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Semi-Intensive English Course (GENERAL or BUSINESS or TOEFL PREPARATION)

New England School of English in Harvard Square
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NZ$ 180 discount for some courses from 8-48 weeks until 31 Dec 2025 Show details »

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Course description

Semi-Intensive English Course in Harvard Square

This option is available for 3 types of courses:
- General English
- Business English (minimum level of English: 8)
- TOEFL Preparation (minimum level of English: 9)

If the student doesn't have the minimum level of English for the Business English or the TOEFL Program, they will join our General English Program

If they have Level 8, 9 or 10 they can choose to be in the Business Program (if they want to)
If they have level 9 or 10 they can choose to be in the TOEFL Program (if they want to)

This choice can be made after the arrival in Boston, and it will depend on the result of the English Evaluation Test (taken on the first day of school).

Timetable:

9:00 to 12:30 - Five Days per Week

NESE’s 10-level Semi-Intensive Program is ideal for students who would like to improve their English but are equally interested in other aspects of life in the United States. Because this program lasts only half a day, students have time to travel and explore other interests. NESE students participating in the Semi-Intensive Program have full access to all NESE facilities, such as the choice of a dormitory or homestay accommodation, weekend trips, student clubs, and unlimited free access to e-mail and the Internet. Students participating in this program are also welcome to spend their out-of-class time using NESE’s academic facilities in order to study, listen to English-training CDs, or watch videos at NESE.

For on-line classes, please go to onlineclasses.nese.edu

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Vocabulary and Grammar

Class schedule

Course duration
2-48 weeks
Classes per week
10 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 90 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Lesson
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Lesson
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Cambridge.

Class size

Average 8 students
Maximum 14 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older

Certificate

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

School description

The NESE, Harvard Square (https://nese.edu/)

The New England School of English, or NESE, is located in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is adjacent to Harvard University and is just short walk from the nearby Charles River. Harvard Square is a focal point of student activity and one of the most interesting and dynamic student centers in the United States. NESE offers intensive English language training combined with complete cultural immersion, which allows students to master the language in a far shorter time-- and to truly understand the language and culture. The average class size is at NESE is 10 students. These small classes ensure good discussions, frequent, and intensive student-teacher interaction, all of which promote quick learning and a full understanding of the language.

We are very excited to see you all! And of course, for those of you who can't come to NESE, Harvard Square, we are happy to invite you to our classes via NESE On-Line.

The NESE On-Line System (https://onlineclasses.nese.edu/)

NESE On-Line has a unique approach, one that is based on educational research and analysis that the founder (and current president) of NESE On-Line conducted while completing her graduate degree at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Her examination of effective learning environments allowed her to create the highly respected NESE, Harvard Square and now, NESE On-Line. Both are programs that are guided by their commitment to excellence, their belief in each student’s ability to succeed, their respect for all peoples, and their understanding that each student presents with a unique learning style, unique goals, and unique challenges, each which must be specifically recognized.

In order to accommodate these individual differences, the NESE On-Line system has been designed to offer a choice: interactive self-study lessons, live private classes, and live group classes, as well as a subscription optios, each which complement and reinforce each other in order to maximize language acquisition.

Year opened
1990
Number of classrooms
36

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TV Room
  • Elevators
  • Wheelchair access
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area
  • Audio Learning
  • Sports Activities

Teacher qualifications

Native English speakers
All
Teachers with English teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at New England School of English in Harvard Square varies over different time periods, courses and levels.

