ELS Language Centers - Houston

Fantastic experience: Such goood learning here.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic place and wonderul people!

Negative experience: Three months at this institute was a terrible experience. It's an expensive institute, yet its quality is poor, resembling cheap schools in terms of organization and teaching methods. The institute doesn't specialize in developing listening and speaking skills, which are the most important aspects of language learning. In many classes, there's no real teaching; students just sit on their phones or in front of computers without any explanation or interaction. The afternoon classes are useless. The teacher simply says "hi" at the beginning of the class, and then there's no explanation or instruction. Sharing a computer is completely pointless. The teachers are generally unqualified, and there are no specific criteria for their selection. There's no writing, reading, or practical training. Overall, only two classes could be considered even slightly useful. The accommodation situation was extremely bad: the housing was unstable and changed multiple times without notice. Some accommodations were far from the institute, requiring long commutes, and the food was unsuitable. The administration didn't offer any assistance or solutions. The institute's advertisements were completely false, and one of the promises made by the advertisers was never fulfilled. The administration is terrible; they don't care about students' problems, and their only focus is on attendance and absences to force students to fail and pay extra fees. There was only one good teacher, but she retired. I have only one week left of this terrible experience, and this nightmare will end on January 23rd. I do not recommend this institute to anyone. It's a disappointing experience that falls short of all student expectations.

Negative experience: My experience with the housing and the language institute was a nightmare. The shared room accommodated four people, and each paid $1,200, while independent rooms with a bathroom and kitchen were only $1,300—a huge and unjustified difference. I stayed alone for the first three days. Then someone from the housing administration told me that another person from an external app would be moving in. I said no, it should be a student from the institute. He then showed me another apartment I could move to, and I liked it. I went to school and had a normal day there. Later, while I was away, a staff member took my belongings and put them in a storage closet without any prior notice. As a result, my bank card went missing, and I don’t know if it was lost or taken. This situation was a nightmare for me throughout the three months I stayed at the institute and in the housing. From the start, I decided to make sure no Saudi student enrolls in this institute. I strongly advise everyone to avoid this institute if their goal is to learn the language in peace.

Fantastic experience: Las clases fueron muy buenas, los profesores siempre atentos y comprensivos a cualquier situacion. dure un año en este instituto y aprendi mucho. si se lo recomendaria a alguien que quiera aprender ingles.

Negative experience: Hi, my name Nuke Lydia, I was paying for my IELTS test on January 25th, 2026 But the status it's didn't change… they said I need to pay. I already paid for it Why the customer service so bad, I already chatted, call and emailed them….

Fantastic experience: The ELS center provides high quality of learning English for every students.

Negative experience: I have recently taken the IELTS test here, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. One of the staff members displayed unprofessional and unfriendly behavior, especially toward test takers from other countries. She examined our passports with what appeared to be a disrespectful attitude. I was particularly dissatisfied with the speaking test. The examiner seemed to show a lack of respect for international candidates. He often appeared dismissive or condescending in his facial expressions when I answered the questions. This made the testing environment uncomfortable and discouraging. Although I only received a 6.5 on the IELTS, I believe this result was negatively affected by the testing experience and the unprofessional conduct at the test center. Afterwards, I took the Duolingo English Test and scored 150 out of 160. I highly recommend the Duolingo test to other international students, as most universities in the U.S. now accept it as valid proof of English proficiency.

Fantastic experience: Gostei muito da experiência que tive na escola ELS Houston. Fomos recebidos muito bem no primeiro dia de aula com todas as informações necessárias. A equipe de professores e os diretores são muito atenciosos.

Fantastic experience: I’ve had one of the best experiences of my Life in Houston in 2010. Great teachers, awsome friends, nice place: a perfect Way to learn and have fun.

Positive experience: I was a student of ELS. The school was pretty nice, the teachers were the best. However, I had problems with the apartments since the beginning. These apartment was from ELS. I asked a lot of times to they solve all the problems that I had but only 3 days before I left the city they decided to change me. The apartment had problems with water leak in my bathroom. It took almost 2 month to they solve the problem. After that, I had problem with my roomate and asked them to change me from the apartment since the begging of the December. It took two month to change me, the school new it since the begging and didn’t help me. They only changed the place 3 days before I came home. I got really disappointed with the way they were behaving with me. Also, I heard that someone called me problematic inside of the teachers room. I’m really sad that I’ve been through all of this, because it maid my exchange program bad.

