Los Angeles Pre-Arrival to First Day

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Get Ready for Your EC Experience

Essential Information to Prepare for Your Journey

Pre-Arrival

MyEC

What is MyEC?

MyEC is a personalised study tool and powerful learning companion throughout your EC journey. It also offers information about your EC centre, accommodation and about living in your chosen destination.

Your Online Placement Test

To help us place you in the right level when you start studying with us, you must complete your Online Placement test before you arrive at school.
If you do not complete this test before your first day, you may miss some of the first day activities and/or class time as this test must be completed before you start class.
The Online Placement Test focuses on Reading, Writing and Use of English (Grammar and Vocabulary) and consists of 66 questions.
Your speaking level will be assessed on your first day in school
For the instructions on how to complete your Online Placement Test, please go to Preparing for your Arrival

When can I access MyEC?

You will have access to MyEC as soon as you receive your booking confirmation. Start by logging in here: https://signin.ecenglish.com/student

What else must I do on MyEC before my arrival?

Access a bank of study materials to start learning before you even leave home
Complete your Important Personal Details Form
Complete yout Needs Analysis Form
Complete your placement test
Fill in the pre-arrival survey

Arrival

Arrival at Airport

I want an EC airport transfer, can I arrive at any time?

IIf you have booked accommodation with EC you must arrive at the airport between 08:00 and 20:00. Late/early arrivals may be asked to book alternative accommodation.

What information do I need to give to book an airport transfer?

Please provide your flight number, arrival time, terminal and airport of origin – minimum 2 weeks in advance.

Who will I meet at the airport?

For international arrivals, please follow the signs for Immigration, after you leave the plane. When exiting Immigration, the signs will guide you towards Baggage Reclaim. From here, continue to the Arrivals lounge where you will find an EC Transportation representative, near the exit, holding an EC Los Angeles sign. For domestic arrivals, follow the signs for Baggage Reclaim and you will find an EC Transportation representative holding an EC Los Angeles sign right after you pick up your luggage(s).

What should I do if I cannot find the EC representative?

If after 10 minutes you cannot see the EC Transportation driver just call +1 424 428 8808 (from the information desk or a mobile phone).Useful phrase to use: Hi, My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456). I cannot find my EC representative. I am at the information desk. Students also can go to the information desk in their terminal and request them to announce that they are looking for an EC representative there.

What should I do if I have missed my flight or my flight is delayed?

You should notify EC by calling +1 424 428 8808 (from the information desk or a mobile phone) to rearrange your transfer time and avoid additional cost. Useful phrase to use: My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456) and my flight has been changed. My new flight number is (1234) arriving at (time).

What should I do if I haven’t booked an EC transfer?

Please follow signage or ask for assistance in the airport to find the designated area for Uber, Lyft or taxi pickups at the airport.

Arrival at EC Accommodation

What should I expect at my EC accommodation?

You will receive a warm, personal welcome, whether you have booked homestay or residence. All our hosts are fully briefed on how to make you feel comfortable and prepared for your first day of lessons. In our residences, an EC representative will be available at the weekend to help and answer any questions.

First Sunday Activities

What should I do on the Sunday before school starts?

You will have the option of participating in activities arranged by EC. This is an opportunity to meet other new EC students, relax and be introduced to your new city together. With an EC staff member on hand, you can also ask any questions you may have. We will notify you of the Sunday activity schedule around 2 weeks before you start school.

Learn more about our Orange Carpet Experience

Your First Day at School

How can I find my way to school?

You can find this information on your EC Accommodation Profile, or feel free to ask your host family or residence.

What if I haven’t booked EC accommodation?

We recommend you to plan your journey in advance using google maps and local bus routes.

What time should I arrive?

On first Monday orientation starts at 10:00 am. Other days follow the time table schedule.

What should I bring with me?

It’s important to bring these documents with you on your first day:

I-20 form(s) (F-1 students only)
Visa and passport
Proof of health insurance covering length of programme. This is required for you to start lessons
Your own notebook, pens, and laptop/ mobile tablet

What can I expect on my first day?

While some changes have been made to the first day orientation to accommodate social distancing requirements, we can assure you that all students will still be met with a warm welcome from the school.

What will my timetable be?

We will be providing the timetable at orientation on your first day of school.

What do I do if public transportation is temporarily unavailable?

In case of bad weather, public transport strikes etc, please check the EC Los Angeles Facebook page for any important updates or call the emergency number.

Public holidays

What happens on public holidays?

Schools do not open on public holidays, so if Monday is a public holiday, your first day at the school will be on Tuesday.
2025 Public holidays on a weekday: 1 Jan, 20 Jan, 17 Feb, 31 Mar, 26 May, 19 Jun, 04 Jul, 01 Sept, 13 Oct, 11 Nov, 27 Nov, 28 Nov, 25 Dec

Centre Information

EC Los Angeles

401 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Santa Monica,

CA 90401, USA

See Inside

Phone number: +1 (310) 310 3868

Emergency Number:

(For use outside of office hours only)
+1 (424) 428 – 8808

Opening Hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Office hours

08:00 – 16:00

Closed

08:00 – 16:00

Map

Timetable

What will my timetable be?

This is a sample timetable, times may change and are not guaranteed.

General English (20 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri)

Semi-Intensive English (24 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Tue & Thu)

Semi-Intensive English (26 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Mon, Wed & Fri)

Intensive English (30 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Mon-Fri)

Sample Timetable

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
09:30 – 11:00	Core Lessons
11:00 – 11:15	Break
11:15 – 12:45	Core Lessons
12:45 – 13:30	Lunch
13:30 – 15:00	Special Focus Classes
After school	Language activities & school events/free time/study time