NESE teaches students from all over the world, including:

Saudi Arabia
19%
Japan
11%
Brazil
10%
Taiwan
8%
Thailand
8%
Vietnam
5%
China
3%
Colombia
3%
Spain
3%
Chile
2%
Venezuela
1%
Other
27%

School holidays

NESE 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

NESE is located in Harvard Square in Cambridge, adjacent to Harvard University and just a few minutes' walk from the Charles River. Harvard Square is a focal point of student activity and one of the most interesting and dynamic student centers in the United States. Harvard Square, ideally suited for students' needs and recreation, is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, bookshops, and boutiques. University lectures are only a few steps away, classic and current films are just across the street, theaters and concerts are just around the corner, and music is on the street and in the parks. Whatever your interests, you can pursue them in Harvard Square.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • City of Cambridge 1/23
  • Students of New England School of English in Harvard Square 2/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 3/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 4/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 5/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 6/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 7/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 8/23
  • Student residence offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 9/23
  • Student residence offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 10/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 11/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 12/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 13/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 14/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 15/23
  • Student residence offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 16/23
  • Student residence offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 17/23
  • Student residence offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 18/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 19/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 20/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 21/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 22/23
  • Apartments offered by New England School of English in Harvard Square 23/23
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

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

"It was a fun experience and I learned a lot"

Johannes Marten Muschel, student from Germany

The NESE School helped me before starting the class with all organization details. When I arrived I was warmly welcomed. The evaluation was appropriate. The classes were interesting and helped me to improve my English skills. Time passed quickly. I want to say Thank you and I can recommend the NESE School for every person, who wants to advance in English Language in Cambridge.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
27 Mar 2023 - 7 Apr 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"One of the best experience of my life"

Matias Joaquin Zarandon, student from Argentina

It was amazing. All the teachers were really nice with me and they were very patients.
The administration was always there for me, if i needed anything they help me immediately. Also the facilities of NESE were really comfortable and everything was in perfect conditions. On top of that, I loved all the activities that NESE brings to the students like the karaoke club, lunch club, Harvard tour and the museum tour.
It was a great experience that i would recommend.

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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
3 Jan 2023 - 27 Jan 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"I had a very good experience!"

Silvi, student from Albania

The school was a very good one. Its location was perfect and the teachers were very good too. There were enough social activities and the school facilities were OK. Regarding the dormitory, I lived in Green Hall, and students there in general, including me did not like the food very much. It could have been better. However, I really enjoyed the experience so my general opinion about NESE is very good. I would suggest the school to those people who would ask me to give them a suggestion where to learn well English in a short period.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
8 weeks
Date of study
29 Jun 2009 - 21 Aug 2009
Age group
25 - 34
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Luiza Meyer, Marketing Director at New England School of English in Harvard Square responded to this review.
19 April 2017

Thank you so much!
It was a pleasure to have you at NESE! =)

housing

Housing

NESE offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends

NZ$ 669
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet and free internet
Distance to school: 15 - 30 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 669
NESE’s American homestay program is designed to provide cultural exposure to American family life in a warm and supportive environment. It is your home away from home. Your homestay family will provide you with friendship, care, and an ideal opportunity to use your English and experience American culture.
NESE carefully selects all homestay families, and our families have a great deal of experience hosting foreign students. However, it is important to note that although there are certain customs and practices that are common throughout the United States, it is difficult to describe a “typical American family”. There are a variety of lifestyles in the United States, and NESE works with homestays that both reflect this variety and are also eager to welcome NESE students.

In fact, NESE home stays present a realistic view of American culture and enable us to best meet our students varying needs. For example, NESE homestays can be single parents, two-parent families, people who may or may not have children, people who have indoor pets (typically cats and dogs), people who may or may not allow smoking in their home, and people who may come from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. In other words, a typical homestay reflects what the United States really is today.
Often our families introduce students to new activities. You might learn to water-ski in Maine, sail in Cape Cod, or ski in Vermont. Whatever parts of New England you and your family explore, you can be sure that you will remain friends with them for years to come.
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - Shared room (Price per person) - Breakfast and dinner

NZ$ 876
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Cambridge
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 20 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 876
Living in a Student Residence

Make Friends and Experience Boston Life at its Best

Throughout the year, you can live in a student residence. Living in the student residence will provide you with a unique opportunity to make friends with other students your own age and to experience Boston life at its best. Pizza nights, video nights, and picnics on the Charles River are all part of student life in these dormitories. As a student residence resident, you will participate in all of these activities with a diverse and interesting group of people.