Fantastic experience: My experience at ELS has been amazing. The teachers are supportive, and the interactive classes make learning English both fun and effective. I've also had the chance to meet students from all over the world, which has broadened my perspective and helped me grow both academically and personally.

Fantastic experience: I am here evaluating to pay tribute to the educators and employees of ELS who I had the honor of studying and being welcomed to, the impeccable school, qualified teachers who are concerned about teaching and the well-being of all nationalities

Fantastic experience: Very good course. I had a great experience with ELS School.

Negative experience: This review is about the IELTS test I took at this center. While the staff were friendly, my overall experience was far from pleasant. Here’s why: The IELTS test was scheduled for 9:00 am, with the website advising arrival at 8:00 am. However, upon arrival, there was a sign instructing us to wait until 8:15 am until we were called. When a staff member finally came, we were all taken up in the elevator at once, which seemed potentially unsafe. The check-in process lasted less than a minute, after which we were made to wait over 30 minutes in a room without access to phones. This wait was draining and negatively impacted my focus. The number of passport checks was excessive, and the overall level of scrutiny and instructions was over the top. It felt like they were giving the test more importance than it warranted—after all, it's just an English test, not a job interview. During the wait, we were suddenly informed that the speaking appointments would be rescheduled due to the availability of only one examiner. Out-of-town candidates were given priority, which was frustrating since this is a paid service, and the timing was pre-booked online. The staff didn’t even offer an apology for the inconvenience. For the speaking test, we were asked to arrive 20 minutes early, but the time given was based on their convenience, not the one I had booked. The check-in took one minute, followed by another 19 minutes of waiting in a small room with uncomfortable chairs. The examiner asked for my passport again, both before and inside the testing room. I also found it odd that they required us to leave our analogue watches in the reception area.

Fantastic experience: Everything was extremely clear and the test ran smoothly. Thank you! Jenni

Fantastic experience: ELS is the best English Center. I do not have words to describe how crucial they were to boost the achievement of my dreams. From the professional professors to manager staff I just have to say thank you for the pleasurable journey that you have provided to me. ELS was by far more than just an Language School. It was also a school for life. I will keep you all inside of my heart forever.

Fantastic experience: The test information was explained in a clear manner and I was able to complete the test efficiently and without delay

Fantastic experience: Friendly and helpful staff! Convenient testing facilities.

Negative experience: At the ELS Institute. There are bad teachers, namely Jennes Allen, Elizabeth Martinez, and Rebekah Villano. Jennes Allen is not proficient enough and does not allow you to participate in the class. Elizabeth Martinez mocks you and insults you in front of the student, and Rebekah Villano does not allow you to talk to him and treats you in a dirty way. There is an official there and he is very bad. If you ask him for help, he refuses to help you, and if you talk to him, he shouts at you and insults you, he is not very nice. His name is Tim. It needs to be changed so that the institute will be better. Next month I will change the institute. It's not good for me. it's so bad. I do not advise anyone to go there. If I could rate it half a star I would give it

Fantastic experience: The best English school I had the opportunity to attend. Supportive and friendly staff, interactive classes, and a very diverse community of students and teachers helping each other in order to maximize the experience of learning. I recommend people to take some classes there before going to take IELTS or any other English proficiency exam. It will help you a lot with test methodology, and teachers there will give you so many tips about how to succeed on the test. Please, keep in mind that the experience of learning demands even more effort and engagement from students’ side than anyone else. So, make your decision, call these highly skilled people and experience the American culture along your journey.

Fantastic experience: The best test center I have been. The Staff are super nice they made me relax and feel comfortable to complete my test. I would recommend this test center to anyone. 5

Positive experience: IELTS TEST: The people who work here are not friendly at all, even a girl with a veil got very upset with me because I said a word incorrectly when she was giving directions. Asking questions before or after the exam is a source of anger for everyone. The staff is very irresponsible with time, they take the exam and its appointments as if it were a game and they do not care about the time of the person being evaluated. They can change the time of your interview without prior notice, they even did it 20 minutes before starting speaking. During the speaking the lady was super upset, it was very evident that she was tired of being there. The center is prepared for the exam, the staff is not.

