CISL, English school in San Diego
CISL has taught English in San Diego, California, since 1972, in deliberately small classes. Here is who they are, how they teach, what sets them apart, and the centre we offer.
Who is CISL?
CISL — Converse International School of Languages — is an English-as-a-foreign-language school based in San Diego. Its official website says it has been helping its students communicate in English with ease and confidence since 1972.
The school is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), for the period from December 2024 to December 2034, according to its official website. CEA is recognised by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting body for English language programmes.
CISL also offers youth programmes and online courses, presented on its website and not covered on this page. We offer its adult campus: San Diego.
How they teach
CISL emphasises small classes and personal attention: the school states an average of 6 students per class for adults, and at most 4 in “Premier” classes. The approach is interactive and aimed at communication: listening, speaking, reading and writing progress together, with grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary, everyday expressions, and projects and presentations.
Level placement is done by a test on arrival; students move up to the next level after showing they have mastered the objectives of their level. Students are assessed frequently, and receive feedback from their teachers and a report on their progress.
The standard course runs Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 12:40, at 20 lessons of 50 minutes per week. An afternoon option, Monday to Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:10 pm (conversation, business English or English for study), can be added: the intensive course then reaches 28 lessons per week.
What sets CISL apart
- Very small classes. An average of 6 students in the standard course, at most 4 in the Premier course; the school sees this as more speaking time and individual feedback.
- A U.S. accreditation. The school is accredited by CEA until 2034 and says it meets its standards for English programmes.
- Standard courses without a student visa for nationals of visa-exempt countries. According to the website, students from these countries enrolled in a standard course of 20 lessons per week do not need a student visa; the full-time intensive course qualifies for an I-20 for an F-1 visa application (check with the school before enrolling).
- Activities after class. Surfing, sailing, kayaking, whale watching, ferry rides to Coronado, the old town, museums, Padres baseball games, as well as weekend excursions; dates and costs to be requested from the school.
Its programmes, and who they are for
Our catalogue prices fifteen courses for adults in San Diego, from age 18: standard English, business English, intensive options, afternoon course only, “Executive” English in a class of at most 4, one-to-one courses of 5 to 20 lessons per week, General English options combined with golf or tennis or with surfing, as well as IELTS and Cambridge C1 Advanced preparation.
IELTS preparation is aimed at students who need to prove their English level to an institution, an employer or an authority; the school states that students must already be at B2 level and announces 4 full mock exams. The website also presents career programmes, university-year-abroad programmes and academic pathways, which our catalogue does not price: advice is given on a quote.
Prices, school by school
2027 rates from the Synergee price engine, for the standard English course (20 lessons per week), starting on January 4, 2027. The “from” price is the lowest per week among the durations priced by the engine; the detail for all durations is in the expandable table below. The exact quote depends on your dates, your duration and your accommodation.
- San Diego, USA : from 370 USD per week (8-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
See all 2027 prices
| Centre | Reference course | Lessons / wk | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 12 weeks | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, USA | Standard English | 20 | 780 USD | 1,500 USD | 4,440 USD | 160 USD |
Course price only, excluding accommodation. Registration fee is added. Each country uses its own currency.
Accommodation
In the catalogue in San Diego: homestay (single room, with breakfast or half board, an “Executive” option reserved for Premier students) and the Vantaggio State Street residence, in the Little Italy district. Price of the engine’s reference homestay, per week, for a 4-week stay; the other options and their rates appear in the quote.
See accommodation prices
| Centre | Homestay, per week (4 weeks) | Residences in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 420 USD | 1 |
The centre in detail
CISL (Converse International School of Languages) — San Diego
USA · 15 courses in the catalogue
CISL’s adult campus in San Diego, a seaside city in California. Classes of 6 students on average, on-site computer access, and activities organised after class (surfing, boat trips, visits of the city).
Sources: CISL’s official website (cisl.edu: home, about, San Diego, standard course, intensive, IELTS, one-to-one courses, Premier, accommodation, activities), consulted on 7 November 2026; prices: Synergee engine.