Karl got me ready for college..
- Saleh Abu-hulayyel, Saudi Arabia
Karl really helped me to pass the TOEFL.
- Kate-Rin Seehanate, Thailand
read more...
Northstar Learning Center has been developed and ran by professional educators for over a decade. It has a proven track record of helping students enter American universities and build the skills necessary for academic success. Northstar Learning Center was created to share the love of learning, to enhance students' critical thinking and reasoning skills, and to build solid academic foundations for future university graduates.
This philosophy is shared with Northstar Language Center where students are immersed in the fundamentals of English and given context in which to increase their understanding and utilization of the language. Years of teaching experience have enabled its instructors to provide effective and fun classes that focus on student achievement. Here in Long Beach, students are able to learn English quickly, prepare for test such as the TOEFL and GRE, and build language and cultural skills for their futures. Northstar Learning and Language Centers are committed to helping students reach their goals.
Karl Kottman
Language Center Director
Jennifer Ahn
Marketing Director
Laurie Webb
Accounting/
Admin
Karl is a credentialed English teacher. He has developed a well-respected reputation as both a teacher and administrator in Orange County before opening the Language Center at Northstar.
Jennifer has worked with the Northstar team since its begininning. She will greet and assist you at our ESL school in Long Beach.
Laurie is one of the founders of Northstar Learning Center and is excited to help maintain excellence in our ESL and TOEFL classes.
Weekly Workshop
Thursdays (6:00 - 8:00pm)
Perfect for working adults or full time students. This class meets once a week and builds fundamental reading, writing, and speaking skills for academic and professional success.
Private Lessons/College Counseling
Scheduled Individually
One on one help to suit your needs.
Electives
Weekday Evenings
These small classes meet twice a week to focus on specific topics such as Business English, GRE, and more. Ask for the electives currently available.
Grammar/Writing
Monday - Friday (9:00 - 10:30am)
Available in three levels, this intensive 24-week course will immerse students in critical aspects of English and help them to make big advancements.
Reading/Vocabulary
Monday - Friday (10:45 - 12:15)
Also available in three levels, this 24-week course complements the other by focusing entirely on building vocabulary and reading skills. Read and discuss a variety of texts, build TOEFL skills, and reinforce grammar.
Speaking/Listening
Monday - Friday (1:00 - 2:30pm)
Entirely devoted to developing students' oral and auditory skills, this 24-week course provides significant practice and instruction for major improvements in a short period of time.
Fees next page
Part Time Classes
$120/Four Weeks
Private Lessons
$60/hour
College Counseling Session
$75/hour
$50/week
Full Time Classes
One Class
$170/week
Two Classes
$240/week
Three Classes
$300/week
Discount Rates
10% off 3-7 weeks
15% off 8-11 weeks
20% off 12 weeks or more
Refer a Friend, Get $25!
Take this practice placement test to see your level. Don't forget to add your score to your Registration Form.
Study English, prepare for the TOEFL, and join exciting language classes at Northstar Language Center.
Use the key to check your score and level.
Answer Key.pdf
NLC Brochure.pdf
Language Center Registration Form.pdf
Self-Placement Test.pdf
"Karl helped us practice our English in many ways and gave us confidence outside of class. Not only from learning English, but also in everyday problems that an international student might have during her first period in another country. He's a really nice person and very helpful in every occasion. He made interesting lessons that students from different countries, cultures, and ages really enjoyed. I'm really thankful for everything to have had him as teacher."
"Looking back on my school days in California, I had 8 English teachers in my school days. I realized that Karl's lessons were full of variety. I'm Japanese; I'm not young (I'm over 30). Honestly speaking, his lessons were very hard for me, but I could learn English from various angles. He never blamed my English skill and always encouraged me. For me, Karl's lessons were very precious time. If possible, I want to enter Karl's school and learn again!!"
"I studied English with Karl for five months. I learned a lot of new information in his classes. He is a very encouraging teacher and kind person. I am so glad to study English and meet with Karl."
Sonoka Aruga, Japan
Tuncay Ari, Turkey
Chiara Santoro, Italy
"I'm so thankful to Karl. I improved my command of English even though the time I attended his class was short. Without his help, I never could've done it. No one can deny that he always tries to do his best and encourages students a lot in order to participate. When I took his class for 3 months, I improved my English speaking skills, even listening and writing skills. The most important point is that he doesn't leave students alone, but pays attention to students in order to improve their English skills."
