Quick answer, the best schools to learn English in San Francisco are:
- Papora
- Talk Schools
- American Language Institute - San Francisco State University
- English Language Institute
- Advance English Academy
- California Language Academy
- EC English
Whether you’re aiming for a new job, a promotion, or the chance to travel the world, mastering English is an essential skill—both for your résumé and for everyday communication.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best English schools in San Francisco to help you kick off this goal. And what better place to start than right in your own city? Let’s dive in!
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1. Papora - Online English School
First on our list is Papora, an online English school created by native speakers to give you a fun, dynamic platform for learning—no matter where you are.
With Papora, you’ll have access to unlimited online classes led by native-level teachers who also speak Spanish. From day one, you’ll immerse yourself in English through real-life situations, making it easy to practice and apply what you learn.
Benefits of studying with Papora
Papora works with small groups of a maximum of 6 people in the classes, so you can receive more personalized attention. You can also choose your class schedule with the teacher of your choice.
It also features 300 interactive lessons in its self-guided course, which you can access whenever you want to put your knowledge into practice and learn more vocabulary and topics like dates in English.
Why choose Papora?
At Papora, we focus on helping you master the language in all areas, allowing you to practice reading and writing through listening, as your teachers will speak to you in English from day one.
In their classes, you'll not only learn about the seasons in English, but you'll also learn more complex topics, such as knowing when to use was or were in a conversation. For this reason and more, Papora is an excellent choice.
2. Talk Schools
This educational center offers six levels, each lasting 12 to 13 weeks. A placement test is given on the first day of classes to place students in the appropriate course based on their level.
Main Features
They include a structured study plan, based on the international CEFR standards, with weekly activities and mid- and final tests for each level, to consolidate and practice the topics covered.
Plans and branches
- Address: 2800 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, CA 94133.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (415) 441-1899 / sanfrancisco@talk.edu
- Plans: See website.
Advantages and disadvantages
They make their classes more dynamic by using interactive technology. However, they don't offer an online curriculum, and their classes are very large, which can make learning difficult.
3. American Language Institute - San Francisco State University
ALI was founded in 1961 with the goal of providing students with quality English instruction from qualified teachers who will help you achieve your goals and thrive in the language with enthusiasm.
Main Features
They aim to prepare you and immerse you in English skills, with the goal of increasing your chances of admission to colleges or universities in San Francisco.
Plans and branches
- Address: 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor
- San Francisco, California 94105
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (415) 405-7700 / sfsucel@sfsu.edu
- Plans: Request upon contact.
Advantages and disadvantages
They offer courses in the fall, spring, and summer seasons, and international students do not require a student visa. During the winter, they only open sessions to explore the campus, but no classes or courses are offered during that season.
4. English Language Institute
This institute offers various types of services, such as intensive English, business classes, and TOEFL exam preparation, and they enjoy organizing social activities among students.
Main Features
Their teachers have over 25 years of experience teaching full-time, focusing on students learning in a welcoming and friendly environment, taking advantage of intercultural differences, allowing them to interact with each other, and also practicing English pronunciation.
Plans and branches
- Address: One Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level (2nd Floor), San Francisco, CA 94111.
- Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (415) 544-0311 / info@eli.edu
- Plans: Available upon request.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of its advantages is that they offer daytime and evening hours, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. However, if you are a foreigner and wish to apply to this center, you will need a student visa.
Bring English to your world with Papora
With Papora, you’ll join interactive lessons in small groups led by native-level teachers—immersing yourself in English through practical, real-life learning.
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5. Advance English Academy
At Advance English Academy, we have been offering English speaking courses to residents and visitors of San Francisco of all ages and levels for over 15 years, specifically teaching American English.
Main Features
Part of the AEA program involves learning about and understanding American culture, as they specialize in American English. This leads to social activities, excursions, and other activities, allowing them to experience the language in the context of the situations they encounter.
Plans and branches
- Address: 275 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (415) 552-1001 / info@advanceesl.com
- Plans: Available upon request.
Advantages and disadvantages
They offer a wide variety of activities designed to improve pronunciation and vocabulary. However, learning using this approach may restrict you to acquiring a neutral understanding of the language, useful in any English-speaking country, without being influenced by dialects or accents when speaking.
6. California Language Academy
A language school founded in 2010 by a family group, with the mission of teaching its students the language so they can grow professionally and personally.
Main Features
The teachers at this institution are highly qualified and dedicated to using their knowledge to design individualized curriculum tailored to each student, allowing you to learn everything from the most complex skills to greeting in English.
Plans and branches
- Address: 312 Sutter Street #402 San Francisco, CA 94108.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (628) 628 6444
- Plans: From $150.00 plus academic and other materials.
Advantages and disadvantages
It offers flexible schedules during the week, so you can apply when it’s most convenient. However, unlike other options on this list, this school doesn’t provide online English courses that let you practice anytime, anywhere—the way Papora does.
7. EC English
This center welcomes students from more than 140 countries and has over 30 years of experience. They believe in innovation, which leads them to constantly develop their staff to provide better support to their students and improve academic management.
Main Features
They focus on your needs, providing the right tools for your level, so you can learn English and its fundamentals. Their method is based on offering engaging teaching materials so you can practice with your classmates and start conversations.
Plans and branches
- Address: 433 California Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Contact: +1 (415) 362-3300
- Plans: Courses starting at $461.00.
Advantages and disadvantages
They have consultants who speak seven languages to facilitate communication. However, despite having an extensive program, they don't offer an online option, which can be costly. If you don't live in the city, you'll have to cover operating costs, making this option less affordable.
Why do we recommend studying English with Papora?
Online schools like Papora make it easy to study from anywhere, with flexible schedules, engaging visual content, live online classes, and self-paced courses that cover everything you need to master English pronunciation.
Best of all, Papora gives you unlimited classes with expert teachers plus a self-guided course to keep you practicing—everything you need to learn English effectively.
And with some of the best prices on the market, Papora delivers high-quality learning at a low cost.
Want to explore more options? Check out our guides to English schools in Houston and Los Angeles.
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Frequently Asked Questions About English Language Schools in San Francisco
These two options offer many benefits, so you'll need to consider your needs. With an in-person school, you'll have direct interaction with your teachers and classmates, and with online English courses, all learning is just a click away.
Being the most universal language makes it essential for work, using it as a tool to increase job opportunities and international business. Not to mention, as a personal project, access to a better education, which may lead you to travel and spend the night in an English-speaking country.
