TOEFL/IELTS/SAT/GMAT/GRE Preparation

FLS Boston Commons

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Course description

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

Course topics

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

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
30 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
29 Mar 2024, 27 May 2024, 19 Jun 2024, 04 Jul 2024, 02 Sep 2024, 04 Oct 2024, 11 Nov 2024, 28 Nov 2024 - 29 Nov 2024, 25 Dec 2024

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.

Class level

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 Boston.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 15 years old and older
Average 22 years old
(16 in the summer)

Certificate

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

Photos

  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 1/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 2/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 3/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 4/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 5/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 6/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 7/21
  • Student residence offered by FLS Boston Commons 8/21
  • Homestay housing offered by FLS Boston Commons 9/21
  • Homestay housing offered by FLS Boston Commons 10/21
  • Building of FLS Boston Commons 11/21
  • Classes at FLS Boston Commons 12/21
  • Classes at FLS Boston Commons 13/21
  • Common room at FLS Boston Commons 14/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 15/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 16/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 17/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 18/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 19/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 20/21
  • Activities offered at FLS Boston Commons 21/21
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 11 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
6
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"It was ok."

Melanie Daemon Barbosa, student from Germany

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!!!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
22 Aug 2022 - 9 Sep 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was short but engaging"

Filippo Casu, student from Italy

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

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
1 Aug 2022 - 5 Aug 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Oh, it was really wonderful experience for me. FLS Boston is one of the best schools in all of Boston!"

AKMARAL BEKBOSSYNOVA, student from Afghanistan

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.

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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
4 Jun 2012 - 29 Jun 2012
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very nice experience, the teacher was excellent."

Paula Gonzalez, student from Argentina

It was a very nice experience, I enjoyed the classes very much. I loved the teacher you assigned me; her classes were very entertaining.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
9 Jul 2012 - 20 Jul 2012
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was a great experience both personal and in English skills"

Gabriel Covián, student from Mexico

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.

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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
22 Jul 2013 - 16 Aug 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Learning"

Jorge Lozano, student from Colombia

Good.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
4 weeks
Date of study
24 May 2010 - 18 Jun 2010
Age group
65+
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very good experience"

Pablo, student from Chile

Experience has been very good, I have good teachers and friends. The location is good because this near to the te (train).

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
8 weeks
Date of study
7 Jan 2013 - 1 Mar 2013
Age group
25 - 34
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Super"

Camilla Worm, student from Denmark

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.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
2 Jul 2012 - 3 Aug 2012
Age group
25 - 34
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very good experience for evaluating my chances for learning English"

Leticia bicalho Canedo, student from Brazil

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....

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
4 weeks
Date of study
4 Jun 2012 - 29 Jun 2012
Age group
65+
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very good"

Elder Lopez, student from Honduras

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.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
9 Jan 2012 - 10 Feb 2012
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.

"Great"

Matteo Salvo, student from Italy

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.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
12 weeks
Date of study
9 Nov 2009 - 29 Jan 2010
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

FLS Boston Commons offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay- Single Room- Half Board

$400
weekly
Age range: 15 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Boston
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends (16 meals per week)
Distance to school: 30 - 45 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$400
FLS offers the valuable opportunity to combine your English program with the experience of living with an American host family. We provide carefully selected homestays where you can practice conversational English and experience the American way of life.
student-residence

International Guest House - 4-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner

$595
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Boston
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 4-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, computers, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$595
Students will have a nicely furnished, shared
quad room with a bed, a locker with a bar, a
stool, hooks, a mirror, and a bedside lamp.
Linens, pillows, a cover, and towel are provided
and will be in the room upon arrival. The bed
and linens are extremely comfortable and the
layout of the room is inviting and private. The
window provides excellent light during the day
and at night there’s a special light which
illuminates just the walkway so students can
come in and get ready for bed without bothering
the other roommates. Desks and quiet work
spaces are available throughout the dormitory.
FLS Dormitory
19 Stuart Street, Boston MA 02116
Phone Number: 617-536-9455
FLS Emergency phone number: 617-869-7334

There is a dining room that is located on
the lower floor of the building where a
continental breakfast (muffins, toast, fruit,
cereal, coffee, tea, and milk) is served
daily. Additionally, there is a very nice
kitchen for student use, with new
equipment and a large refrigerator for
students to store their food in. There are
also microwaves, toasters, stovetops,
sinks, pots and pans, dishes, silverware,
etc., to give students the opportunity to
cook for themselves. The dorm even
includes spices, olive oil, sesame seeds
and other items to allow for the possibility
of international cooking. The dining room
has enough seating so that students
could even have their own dinner parties!
There is a modern laundry facility on-site,
as you can see in the picture. It’s very
new and reasonably priced. Students can
put money on a laundry card so that
paying for their laundry is a breeze. They
can even receive a text to tell them that
their washer or dryer is finished!
Additionally, there is a common room
equipped with a TV, a game room with a
pool table, and vending machines that sell
snacks, drinks, phone cards, detergent,
etc. Free wireless internet is available
throughout the building, and there is also
a computer room with a printer that
students can use for a nominal charge. The staff at the dormitory can help the student with any need, such as how to get a
basketball ticket, how to find the Museum of Fine Arts, where to find a good restaurant,
etc.
Minimum age to live at the dorm is 16 years old.
FLS Dorm rules on smoking /drinking: There is no smoking in the Dorm; however, you may
smoke outside of the building. Drinking alcohol is not permitted in the Dorm.
Description of students’ transportation to and from school:
Within 10 minutes to FLS Boston Commons center by walking or public transportation.
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 $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.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Flights and airport transfer

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.

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 FLS Boston Commons staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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