The International Language Institute of Massachusetts

Join ILI’s Welcoming & Inclusive Language Community

Celebrating over 40 years of excellence in teaching languages and training teachers as a boutique language school in beautiful downtown Northampton, Massachusetts. The school offers expert instructors, small student-centered English language classes, and accommodations at the homes of carefully selected community residents who live within walking distance or a short bus ride to the school. ILI partners with 12 regional colleges and universities and offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States.  Northampton is a culturally rich university town with four colleges and a major university within 15 km of the school. Students have access to world-class libraries, museums, music festivals and great restaurants all in a wonderful and safe New England town, only a few hours from Boston and New York City.

  • School size: Small
  • Age Group: Adults (17+)
  • Levels: Beginners, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced
  • Accommodations: Homestay

Highlights

  • Vibrant arts and music scene
  • Charming downtown with local flair
  • Close to nature and outdoor activities
  • Easy access to Boston and New York

Programmes Offered

Intensive English Programme

Our English immersion programme offers courses year-round at levels from A1 Beginner to C2 Advanced in a small, friendly school environment. English classes are interactive, and dynamic, and emphasize active participation. Small class sizes offer lots of opportunities for speaking and interacting with classmates from around the world.

University Pathways Track

Students in our Intensive English Programme who are on the University Pathways Track receive individualized academic support and in-person counseling in order to successfully transfer to a university or college. Qualified students are granted conditional acceptance and are exempt from taking the TOEFL exam before their programme of study. Students need to demonstrate specific competency in speaking and writing before ILI can recommend the student to one of our university partners.

TOEFL Preparation

Students at the B1 or B2 level can receive private tutorials that cover all English language skills needed on the TOEFL iBT.

Academic English Business

Students can access specialized private tutorials and short-term intensives to focus on business vocabulary, presentation skills, pronunciation, and accent reduction.

TESOL Certificate Course

This programme is a 130-hour teacher-training course that provides participants with the practical skills and confidence they need to be successful teachers in the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classroom.

Contact

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Homestay
At ILI, Intensive English students can request homestay accommodation with carefully screened local hosts who enjoy welcoming international learners. All homestays are within a 10–15 minute walk, or on a convenient bus route to the school. Fees are $290 per week for a private, furnished room with daily meals or $165 per week for a private room with kitchen privileges. Host families—couples, with or without children, or single adults—offer a welcoming, immersive cultural experience.

We can also arrange stays at nearby Bed & Breakfasts and comfortable hotels to suit various budgets and preferences.

  • Homestay

Northampton, Massachusetts is the perfect location for an English language immersion experience in the U.S. Northampton is a traditional New England town that is diverse and welcoming to international students. It is also one of the “greenest” towns in Massachusetts. Northampton has the amenities of an urban area surrounded by a beautiful rural landscape.

Locals are open-minded and happy to get to know international visitors! Northampton is a vibrant community of 30,000 with over 100 restaurants and cafés, many night clubs and live music venues. ILI is located right in the heart of downtown – steps away from art galleries, pubs, one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops, museums and coffee shops English language students also have access to a variety of academic and cultural events at Smith College (around the corner from ILI).

There is convenient local bus service to the colleges and universities in the surrounding towns, and Northampton is just two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City.

Exams

More Features

For our long-term students, we are happy to offer volunteer opportunities with local community organizations.

Testimonials

I am incredibly grateful for this amazing school. In just three months, my English has improved so much, and I have made lifelong friends. From day one, I learned things like the past perfect, which I never understood before. Everything just seemed to be so complicated for me before ILI. Everything about this school is special, and every day is exciting and unique. It truly is the best English school in the world, and I’m already missing them so much! The teachers and directors are simply fantastic. They make you feel at home. Thank you, ILI, for everything. You will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thamires Brazil

This whole experience was incredible. I´ve made the best decision in a long time coming here. The school has a high pedagogical and methodological level. The teachers are very good, open to teaching, and accompany our learning process. I took advantage of every minute and learned so much from you and my classmates.

Edwin Colombia

I’ll definitely recommend ILI because the content and the way to learn English is more practical, helpful, and the material from what we’ve learned was close to daily life. I really wish I had come here earlier! I really like the atmosphere and learning techniques that I experienced. The writing materials were so helpful and memorable for not only new ideas for writing but also having great skills for improving English.

LI Taiwan

All the teachers were very friendly and extremely helpful. They worked hard to make sure the activities were not repetitive and it is something I am grateful for. I had fun while learning English and that made it easier for me.

Esther D.R. Congo

The style of class was so meaningful that I became able to speak English. Teachers were helpful and they have experiences. It was easy to ask our director about all things, which helps us to solve our problems.

Ethan Japan
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IALC is very proud to be supported by our IALC Corporate Partners Guardme International Insurance Services.