We are fluent in creating memories
Learn english
in the usa & canada
Welcome to CEL, your top choice for learning English in North America. Our language schools offer a unique learning experience in some of the most exciting locations in the USA and Canada.
Welcome to CEL, your top choice for learning English in North America. Our language schools offer a unique learning experience in the most exciting locations in the USA and Canada. In Southern California, you can choose from our three convenient locations: San Diego, and Santa Monica, Los Angeles. In Canada, we are welcoming international students in Vancouver.
Real Stories
Our students remember their time at CEL for the friendships they built, the progress they made, and the moments that stayed with them long after.
The class size is just right. We get to practice English a lot and feel close to everyone – classmates, teachers, and everyone else. I'm incredibly grateful for this experience.
Brazil
My time at CEL was fantastic. Meeting people from all over the world was the highlight. Sharing cultures in the US was the best part, and my English improved even more.
South Korea
Meeting people from all over the world has had an amazing impact on me. It has broadened my understanding of different cultures and given me the opportunity to make friends from all over the world.
Brazil
I’m having an amazing time in San Diego thanks to CEL! The classes are great, but the best part is the community. Through activities and lessons, I’ve made wonderful friends and unforgettable memories. If you want to study English and build real friendships, I highly recommend CEL!
South Korea
My time at CEL was amazing. I met people from around the world, improved my English, and enjoyed sharing cultures. With friendly students, passionate teachers, fun activities, and beautiful places like the beach, Old Town, and Little Italy, I made memories that will last a lifetime.
South Korea
I've been taking classes here for two weeks, and I really love it. The teachers are very patient and incredibly kind. The administrative staff and the founders are also warm and full of energy. You can really feel their passion for teaching and how much they truly care about every student. I love it here ❤️
Taiwan
What our
students
say
Join our
summer camp
Make this summer unforgettable with experience! The Californian sun meets an exciting adventure exclusively designed for young learners. Located at our San Diego campus, our language school offers a dynamic combination of English education and cultural experiences.
explore our
courses
Small classes (average 6-7 students)
meet the team
.avif)
%252520profile%2525.avif)
%252520profile%2525.avif)
Frequently Asked Questıons
Answers to common questions about studying English with CEL, including courses, locations, housing, admissions, and daily student life.
General Questions
Courses & Learning
Admissions & Visas
CEL is a boutique group of English language schools in the USA and Canada, with campuses in San Diego, Vancouver, and Los Angeles. Unlike large chains, CEL offers small classes, personalized attention, great residential options, and a truly international student mix. Many students choose CEL because of recommendations from friends who studied with us before.
CEL operates English schools in San Diego (Pacific Beach) and Vancouver (Downtown). We also offer courses in Los Angeles (Santa Monica, in partnership with EC). Each destination offers something unique — whether you want to learn English by the beach in California or in the heart of a vibrant Canadian city.
Class sizes are intentionally small to ensure personal attention and faster progress. On average:
- San Diego & Vancouver language schools: 7 students (max. 12)
- Los Angeles English school (Santa Monica): 11 students (max. 15)
CEL students come from all over the world, creating a truly international environment. On average:
- Europe: ~42%
- Brazil: ~11%
- Asia: ~34%
- Middle East & other regions: ~9%
- Latin America: ~4%
More than 50 nationalities are represented each year, making CEL one of the most diverse places to study English abroad and build international friendships.
Yes. CEL is accredited by CEA (USA), SEVIS (USA), Languages Canada, and PTIRU (Canada). Our Los Angeles partner school is accredited by ACCET and registered with SEVIS. These accreditations prove CEL’s commitment to academic quality and student care.
Yes. CEL welcomes many students who stay for 20 weeks or longer. The longer you study English abroad with CEL, the greater the impact on your language skills, confidence, and career opportunitie
Yes. All CEL courses in San Diego and Vancouver include 20 lessons of General English per week. Students who book more lessons benefit from 1–2 electives, available regardless of duration.
Examples of electives include:
- Career Development Skills (presentations, negotiations, AI tools)
- Academic Skills (essay writing, note-taking, study strategies)
- Exam Preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge CAE)
Electives vary slightly by location and are updated regularly.
CEL offers courses from beginner (A1) to advanced (C2). Some specialized courses require a minimum entry level (e.g. Exam Preparation, English + Career Development Skills, English + Academic Skills, and Global Pathway). Students can always start with General English and switch once they reach the required level. Tuition fees remain the same for the same course intensity, making it easy to change.
