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General English

Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown
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Course description

The General English course consists of 20 lessons each week and is the least intensive option offered at Kaplan. This course allows students to improve their English while still leaving time for sightseeing and leisure during their stay.

Course topics

Lessons focus on practical English, including reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

Class schedule

Course duration
1-12 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
01 Jan 2025, 20 Jan 2025, 26 May 2025, 19 Jun 2025, 04 Jul 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 25 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025

Kaplan International does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Morning session
08:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Break
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Afternoon session
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

Elementary
Pre-intermediate
Intermediate
High intermediate
Advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Seattle.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Kaplan International Seattle is located just a block away from the University of Washington in a bustling student area of the city. Qualified and experienced instructors teach a wide range of English language courses and GRE and GMAT preparation classes. Seattle is full of museums and art galleries, and opportunities to go skiing, hiking, and kayaking are also available close to the city. The modern school building is equipped with bright classrooms, a student lounge and library, internet kiosks, and free wireless internet access and is situated in the heart of Seattle's cultural scene.

Accreditations

Facilities

  • TV Room
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown varies over different time periods, courses and levels.

School holidays

Kaplan International does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
01 Jan 2025, 20 Jan 2025, 26 May 2025, 19 Jun 2025, 04 Jul 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 25 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025

School location

Study English courses in Seattle with Kaplan – the home of grunge music and plaid shirts, Microsoft and Starbucks! Seattle’s a great city for hanging out in trendy cafes and live music venues, or heading out into the wilderness for a weekend of skiing or camping. Seattle has long been the home some major commercial players like Microsoft, Boeing and Starbucks, and more recently of America’s grunge and alternative rock scenes. This mix of die-hard live music fans and young professionals makes taking one of Kaplan’s English courses in Seattle a fantastic cultural experience, whatever your interests.

Our English school in Seattle is located downtown on the waterfront, so there are loads of pubs, bars, shopping venues and local attractions nearby. The area is popular with students, so there are plenty of parties, concerts, cafes and public parks – and our social program at the school will make sure you see as much of them as possible!

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Building - Hagget hall 1/38
  • Building - Hansee Hall 2/38
  • Builiding - McCarty hall 3/38
  • Building - McMahon hall 4/38
  • Classroom at Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 5/38
  • Students in a classroom 6/38
  • Common room at Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 7/38
  • Reception of Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 8/38
  • Reception of Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 9/38
  • Students of Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 10/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 11/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 12/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 13/38
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  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 19/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown 20/38
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reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 6 reviews
5 stars
5
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"I had a really great time improving my language skills"

Hanna Grabenberger, student from Austria

The staff was really friendly, helpful and could find good solutions to my wish to change the class. My teacher was great and we had a really good time.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
24 Jul 2023 - 18 Aug 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Excellent"

Maria-Luisa Jnglin-Rodriguez Moreno, student from Switzerland

It was a very good time!

I learned a lot. The school is very good, location, staff, teachers everything! I really like the school activities. Everything perfect for me.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
13 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2020
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Kaplan is great!"

Maria Luiza Cartaxo Rocha de Sousa, student from Brazil

Everything is amazing here! I loved it! The teachers are good and we did many social activities. I met wonderful people and my English skills improved a lot!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
7 Jan 2019 - 1 Feb 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"This experience improved my speaking skills."

Denis Perin, student from Brazil

I stayed at Kaplan, in Seattle, for 3 weeks. I took business English and general English classes.

Although three weeks were not sufficient to become fluent in English, my speaking skills improved a lot.

The teachers are very good, and Kaplan´s location is great.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
4 Feb 2013 - 22 Feb 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"One of the greatest experiences in my life."

Carlos Guillermo Mojardin Gaxiola, student from Mexico

Hi!!

My experience at Kaplan was amazing. The school is located in a very nice place in Seattle on University Street, it is a really nice place for students because of all the restaurants and the activities we can do over there. The teachers were nice and very helpful. My home-stay might be one of the best ones, they are very nice people, they are so polite, we had a lot of fun together and they really helped me with my english skills as well.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
19 weeks
Date of study
18 Jun 2012 - 2 Nov 2012
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Thanks to school. I began to read, write and a little to speak on English"

Natalia Litvinova, student from Russia

Everything was pleasant to me in Kaplan Seattle! The little accommodations with my host family weren't pleasant. The food was not very good.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
6 weeks
Date of study
14 Aug 2011 - 22 Sep 2011
Age group
35 - 49
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

Kaplan International offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay (No meals) Min. age 18 (Single)

£ 225
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 225
Homestay accommodation is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. Sharing meals with your hosts every day, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay (14 meals/week) Min. age 18 (Twin)

£ 250
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 250
Homestay accommodation is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. Sharing meals with your hosts every day, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay Bed and Breakfast (7 meals/week) Min. age 18 (Single)

£ 250
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 250
Homestay accommodation is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in the Californian culture. Sharingg meals with your hosts, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay (14 meals/week) Under 18 (Twin)

£ 258
weekly
Age range: 16 - 17 years old
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 258
Homestay accommodation is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. Sharing meals with your hosts every day, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay Bed and Breakfast (7 meals/week) Under 18 (Single)

£ 258
weekly
Age range: 16 - 17 years old
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 258
Homestay accommodation is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in the Californian culture. Sharingg meals with your hosts, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay (14 meals/week) Min. age 18 (Single)

£ 304
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 304
Homestay accommodation is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. Sharing meals with your hosts every day, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.

