Hey New Student!
Welcome to EC Los Angeles! The BEST place to study in the world, you know why? Let me introduce you to the school and this amazing city. About me, I arrived 2 months ago from Paris and this experience changed my life!
Firstly the school is very welcoming; it’s the best place to study. The classrooms are so nice, the teachers are the best and you can meet a lot of people from everywhere and share your life and experiences. The classes help you to improve your English, but you have to also put into practice what you learn at school after class.
When you finish your class you can do some very interesting activities. You can test each of the fast food present here. You can visit Los Angeles and its different tourist places like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, etc.
If you have some time you can take a trip to Vegas, San Francisco or San Diego by renting a car and discover another big city.
So enjoy your trip, don’t be shy and the most important point: don’t speak your language! Only English here and sun every day! California dreaming: that’s your new life, enjoy it!

“I was born in New Jersey, but at a young age relocated with my family to Buenos Aires, Argentina due to my father’s job.  I learned both English and Spanish simultaneously as a child first learning to speak.  2 years later, again due to my father’s job with an American bank, we moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where I would spend the next 14 years of my life.  Here I learned the local language, Bahasa Indonesia, except that in turn I forgot my Spanish!  I attended Jakarta International School from kindergarten until senior year.  Many students from around the world attended this school, so the multicultural EC environment is one I have been raised in and feel most comfortable with.  My best friends growing up were Japanese, Australian, Chinese, New Zealander, Canadian and American.  I love being surrounded by people of all nationalities!  During these years abroad, my family and I were fortunate to travel all around Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines) and Europe.

I moved back to the US when I was 18 years old, and like many of you first moving to America, I also experienced culture shock, even though it was my own country!  I went to American University in Washington, DC later transferring to University of New Mexico, and my major was Art History because I love art and writing, so I could put the two together and write about art.  Part of my degree’s requirement was proficiency in a language.  I chose Spanish, and reacquainted myself with the language that was stored somewhere in my subconscious since my time in Argentina!  Also, my parents moved to Bogota, Colombia during this time so I took the opportunity to visit them and study Spanish there.  In the years following college, I worked with photographers in New York and spent every summer in Spain, traveling around the country with my newly relearned Spanish.  Then I moved to LA to be with my family, who had recently come back from Colombia.

I was yearning to work in an international environment, and luckily I landed a job as an International Student Advisor at a language school here in LA.  I found a passion, working with and helping students from around the world!  In order to expand my experience in the field, I decided to move to Spain for a year and teach English.  I lived in a village by the sea called Mojacar, located in the south of Spain.  Everyday felt like a dream in this beautiful village.  With my teaching experience, I moved back to LA and was hired at ECLA!

I am still amazed at the forward-thinking, dynamic style of the EC teaching method.  I really feel that students are not only learning a language, this school is a whole experience.  So much care and attention is focused on the students’ needs, and EC teachers seek every opportunity for you to maximize your English skills.  What more could you ask for, perfecting your English and making new friends in beautiful Santa Monica!”

After the cold spell, the return of warm weather this weekend is very welcome. And if you’ve never gone surfing, Santa Monica is a great place to learn! EC Los Angeles has a partnership with Learn to Surf LA – a surf school based in Santa Monica. You can book private surf lessons at a discounted price any day of the week! The lessons are tailored to your skill level and include everything from the surfboard to the wetsuit. If you’re interested, check out their website here and ask the front desk for details about the discount packages!

Jason Jones, Student Services Counselor

I discovered my passion for working in education while, oddly enough, studying Political Science/Pre-Law at California State University, Northridge. Although I don’t have much experience with travel, I have a full itinerary planned starting in Venice, Italy that includes island hopping in the Mediterranean and ending somewhere like Saint-Tropez or Barcelona. In order to prepare for this, I have been working on learning French and Spanish. In my free time I enjoy writing, spending time with family and friends, and cooking.  A message for ECLA Students: “The betterment of humanity begins with one’s desire to better themselves. Never lose the curiosity that makes you a student; even when difficult, you maintain the strength to persevere.” - Jason L. Jones

Nami Barton, Student Services Counselor

I moved to Los Angeles from Japan in 2010.  My native language is Japanese, but at university I majored in English Language and Literature.  My hobby has always been traveling, and so when I was 19 I had the opportunity to journey across the U.S. from LA to New York, mainly by Greyhound bus.  During the adventure English was what helped me the most, and with it I could both find my way across the country and make friends with people from other countries.  Since I myself was once a foreign student, I understand how tough but also very valuable it is to learn English.  I believe English expands the possibilities for your future, so do not hesitate to take your first step on your own adventure and join us at ECLA; it will be my pleasure to be there to support you!

With a beautiful garden, awe-inspiring architecture, dozens of art exhibitions, and a panoramic view of Los Angeles, the Getty Center is a must-see destination! Join EC Los Angeles on a tour of the exhibits and gardens, and soak up the beautiful scenery on the coming Tuesday afternoon on January 15th. For more information, check out the website here, or ask the front desk!

Happy New Year to all! We hope you feel refreshed and energized from a wonderful winter holiday! The staff and teachers at EC Los Angeles are excited for school to start, and to meet the new students and see all the old students again.

Discover all the exciting things that Los Angeles has to offer with this month’s activities. From Santa Monica to Beverly Hills to Disneyland we’re exploring it all!

December may be a shorter month because of the Holiday break, but it’s jam-packed with a lot of fun activities. Check out these options and be sure to sign up early at the front desk! And if you have any suggestions for an activity that you would like to do, let us know and we’ll get it on the calendar!

Happy December, everyone!

EC Los Angeles is getting in the Thanksgiving spirit with two of our teachers, Andrea & Max, growing in ‘staches for Movember, and all of the school donating change to support prostate cancer research. The staff and students have also been pitching in dried and canned food for the Westside Food Bank food drive. All the donated food will be distributed to families that are in need during this holiday season. In the spirit of giving and in celebration of the upcoming holiday, there will be free apple and pumpkin pie in the 2nd floor student lounge during the lunch break on Wednesday at 12:15. YUMMY!

From left to right: Meta World Peace, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash

I am a huge fan of basketball, and as a native Angeleno, the Lakers are, and always will be, my favorite team. With the addition of superstars Dwight Howard (from the Orlando Magic) and Steve Nash (from the Phoenix Suns), the Lakers starting line up is looking pretty killer. I’m sure this will be a very promising and exciting season for this Los Angeles team.

On Tuesday, the NBA (National Basketball Association) season started with a game between the LA Lakers and the 2011 Champion Dallas Mavericks, followed by a game against the Portland Trailblazers yesterday. The next game is scheduled against the LA Clippers – hometown rivalry! – on Friday. If you don’t have cable TV to watch the game at home, Barney’s Beanery on 3rd Street Promenade is a great place to enjoy the game in a sports bar environment! And if you have the means, catching a game LIVE at the Staples Center is a great trip idea too.