Combine ELS Study with One Semester at a California Community College
EXPLORE
About the ELS College Year Program
The ELS College Year Program offers a unique English and Academic learning experience in the USA. Study English for 16 weeks at ELS San Francisco, North Bay, to reach ELS level 109, which is accepted for proof of English language proficiency at our partner colleges (no IELTS or TOEFL test required!) You will then complete one full first-year semester at Santa Rosa Junior College, choosing from a wide variety of first year credit-bearing courses. The ELS College Year Abroad Program will provide you with a cultural and English language immersion experience that will enrich your life and support your future study goals!
The ELS College Programis for you if:
You want to experience a college year abroad in the USA and need support to improve your English for entry into a college, and for success!
You want to get a taste of the higher education experience in the USA to help you determine the next steps in your American education journey.
You’re looking for a unique academic and English gap year program and want to enjoy an international immersion learning experience.
You would like to earn academic credits in the USA that you may be able to transfer into a program at home or around the world.
You want to add international education experience to your resume to support future career goals.
In the ELS College Year Program, you will develop both English and academic skills and knowledge.
Start by spending 16 weeks studying Intensive English at ELS San Francisco, North Bay which is located on the beautiful campus of Dominican University of California in San Rafael, California. In our Intensive English program, you’ll learn essential language skills such as: listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, and grammar. You will learn to speak with clarity, listen carefully, and gain the writing competencies necessary to complete academic tasks with ease and accuracy, preparing you for your next steps.
Transfer to Santa Rosa Junior College with no TOEFL or IELTS test required - our partner colleges accept completion of ELS level 109 for entry.
At the college, you will be able to select from a wide variety of first-year courses – what you learn will depend on which courses you choose! You will earn course credits that you may be able to transfer to a university program at home.
The ELS College Year Program offers you a unique international English language study and college experience to support the next steps in your higher education journey at home, or in the USA.
ELS College Year Program & ELS Intensive English at a Glance
The first step in your College Year Program is completing ELS’s Intensive English Program in order to reach ELS level 109. Learn more about the Intensive English program here:
30 Lessons
Number of Lessons Per Week
(1 lesson = 50 minutes)
ELS Study: 16+ weeks + College Study: One semester*
Program Length
*up to 4 months
All language skills
English Learning Focus includes listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and pronunciation
ELS 106 or above*
English Entry Level
*iBT TOEFL – 55-64; IELTS – 4.5-5.0; or GTEC – 946-1075 also accepted
15 students per class
Average Class Size
Apr 1, Sept 16, 2024*
Start Dates
*Varies depending on chosen college, see program flyer for full details
Intensive English Program Sample Schedule
Students enjoy four 50 minute lessons each Morning, Monday to Friday, and two and a half 50 minute lessons each afternoon, Monday to Thursday** for a total of 30 lessons per week. Schedule is a sample only and may vary depending on your level and location.
BEGINNER (101 - 103)
8:30 - 9:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
9:30 - 10:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
10:30 – 11:20 AM
Skills Enhancement Class*
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Language Technology Center
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM **
Reading and Writing
2:40 PM – 3:45 PM **
Reading and Writing
INTERMEDIATE (104 - 106)
8:30 - 9:20 AM
Language Technology Center
9:30 - 10:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
10:30 – 11:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Skills Enhancement Class*
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM **
Reading and Writing
2:40 PM – 3:45 PM **
Reading and Writing
ADVANCED (107 - 109)
8:30 - 9:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
9:30 - 10:20 AM
Structure and Speaking Practice
10:30 – 11:20 AM
Skills Enhancement Class*
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Language Technology Center
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM **
Reading and Writing
2:40 PM – 3:45 PM **
Reading and Writing
MASTERS (110 - 112)
8:30 - 9:20 AM
Language Studies
9:30 - 10:20 AM
Language Studies
10:30 – 11:20 AM
Language Technology Center
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Skills Enhancement*
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM **
Reading and Writing
2:40 PM – 3:45 PM **
Reading and Writing
*Skills Enhancement Classes may vary at each location. Examples of Skills Enhancement Classes include Communication Through Video, Conversation and Speaking Skills, Vocabulary Enrichment, Real World Listening, Idioms, and more. ** Afternoon classes take place 4 days per week.
Explore our English course descriptions to discover what you'll learn in the different ELS classes that make up your program.
ELS College Year Program Assistance
Your ELS College Year Program journey includes tailored support from ELS. Before you even leave home to learn English, ELS will help you secure your conditional admission to your chosen California community college. A conditional admission means that you have been accepted to your college of choice upon completion of your English language studies. Your admission will be updated to a “full acceptance” once you present the college with your ELS Certificate of Completion as proof of English language proficiency.
Securing a “conditional admission” is very beneficial to your plans to study in the United States! You will have:
A full study plan that includes English language studies, and your semester or quarter at your chosen community college before leaving your home country.
A smooth transition to your community college upon graduating with your ELS Certificate of Completion.
A college program start date for which semester you will begin your studies.
ELS will also help you with homestay arrangements. You can feel confident in your study abroad plans from day one, knowing that your College Year Program journey is fully taken care of.
Discover Our Partner Community Colleges
The ELS College Year program is available in partnership with Santa Rosa Junior College. Explore our partner to see if it might be a good choice for you.
Santa Rosa Junior College
College Year Completion Certificate
Where to Start Your ELS College Year Program
The ELS College Year program is exclusively available through our ELS San Francisco, North Bay center.
SAN FRANCISCO NORTH BAY, CALIFORNIA
Start Your College Year Journey with ELS!
ELS’s College Year Program offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop your English skills and experience higher education in the USA. We’re here to support your English learning journey at ELS and your transition into your academic semester or quarter at a California community college.