Fantastic experience: Very well

Fantastic experience: Best English school in Houston! I studied at ELS for 8 months before starting my studies at university. They have excellent teachers who not only teach us the language but also support and advice us with any questions and problems we may have in the USA. In addition, they always inform us about all the most exciting activities in Houston, so that we can enjoy our stay to the fullest. What I liked most was the cultural diversity of the students, which allowed me to make friends from all over the world.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend ELS to study English. I improved my English level and had a great experience!

Positive experience: I had great experience

Fantastic experience: Amazing enviroment. the teachers are friendly and ready to help. I had many unique and fun experiences there. I made a lot of friends from all over the world and their activities are really good.

Fantastic experience: An academia where I learn a lot about English, this is because all the teachers are very friendly and they will help you every time you need them. Plus you will meet a lot of people from different countries

Fantastic experience: Those days in ELS learning english was amazing! Definely had a positive impact in my life! Thank you all!!!

Fantastic experience: I studied here 9 years ago and all the English I know is because of this place! I had a good experience and learned a lot.

Fantastic experience: Estudei inglês na ELS que fica dentro da universidade de Houston em 1996 Foi uma ótima experiência todo Staff e tb os professores eram muito acolhedores e profissionais. Eu recomendo!

Negative experience: If you never want to receive your marksheet and want to miss your university deadlines choose this center

Negative experience: NO ESTUDIES EN ELS. Elegí esta escuela para estudiar inglés y no valió la pena, ni la plata Si elegís el plan de mañana solo tenes 3 horas y media de clases, y una de esas horas es con la computadora. Si, leíste bien: una hora en frente de una computadora haciendo ejercicio de gramática que podes hacer en tu casa. Porque ni si quiera es q te dan una clase, sino que te dejan con la compu. En mi caso, la otra clase me tocó con un profesor que directamente no enseñaba. Todos mis compañeros se quejaron para q nos cambien de profesor y nadie hizo nada. Podrías tener mil errores al hablar y él profesor no te corregía. La última clase era de una hora y media y seguías un libro. Literalmente podes hacerlo solo en tu casa. Si estás pensando en estudiar inglés en esta escuela realmente no te lo recomiendo. Es una pérdida de plata y tiempo. Yo me vine de argentina y renuncie a mi trabajo para estudiar inglés, y esta escuela realmente NO LO VALE. Aprendi mas inglés en mi país que en esa escuela.

Negative experience: They never sent test reports and asks to pay additional $65 charges for the copy. It’s a scam. If you need your original test reports to be sent to your address, don’t take exam at this center.

Positive experience: Not a bad place. Had better experience and worse ones too. So more of a 3.5

Negative experience: I would have given negative ratings if that was possible, take Tofel instead of IELTs or Just prefer some other location to take test not here, because 1. you will never get the report mailed to your home. 2. you don't get the proper response from the reception/admin who is handling the test report, they are not reachable, their voice box is full can't even send a voice mail, no reply to your email. All the dead line for the universities application will be crossed waiting for the report.

Fantastic experience: Plenty of parking.

Positive experience: Recently I gave ielts exam (computer based) here. It mentioned suite 600 in 6th floor that was little confusing.... But when you get out of the lift in 6th floor you will see information stand on your right, you Just follow the instructions. People are very helpful, you don't need to carry much items. Carry your document which you used for registration, water bottle and mobile. They will provide paper and pencils. Wash room is clean. Speaking and other 3 modules held in same place and same day for me. All the best for the test takers!!!

Negative experience: Not clean Bath at all, bad customer service

Fantastic experience: I took the IELTS test here. Very satisfied with the service which provides ELS test centre. Thanks to the staff, especially to Martha, for her professionalism and help.

Fantastic experience: Good enough to get work done

Fantastic experience: 値段は高いがいい学校でした！ 先生も優しくて、他の人にも勧めたくなる学校です。

Fantastic experience: The staff were very cheerful and ready to assist you and make you comfortable in any way. However, I didnt like the seats, the writing pads were attached to the seats and for someone with big arms like me they felt small and was a bit uncomfortable. Other than that its a wonderful place to take a test.

