FAQs


Columbia West College isn’t just another English Language School. No, CWC is the doorway to your goals and dreams! You see, at Columbia West College, we know that English is simply a tool to help you achieve the success you desire and deserve. So whether you want to attend a four-year university or graduate school in the United States, achieve a high TOEFL score for better employment opportunities in your home country, or simply have the confidence to speak English boldly and comfortably in any situation, Columbia West College can help you! Plus, with our unique and proven curriculum, our individualized educational counseling, and the special attention we pay each and every student, Columbia West College provides the rigorous but nurturing environment you need to maximize your potential. At Columbia West College, we know you have big dreams. Let us light the path to your success with a quality English education! For more information, watch our school video.

Yes. Columbia West College is accredited by ACCET.

CWC faculty members possess native English fluency, hold either BA or BS degrees and have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in ESL instruction. We are fortunate enough to count among our faculty instructors with TOEFL and/or overseas teaching experience, and many of our instructors also hold advanced degrees and/or TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. CWC is committed to the professional development of our faculty and holds monthly activities, workshops and/or presentations to keep our faculty up-to-date with industry trends, best practices and knowledge and to promote the sharing of best practices among the faculty. Our instructors are also evaluated regularly by the students and the administration to ensure their maximum effectiveness as educators.

Yes. Just contact us by email or phone, and we’ll set up an appointment with someone who can answer your questions in your native language.

Columbia West College offers high-quality ESL programs, educational guidance, and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience for a reasonable and affordable fee. For detailed program and pricing information, please visit our Programs and Tuition pages.

We do not offer either State or Federal financial aid. If you take out a loan to pay for your educational program, you will be responsible of repaying the full amount of the loan plus interest. CWC does not participate in Title IV funding.

Yes, we can. Columbia West College is SEVP-certified and authorized under Federal Law to enroll nonimmigrant students. Please click on the option below that best fits your situation.

Yes. Columbia West College offers a full-service Housing Program for its students, consisting of Homestay and Room Rental Program components. Students have the flexibility to select the accommodations that best suit their needs from among options that are safe, within close proximity to the school, and available in a variety of price ranges. The Homestay Program offers students the opportunity to become more fully immersed in American culture by staying with an American family during their study abroad experience. Students and their host families are matched on the basis of several factors, including the location of the host family’s residence, the living arrangements offered by the Homestay family, and the student’s choice of meal-plan. The Room Rental Program is designed for more independent students who are not interested in living with an American family, but would like Columbia West College’s assistance in securing housing. Students participating in this program may tailor their living arrangements to suit their needs, include options for roommates, meals, and type of room (e.g., in a home, apartment or guesthouse).

Yes. Columbia West College offers free 15-minute private tutoring sessions Monday to Friday. Just sign up at the front desk for a time that’s convenient for you. We also offer paid tutoring sessions for $50/hour with the instructor of your choice.

Yes. After you have been accepted at Columbia West College, you can request airport pickup for a small fee. A member of the Columbia West College staff will work with you to arrange all the details.

At Columbia West College, we are very deliberate with the types of field trips and activities that we offer. In fact, we classify our field trips and activities into 2 categories – cultural and social. Cultural field trips and activities focus on learning about American and local Los Angeles culture and history. For instance, we’ve gone on field trips to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Downtown LA Artwalk, The African-American History Museum, Farmer’s Markets, and Olvera Street, all of which teach students about Los Angeles or American culture and history. These field trips are also often tied in directly with our school curriculum, so students get to take their educational experiences outside the classroom. However, we also understand the need for social interaction and the development of conversational English skills. So, we also offer social field trips and activities where the goal is to make friends and practice English. Examples include picnics, beach outings, ski trips, karaoke nights, and even overnight trips to destinations like San Francisco and Yosemite. With our well-structured field trips and activities, Columbia West College offers an unparalleled educational and cultural experience!

The student population at Columbia West College is ethnically diverse and consists of students from all over the world, including Japan, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, Brazil, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Italy, China, and many others. Just visit Columbia West College and see for yourself!

The answer to this question is… it depends on your situation. For off-campus work guidelines as an F-1 visa student, please refer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency website. For on-campus work guidelines as an F-1 visa student, please refer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency website.

Absolutely. If you would like to speak with a current or former Columbia West College student to get a f, please contact us by phone (213-368-3900) or email ([email protected]), and we’ll put you in touch with a current Columbia West College student.

During your New Student Orientation, which you’ll participate in before you begin your classes, we will provide you the information you need to accomplish all these things and more. And don’t forget, you can always ask one of our friendly staff members to help you if you have any questions.

Again, during your New Student Orientation, we’ll provide you with a list of local restaurants, nightlife activities, and things to do in Los Angeles. Plus, Columbia West College’s cultural and social activities will expose you to all sorts of fascinating and wonderful places in and around Los Angeles. And if you’re ever curious about any particular activity or attraction, our knowledgeable staff and teachers can help answer any questions.

Columbia West College is centrally located along the Wilshire corridor, and within walking distance of the Metro Red and Purple Lines, as well as several Metro bus routes. If you need more information, we have detailed Metro rail and bus maps available, as well as discounted Metro passes.

Absolutely. Columbia West College currently has partnerships with the following institutions of higher education:

  • Advanced College
  • Angeles College
  • El Camino College
  • Glendale Community College
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • The Los Angeles Film School

We are working hard to form additional strategic partnerships with reputable 2-year colleges, 4-year universities, and various trade/vocational schools. Please check back for an updated list.

Yes. Columbia West College offers individualized educational and career counseling to all of our students. So whether your goal is to simply study English for a term and go back to your home country, apply to a 2-year college or 4-year university here in the United States, or whatever your educational or career aspirations may be, our trained staff can help you create a plan that’s tailored specifically for you to help you achieve your goals. Call or email us for more details at (213) 368-3900 or [email protected].

We want our students to attend at least 80% of their classes each session. A full day of class is at least three (3) periods, and instructors will take attendance every period.