FLS Boston Commons
100 Cambridge Street, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, USA
FLS Boston Commons
International students face many obstacles before entering an American college or university, such as achieving English fluency and obtaining high standardized test scores. The FLS TOEFL Preparation Program is specifically designed to give students a critical advantage in taking the most commonly accepted exam at American institutions.
Our intensive program includes a total of 36 teacher-led lessons per week: 18 lessons of integrated study to improve all English skills; 12 lessons devoted to specific TOEFL strategies and skills.
Students work with an experienced instructor to hone their ability in the interrelated TOEFL skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Practice exams allow instructors to analyze students’ abilities and familiarize students with the test format and strategies.
Please note that students must possess an English fluency of FLS Level 5 or better to enter the TOEFL Program
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar
FLS Boston Commons 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 schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 12 students |
Maximum | 15 students |
Age range | 15 years old and older |
Average | 22 years old (16 in the summer) |
FLS Boston Commons moved to a new location, still in the heart of Boston, in Government Center, just a block up from Boston's City Hall. The new center offers panoramic views of Boston's Back Bay, the Charles River, Cambridge, Beacon Hill, Downtown Boston, and even Logan Airport from our spacious student lounge and classrooms. FLS offers a variety of English language programs for students to choose from and is within a short walk to many cultural attractions including the North End, Quincy Market, and the Boston Common. The subway system in Boston will also allow students to experience the different neighborhoods of the city, each with their own subculture. FLS also organizes weekend trips to areas beyond the city.
The nationality and age mix at FLS Boston Commons varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 22. In the summer, the average age is 16.
FLS Boston Commons 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.
FLS Boston Commons is located at Sattler College in the Boston's downtown Government Center across from Boston's City Hall and Quincy Market. From our 17th floor, there are amazing panoramic views of Boston from our classrooms and lounges, from the Back Bay to Beacon Hill, the Charles River, Cambridge, MIT, the Boston Garden, the North End, City Hall, Quincy Market, and Logan Airport. Most of Boston's historic and cultural attractions are an easy walk from our building Nearby, there are endless options for dining and entertainment. With public transportation conveniently available at Government Center Station, Boston is easily accessible and provide students with numerous cultural activities and dining options. The center itself has several classrooms, two large student lounges, free wifi, a kitchen, sofas, ping pong, piano room, and quiet rooms, all with breathtaking views of the city. FLS Boston Commons believes the best way to learn English is through practice in authentic environments, so activities are available everyday lead by trained Activity Guides to enable students to meet other students from different countries in order to more easily make friends and develop their English. We hope you join us. FLS is much more than a school. We're an international family.
The location is very good and so safe for the students. And the manager, Mike is very kind and touching person because he always had cared about students and staffs. And he often gave us advice.
The teachers are good and very kind. But I think the class had too many students, making the students have not enough opportunities to speak.
Very good the location, how the class group Is built and also the teacher I worked with.
On the other hand I have to say that content was not exactly as i expected. Not so much grammar exercises as well as conversation experience in the class. Mainly we worked a lot by ourself just under the teacher supervisione. Even if I can understand that the timing was very short on the other hand the course was something scheduled and so I expected something more.
I have also to say that I just joined the training only in the morning part of the day from 10 tò 13.15 for 5 days and I not joined the afternoon activities. For sure these activities were presented to me as optional and not mandatory for the training.
I really liked my class with my teacher Tench. He was very motivated and explained many things very well. I liked the class material also.
What I didn't like was to be treated like a child from time to time. For example: I was finished with my test 30 min before the end of the class. Other people needed 30 min more. School policy said, that I'm not allowed to leave the class or building in that time. So I had to sit there and wait for 25 min instead of going out and getting a coffee or something. I do understand, that some students need this treatment (18-years-old student), but I'm a 38 year old woman who doesn't need to be treated that way. I sacrificed my vacation and paid a lot of money for that.
I also heard from other students that one teacher there is really bad. She falls asleep during the class. But I was lucky with Tench. He was always prepared and I liked his teaching. But you could still improve the teaching.
