Category: Accommodation
EC at Home

EC San Diego Launches EC at Home

Category: Academic, Accommodation, Activities, Around San Diego, EC San Diego Profiles, learn english, Student Services

At EC San Diego we know that learning English is more than the hard work you do in the classroom; it’s also about all those moments, big and small, that happen after the day ends after school. That is why EC has launched EC at Home, which is yet another opportunity for students to practice their English outside of the classroom. EC at home is a unique offer that gives students extra time practicing and learning English at their current residences. The San Diego homestay English courses are designed to give students up to 4 hours of extra time each week with their teachers in a casual setting. The benefits include 1-2 hours of structured conversation in residences during the weekdays and 1-2 hours outside, exploring the city and using English skills in real-life contexts. Students at EC San Diego meet with teacher Gary weekly, at their apartments in Pacific Beach, to continue the fun and engaging learning experience after school. Below are some photos of students enjoying lessons poolside, eating pizza and playing billiards.

EC San Diego Host Family Highlight “Mark Zinnecker”

Category: Accommodation, EC San Diego Profiles / Tags: , , ,

As I always tell my students, “Just like every student is different, every host family is different, and there is a match for everyone”. This spotlight of the host of the month section outlines the philosophies and experiences of our different hosts, who all bring something special to the table. We hope that this will provide inspiration and advice to other host families, so that we can continue to develop a support system together.       I am a retired person with careers in chemistry and software engineering, as well as having a ten-year care-giving experience with my mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. As the child of a career Army Officer, I grew up moving every three years and traveled a lot. When I was four years old, my family moved from Arlington, VA to Heidelberg, Germany for a three year tour of duty.  I also spent the better part of the summer after my first year in college traveling around Europe with a friend, and was able to visit my old home in Heidelberg.  I was exposed to foreign cultures right from the get-go. The Army brat experience gave me an early appreciation for the wonderful diversity of cultures in other parts of the world, as well as the value of growing up with change as the norm.  Now that I have settled down in San Diego and have a house with extra bedrooms, what better way to continue learning about other people and places in the world than to host these young ambassadors from other countries who are here to learn our language and culture.  I have to agree with last month’s spotlight host about how nice it can be to share your home with these young, happy, and energetic people.   One of the aspects of … Read more

EC San Diego Host of the Month

Category: Accommodation, Student Services, Uncategorized / Tags: , , , ,

 [This spotlight of the host of the month section outlines the philosophies and experiences of our different hosts, who all bring something special to the table. We hope that this will provide inspiration and advice to other host families, so that we can continue to develop a support system together.]   Hello, my name is Pamela, and I have been a resident of San Diego for 25 years, and a Host Mother for E.C. San Diego for almost 2 years. I am Originally from Washington State. I have been an in home Licensed Childcare Provider for 19 years. I have a wonderful son, Garrett, who is attending College with a baseball scholarship.      Almost two years ago I decided that while my son was away at College, why not utilize the extra bedroom with another student. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. My choice has made such a positive difference in my every day routine.         Being a Host Mother for these amazing students at EC San Diego is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding challenges I have ever endured. Actually interacting personally and verbally, helping them with their homework, and being able to share our warm and friendly home is necessary for them to feel secure while so far away from their own home studying English in the USA. Our conversations, and daily laughs helps me reach my goal of providing a pleasant and gratifying home-stay while they enjoy our beautiful city of San Diego. We are all Facebook friends, and continue to connect with one another on a regular basis.      If you are a Host Family…..Congratulations to you all! Helping these students to feel comfortable, and cared for everyday with a warm smile will only ensure their perception of enjoyment and security while trying to … Read more

EC San Diego host family Highlight

Category: Accommodation, EC San Diego Profiles, Student Services / Tags: , , ,

  Meet one of EC San Diego’s best host family’s, Sam and Anna Martinez! Anna and I have lived in the University City area for over thirty years and have just recently celebrated our 40th anniversary together. We have three grown children; Adam, Matthew, and Sarah, plus seven grandchildren. We have been hosting students for the last 25 years with EC San Diego home stay program , and the school that was here before EC. The students were always a great addition to our home, as our children adapted well to them and looked to them as brothers and sisters. One thing I like about hosting, aside from the relationships formed, is the opportunity to see the students grow and improve their English skills. I keep reminding them to “Think in English” and they really take that to heart. It’s so cool to see them grow with each passing day.  Living with a host family is a great way to enhance your ESL classes in San Diego. As far as tips for other host families, I believe as host parents we all have our own way of making the students time with us a memorable and pleasant experience. For Anna and I, the experience begins the day they arrive in our home. One thing I like to do is give them a complete tour of the surrounding areas. For example, I show them the bus route to the school, where to shop and eat, and of course the beaches. After we take a trip through downtown, it’s back home to go over the rules of their new home, from where things are in the kitchen, to how to use the washer and dryer. We cover everything they may need to know all on that first day. In the end I tell them … Read more

Leanne and her collage of hosting EC San Diego students!

