EC New York Pre-Arrival to First Day

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Get ready for your EC New York experience

Essential information to prepare for your journey to New York

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 your Needs Analysis Form.
Complete your placement test.
Fill in the pre-arrival survey.
Set your course objective on MyEC.

Arrival

Arrival at Airport

(All students under 18 years old must book return airport transfers if arriving and departing between 8:00pm and 8:00am).

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

If you have booked accommodation with EC New York 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?

You will receive an email the week prior to your arrival with detailed information about where and when to meet your driver. You will meet an EC transportation representative holding a sign with your name on it at the Welcome Center. The driver will be waiting for you there, holding a sign with your name on it. Please note that occasionally drivers may not stand directly at the Welcome Center. If you can not locate the driver, you may ask Welcome Center staff to assist you in calling your driver.

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

Please note that EC representatives will arrive at JFK International Airport 90 minutes after flights have landed for international flights. For La Guardia and Newark international airports, the EC representative will arrive 60 minutes after flights have landed for international flights. For all domestic flights. 30 minutes after flights have landed. This is to allow for additional time to pass through customs and retrieve your bags. If after this time, you have not seen the EC representative, call +1-631-612-4494 from any pay phone in the terminal ( if you do not have mobile phone service). 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 Welcome Center).

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

You should notify EC by calling, texting, or messaging on WhatsApp to +1-631-612-4494 as soon as possible and provide new flight details so we can reschedule your airport transfer 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?

The New York City Subway System (MTA) offers the AirTrain transportation service for $8.75 (an additional $1 fee applies for the cost of the card) to Jamaica Station. From there, you may catch the Long Island Rail Road or subway options for most New York City Subway Lines. Additionally, yellow taxi cabs are available outside all terminals. For fares and further information, see: www.mta.info

Arrival at EC Accommodation

What should I expect at my EC New York 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 New York. 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 New York accommodation?

The nearest station to EC New York is Times Square/42nd Street (A/C/E/N/Q/R/1/2/3/7/Shuttle to Grand Central Station)

What time should I arrive?

The EC New York team will send you an email the week before your classes begin. This email will provide you with important information regarding your in-person induction at the school, including the time of your induction.

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 (must be original passport, not a copy)
Proof of health insurance covering length of programme. This is required for you to start lessons
Your own paper notebook and pens. Laptops and tablets are optional and not required

What can I expect on my first day?

All students will still be met with a warm welcome from the school.

What do I do if public transportation is temporarily unavailable?

In case of bad weather, public transport strikes etc, please check the EC New York 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.
2026 Public holidays on a weekday: 01January, 19 January, 16 February, 25 May, 19 June, 03 July, 07 September, 12 October, 11 November, 26 November, 27 November, 25 December, 31 December

Centre Information

EC New York

1501 Broadway, Floor 11, New York, NY 10036

(The entrance is around the corner on West. 43^rd Street)

See Inside

Phone number: +1 212 490 0865

Emergency Number:

(For use outside of office hours only)
+1 -631-612-4494

Opening Hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Office hours

08:30 – 16:30

Closed

08:30 – 16:30

Map

Timetable

What will my timetable be?

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

Special focus classes will be held from 13:00-14:30 for the adult and 30+ schools.

The 30+ school will remain on a morning-only timetable, with core classes from 9:00-12:15 every day.

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
9:00 – 10:30	Core Lessons
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:15	Core Lessons
12:15 – 13:00	Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30	Special Focus Classes

Sample Summer Timetable

Summer Timetable

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9:00 – 10:30	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:15	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A
12:15 – 13:00	Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30	Special Focus Classes
14:30 – 14:45	Break
14:45 – 16:15	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B
16:15 – 16:30	Break
16:30 – 18:00	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B