadelphia (PA) 2/4
  • Liberty Bell 3/4
  • Skyline 4/4
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

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

"Amazing. Unforgettable experience..."

João Pedro Cordeiro, student from Portugal

My experience was very good on all levels. The organization of the course was excellent, the learning was very good, the relationship with the teachers was excellent, with the students as well, the conditions of the accommodation were very good. In terms of technical and administrative support, the process was very professional and went very well. Excellent at all levels.

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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
29 Jan 2024 - 23 Feb 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It is the right place for me to learn and improve my English!"

Wen Hui Deng, student from USA

In my personal experience, I loved the teachers who have been teaching in ELS for many years. They were professional, nice and helpful. ELS SJU Centre is also a good location to stay in. There are many sources sharing with SJU. I believe I made a right choice in studying here.

However, aside from the good things, I don't think it is good for students to have to substitute their normal classes frequently. It really doesn’t help students and it is a waste of time.

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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
21 Sep 2015 - 11 Dec 2015
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:
student-residence

Living & Learning Commons

NZ$ 674
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Address: 4516 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143, USA
Location: Living & Learning Commons
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and tV room
Distance to school: 4 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 674
The Living & Learning Commons, or LLC, is a 426-bed, mixed-use residence hall located on SJU’s University City location. It features double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms, laundry, lounge and study spaces on each floor, Residence Life staff apartments and offices, state-of-the-art classrooms, retail spaces, TV and game rooms, and an open-air plaza. The LLC also incorporates numerous sustainable design features which earned a Green Globe rating. American students live in the same building.
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

The closest airport to the school is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

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 Philadelphia International Airport is $140. 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 Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University: Philadelphia (PA) staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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