Fantastic experience: Excelente escuela de Inglés

Fantastic experience: Excelente lugar para estudiar Inglés!

Negative experience: This place is very awful. The guy in the office is very very unprofessional and have serious behavioral problem. The so called administrator named "Martha Vitatoe" doesn't have any patience to listen to other peoples concern and mindset of not helping. Again, serious lack of professionalism.

Fantastic experience: Very good school to learn languages. The teachers are excellent and very responsible in teaching you. I recommend them 100%.

Fantastic experience: Excelent!

Negative experience: This is the worst place I have ever studied in through my entire life. I strongly recommend other places instead of this awful , useless and commercial institute. If you are really serious and you care about improving your English language in a healthy and good atmosphere don't try ever to attend classes in this center...... MOST teachers are not well qualified to teach the language to international students....yah...they are natives but don't expect to get any benefit rather than chatting about selly, disappointing and useless issues that are NOT ACADEMIC at all such as slang and American culture "drinking,music and night clubs. Don't forget the VERY EXPENSIVE fees you will pay for nothing....and remember spending time alone at US without family is tough especially if it is in gaining zero knowledge from such place( WASTING TIME ).... I really regret each and every moment I spent there !!!!!!!!!

Positive experience: Nearest Center from my place. Make sure if its ur 1st time to carry only passport and an unlabeled transparent bottle. Arrive well in advance to avoid panics and missing the IELTS. Drink less water and eat less in the morning time, may be a light corn flakes breakfast would help. Caution: this center has very good and welcoming staff however they have space crunch unlike other institutes, hence I gave 4 instead of 5; the only reason. If they could give more waiting space for students/applicants at this center or figure out an alternative there is nothing like it. Another small distraction was we could hear the neighboring room listening announcements which was initially a botheration but got better once we progressed into the later phases. overall, a good experience however take the necessary precautions like I listed above and take ample rest before the test night to be ALERT during your test. All the best, don't be afraid its just another English Test :)

Negative experience: They insult all Muslim students whenever they find an opportunity. But they deserve it. They see it, they know it, the Muslim students still keep going there. They don't have self respect. İf you are one of them, just ignore me...

Negative experience: Nesecito aprender ingles

Negative experience: Creepy and violates basic human rights. Not sure what is the deal with this place but I have been to several IELTS locations and never seen anything like this, the employees of this location act like jail guards and treat students like maximum security dangers prisoners, or even terrorists. In the future if I need to take the test again I will drive to Austin or even fly to NY to avoid this place..

Positive experience: Pros - Nice ambient and some excellent teachers (Tim, Jason) - Easy parking - Clean Bathrooms Cons: -Even though each level it's 1 month duration and EXPENSIVE, they take away days from your classes. Let me explain... the first day of each level , they used it for placement test for new students, even if you are a current student, they take away 1 day from your classes to put placement test for new students. The last week you only have 3 days of classes because 1 day is used for the final test of each level (half a day and they let you go) and the very last day it's used for celebration (graduation for each level). Why the school can just simple join the placement day and graduation day on a same day? so current students avoid losing 1 day of classes. -Also, all Fridays are just half a day!, so they end classes at 12:30 pm or something like that. I mean, It's not a cheap school to do that.

Positive experience: Except The seat and the table are too small, everything is good

Fantastic experience: IELTS Test Center Here are the instructions for test takers: 1) Main office is on 6th floor. They will ask you to wait by the elevators till 7:45 am (because there is not enough room to wait on 6th floor) 2) at 7:45, they will take you all to a room and start checking in your belongings as a security precaution for the test. You can have them back at the end of the test. You are allowed with only passport. we have to deposit rest of the stuff with them. They are really friendly. 3) Also, They will take a picture of yours and they will assign you a room where you need to take the test. Its color coded- they will stick a small color sticky thing to your passport. 4) Do Not drink too much water in the morning, else you would probably lose valuable time during the test for restroom break.

Fantastic experience: very good school to learn English, Friendly staff and grate place

Fantastic experience: Good

Fantastic experience: Good

Positive experience: good

Fantastic experience: Great location and staff

Fantastic experience: Decent school and Well-Qualified instructors. (Native English Speakers). It's the best in this Town.