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Intensive General English

GT Educational Center
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Course description

The GE program teaches English for everyday living and to function successfully in personal, professional and academic environments. It's designed to provide the non-native student with the necessary language skills and basic information needed to succeed in becoming a self-supporting member of the global society.

Graduates of this program acquire sufficient English to pursue education in an American post-secondary, degree granting, institution.

The certificate program is 1260 clock hours in length. The number of hours is dictated by the necessity of providing students with the full range of language skills and information needed to succeed in overcoming cultural and linguistic challenges.

The GE program is divided into seven separate courses. Each course is conducted for a total of 180 hours.

Each course meets for a total of 22.5 hours per week over 8 weeks.

A placement test is required to ensure the student begins at the proper level.

This program includes the following courses:

Low Beginner
Beginner
High Beginner
Low Intermediate
Intermediate
High Intermediate
Advanced

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
4-52 weeks
Start dates
09 Dec 2024
Classes per week
30 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Morning session
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Lunch
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Afternoon session
12:30 PM - 01:30 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to 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 Chicago.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 20 students

Student age

Age range 17 years old and older
Average 24 years old
(21 in the summer)

Certificate

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

School description

Choose GT and enjoy the benefits of:

Immersive education in a diverse learning environment: GT has students from over forty different countries all under one roof.

Qualified instructors who understand you: all of GT's instructors are certified and many have been overseas to learn a foreign language, so they know what it’s like.

Amazing location in beautiful downtown Chicago: the school is a short walk away from Lake Michigan and all the amenities that the city has to offer.

GT Educational Center, established in 1995, and is approved by Illinois Board of Higher Education, Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools and accredited by CEA.

We offer students from around the globe quality English language instruction for pursuing their future goals and provide them with a caring and professional learning experience.

To achieve our mission an intellectually stimulating curriculum has been developed with an emphasis on equipping students with language skills as well as giving them an opportunity to immerse themselves into the American language and culture.

Our courses are taught at beginner to advanced levels on a year-round basis by highly qualified instructors.

By using a student-centered, communicative teaching approach and utilizing carefully selected course materials we are able to target a variety of learning styles for our diverse student community. We promote intercultural awareness among our students by encouraging collaborative learning.

GT Educational Center is deeply committed to building confidence, motivating and empowering our students by helping them gain proficiency in the English language.

Year opened
1995
Number of classrooms
8

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Eating Area
  • Social Activities
  • Wireless Internet
  • Wheelchair access
  • Free Internet
  • Cultural Trips
  • Studying Area
  • Elevators

Teacher qualifications

Native English speakers
All
Teachers with English teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

University partners

GT has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in USA. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.

DeVry University
East West University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
National Louis University
North Park University
Robert Morris University

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at GT Educational Center varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 24. In the summer, the average age is 21.

GT teaches students from all over the world, including:

Colombia
20%
China
10%
Russia
10%
Thailand
10%
Turkey
10%
South Korea
8%
Brazil
5%
Jordan
5%
Mexico
5%
Germany
2%
Kazakhstan
2%
Poland
2%
Saudi Arabia
2%
Vietnam
2%
Ecuador
1%
Other
6%

School holidays

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

GT is located downtown Chicago, on the famous Michigan Avenue. We are across the street from Grant Park and within walking distance to world class museums, monuments, restaurants, and other famous attractions in Chicago. Public transportation is just outside as well in case you want to venture further. It is the perfect location for an urban study abroad experience.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Building of GT Educational Center 1/27
  • Common room at GT Educational Center 2/27
  • Activities offered at GT Educational Center 3/27
  • Activities offered at GT Educational Center 4/27
  • Apartments offered by GT Educational Center 5/27
  • Classes at GT Educational Center 6/27
  • Classes at GT Educational Center 7/27
  • Apartments offered by GT Educational Center 8/27
  • Apartments offered by GT Educational Center 9/27
  • Apartments offered by GT Educational Center 10/27
  • Apartments offered by GT Educational Center 11/27
  • Students of GT Educational Center 12/27
  • Activities offered at GT Educational Center 13/27
  • Activities offered at GT Educational Center 14/27
  • Classroom at GT Educational Center 15/27
  • Activities offered at GT Educational Center 16/27
  • Students of GT Educational Center 17/27
  • Homestay housing offered by GT Educational Center 18/27
  • Homestay housing offered by GT Educational Center 19/27
  • Homestay housing offered by GT Educational Center 20/27
  • Common room at GT Educational Center 21/27
  • Computer room at GT Educational Center 22/27
  • Common room at GT Educational Center 23/27
  • Building of GT Educational Center 24/27
  • Classroom at GT Educational Center 25/27
  • Classroom at GT Educational Center 26/27
  • Students of GT Educational Center 27/27
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