EC San Diego Host of the Month: Leanne Buck!

Category: Accommodation, EC San Diego Profiles, Student Services / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  Host of the Month: Leanne Buck Leanne: “Just like every student is different, every host family is different, and there is a match for everyone”.   Today’s Blog Spotlight is on EC San Diego’s Host of the month, Leanne Buck! Here we will outline the philosophies and experiences of our different, local San Diego host families, who all bring something special to the table. We at EC hope that this post will provide inspiration and advice to other host families so that we can continue to develop a support system together. We also hope that this post will help new ESL students looking to find their San Diego home while attending EC, the best English language school in San Diego! From EC San Diego Host Mom Leanne: “When I think about why I work with exchange students from EC, my first thought is ‘because it makes me happy’! I believe that one of my purposes in life is to help guide each and every international student in the hopes of enlightening their lives. I take pride in providing the best home stay accommodation for English language students in San Diego. “I am so thankful for what my EC San Diego students have brought to my family! “For example, my students always engage in conversations about the trips they want to take while they are here (I love to travel). They also share the trips that they have taken while in San Diego, showing me what they have bought at the nearby Outlet stores (I stay up on the new fashion), the photos they took while out to dinner at a Las Vegas casino (they always say “we eat all we can!”), and their favorite parts of visiting the Rock Church with me and my family! “A little about me: I love to walk around the Bay for 5 miles in … Read more

EC San Diego Welcomes Jenn Sweeney!

Category: Accommodation, EC San Diego Profiles, Student Services / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi Everyone! My name is Jenn and I’m the new Home Stay Coordinator at EC San Diego. I am looking forward to working with EC students and staff, as well as our amazing host families! I grew up in the ‘Wine Country‘ area of Northern California and have traveled, worked and lived in various parts of the world including Ireland and Hong Kong. Fun Facts About Me: 1) I have lived in 3 countries and traveled throughout 20 different countries in the past 6 years. 2) I won a trip to Jamaica on the Ellen DeGeneres show. 3) I have dyed my hair black, blonde, red, purple, burgundy and brown. 4) I am the youngest of three girls. 5) I have an addiction to coffee. 6) I have gone sky diving. 7) I am terrified of clowns. 8) My favorite show is “How I met your Mother.” 9) One of my favorite bands is Dave Matthews Band and I have seen them in concert 11 times. 10) I have a tattoo of a world map on my arm. I love interacting with people from all around the world and am excited for this incredible opportunity to work at EC San Diego. I look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you! Find out more about learning English in San Diego.          

Be A Part of our San Diego Home Stay Program!!

Category: Accommodation, Around San Diego, EC San Diego Profiles, Student Services / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Become a Home Stay provider with EC San Diego! We at EC San Diego love our students, and are always looking for local families to provide them with a “home away from home” here in San Diego!! Some basic information about EC & our Home Stay Program:  EC English Language Centers is committed to teaching English to international students – and to providing them with the type of full immersion English experience that is quintessential to ESL learning. A large part of our full immersion commitment is working with local Host Families, who provide our students with the experience of living with an American family, while they also partake in part or full-time English classes here at school. EC is committed to ensuring that our students’ stay here in San Diego is memorable. Alongside our high quality General English courses, we also provide a friendly Center atmosphere and impeccable student services. Our San Diego Home Stay Program is an integral part of this service.  We strive to ensure that our students will not only take home with them fond memories of a friendly school and improved use of the English language, but also fond memories of their “home away from home” and their new American friends. Students choose to stay in an American home stay while studying at EC San Diego in order to have the opportunity to practice English outside of class and to see first-hand how American families live. We hope that hosting an international student will prove to be an exciting and rewarding experience for you, your family, and your students! If you are interested in hosting an international student in your home, please contact our Home Stay Coordinator Brittany Goodwell at (858) 456-1212 ext. 208, or via email at brittanygoodwell@ecenglish.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Farewell Michelle!

Category: Accommodation, Uncategorized

EC San Diego students and staff bid farewell to Michelle Falzon on Thursday, September 24, 2009 with a Mexican-themed party before her return to Malta. Michelle first arrived in April 2008 from EC Central. Her goal was to make our English school the best English school in San Diego, which she accomplished in the year and four months that she spent here. Her innovations contributed to the growth of the number of students who choose to take English courses in San Diego. She relayed the EC values on to our San Diego school and worked hard to implement and maintain them. Her happy, positive attitude, enthusiastic nature, and encouraging manner will be missed by all here at EC San Diego. Farewell Michelle!!