I was really disappointed by the activity program. It didn't cover the Boston Hot Spots. I didn't like the way it was exceled, either.
The girl who was in charge was something like a "living GPS". She never introduced herself or gave any explanations. Till today I don't know her name. The first activity we had with a different person (Melanie from the office there), that was nice. It was to the Massachusetts State house. The other activities were disappointing. So I made up my own activity plan.
The girl Nessie, I don't know...head of administration or sth, was super polite but rude at the same time sometimes. By her I also felt treated like a child. Katherine, the boss, was really nice and helpful.
My conclusion: I was lucky with the teaching. Also in my afternoon workshop I had a good teacher, Megan. My classmates were nice, but very young. Obviously there were not enough people for a "above 30"-class. The class level was not extremely challenging for me, but I guess there was no higher level course for the lack of people.
I'm not sure, if I recommend this school a friend or family member. Older ones not...Teenagers - yes.
My host family was amazing!!! I was really happy with them!!!
I appreciated the warm welcome and the friendly environment, the learning method was engaging, although the fact that first lesson day was from remote was a bit disappointing
Show details » Read more...Everything was great! I was really glad to meet with so many people from all over the world. The teachers were absolutely kind and open-minded. Overall, the atmosphere was so pleasant. During only one month, I gained great knowledge. I got the feeling that Boston is one of the most brightest cities of the USA. I wish I could come back.
Show details » Read more...It was a very nice experience, I enjoyed the classes very much. I loved the teacher you assigned me; her classes were very entertaining.
Show details » Read more...Classes and teachers were cool. The location is great because it is downtown and I could move around pretty easy. I think a nice cafeteria would be useful because we can mix up with everybody and make friends. I would have liked more activities and some of them were difficult for me because i did not know how much they will cost or how will I get around. The family I stayed with was nice but I would have liked to be closer to school and with an American family.
Show details » Read more...Good.
Show details » Read more...Experience has been very good, I have good teachers and friends. The location is good because this near to the te (train).
Show details » Read more...The location of the school is great, but you can live pretty far away (for me 40 min). The housing wasn't the best. I didn't live with Americans, and my "housing mother" didn't live with us, but in another house. They only care about the money. Fortunately I had a really good roommate which made everything better. The classes were really good, I loved the morning class (core class) and the teacher was really good. He made the class fun and interesting. (The best English teacher I have ever had.) The students were really nice and friendly, but often the people from the same country got together and talked their language. The school usually charges more for some activities that would be cheaper if you went without the school. If you are not dissatisfied with the course you are taking it is easy to change which is really good. overall I think it was a great experience and I loved the classes, teachers and I got many good friends.
Show details » Read more...I had excellent teachers. Yan is a great teacher. My colleagues are very nice but they ignore the basic grammar and basic vocabulary. So, the level of the class didn't help me to improve my English....
Show details » Read more...I think the level of the teachers is very good, but the school needs improve in the organization of classes, because the school mixes younger students with adults and the younger students don't have the same level as adults.
Show details » Read more...thanks for how much you take care of your clients. the experience is great and the teachers that I have are very good teachers (I think that knowing English and teaching English are two complete different skills: they have both at an high level (Chris and Mike)). My score in the activity is 3 because I have never participate and so I put 3 because is obligatory to fill but is not an attendible answer).
The things that, in my opinion, could be improved are:
1) anyone can attend to the elective class and the level is not homogeneus so someone is penalyzed (or doesn't understand if the level is too high or slows down if the teacher explains basic topics)
2) for me would be useful to know week by week the goals that we are going to achieve and the weekly program in order to proact in the right direction and to be aware of where we are.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying English in Boston. These homes are often between 30 - 45 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 16+. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about student residence accommodation
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 $85 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.
The closest airport to the school is Boston Logan Airport (BOS).
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 Boston Logan Airport is $110. 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 Boston based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
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.
Have questions? Get answers from FLS Boston Commons staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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