College of English Language

CEL was established in San Diego in 1981 and is registered with the State of California. For more than two decades, we have dedicated ourselves to providing high-quality English language programs in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The English courses at CEL are designed especially for international students. We understand your needs, and we work with you to help you achieve your goals. At CEL, we believe that your success is a reflection of our efforts.

Courses All CEL courses include instruction in conversation, vocabulary, listening, grammar, reading, writing, and pronunciation. To give you the optimal learning experience, we design each course to meet your specific needs. See the insert for prices and schedules. Standard-CIP: This popular course includes introduction and review of all skill areas and is designed for students who plan to spend most of their time enjoying the sights in and around the city. Knowledge of English is increased through daily lessons in speaking, writing, reading, vocabulary and pronunciation. Intensive-ESP: This is the same as the Standard course, but includes more lessons so that you meet student visa requirements. Super Intensive-ESP: This course includes Intensive course in the morning plus two additional hours of instruction in the afternoon that focus on exam preparation and other skill areas. Mini Group / CIP or ESP: This semi-private class offers lessons that are tailored more specifically to meet the needs of students. Group activities related to building English skills are an integral part of the course. Classes are limited to a maximum of six students. TOEIC Plus / CIP or ESP: This strategy and review course is specifically designed to help students improve TOEIC ® scores. Additionally, lessons focus on business English and practical vocabulary and grammar usage. This is a perfect choice for students who need to build English skills for better job opportunities in their countries. Cambridge Exam Preparation / CIP or ESP: This English course prepares students for the Cambridge certificate exams. Passing scores on Cambridge exams can lead to entry into education programs and professional opportunities in your country. Lessons focus on strategy and practice for exam as well as overall building of practical English skills. You may choose a course of 16, 20 or 30 lessons per week. Business English: Our Business English course is a combination of the Intensive and Private courses. Students take Intensive lessons to brush up on general English skills in the morning and then have two hours of private Business English lessons in the afternoon. This allows for individual focus on business English improvement in work-related vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills. Academic University Prep-ESP: This course is designed for students who plan to study English for longer lengths of time, specifically for the purpose of developing English skills for university or college entrance in the US. Practical English usage is also a part of this course. Students enrolled in this course receive free application assistance for local colleges and universities. You may choose a course of 20 or 30 lessons per week. Private / CIP or ESP: This one-on-one course is geared toward students who have specific needs and wish to work on individual language weaknesses. Instruction is very flexible, and students are invited to request particular areas of focus. You may choose a course of 10, 20, or 30 lessons per week.

CEL Accommodations The best way to learn about the American way of life is to become part of an American family while studying at CEL. Staying with a host family gives you the comfort of a home setting and more opportunities to practice English. Many of our former students develop lasting relationships with their host families and keep in contact after they return to their home countries. All CEL host families are carefully selected for their ability to accommodate international students. Students who prefer independent accommodations may choose to stay in an apartment or residential hotel in San Diego. The prices vary depending on location, size and options. Please refer to the insert for current accommodations prices.