Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Centre guide
Welcome! San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. The city is
full of steep hills which offer views of the ocean, Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge at
every turn. Being in a bay, San Francisco is surrounded by water you can enjoy a walk on
the beach or watch crashing waves against rocks at Lands End. Even the mysterious fog
has its own beauty.
Beyond its splendor though, it is an open and welcoming city where no matter who you are,
you can find a home in the City by the Bay.
John Lograsso
Center Director
Angela PastoreNikitenko
Program Manager
Contacts
th
Location
California, USA
City Information
The City
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. The city is full of steep hills which offer
views of the ocean, Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge at every turn. Being in a bay, San Francisco is
surrounded by water you can enjoy a walk on the beach or watch crashing waves against rocks at Lands
End. Even the mysterious fog has its own beauty. Beyond its splendor though, it is an open and welcoming city
where no matter who you are, you can find a home in the City by the Bay.
Population
825,863
Climate
The weather is very mild in San Francisco. San Francisco temperatures seldom dip below 50F or reach 90F.
It is usually between 60F and 70. Its summers are famously foggy and autumn is sunny though brisk.
Usually, sun and a cool breeze can be expected. Pack a jacket even in August!
Major local events
Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration in February www.chineseparade.com
The festivities ushering in the Year of the Snake include a Chinese New Year Flower Fair Miss Chinatown USA
Pageant (February 16), and the Chinatown Community Street Fair. It's all built around a fantastic parade.
How Weird Street Faire in March
Howard and Second Streets www.howweird.org
Billed as a street fair for the 21st century, the event includes nine stages of music over seven city blocks;
food and vendors from around the world, and educational booths.
Bay to Breakers in May
The Embarcadero to the Great Hwy www.baytobreakers.com
Since 1912, tens of thousands of people have gathered in San Francisco to see the world's largest footrace
unfold as more than 70,000 costume-clad runners and walkers push off at 8 am.
Gay Pride Parade attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and is considered one of
the biggest Pride parades in the world. Our school offers a prime location to view the parade from Market
street and students enjoy gathering and watching from the school.
San Franciscos Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in August
Golden Gate Park www.sfoutsidelands.com
This huge event in Golden Gate Park has upped the ante on music festivals going green and leveraged San
Franciscos food, wine, technology and activism cultures, according to Rolling Stone, for a one-of-a-kind
world-class experience.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in October
Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
This free celebration of music in the park includes a whos who of top entertainment.
Useful city links
www.sanfrancisco.travel
How to find us
Directions to the San Francisco Centre
The San Francisco Study Centre is located on the corner of Market and Ellis Street with the entrance on the
Ellis Street side (marked by the star). Many busses come to this corner. Powell Station is a Muni and BART
stop.
Transfer to your accommodation
Please use Google Maps to find the correct public transportation option to the center.
Train
Nearest BART stop is Powell Station, take the exit marked: Market and Ellis. Our entrance is on Ellis Street.
Bus
Bus lines No. 5,6,7,9,21,31, 66 come directly to Market and Ellis. Many others are nearby.
The Powell Street Muni lines are J,K,L,M,N, T.
Useful transport links
Transit.511.org and http://maps.google.com/ Directions around the Bay Area
Nextmuni.com This web site will tell you when your bus is coming.
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit
This is like a subway http://www.bart.gov/
MUNI: This is all public transportation in San Francisco including busses and transit lines.
http://www.sfmta.com/
Facilities
The San Francisco Study Centre is in a modern flatiron building designed
by a popular local architect. Each floor has views of bustling downtown.
The school is WiFi enabled and requires an entry key to enter.
Facilities list
14 classrooms
Student lounge area
Computer Lab with 22 computers
Ping Pong Table
Courses
General English
Communication Skills Core + General English Electives
TOEFL Exam Core
Language Semester Abroad
English in Action
Vacation and Travel English
One-to-one Lessons
Course Descriptions:
General English
A structured programme to suit all levels, this course follows a general English syllabus and it is an ideal way
to develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for everyday use. The standard programme
follows a core general English syllabus and the intensive programme combines the core general English
programme with electives. It enables you to study in more depth, to make faster progress and to customize
your course. It is offered in two versions: Standard and Intensive.
Entry level
A1 Elementary
Number of lessons available
Standard programme
20 x 50 minute lessons
Intensive Programme
28 x 50 minute lessons
Average class size
15
Start dates
Every Monday
05 x 50 minute lessons
10 x 50 minute lessons
Communication Skills
This course develops oral communication and presentation skills students need to success in both work and
academic settings. Improve overall speaking ability and gain confidence in meetings, classes and social
situations.
