Overview
New York at its most festive, with English every morning. Classes of up to eight at your level meet at a different spot each day, on holiday topics — an American Christmas, holiday travel, holiday movies, festive food and drink — and most lessons end with an excursion, to Grand Central, Central Park or the Union Square holiday market.
Afternoons and evenings are for the city's Christmas sights: the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO, the Fifth Avenue lights and the Rockefeller Center tree, the famous Dyker Heights Christmas lights, and a Christmas happy hour to finish the week (the first round is on the school).
Come with or without accommodation: the operator's host families are in safe residential parts of Brooklyn. The program is for adults (17+) with at least a pre-intermediate level of English.
What's included
A day at camp
- Morning Class from 10 am to 1 pm at a different spot each day, on a holiday topic, usually ending with an excursion — Grand Central, Central Park, the Union Square holiday market
- Afternoon A Christmas sight (the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO on Monday) or a free afternoon
- Evening Evenings out to the lights — Fifth Avenue and the Rockefeller tree on Tuesday, Dyker Heights on Thursday; the week ends with a Christmas happy hour on Friday afternoon
Where you stay
You stay with a host family recruited by the operator, in a safe residential neighbourhood of Brooklyn — on average about 30 minutes by subway from Brooklyn Heights and 35–40 minutes from Lower Manhattan. The homestay package is 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday, bed & breakfast in a single room: US$1,165 in total with the course, registration and placement fees included. Two people travelling together can share a double room (US$1,155 on the operator's page — we'll confirm whether that's per person). You can also join without accommodation. Host families are recruited and visited personally by the operator — no agencies — and come in every shape: couples, retirees, single parents, people living alone, some with children. Whatever their background, English is the language at home. Bed linen and towels are provided. With bed & breakfast, breakfast is shared with the family or left ready if they leave early; you can't cook, but you can keep food in the fridge and heat it up. House rules include quiet hours and no smoking.
Meals
With the homestay, breakfast every day with your host family. Lunch and dinner are on your own — the Christmas happy hour on Friday comes with a first round of drinks.
Excursions
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?
US$575 covers the five mornings of classes, the class excursions, the Christmas outings and the registration fee. With a single-room homestay (6 nights, bed & breakfast) the total is US$1,165, placement fee included. Flights and other meals aren't included.
Who is it for?
Adults from 17 who'd like to practise their English and see New York at Christmas. It isn't a supervised program, so it isn't suitable for younger teens travelling alone.
Where do the classes take place?
All over the city rather than in a school: outdoor spots such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bryant Park, Madison Square Park or Domino Park, and indoor ones such as Brookfield Place, Essex Market, Industry City or a Barnes & Noble. Classes alternate between Brooklyn and Manhattan, sit around a table in a group of 8 at most (5–6 on average), and move indoors whenever it's wet, too hot or too cold — so class happens every day, whatever the weather. There's no textbook; teachers prepare materials for each topic and class excursion.
What level of English do I need?
At least pre-intermediate. You take an online level test before arrival and are placed in a class at your level.
Can I stay longer?
Ask us — the operator can usually add homestay nights before or after the week. The next Christmas week is Dec 13–17, 2027 (US$660 for the course incl. registration on the 2027 price list).
How do I get from the airport?
The operator can book a transfer from New York JFK (no meet & greet) for US$205 one way on the 2027 price list. Alternatively, take a yellow cab from outside arrivals — roughly US$90 plus tip to Brooklyn or Manhattan. Flights aren't included.
Do I need a visa?
Travellers with a passport from most EU countries need an approved ESTA (the online US travel authorisation) before they fly — apply well ahead. The operator confirms its programs can be followed on ESTA or a tourist visa, not a student visa. For any other passport, ask us and we'll check what applies.
Do I need insurance?
Strongly recommended — health care in the US is very expensive, and most home policies don't cover it. Choose a travel medical policy that includes treatment and evacuation in the US, and travel with proof of it.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
The operator takes a deposit when the place is confirmed (US$300 for the course only, US$600 with accommodation) and the balance 28 days before the start. The course is refunded in full if cancelled in writing more than 7 days before arrival, and a homestay more than 14 days before the start; after that a US$300 administration fee applies. We'll send you the full terms before you book.