American English Language School

Idioms are everywhere in everyday English — in conversations, at work, and in your favorite movies. Translate them word for word and they can be confusing, but learn a few and you will understand more and sound far more natural. That is exactly the kind of real-world English we practice in our ESL classes in Irvine . Here are a few common idioms to get you started: Piece of cake — something very easy. "The test was a piece of cake." Break the ice — to start a conversation and help people feel comfortable. Hit the books — to study hard before a big exam. On the same page — to agree or share the same understanding. Call it a day — to stop working for the day. The secret to learning idioms is not memorizing long lists — it is using them in real conversation. At American English Language School in Irvine , our small-group classes focus on speaking, so you practice everyday expressions the way native speakers actually use them. Whether you are a beginner or working toward flu...

Thinking about switching to an F-1 student visa so you can study English full-time? If you are already in the United States, a change of status may let you do it without leaving the country. Here is a quick, practical overview for anyone considering ESL classes in Fullerton . What a Change of Status Involves A change of status moves you from your current nonimmigrant category to F-1 student status while you stay in the U.S. Instead of applying for a visa abroad, you file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and wait for approval before beginning classes. The Basic Steps First, get accepted at an SEVP-certified school. As an SEVP-certified English school in Fullerton , American English Language School can issue your initial Form I-20. Next, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, then file Form I-539 with USCIS before your Form I-94 expires. If your current status does not allow study, wait for approval before enrolling full-time. A Few Things to Watch You must have valid statu...

Even fluent speakers slip up on a few English grammar rules — and small mistakes can change your meaning or dent your confidence. At AELS Los Angeles , here are some of the most common ones we help adult ESL learners fix. Simple past vs. present perfect: "I lived in Los Angeles for five years" means you moved away; "I have lived in Los Angeles for five years" means you still live here. Subject–verb agreement: match the verb to the real subject. "The list of items is on the desk" — not "are." Articles (a, an, the): use a/an for something general, and the for something specific. Prepositions of time: in June, on Monday, at 3:00. Run-on sentences: don't join two full thoughts with just a comma — add a period or a word like "so." The fastest way to make these stick? Practice out loud, with feedback. Our small-group ESL classes in Los Angeles give you the time and support to catch these patterns and correct them naturally — f...

 At AELS Fullerton , our students are learning English through real conversations, not just textbooks! This week’s class focused on two popular idioms — “Burn the Midnight Oil” and “Elephant in the Room.” ✨ Burn the Midnight Oil means staying up late to finish important work or study. Students shared stories about late-night studying and practiced using the phrase naturally in conversation. 🐘 Elephant in the Room describes a big problem that everyone knows about but doesn’t want to talk about. Through fun class discussions, students learned how to express their thoughts clearly and confidently in English. At American English Language School Fullerton , we make learning English enjoyable and practical. Our small classes, conversation-focused lessons, and cultural topics help every student feel confident using English in daily life. 📍 Learn more about our ESL programs at www.aels.edu or visit our AELS Fullerton location on Google Maps to experience small-group English cla...