Yes. CEL offers A1 beginner courses at any time of the year. Students can start as complete beginners and progress step by step. Once they reach the required level, they can move on to specialized programs such as Exam Preparation or English Plus electives.
Students complete an online placement test before arrival so they can start in the correct English class right away.
Yes. If you feel your chosen English program is not the right fit, our academic team can help you switch to another option.
You can apply directly with CEL or through one of our official partner agencies worldwide.
It depends on your course length and intensity:
- USA (San Diego & Los Angeles):
- Fewer than 24 lessons per week: ESTA or tourist visa.
- 24 lessons (18 hours) or more per week: Student visa (F-1).
- Canada (Vancouver):
- Up to 6 months: Visitor visa or eTA.
- More than 6 months: Study permit.
- Students on a Working Holiday Visa can also join our English programs.
Let’s talk
about your plans
Send us a message and our team will help with course details, admissions, or anything else you’d like to know.
Student Life at CEL
Stories and advice from our students, written to give you a real feel for studying with CEL.
North American Immersion
Why attend an english language school in North America?
CEL operates an accredited english language school where international students aged 16 and older study across three North American campuses. You can choose locations in San Diego, California, Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) recognizes our US locations, while our Canadian campus operates as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Students rate the instruction highly, giving the programs 4.8 stars across 195 reviews. A major factor is class size. Groups average seven students and never exceed twelve. This low student-to-teacher ratio guarantees individual attention. You practice speaking every day. Start dates open every Monday throughout the entire year, giving you maximum flexibility for your travel schedule. Our admissions team provides support in nine languages, including Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, and Arabic.
Students travel from all over the world to attend an english language school for this cultural exchange. The community builds fast. An international learner from Brazil might share a classroom with peers from Switzerland, South Korea, and France. Building connections with new friends naturally improves conversational fluency. You share a great experience exploring local neighborhoods, taking weekend trips, and participating in afternoon school activities. Studying abroad is an incredible life event. We want to make sure your academic progress matches the fun you have outside of class. You can read student stories on CEL's voices page to see how others navigated their time abroad.
What is CEL, an English language school in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Vancouver?
CEL, the College of English Language, is an accredited English language school where international students aged 16 and older study across three campuses in North America: two in California (San Diego, and Santa Monica/Los Angeles) and one in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Class sizes average seven students per group (maximum twelve), the school holds a 4.8-star rating from more than 195 student reviews, and start dates open every Monday throughout the year. Programs run from one-week intensives through multi-month progressions toward advanced English fluency, and admissions support is available in nine languages including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, and Arabic.
Where you can learn English with CEL
Each campus has a distinct character that shapes the daily experience. CEL San Diego sits in the Pacific Beach neighborhood three blocks from the ocean, giving students year-round Southern California weather and a regular schedule of community events. CEL Los Angeles operates from the Santa Monica beachfront business district, putting students within walking distance of the entertainment, technology, and creative industries that define the region. CEL Vancouver is downtown near Coal Harbour, a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in one of the world's most livable cities and the only Canadian destination in our network. The USA and Canada options each come with distinct visa pathways, accent exposure, and post-graduation work permit possibilities; our admissions team helps each student match nationality, timeline, and goals to the right campus.
How to choose your CEL program and CEFR level
The right program starts with the goal. Students building everyday fluency typically begin with General English, a level-tested course that runs from absolute beginner (Common European Framework of Reference level A1) through advanced (C1). Students preparing for university entry add specialty electives: Cambridge Preparation for B2 First and C1 Advanced certificates, Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) Preparation for North American university admission, Academic Skills for the writing and discussion abilities universities expect, or our Global Pathway program for students aiming to enter a US college directly. Career-focused students choose Career Development, which combines English fluency work with project-based learning in business communication, AI tools, and project management. The complete catalog lives on our courses page, and CEL admissions can match your starting level, timeline, and goal to the right combination of course and campus.
Pathways and outcomes after your English course at CEL
Many students extend their stay or move into our Pathway Program, which prepares international students for direct admission to American colleges and universities through partnerships covering certificate programs with Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility, undergraduate transfer agreements, and graduate program preparation. Others use their improved English to apply to universities directly, qualify for jobs that require English at multinationals in their home countries, or secure Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) status in Canada, which allows eligible graduates of recognized programs to work in the country for up to three years with a documented route to permanent residency through Express Entry. We help arrange student housing at all three campuses, from homestays with local families through shared apartments and student residences. Most new students start with a free consultation with our admissions team, who can walk through visa pathways, course selection, accommodation, and timeline based on specific goals and country of origin.
%20(Blog).avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