All dormitories are located only 15 minutes from NESE near the campuses of Harvard and MIT. All dormitories offer students either single or double rooms, full linen and cleaning service, and breakfast and dinner every day of the week.

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-1 person room - Breakfast and dinner

NZ$ 1,307
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Cambridge
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 20 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 1,307
Make friends and experience Boston life at it's best, by living in a student residence.

Throughout the year, you can live in a student residence. Living in the student residence will provide you with a unique opportunity to make friends with other students your own age and to experience Boston life at its best. Pizza nights, video nights, and picnics on the Charles River are all part of student life in these dormitories. Living in a student residence, you will participate in all of these activities with a diverse and interesting group of people.

NESE's three dormitories, Green Hall, Lee Hall and Poppet Hall, are located only 15 minutes from NESE near the campuses of Harvard and MIT. All dormitories offer students either single or double rooms, full linen and cleaning service, and breakfast and dinner every day of the week.
Our Housing Office will review housing requests and place students accordingly based on the students information and preferences.
apartment

Private apartment - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 1,397
weekly
Age range: 30 years old and older
Address: Massachusetts Ave & Beacon St, Boston, MA 02115, United States
Location: In the city center of Cambridge
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 15 - 25 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 1,397
NESE’s “Professionals Only” studio apartments (for students over the age of 30) are located in the heart of Boston’s most prestigious neighborhood, the Back Bay. Historic row-houses (known as “Brownstones”) are typical of this area, and NESE’s apartments are on the garden level of this type of building. The units are only a short walk to Newbury Street, Boston’s most fashionable shopping and café street and only a one- minute walk to the Charles River, with its spectacular sunsets. Baseball fans will be pleased to know that Fenway Stadium (with its accompanying range of restaurants and music venues) is less than a 10-minute-walk from the units. Further, just across the river is MIT, with its wealth of events open to the general community and its gym for NESE students’ use (*). The bus stop for the direct bus to Harvard Square is a few steps from the front door.

NESE’s studio apartments are air-conditioned with fully equipped kitchens, linens and towels, TV, DVD/Blu-Ray player, and wireless high-speed internet connection. Laundry facilities are in each unit. Both the Back Bay with its historic tree-lined streets, and NESE apartments, with their modern conveniences and elegance, provide an ideal atmosphere in which professionals can live and study.

(*) An extra fee is required for use. Please contact NESE for further details.

Private apartment - PRICE FOR A COUPLE (2 PEOPLE) - No meals - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 1,639
weekly
Age range: 30 years old and older
Address: Massachusetts Ave & Beacon St, Boston, MA 02115, United States
Location: In the city center of Cambridge
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 15 - 25 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 1,639
NESE’s “Professionals Only” studio apartments (for students over the age of 30) are located in the heart of Boston’s most prestigious neighborhood, the Back Bay. Historic row-houses (known as “Brownstones”) are typical of this area, and NESE’s apartments are on the garden level of this type of building. The units are only a short walk to Newbury Street, Boston’s most fashionable shopping and café street and only a one- minute walk to the Charles River, with its spectacular sunsets. Baseball fans will be pleased to know that Fenway Stadium (with its accompanying range of restaurants and music venues) is less than a 10-minute-walk from the units. Further, just across the river is MIT, with its wealth of events open to the general community and its gym for NESE students’ use (*). The bus stop for the direct bus to Harvard Square is a few steps from the front door.

NESE’s studio apartments are air-conditioned with fully equipped kitchens, linens and towels, TV, DVD/Blu-Ray player, and wireless high-speed internet connection. Laundry facilities are in each unit. Both the Back Bay with its historic tree-lined streets, and NESE apartments, with their modern conveniences and elegance, provide an ideal atmosphere in which professionals can live and study.

(*) An extra fee is required for use. Please contact NESE for further details.
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

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 Cambridge 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 New England School of English in Harvard Square staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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