1. EF International Language Campus
The gist. Founded in 1965, this Brighton campus teaches English to all ages, pairing classroom lessons with daily social activities.
What sets it apart. It uses the proprietary EF Method, which mixes classroom teaching with digital tools, and promises that students advance by one language level every six weeks. Students can also take elective classes in American history, film studies, or business English.
Best for. Students who want a traditional campus experience with structured group classes. It is not a good fit if you need private one-to-one tutoring or a highly flexible schedule.
I am making friends from all over the world and my English is improving quickly because the classes are highly interactive. The campus has a warm, family-like atmosphere and the teachers are incredibly supportive and fun.
2. EF Education First
The gist. Based at its Cambridge headquarters, this global education company has run language travel and academic programmes since 1965.
What sets it apart. The school works with the University of Cambridge on language research and uses its own teaching method. Students can combine intensive language classes with subjects like marketing, fashion, or local internships.
Best for. Students looking for structured study trips and full cultural immersion. It is a poor choice if you prefer a small, independent school with hands-on, personal administration.
I spent two weeks on an intensive programme where I had classes most of the day but still had plenty of time to explore the local area and go on excursions. My exchange year was incredible, and when I needed to switch my host family, my coordinator supported me day and night to make it happen. The language study was highly efficient and the cultural trips were fun, though the organisation could be improved and the shared housing was not quite what I expected.
3. Kaplan International Languages
The gist. Founded in 1938, this downtown school on Boston's Freedom Trail teaches English to international students.
What sets it apart. It uses the "K+" teaching system, which pairs physical textbooks with online materials and interactive study clubs. The school guarantees that students will advance by at least one language level every ten weeks.
Best for. Academic-minded students who want structured progress and help applying to US universities. It is not designed for casual, low-intensity conversation practice.
I made friends from all over the world and loved the monthly social activities, which helped me explore the city while improving my English quickly. The teachers are incredibly supportive and the classes are highly engaging, making it easy to adjust to living and studying in Boston. I spent two weeks studying here like a local student and found the lessons and classmates from other countries absolutely brilliant.
4. TALK Schools, Boston
The gist. Located on the Lesley University campus in Cambridge, this school has taught international students since 1996.
What sets it apart. Students share a campus with local university students, and teachers dedicate 75% of class time to speaking practice. Classrooms are equipped with interactive screens, and lessons use real-world materials like videos and guest speakers instead of just textbooks.
Best for. Students who want university campus life and plenty of speaking practice. It is a weak option if you need strict, exam-focused TOEFL preparation.
I love that the lessons go beyond textbooks by using videos and hosting guest speakers, and the school director is incredibly approachable. My speaking improved quickly because of the constant conversation practice and the fun social activities around Boston. The exam preparation classes felt too theoretical, and I would have liked more opportunities to practise public speaking in front of the class.
5. Boston International Academy
The gist. Based in a historic Brighton building since 2007, this accredited academy offers intensive English and university preparation.
What sets it apart. Students get free college counselling and conditional admission pathways to more than 12 US universities. The school offers flexible 18-hour weekly schedules with morning, evening, or weekend classes.
Best for. International students who want a direct path to an American college or need weekend classes. It is not ideal if you want modern facilities or strictly separated language levels.
I used to feel very self-conscious about my speaking and writing, but the supportive staff and small classes helped me build real confidence without any judgment. The teachers and the director genuinely care about everyone's individual situation and work hard to find the best solutions for international students. The classrooms can get uncomfortably hot in summer and freezing in winter, and sometimes students of very different language levels are grouped together.
6. French Library
The gist. Based in a Back Bay mansion since 1898, this cultural centre and Alliance Française member teaches French, alongside English training for international companies.
What sets it apart. Classes meet inside a Beaux-Arts townhouse that holds the largest private collection of French books and media in the US. The building includes a commercial kitchen for cooking and wine workshops, combining language lessons with cultural events.