"My English level wasn't so great, so it was a little bit hard for me to participate in class. However, Karl helped me to improve in all that I needed. We had to read high-level texts and learned grammar, listening and speaking. Once, we had a debate with another class and realized that we were able to express ourselves in English. Now, I am in Spain and just started university. Sometimes, my teachers give us work in English, and I realize that all the things I learned are really useful."
"I didn't want to be absent from Karl's class for even one minute. So, I always was in the classroom first! One day, I wanted to be in class on time, so I took a taxi! When Karl taught us new vocabulary and idioms, he gave us some examples (how and when can we use them). It helped me a lot to remember and to use them properly. He not only used textbooks, but also films, radio, newspapers, and magazines. These helped me when I watch movies, read magazines, and talk to friends."
SangEun Lee, Korea
Verónica Garcia, Spain
Ikumi Hosaki, Japan
"Karl is really great teacher! He taught me for about three months; he looked after each student carefully and gave appropriate advice for each. So, I really trust him!"
"Karl Kottman is one of greatest teachers. He facilitates important information about English Language. Furthermore, he makes the class interesting through doing many educational activities."
"Karl was the best English teacher I ever had. He makes learning English fun and dynamic with all his games and jokes. I really learned a lot with him, and he is not just a great teacher but a great person, too!"
Kiyoshi Uemoto, Japan
Ola Qh, Saudi Arabia
André Schmitt, Brazil
"I like Karl as a teacher because he was always trying to help us. He gives a lot of attention to students and knows how to explain things well. I really enjoyed our classes and had fun."
"I'm so happy to know Karl. It has been so much fun with a smart teacher, so I enjoy learning English. I improved my English because of him."
"I liked Karl's teaching style more than any other teacher's. He gave us many interesting things to read and write about. I learned English and about American culture."
Kemmy Klein Ritter, Brazil
Gui Jung Seo, Korea
Kazu Sakamoto, Japan
"I went to California where Karl taught me many things I wouldn't have learned with any other teacher. Once, we spent classes decoding a book called "Of Mice and Man" by John Steinback. After that, when I arrived in my country, I was able to take a test on that book! Everyone else didn't even know which book it was! I'm really grateful to him; he's a great teacher!"
"My first impression of Karl was calm, kind, easygoing and friendly!! I felt very comfortable talking with him even though I'm very shy. I also feel he cares about all of his students. He always has big smile on his face. If you've been hesitating to attend an English language school, I highly recommend you meet with him. I believe he will be wonderful teacher to help with your English!!"
"Karl is very funny and a good teacher. And his English is easy to understand, so I could learn English quickly and well."
Kana Yamazaki, Japan
Hannane Cherifi, Brazil
Takehiro Tokushima, Japan
"Karl is my favorite teacher because he can teach English well. He is so funny and he is always thinking of students, so everybody likes him. You will have a nice time studying with him!!"
"Karl is a nice guy, not just as a person, but as a teacher, too. He taught me always with good humor and made a lot of nice games. I loved having classes with him!"
"Karl left a great impact on my English in a really short period of time by exposing the class to interesting pieces of literature. He also has that unique style which combines fun with education."
Marcelo Schmitt, Brazil
Fatima Al Mahdi, Saudi Arabia
Erina Mitui, Japan
"Northstar Language Center is the best place to learn English. I'm from Vietnam, and I met Karl Kottman, who is a passionate teacher. His teaching was direct and easy to understand. My English improved a lot with his help. I used to think, "I will never ever know how to use English!" But, when he taught me, I believed I could do it… Karl has such good experience teaching TOEFL. I learned from him and got my score just like a miracle."
"Karl is a very talented teacher who has passion for what he does. He likes to create and implement new ideas to keep his students interested. Not only was he a great teacher, but he was also a good friend. He listened to our issues and helped every student accomplish his dreams. We will not forget how he motivated us to succeed."
"I was very weak in English until I came to the US. I went to the wrong class on the first day of school. It was Karl's class. He showed me where the class I should take was. Actually, I couldn't understand his English, but he was kind. Later, I took his class. After that, my English improved because of him. I can speak English now. I'm grateful to him and his school."
Keiryo Fujishige, Japan
Han Chi Sue, Vietnam
Haneen Mahrous, Saudi Arabia
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8123 E Wardlow Road
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562) 431-3111 Telephone
(562) 431-3158 Fax
karl_northstarlanguagecenter.com
a division of Northstar Learning Center
8123 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808 (562) 431-3111
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