English in New York City - EC

Language program in New York

Welcome to "the city that never sleeps"!

With a population of 8.5 millions, New York will never fail to surprise and amaze you. America's cultural and financial capital, Manhattan, holds over 20,00 restaurants of hundreds of different cuisines, and has everything you could ever desire in terms of entertainment. From Broadway shows and baseball games to ethnic markets and vintage boutiques, New York is a cultural melting pot. With its superb public transport system, getting from one side of Manhattan to another is a simple train ride away.

Let New York's vibrant energy sweep you off your feet. Don't miss New York's renowned sights such as the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square. Check out the city's iconic neighbourhoods of Harlem, Chinatown, Greenwich Village to get a feel for daily New York city life. Some of the world's most well-known museums such as the MoMa, the Guggenheim and the Museum of Natural History lie in the heart of New York, giving the city an unparalleled cultural heritage.

And of course, no trip to the Big Apple would be complete without a boat cruise to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island.

EC English Language School

Our partner school EC is ideally located in the famous Paramount Building, home of movie making in the heart of Broadway. Only 2 steps away from Times square and the 5th Avenue, the recently renovated building provides state-of-the-art facilities. Subway stations are very close to the school and Grand Station is only 5 minutes away.

Accreditations: ACCET and English USA

School facilities include:

• 9 bright, modern and spacious classrooms
• IT suite with 28 Internet connected computers
• Free WiFi access
• Well-resourced library
• Cafeteria
• Student lounge

VIP service - The Orange Carpet Experience

EC welcomes you with their orange carpet

• Before your arrival: access to the online platform of EC to prepare for your stay
• A warm welcome upon your arrival at the airport or station
• A warm welcome at the residence or in your host family
• A welcome activity on Sunday to meet the other students
• On the first day of course: a VIP reception at the school
• A presentation of all members of the EC team

Now you're ready to learn!

Activities and events during your stay

As an EC student, you will enjoy a calendar of various social and leisurely activities in the afternoons/evenings every week. These activities are optional and some may require a fee. All activities are subject to change and vary depending on the time of year. Activity planning can be viewed on the online EC platform.

Some of the many activities may include:

• Museum outings
• Ferry to Staten Island, Roosevelt Island
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Yoga classes in Bryant Park
• Yankees Baseball match
• 1 to 3-day excursions to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Toronto/Niagara Falls

English language lessons: the basics

• Lesson length: 45 minutes
• Class size: Average of 12 students (maximum 15)
• Schedule: morning and/or afternoon lessons
• Placement test: first day of lessons
• Certificate of completion at the end of the stay
• Open access to the online EC platform up to 12 weeks after your stay
• Regular progress tests (oral test every week, written test every 6 weeks)
• CELTA-qualified native English teachers

Lessons on offer

• Standard General English: 20 lessons per week

  4 lessons a day will give you a practical understanding of the English language and take you all the way to fluency. See your confidence improve as EC trains you in all four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

  Language level: beginner to advanced

• Intensive General English: 30 lessons per week

  The ideal course to get your English where you want it to be, fast. Includes the above Standard General English classes, and also allows you to personalise your course by taking an additional 10 lessons per week across a wide selection of electives (see the options below).:

  • Write Now
  • Media Studies
  • The Language of Music
  • Film Studies
  • Global Citizenship
  • Comparative Culture & Communication study
  • Basic English Writing
  • Academic Techniques in Practice (writing assignments, taking notes and preparing presentations)
  • Oral expression, etc.

  Language level: beginner to advanced

• English in the City: 30 lessons per week

  This Special Focus Programme combines 20 lessons of Standard General English with 10 lessons focused on language study inspired by your destination, for a complete intensive experience that is tailored to you and your personal reasons for learning. Students enrolled in this course visit a number of fascinating locations, from stunning museums and inspiring galleries to successful local businesses and charming neighbourhoods all over the city.

  Themed lessons include:

  • Business English - Tours of Local companies
  • Describing Art & Culture - Museum Tours
  • Talk like a Local - Neighbourhood Visits
  • The Language of Sports - Stadiums Visits

  Language level: beginner to advanced

• English for Work: 30 lessons per week

  EC's English for Work course will allow you to improve your English fluency and empower you with the language, knowledge and skills to confidently deal with a variety of business issues. Every week you will take 30 lessons: 20 lessons of Standard General English and 10 lessons of Business English.