Best for. Learners who want a social community with wine tastings and film clubs. It is a poor fit if you have tight exam deadlines or want to avoid pitches for private lessons.
The library is cosy and full of resources, and the community events like wine tastings and film clubs make it a wonderful place to learn. The teachers create a fun and supportive environment that makes it easy to step out of your comfort zone and build confidence. The classes are good, but I felt pressured to pay for private lessons because they insisted my level was lower than it actually was.
7. Approach International Student Center • Boston, MA • USA
The gist. This accredited school in Allston has taught English and run university pathway programmes for over 20 years.
What sets it apart. It offers an ESL teaching internship for non-native speakers and a university pathway with TOEFL waivers. Students can buy mentorship and immigration advising packages to help them transition to American colleges.
Best for. Students aiming for US universities or those who need flexible schedules. It is not a good choice if you want a strict English-only environment without large groups of students speaking their native languages.
I arrived unable to speak English and felt very nervous, but the teachers helped me build my confidence and now I have been accepted into a university MBA programme. The team gave me incredible support when I was switching to a student visa, and the flexible schedule allowed me to study on different days of the week. The classes had too much Portuguese spoken during lessons, and I found the transfer process to my next college difficult and unexpectedly expensive.
Approach International Student Center • Boston, MA • USA
3.9 · 344 reviews · 9 courses · since 2004
8. MLS English Language Program
The gist. Based in Davis Square, Somerville, this community school offers intensive and semi-intensive English courses focused on everyday communication.
What sets it apart. Instead of standard textbooks, teachers use real-world media and authentic articles. Lessons extend outside the classroom with regular historical walks and museum trips around Boston.
Best for. Learners who want to build speaking confidence through small group discussions and local trips. It is not suited for those who want a traditional, textbook-heavy academic curriculum.
I classes completely cured my fear of speaking English, and the outdoor activities helped me learn vocabulary in real-life situations. Our teacher created a warm, respectful environment with a lot of humour, which made it easy to participate without feeling self-conscious. It is a highly structured programme where you learn about American culture and history while building genuine connections with other students.
9. Cambridge Center for Adult Education
The gist. This non-profit institution in Harvard Square has taught English and other languages since 1938.
What sets it apart. Classes meet inside the historic Blacksmith House, where you can combine language lessons with cooking, business, or fine arts classes. The courses cover everything from basic grammar to bilingual literature.
Best for. Casual learners who want a welcoming, low-pressure community class. It is not suitable if you need intensive, highly structured academic preparation.
The selection of subjects is incredible, meaning you can easily pair your language studies with a creative class like drawing or cooking. It is a wonderfully inclusive and welcoming space where you can learn at your own pace without any pressure. The quality of the classes can vary quite a bit depending on the teacher, and the tuition fees are strictly non-refundable.
10. LSI Boston (English language school)
The gist. Located near the Financial District, this central school has provided structured English classes since 1965.
What sets it apart. Alongside standard intensive classes, the school offers specialised courses in aviation, medical, and legal English. Students have access to an in-house homestay network, an online learning platform, and a rooftop deck.
Best for. Career-focused students who want intensive daytime classes or professional vocabulary. It is not a good option if you need flexible evening sessions.
The friendly atmosphere made me feel comfortable enough to speak without being nervous, and the lessons mixed grammar with real conversation practice. I made steady progress with my English in a great location close to downtown, and the outdoor activities were brilliant for socialising. As an older student, I found the classrooms clean, the teachers highly experienced, and the environment welcoming for all ages.
How HearSay works with language schools
A good class teaches you the basics. The hard part is finding time to practise speaking before your next lesson. That is where HearSay helps.
- We match your practice to your school's syllabus, so you speak about what you actually learned in class rather than random topics.
- You can practise hands-free on your commute or while cooking.
- Short daily sessions fit easily into the gaps between your classes.
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If you cannot attend classes in person or want to start learning immediately, you can start with HearSay to practise speaking English on your own schedule.