ENGLISH FOR LIFE IN AMERICA

Nine months to belong.

A complete English program built on 20 years of hosting international students. Learn online, then come live with an American family. We teach the English you actually need.

🌍 For students from Japan, Korea, Mandarin-speaking regions, and beyond

20+ years hosting international students
9 months of scenario-based learning
Grounded in research-based learning design
A1–B1 CEFR mapped proficiency levels

What you're getting

Three things that set this apart.

Not every English program is built around real life. This one is.

🗣️

First-language support

For Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean speakers: built-in notes on the exact sounds and patterns that are tricky when learning from your home language. You'll know what to focus on and why.

🌎

A cultural bridge

Guidance on American daily life and social norms, matched to where you come from. Not just English—the knowledge you need to actually live here.

📈

Any starting level

A placement test sets your level at the start, so beginners and stronger speakers both have room to grow. Mixed-level lessons are built in.

The arc

Nine months, each one a real part of life here.

Every month centers on a real, everyday American setting. Students rehearse the situation before they ever face it, then prove it in a monthly checkpoint that earns a badge.

01

Arrival & First Contact

Greetings, introductions, and the first meeting with the host family.

First Words
02

At Home with the Host Family

House rules, routines, and asking for help with the comfort of getting it right.

At Home
03

Food & Eating Out

Ordering, preferences, dietary needs, and paying, from a quick counter to a sit-down restaurant.

Ordering Up
04

Getting Around

Directions, getting around, and what to do when you are lost in a new place.

On the Move
05

Shopping & Money

Prices, sizes, returns, US currency, and the small math of daily spending.

Smart Shopper
06

School & Learning

Classroom language, asking questions, group work, and American classroom norms.

In Class
07

Health & Safety

Describing symptoms, the pharmacy, appointments, and what to do in an emergency.

Safe & Well
08

Friends & Social Life

Small talk, invitations, hobbies, and reading the social cues that build friendships.

Making Friends
09

The American Experience

Day trips, landmarks, a capstone presentation, and a proper goodbye.

Graduate

How it works

A clear path from first word to first day.

  • 1Placement first. A short assessment finds your level, so no one is lost and no one is bored.
  • 2Three levels in every lesson. The same situation is taught at A1, A2, and B1, so a mixed class still works.
  • 3Measured progress. Monthly checkpoints track real gain against your own starting point.
  • 4A real credential. The certificate rests on a scoring rubric, not on attendance.

American English Immersion Certificate

Awarded on demonstrated skill and mapped to recognized proficiency levels, so families and agencies know exactly what it means.

A1A2B1

Who's behind it

Twenty years of hosting, behind every lesson.

The program comes from two places at once. A host who has welcomed students from around the world for two decades, and a curriculum built on research-based learning design.

For more than twenty years, Yesenia Washington has opened her home to international students. Families across the world have trusted her with their children, and those students have left the United States speaking real English and carrying a second family.

She built this program out of that experience. As a Marine Corps spouse, she has made a home in new places again and again. She lived abroad for six years and has traveled widely. She raised three daughters and earned a degree in management. She knows what it takes to feel at home in a country that is not yet your own, and she knows how to prepare a young person for it.

Yesenia Washington
Founder & Host
  • More than 20 years hosting international students
  • Marine Corps spouse and mother of three
  • BA in Management
  • Six years living abroad, extensive international travel
Dr. Jerry W. Washington, Ed.D.
Curriculum Lead
  • Doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership, USC Rossier
  • Instructor, UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education
  • Curriculum developer and researcher in learning design
  • 23-year Marine Corps veteran

Questions

Answers to what you're wondering.

Can I start if my English is very basic?+
Yes. We place you by level with a placement test, and every lesson is taught in three tiers (A1, A2, B1), so you'll always be at the right challenge level. The program is designed for complete beginners and up.
Is this program delivered live or self-paced?+
The core curriculum is designed for flexibility. We deliver it as self-paced online modules with interactive activities, plus optional live group sessions depending on your needs. We work with your schedule.
What if I don't want to do the host family stay?+
The 9-month program is complete on its own. The optional immersion stay with a host family is separate and comes after the program ends. You get the certificate whether or not you do that next step.
How much does this cost?+
We price based on region, cohort size, and delivery format. Contact us for a detailed quote for your situation. We also work with agencies and have partner pricing available.
What languages are supported for first-language help?+
We currently provide first-language support for Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin. If your language is different and you're interested, contact us—we're planning to expand.
Is this certificate recognized?+
The certificate is mapped to CEFR levels (A1–B1), so it's understood by universities, employers, and agencies anywhere. It's earned by demonstrated proficiency, not just attendance.

Bringing students to the United States? Let's talk.

We work with agencies, recruiters, and families placing international students. Request the full program overview, sample lessons, and partner terms.