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

"It’s a good deal for learning English and meeting people from all over the world."

Juan Camilo Rodríguez Tapia, student from Colombia

What I like the most is that they have really good teachers who are very interested in your learning process. The location in downtown is great since you can walk around and easily find museums, parks, shopping centers, etc.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
11 weeks
Date of study
17 Apr 2023 - 7 Jul 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
William Holly, Marketing Manager at GT Educational Center responded to this review.
17 May 2024

Thank you for the positive review! We are very proud of our teachers and their ability to connect with our students.

"Highly educational experience"

Mariarosaria Troccoli, student from Italy

I think I was really lucky because I had some fantastic classmates, not to mention my wonderful teacher Shawna, who with her professionalism and kindness made every single lesson unforgettable. Personally I can say that everything was perfect.

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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
20 Mar 2023 - 14 Apr 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
William, Marketing Manager at GT Educational Center responded to this review.
22 May 2023

Thank you for your feedback! We're extremely happy that you had such a great learning experience with us!

"Amazing"

Gustavo Rangel Torres de Almeida, student from Afghanistan

Everyone is so helpful and fun. In the first day you enter in a class that coincides with your ability. In the first day we got a little party with foods after the class, and got to know the other students and practice English a lot. Jon Roller, the teacher for my class, was always open to questions and thought us so much stuff about the american English language and culture. The clerks of the office could answer all my questions and promptly helped my needs. I don't have nothing to complain about. The location is perfect, and we have access to the neighbour university facilities.

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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
5 Aug 2019 - 30 Aug 2019
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

GT offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 271
weekly
Age range: 14 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, free internet, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 25 - 70 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 271
Homestay gives you the opportunity to stay with an American family. Enjoy a private room and daily meals. Homes can be located in the city or surrounding suburbs, but always within an hour commute to school.
student-residence

Dormitory - 2-person shared room

£ 227
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Address: 829 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Location: In the city center of Chicago
Housing type: Student residence (on-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, and sports facilities
Distance to school: 5 minutes by walk
Availability: 01 Sep 2024 - 30 Jun 2025
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 227
The Flats at East-West University are the premier choice among student apartments in South Loop. You won’t find accommodations quite like these anywhere else in the neighborhood. Apartments are designed to make your life in downtown Chicago a little more luxurious. When you live at The Flats, you’ll join a welcoming community of students who play as hard as they work. You’ll enjoy a wide range of amenities perfect for students including a basketball court, plenty of study spaces, and resident lounge spaces.

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-person room - No meals

£ 310
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Address: 2643 N Mildred, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Location: In the city center of Chicago
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, hardwood, air conditioning, heating, and garden
Distance to school: 30 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 310
This off-campus residence houses up to eight students and is located in a college-area in Lincoln Park by DePaul University with plenty of restaurants and parks nearby.

Dormitory - Single-person Room

£ 331
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Address: 829 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Location: In the city center of Chicago
Housing type: Student residence (on-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, and sports facilities
Distance to school: 5 minutes by walk
Availability: 01 Sep 2024 - 30 Jun 2025
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 331
The Flats at East-West University are the premier choice among student apartments in South Loop. You won’t find accommodations quite like these anywhere else in the neighborhood. Apartments are designed to make your life in downtown Chicago a little more luxurious. When you live at The Flats, you’ll join a welcoming community of students who play as hard as they work.You’ll enjoy a wide range of amenities perfect for students including a basketball court, plenty of study spaces, and resident lounge spaces.
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.

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

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 Chicago 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 GT Educational Center staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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