Recommended · Washington, DC · Est. 1966
International Center for Language Studies
A woman-owned Washington DC boutique language institute offering intensive English and 85+ other languages, serving international students, government agencies, and diplomats since 1966.
About
Set just steps from the White House on 15th Street NW, the International Center for Language Studies has been a fixture of Washington's language-learning landscape since 1966. Independently and woman-owned, ICLS carved out an unusual niche early on by pairing intensive English for international arrivals with a formidable stable of world languages, and by cultivating decades-long relationships with the State Department, USAID, the World Bank, and the Department of Defense. The result is a boutique school with an unmistakably diplomatic-corridor sensibility: small, career-focused, and comfortable operating at the intersection of study, work, and mission.
The flagship Intensive English Program runs at 20 hours per week across beginner-to-advanced levels, with a strong bias toward conversation, pronunciation, and cultural fluency rather than test drilling. Weekly outings and conversation clubs round out the classroom hours, and the school states its intensive track is appropriate for students on F-1 visas. Around it sits a broader catalog: semi-intensive and private English, professional and government language training under the High-Intensity Language Training (HILT) model, a J-1 Intern and Trainee Program, proficiency assessments, teacher development, and lifelong-learning classes aimed at adults and seniors.
What distinguishes ICLS is breadth without dilution. Eighty-five-plus languages are on offer, from Arabic and Mandarin to Vietnamese and Brazilian Portuguese, taught in the same communicative tradition applied to English. Recent additions include AI-assisted learning tools and an expanded online catalog, but the core proposition remains stubbornly analog: small classes, tailored plans, and instructors accustomed to preparing adults for real deployments, postings, and negotiations rather than generic conversation.
Programs offered
- Intensive English Program (20 hours/week)
- Semi-Intensive English
- Private Language Instruction
- High-Intensity Language Training (HILT)
- Professional and Government Language Training
- Self-Paced Online Courses
- J-1 Intern and Trainee Program
- Lifelong Language Learning (adults/seniors)
- Language Proficiency Assessments
- Teacher Professional Development
Languages & delivery
Languages taught
- English
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- French
- German
- Russian
- Spanish
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Italian
- Japanese
- Vietnamese
- Hindi
- 85+ languages total
Delivery
- 👥 International students on F-1 visas seeking conversational English fluency, U.S. government and diplomatic personnel preparing for overseas assignments, corporate professionals, NGO staff, J-1 interns/trainees, and adult lifelong learners.
Accreditations & certifications
- ✓ ACCET
- ✓ TESOL
- ✓ ACTFL
- ✓ NAFSA
- ✓ IALC
- ✓ English USA
- ✓ BridgeUSA (J-1 sponsor)
- ✓ ALC
- ✓ ASTM
- ✓ BBB Accredited
- ✓ U.S. Department of State contractor
- ✓ Certified Women-Owned Business
What stands out
- Founded in 1966 with 60-year operating history
- Woman-owned, independent boutique institute
- 85+ languages taught under one roof
- Long-standing contracts with State Department, USAID, DoD, and World Bank
- Proprietary High-Intensity Language Training (HILT) methodology
- Two-block walk from the White House; central to DC diplomatic corridor
- J-1 visa sponsorship in addition to F-1 support
- AI-integrated learning tools alongside traditional communicative instruction
- Students from over 45 countries in the English program
Recent Google reviews
I had a wonderful experience with ICLS Mandarin online group classes. I had had a mixed experience at a different, in-person class in DC, but I found that the twice a week, online format here was very engaging and I learned a lot over the course of 2 months. Li Laoshi was strict but very encouraging, and her lesson plans were very fun, creative and gave us a lot of opportunity to practice our speaking. While I am skeptical of powerpoints, I actually found the lectures here very compelling and filled with fun exercises and a mix of textbook vocabulary and some more conversational, pop-culture inflected phrases.
I took the Spanish evening group class for beginners and it was an amazing experience. This is much different than learning a language in high school or college, which was much more boring for me. At ICLS, they get you speaking Spanish from the beginning, and its highly interactive style helps you become comfortable with your classmates. My teacher, Astrid, was fantastic. Our class became so close that by the end we went out for a dinner on our last class and practiced ordering in Spanish. I highly recommend to any language learner in the DC area that is looking to take a class after work. It meets twice a week so it is perfectly manageable for my busy schedule.
I have just finished 3 months of intensive English courses. It’s one of the best language schools. I was a beginner and I improved my English. I chose intensive courses Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm with 4 teachers. The ICLS teachers are the best . They are serious, professionals and listening to students . I loved the field trips and conversations club. Adam, Okan, Zabelle, Olivia, Andrei, Dominic and Allison Thank you .
Thank you for everything I have experienced here. I was a student of Vacation English for three months. The great teachers always try to answer my questions relating to not only English but also whole things about the US. It was really fun. Also, I’d like to say thank you to Director and Administrative Coordinator. They were so nice and flexible. I appreciate all your supporting. Hope we’ll keep our relationship for long.
Based on 38 Google reviews · average 4.5
Location
📍 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005, USA