Homestay (14 meals/week) Under 18 (Single)

£ 312
weekly
Age range: 16 - 17 years old
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 312
Homestay accommodation is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in a different culture. Sharing meals with your hosts every day, you'll benefit from speaking English in relaxed, natural situations outside of your English course.
student-residence

The Redwood Residence (No meals) Min. age 18 (Single Studio)

£ 621
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 111 21st Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, and free internet
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 621
Located on the border between Seattle’s Central District and Capitol Hill, the Redwood Apartments offers fully furnished studio apartments within walking distance of the heart of the city. Shops, supermarkets, restaurants and cafés are just around the corner. The kitchenette, stocked with a full-sized fridge, microwave, stove top, and all essential cookware, ensures that students can prepare whatever meals they are accustomed to in their new home-away-from-home. Linens and towels are provided and available when the students check-in, and the on-site laundry accepts credit cards. Available year-round for students 18 and older.
apartment

Downtown Residence (No meals) Min. age 18 (Single)

£ 496
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 2721 Fourth Avenue, Seattle WA 98121, USA
Location: Studio Apartment (Vermont Inn)
Housing type: Apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, and free internet
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 496
Kaplan International can arrange apartment housing for students in a great location, close to the Kaplan International Seattle school. This offer consists of a fully furnished studio apartment in a neighboring area of Seattle. The apartment provides bed, linens, a closet, and a desk or table for study. The apartment is within a short distance of public transportation and a short bus ride to the Kaplan International Seattle school. Availability is limited, so apply early!
hotel

American Hotel (No meals) Min. age 18 (Twin)

£ 271
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 520 South King Street, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Housing type: Hotel
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, and tV room
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 271
The American Hotel is the largest hostel in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! It is located in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District neighborhood, just minutes away from public transportation and Seattle’s prime attractions and Kaplan Seattle. This residence retains an old-world feel while adding modern amenities and provides students an economical way to experience downtown Seattle living. Students are encouraged to participate in hostel events. Single and Twin rooms are available with shared bathroom. Student rooms are equipped with a bunk bed, locker, desk and chair. Students will have access to a shared kitchen, dining room, guest lounge, TV and games room, library/study room. Wi-Fi and bed linens are provided free of charge.

American Hotel (No meals) Min. age 18 (Single)

£ 342
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 520 South King Street, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Housing type: Hotel
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, and tV room
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 342
The American Hotel is the largest hostel in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! It is located in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District neighborhood, just minutes away from public transportation and Seattle’s prime attractions and Kaplan Seattle. This residence retains an old-world feel while adding modern amenities and provides students an economical way to experience downtown Seattle living. Students are encouraged to participate in hostel events. Single and Twin rooms are available with shared bathroom. Student rooms are equipped with a bunk bed, locker, desk and chair. Students will have access to a shared kitchen, dining room, guest lounge, TV and games room, library/study room. Wi-Fi and bed linens are provided free of charge.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying full time in the United States for more than 18 hours per week, you will receive an I-20 that you need to submit to the US embassy along with your F-1 student visa application. The I-20 has a SEVIS tracking number on it. Students who wish to apply for a student visa must pay the SEVIS fee online before going to the US embassy or consulate for their visa interview.

Your I-20 will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $100 when you register.

Please note that United States law states that an I-20 can only be issued to students who intend to pursue full-time English language studies. United States law does not permit students to study part-time with an F-1 Student Visa. If you are studying for less than 18 hours per week, you have to apply for a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) on your own.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Visit the US Department of State website »

Flights and airport transfer

The school offers airport pickup services. If you wish to be picked up, just give us your flight details and arrival date. The price of a one-way airport transfer from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is $120. You must book your airport transfer in advance when you register.

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Seattle based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Kaplan International: Seattle Downtown staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question

"What are the course requirements?"

Delvair Raul Macedo Soares Silveira, student from Brazil

Please have your student take the test at your office preferably and send the answer sheet to us. If the student passes the test, we will book them on the English for Business class. But if the score is not enough to take the English for Business course, the student can start taking Intensive English course at first until reaching the required English level and then the student can switch to English for Business course without additional fee. Please note that even if the student keeps taking the Intensive English course and their English level cannot meet the required level, the student still cannot take English for Business course. However, Acceptance based on English for Business Pre-Arrival Test score is strictly conditional. The Students who pass the English for Business Pre-Arrival test outside the US must still pass the Placement test once they arrive at the center in the US. If the student fails the Placement test in the US, the student must then take the Intensive English. Please advise the student accordingly.

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