NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
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ORIENTATION - GENERAL INFORMATION
Page 1
Welcome to The English Island
Page 2
TEI Administration
- Billy Satterwhite – School Director
- Eric Jan – Managing Director
- Andrea Alexander – Academic Director
- Gloria Chan – Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)
- Beth Mello – Designated School Official (DSO)
- Marilia Farias – Student Services & Admissions Manager
- Alana Alvarenga & Sofie Prado – Student Services Specialists
- Tighearnan – Registrar
- Melina Mello – Director of Business Solutions
Page 3
Our Focus
- Integrated Skills Classes
- Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing
- Communicative Method
- Focused on student speaking
- Task-Based Learning
- Using English to do things like purchase food at a restaurant or return an item to the store
Page 4
Level Placement
- Our Speaking & Written Placement Tests will place you in a level below:
- A1 Beginner (Level 1)
- A1-A2 High Beginner (Level 2)
- A2 Low Elementary (Level 3)
- A2-B1 Elementary (Level 4)
- B1 Low Intermediate (Level 5)
- B1-B2 Intermediate (Level 6)
- B2 High Intermediate (Level 7A-7B)
- C1 Advanced (Level 8A-8B)
- C2 Proficient (Level 9A-9B)
- Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Students who meet certain requirements are eligible to take IELTS and TOEFL prep classes. For more information, speak with Administration.
Page 5
Classes
Each term is 10 weeks long.
Every 10 weeks, you will move up to the next level if you pass your classes
- General English Class (9 hours/week)
- Specialty Classes (3 hours/week each)
- Conversation
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
- Reading
- Writing
- Vocabulary
Page 6
Academic Calendar
Visit www.theenglishisland.com/academic-calendar/ to view our Academic Calendar!
Page 7
Grades
The grades for your classes consist of the following:
- General Class
- 50% Weekly quizzes
- 20% Midterm
- 30% Final
- Specialty Classes
- 30% Quizzes
- 30% Midterm
- 40% Final
- To move to the next level, you must have an overall grade average of 75 or higher in your classes for the term.
- If your grade average is less than 75, you have failed the level and must take it again. If you continue to fail levels, you can be dismissed from our program.
- You will receive a grade report near the middle and end of each term to see your progress.
Page 8
Graduation
You will receive a Certificate of Graduation after completing Level 9!
Page 9
Attendance
- Attendance = how often you come to class
- When you arrive each day, sign next to your name and write the time you arrived.
Page 10
Attendance Policy
Make sure to attend all classes.
- Late or absent? Tell your teacher!
- You are still responsible for the classwork & homework.
- You must have 80 percent overall attendance each term.
- If you have 3 terms with less than 80 percent attendance, you will be dismissed from school and can lose your F-1 status.
Page 11
Tardy Policy
Classes are made up of periods.
- 1 period = 90 minutes or 1.5 hours
- You must arrive on time.
- If you are more than 15 minutes late to a period, your teacher will mark you “Tardy” for that period.
- Tardy + Tardy + Tardy = Absent for 1 period
- If you miss more than half a period, you will be marked absent for that period.
Page 12
Participation
Everyone must participate in class. If some students are distracting, then it makes it hard for everyone to learn.
Your teacher may mark you tardy or absent if:
- You regularly speak a language other than English.
- You use a cell phone for things other than class activities.
- You leave class often or for long amounts of time.
- You don’t pay attention to teacher instructions and it interrupts class.
- You do anything else that makes class difficult for others.
Page 13
Academic Dishonesty (Cheating)
The English Island takes cheating very seriously. All work you turn in must be your own.
You will receive a 0 on a quiz or test if you break any of these rules:
- Put away all personal belongings.
- Do not look at your phone during a quiz or exam.
- Do not talk to your classmates during a quiz or exam.
- Do not look at your books or notes during a quiz or exam.
- Do not look at your classmate's quiz or exam.
If you have a question or need to be excused, ask your teacher!
Page 14
Book Policy
All students must buy the books for their classes.
If you do not have your books, please buy them as soon as possible.
You can buy your books at our front desk!
