View all courses at this school »

Semi-Intensive Academic Year

Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley
Q&A
Price
school-reference
detail

Course description

Long-term language programmes which allow you to achieve maximum fluency whilst immersing yourself in the language and culture of another country.

This programme is right for you if:
• You are aiming to achieve fluency in English
• You want an intensive focus on all language skills with quick results
• You would like flexible learning material, excellent communication between you and your teachers and continuous learning assessment
• You would like to receive a Kaplan Academic Semester or Year certificate at the end of your course

Each week you will receive 20 lessons of General English and 7 sessions of Structured Study

General English classes
Your General English classes will initially focus on making sure that you are able to communicate effectively in everyday English. A wide-ranging syllabus will then develop your overall linguistic skills, helping you to read, write and speak English with confidence and clarity.

Structured Study
Your Structured Study sessions help you to reinforce what you have learned and improved the areas where you need most practice by using selected books, online language exercises and interactive computer programmes.

Course topics

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

Class schedule

Course duration
24-46 weeks
Start dates
05 Jan 2026, 30 Mar 2026, 22 Jun 2026, 21 Sep 2026 and 09 Nov 2026
Classes per week
27 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 25 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025, 01 Jan 2026, 19 Jan 2026, 25 May 2026, 19 Jun 2026, 03 Jul 2026, 07 Sep 2026, 26 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026, 21 Dec 2026 - 28 Dec 2026

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
Lesson
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Break
02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Afternoon session
02:15 PM - 05:30 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 Berkeley.

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.
Read more...
school

School description

Kaplan International Berkeley is located just two blocks from the University of California at Berkeley. There is a variety of courses to choose from including intensive English and graduate school test preparation. Students can also choose from homestay and student residence accommodation options. The school is in a modern building with excellent facilities and courses are taught by friendly, qualified, and experienced teachers. Only 30 minutes from San Francisco, students will also have many opportunities to experience the local California culture.

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 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
27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 25 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025, 01 Jan 2026, 19 Jan 2026, 25 May 2026, 19 Jun 2026, 03 Jul 2026, 07 Sep 2026, 26 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026, 21 Dec 2026 - 28 Dec 2026

School location

• Situated in a renowned academic city with a vibrant student community, just
minutes to downtown San Francisco
• Located near the prestigious UC Berkeley, which allows students to attend
open lectures
• Offers advice to students applying to Berkeley City College and UC Berkeley
Extension Programs
• Students who complete Kaplan’s Higher Intermediate level can use their
certicate to gain admission to Berkeley City College
• Enjoy weekend trips to Yosemite, Wine Country, and Lake Tahoe

Take a video tour

Read more...
photos

Photos

  • Students of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 1/38
  • Activities offered at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 2/38
  • Students of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 3/38
  • Activities offered at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 4/38
  • Students of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 5/38
  • Activities offered at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 6/38
  • 1-on-1 classes at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 7/38
  • Classroom at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 8/38
  • Entrance to Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 9/38
  • Entrance to Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 10/38
  • Entrance to Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 11/38
  • Entrance to Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 12/38
  • Library at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 13/38
  • Reception of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 14/38
  • Reception of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 15/38
  • Reception of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 16/38
  • Students of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 17/38
  • Students of Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 18/38
  • Classroom at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 19/38
  • Classroom at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 20/38
  • Classroom at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 21/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 22/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 23/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 24/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 25/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 26/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 27/38
  • Homestay housing offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 28/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 29/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 30/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 31/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 32/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 33/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 34/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 35/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 36/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 37/38
  • Student residence offered by Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley 38/38
reviews

Reviews

67% recommend

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

"It was great."

Dylan Buetikofer, student from Switzerland

It was a very nice experience. It was nice to met new people from all over the world. The teacher (Francis) was very good, as well as a human being. He was patient and you could always ask for help. You could talk about a lot of topics with no issues. I learned a lot of grammar which was good but I hoped to speak a bit more in class. The location was great. It's cool because it's near San Francisco. The facilites were also very good. The classrooms, the restrooms etc. everything was clean.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
4 Aug 2025 - 15 Aug 2025
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Lisa Paar, Senior B2B Customer Care Specialist at Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley responded to this review.
04 September 2025

Dear Dylan,
Thank you very much for leaving your feedback. We are happy to read that you have enjoyed your time at Kaplan Berkeley! All the best and see you soon!

"English"

Catalina Ossa Geisse, student from Chile

The location of the school is very good, you have everything only within 1 or 2 blocks. The teachers are very good except 2 or 3.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
20 weeks
Date of study
24 Sep 2012 - 15 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.

"Nothing special"

Juraj Wallner, student from Slovakia

It was ok. Some of teachers were great, but some of them were only ok. Anyway, I liked it there. On the other hand, in my opinion it could have been better.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
8 weeks
Date of study
11 Jul 2011 - 2 Sep 2011
Age group
35 - 49
Would you recommend this school?
No
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 (14 meals/week) Min. age 18 (Twin)

Included
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Distance to school: 45 - 60 minutes
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
Included
Homestay accommodation is ideal if you want to immerse yourself 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.
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 San Francisco International Airport is $115. 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 Berkeley 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 »

Read more...
questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Kaplan International: San Francisco - Berkeley staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question
Show prices