  Business Skills:

  • Expressing personal opinions
  • Making suggestions
  • Presenting case studies
  • Problem solving

  Business Focus - 10 tailored lessons :

  • Negotiating contracts
  • Management and HR
  • Branding and promotional strategies
  • Project management
  • Business ethics and CSR

  Specific business techniques such as business English on the phone and interview skills are also covered.

  Language level: Lower Intermediate to Advanced

Exam Preparation Courses to TOEFL - HighScore® TOEFL: 30 lessons per week

Sessions duration: 4, 6, 8 or 12 weeks

If you wish to attend university in an English-speaking country, preparing for the TOEFL exam is the first step to success. EC teachers will meet with you individually to assess your language proficiency and goals. Sample papers will help you learn how to effectively answer questions and learn the techniques you need to sit the exam with confidence.

 **Language level**: Intermediate to Advanced

EC Teaching Methods

EC follows a 'Communicative Method' syllabus, which works to develop all four English language skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening. Special attention is paid to speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

To give an engaging and relevant framework to learning these skills, each lesson will focus on a specific topic, which will vary from current affairs to everyday issues. Your professional and friendly teachers will select topics that create interest, discussion and debate in the class, allowing you to develop your confidence both in speaking and listening throughout your stay, in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

The teaching materials EC uses are specially designed by the school and realia such as newspapers, videos and other materials is also used.

As well as taking an active part in classroom discussions - the best way to improve your fluency - you will work on your language skills in small groups, pairs or individually on tasks and projects. EC's teachers work to create a welcoming environment with mutual support among students - so you'll feel at home while your English improves!

Homestay (Ages 16+)

Single room with breakfast included outside of Manhattan.

Shared rooms are available for students travelling together.

Travel time to EC: Outside Manhattan, the commute is 45-60 minutes by public transport. Inside Manhattan, the commute is around 20 -30 minutes by public transport.

Optional Extras:

• Half board
• Homestay inside Manhattan

Practical information:

• Linen/towels provided

• Laundry: Not all households in New York own a washing machine. Some of our host families may do their laundry at a nearby laundromat. Usually, host families with a washing machine at home will let you use it for your laundry.

Residence Accommodation (ages 18+)

This is a great option for students looking for more independence. It's also an excellent way to meet other students from all over the world.

New Yorker Residence

The New Yorker Residence is located on floors 15-18 of the New Yorker Hotel, near Herald Square, just a short walk away from Times Square, Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building.

Features:

• Shared or single room
• 1 bathroom in each room
• No meals included
• Travel time to EC: 8 minutes walk
• Located just off Herald Square, near Times Square
• Security deposit to be paid on arrival (see Dates & Prices tab) and to be refunded at the end of your stay provided no damages are incurred.

Facilities and services

• Linens provided on arrival (students should bring their own towels)
• Free WiFi access
• Shared kitchen
• Common room
• Fitness centre
• ATM
• 24-hour on-site security
• Coin laundry facilities on-site
• Air conditioning
• Weekly cleaning service; please note that outside of this service, students are responsible for cleaning their rooms

Dates 2020

Course start dates

Most courses start every Monday year-round (exceptions are outlined below.) On Bank Holiday Mondays, lessons start on Tuesdays.

Bank holidays and holidays (No lessons will take place on these dates nor will they be rescheduled or refunded): 01/01, 20/01, 17/02, 25/05, 03/07, 07/09, 12/10, 11/11, 26/11, 27/11, 25/12 & 31/12

English for Business start dates: every Monday for a maximum duration of 11 weeks

Prices 2020

Prices include:

• Your chosen course
• Homestay accommodation, single bed room and breakfast
• Course materials
• Limitless WiFi access
• Activities and language workshops
• Welcome activity
• Access to the EC e-learning platform up to 12 weeks after the course
• All school taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include:

• Travel to New York
• Airport transfers
• Optional extras
• Midday and evening meals (if Homestay), all meals (if Residence)
• Transportation in and around New York
• Optional activities
• Deposit on arrival, where applicable
• Exam fees, where applicable (Cambridge, TOEFL)
• Visa fees
• Optional insurance

Please note: a medical and assistance insurance is mandatory to enter the USA.

Travel

Arrivals: Saturday

Departures: Saturday

If staying in the New Yorker Residence :

Check-in : 15:00 ; Check-out : 09:45

Arrival airports:

• New York International JFK, Newark, La Guardia

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see price list)

Please note: do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course.

Visa Information

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

EU citizens do not require a visa for stays in the United States under 90 days. However, EU nationals do require an ESTA Travel Authorization.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.