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Learn English and Discover New York City, New York

3/26/2018

Start Your ELS Language Experience in New York

See more in Manhattan.

Learn to speak English with confidence through casual everyday conversation while exploring one of the most popular cities in the world. ELS Language Experience+ gives you the skills necessary to communicate in the real world, while you’re out experiencing it. Whether you study for 3 hours, or 6 hours per day, you can find out what New York has to offer.

We promise you’ll have plenty to talk about.

Our ELS/New York – Manhattan Center

At ELS/New York– Manhattan, our classroom goes beyond four walls. Located in lower Manhattan, the Center gives you access to unlimited cultural resources such as art, theater, dining, and shopping. Visit famous New York landmarks like the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Wall Street, and so much more!

Great Things to See and Do

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island: The statue, a massive gift from the people of France, is a very popular tourist attraction.

New York Shopping: You can shop for almost anything, from clothing and artwork, to books, gourmet food, jewelry, accessories, and furniture, in New York City.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): MoMA, the first museum devoted to the modern era, showcases the work of masters such as Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh.

Your Manhattan Adventure Awaits

Learn More!

How to Know if a Summer Study Abroad Program is Right for You

3/23/2018

The opportunity to study abroad for the summer is an exciting prospect. Not only will you get a chance to immerse yourself in a different culture, but you may also earn credit toward your degree. While it’s easy to get carried away with the thought of spending your summer in a new place, there are important questions to ask yourself when deciding if a summer study abroad program is right for you. They include the following.

1. Why do you want to study abroad?
Begin the decision-making process by asking yourself why you want to study abroad, as well as what you hope to get out of this experience. For instance, do you want to study abroad because you’re interested in a particular culture? Are you looking to broaden your worldview? Do you think that it would look good on your resume? There is no wrong answer—it’s simply important to be honest with yourself about your motives. Figuring out your reasoning for wanting to study abroad will help you find a program that suits your individual needs, both academically and culturally.

2. What is your target destination?
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Location, location, location.” This applies when choosing a summer study abroad program. If you are going to be spending several weeks in a foreign country, it’s important that you be interested in the place you choose and that it suits your personality. Do you favor large, cosmopolitan cities or quiet, rural environments? Will it be easy to get around town? How will you manage living arrangements and day-to-day expenses? What’s the weather like in the summer? Whenever possible, read online reviews from students who have attended the program before to get their perspective on their experience. Gather as much information as you can about areas you are interested in visiting, and decide if a particular destination—particularly in the summer—is the right fit for you.

3. Does the program you’re interested in meet the academic requirements for your school?
Don’t put yourself in the situation where you complete your study abroad experience, only to discover that it won’t help you academically. Once you have narrowed down a program, submit your request to your school ahead of time and get the necessary approvals to ensure that your credits will transfer (assuming that the program is not offered by your university). Make sure you talk with the study abroad program representative several times throughout the process. They should be willing to answer your questions, be easily accessible, and enthusiastic about your interest in their program.

Given the plethora of choices, picking a study abroad program can be both exciting and daunting. It’s important to take it one step at a time. Once you figure out where you want to study, research available programs, and determine which program best fits your academic and personal needs.

Niki Bridges is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

3 Tips for Effective, Last-Minute TOEFL Prep

3/23/2018

Taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL) is an exciting step toward enrolling in an English-speaking university. But, with so much riding on the results, you may be nervous about taking the exam. Perhaps you’ve spent a lot of time preparing for the test, but as the date of the TOEFL approaches, you’re starting to feel nervous that you haven’t done enough. Don’t panic. Instead, follow these three tips for effective, last-minute TOEFL prep.

1. Practice as often as you can
In the days before your TOEFL test session, schedule time for as much practice as possible. This time might take the form of a review of preparation materials (like flashcards, study guides, and worksheets), or it might include more casual methods (like a conversation or the composition of a journal entry in English). You can even create a study plan that schedules time for both formal review and conversational practice, to ensure that you are making the most of the last few days before your exam.

2. Learn the test structure
Working on your English skills is important for the TOEFL, but learning the format of the exam will also help you prepare. The TOEFL is a structured assessment broken into four sections—reading, listening, speaking, and writing. For the reading section, you will review three to four academic passages, and then answer questions about those passages. For the listening section, you will listen to classroom discussions, conversations, and lectures, and then answer questions about them. The speaking section will ask you to discuss an opinion on a familiar topic, as well as to speak based on other materials. The writing section requires essay responses based on listening and reading tasks, and will also ask you to support an opinion in writing. Practice each of these different tasks with a friend or a tutor to ensure you are prepared to answer questions in the specific formats. You can also look for practice questions and examples online.

3. Eliminate distractions
It’s important to take steps on test day to make sure you’re in the right mindset to succeed. Eliminate possible distractions, like hunger, sleepiness, or other discomforts. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam, and eat a good breakfast. Dress comfortably for any room temperature, for example by wearing layers. Essentially, eliminate any distractions that could occupy your mind while you are attempting to focus on the test in front of you. When you’re taking the exam, be sure to pace yourself so you don’t end up rushing.

Throughout your preparation and test day, it’s important to stay calm and focused. Prepare as much as possible, and reassure yourself that you will do your best. Good luck!

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

Learn English and Discover New York City, New York

How to Know if a Summer Study Abroad Program is Right for You

3 Tips for Effective, Last-Minute TOEFL Prep

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Learn English and Discover New York City, New York

How to Know if a Summer Study Abroad Program is Right for You

3 Tips for Effective, Last-Minute TOEFL Prep

EnglishCoursesUSA

Archives

Categories

EnglishCoursesUSA.com

About Advertise Contact Submit Product Partners Privacy Refunds ​Terms

About Advertise Contact Submit Product Partners Privacy Refunds Terms