Entry level
B1 Intermediate
Course length
Minimum four weeks
Number of lessons available
Standard Programme
20 x 50 minute CS lessons
Intensive Programme
08 x 50 minute elective lessons
Maximum class size
15
Start dates
Every Monday
Electives:
Business Communication Skills
English for Academic Purposes
Exam Preparation
Sample timetable
Time
8:30
12:10
Monday
Tuesday-
Wendesday
Thursday
Friday-
Friday-
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
USA-:-Vacation
and-Travel-
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Elective-Classes
Elective-Classes
Elective-Classes
Elective-Classes
Elective-Classes
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
Core-Class
Visit%to%the%Museum
Visit%to%Grace%Cathedral
Visit%to%the%Castro
Visit%to%Land's%End
12:40
14:20
14:50
18:30
Optional-FridayActivity
Bringing-English-toLife-Workshops-inthe-City-(City-Hall,CA:Berkeley,-etc.)
Saturday- Sunday
Check-out-Activityboard-for-Weekendday-trips-and-2-dayexcursions.-:-LosAngeles,-Las-Vegas,Grand-Canyon
Morning General English classes run from 08:30 to 12:10, and afternoon General English classes run from
14:40 to 18:20. You will be placed in one of these schedules depending on your level and available space;
once at the center, it is possible to request a change of schedule which will be accommodated as soon as an
opening in your level becomes available. Electives for Intensive students run from 12:40 to 14:20.
Your first day
On the first day of school, please report to the centre at 8:45AM. Please bring the following documents:
passport, visa, I94, I20 insurance and Financial Guarantee Letter (if applicable).
First day schedule
08:45 09:15
09:15 10:15
10:15 11:00
11:00 11:30
11:00 11:30
11:30 14:00
14:00 14:30
Accommodation
We want to make sure youre comfortable and safe throughout your time with us. We also want to ensure that
your English language learning continues outside the classroom. Choose to stay with a host family in their
home or enjoy the community feeling of living in a residence. Either way, your accommodation will help to
make your Embassy Experience a memorable one.
Trying to decide between staying in one of Embassys Residences and finding an apartment on your own?
Consider these differences
Non-Embassy Accommodation
Social environment
Make new friends with classmates you live with!
Isolated at home
Professional Security
Minimal security
Homestay
Live with an English-speaking host and practice your English every day!
Most families live less than 40 minutes away by public transport. Choose between half board (breakfast and
evening meal) or just breakfast. Students can also choose between single or shared rooms. We value our
students and our homestay providers very highly and believe that your accommodation is just as important as
your academic course. We try to match you with the right homestay host so that you can enjoy each others
company and also have the chance to learn about similarities and differences in culture and lifestyle. We have
dedicated staff that will help you with any concerns you have, please make sure your preferences are stated
clearly in the application.
Single
Shared
$455 USD
$280 USD
$385 USD
$238 USD
Summer Supplement
Price per week
No
Deposit (refundable)
**
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
18+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Travel Time to Centre
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
Self catering
Shared
15 minutes walk
15:00/11:00
Bed linens provided, Towels not provided
Shared kitchen
Yes
Weekly
Common area with shared kitchen
**Summer Supplement applies: 21 June- 30 Aug
Single
Shared
Single 5+
weeks
Shared 5+
weeks
$469 USD
$287 USD
$448 USD
$280 USD
Summer Supplement
Price per week
No
Deposit (refundable)
**
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
18+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Travel Time to Centre
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
Half board
Shared
25 minutes walk
15:00/11:00
Bed linens and towels provided
24-hour reception
Yes
Weekly
No
**Summer Supplement applies: 21 June- 30 Aug
Room type
Prices year round
Single
Shared
Single 5+
weeks
Shared 5+
weeks
$469 USD
$287 USD
$448 USD
$280 USD
Summer Supplement
Price per week
No
Deposit (refundable)
**
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
16+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Travel Time to Centre
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
Half board
Shared
25 minutes walk
15:00/11:00
Bed linens and towels provided
Half-board meal plan with brunch on weekends
Yes
Weekly
No
Single
Single 5+
weeks
Shared
Shared 5+
weeks
$455 USD
$413 USD
$280 USD
$238 USD
No
$225 Credit Card
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
16+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Travel Time to Centre
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
Self catering
En suite
8 minutes walk
15:00/11:00
Bed linens and towels provided
Common area includes: microwave,
fully equipped communal kitchen and lounge
Yes
Weekly
Common area with shared kitchen
Single
Single 5+ weeks
$280 USD
$238 USD
No
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
18+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Travel Time to Centre
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
Self catering
Shared
10 minutes via subway
15:00/11:00
Bed linens and towels provided
excellent location, central to restaraunts and shopping
Off site
Twice weekly
Single
Shared
Single 5+
weeks
Shared 5+
weeks
$455 USD
$280 USD
$385 USD
$238 USD
Summer Supplement
Price per week
No
Deposit (refundable)
**
Additional Fee
Minimum Age
16+
Board Basis
Bathroom
Shared or Private
20 minutes walk
Check in/out
Linen
Amenities
Laundry
Room Cleaned
Kitchen
Embassyenglish.com
15:00/11:00
Bed linens and towels provided
self catering fully equipped community kitchen
Yes
Weekly
Common area with shared kitchen
Student services
All centres have dedicated student support staff that can provide assistance with the following;
Activities
Activity
Price
$7
Free!
$35
$20
$85