Keep in mind, teachers and students are not allowed to share photos, photocopies, or scans of the books.
Page 15
At The English Island…
We want everyone to feel included and comfortable!
The English Island is a diverse international community.
We support everyone, regardless of race, gender, identity, religion, education level, nationality, ethnicity, and ability.
We expect students to also be polite and considerate of others.
Page 16
Dress Code
OK
- Eyeglasses
- Headscarves
- T-shirts, polo shirts, tunics
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dress shoes
- Jeans, pants, slacks, skirts, dresses
NOT OK
- Clothing with offensive language and images
- Bare feet
- Very short shorts or skirts
- Bathing suit tops
- Completely visible underwear
Page 17
Medical Problems
The US does NOT have universal healthcare! Hospital visits are VERY expensive!
DO NOT go to the emergency room unless you are very sick or hurt.
It is VERY expensive, and it takes a long time (sometimes 5-6 hours.)
DO NOT call an ambulance unless it is a major injury or illness.
The ambulance is VERY expensive.
Go to an urgent care clinic or make an appointment with a doctor.
If it is very minor, you can go to a minute clinic at a pharmacy.
It is not necessary to go to the doctor for a cold or the flu.
You can buy medicines without a doctor’s prescription.
These medicines are very effective for helping minor illnesses.
If you are going to be here a long time, consider buying health insurance for international students.
For information about insurance, see the PDSO, DSO, or Student Support Team, or visit www.isoa.org
Page 18
COVID Policy
- If you test positive for COVID-19:
- Contact the school.
- Stay home until you test negative.
- You can come to class if you test negative and have no symptoms, but you must wear a KN95 mask for 5 days.
- If you have a cold or flu, please wear a mask to class.
- Masks are available at the front desk.
- If you are concerned about your attendance, please contact the PDSO/DSO.
Page 19
Student Support Team
- Answer general questions
- Help adjusting to life in the United States:
- Getting a driver’s license
- Apartment hunting / finding a roommate
- Find a doctor or counselor
- Opening a bank account
- Finding a place of worship
Page 20
Rules for Success
- Study at least 1 hour a day and do all your homework.
- Patience
- Come to all classes and arrive on time.
- Respect your investment.
- English at all times
- Teamwork and tolerance
Page 21
Contacts
| For | Contact |
| Visa & Immigration questions | DSOadmin@TheEnglishIsland.com |
| Questions about your class level, Quickschools, or attendance | Andrea@TheEnglishIsland.com |
| Certificates & Transcripts | Registrar@TheEnglishIsland.com |
| Help adjusting to the U.S. or general questions | Info@TheEnglishIsland.com |
- If you have a complaint, speak with the administration.
- For formal complaints, fill out a form in the Complaint Binder at the front desk or email Andrea@TheEnglishIsland.com
- For a list of useful information for current students, visit www.theenglishisland.com/student-resources/
Non F-1 visa students are dismissed! F-1 visa students, please stay for F-1 Visa Cultural Orientation.
Page 22
The English Island Cultural Orientation
Page 23
Visa Rules
- Take 18 hours per week of class each term.
- Maintain current personal and financial information.
- Report any changes to the school within 10 days.
- Maintain a minimum of 80 percent attendance and a 75 grade average each term.
- Working as an F-1 student visa is generally illegal.
- Follow all school rules and all US laws.
Note from the PDSO
- Print a copy of your I-20 and keep it in a safe place.
- Keep the original email it came in.
- The I-20 is an official government document like your passport.
Page 24
Travel
- International travel is only for emergencies.
- The PDSO will verify whether you are eligible to travel.
- You need to have your I-20 form signed by the PDSO before you can leave.
- You must tell the English Island where you will go and how long you will be there.
- You can take a 1-term vacation when you are eligible.
Page 25
Visa Status Advising & Transferring
Visa Status Advising
Visit the DSO office or contact the DSO office at DSOAdmin@TheEnglishIsland.com with any questions about visa rules and regulations.
Transferring
To transfer to another SEVP certified school, you:
- Must be in-status with The English Island.
- Must submit The English Island Transfer Out Form 3 weeks before the end date of your final term at The English Island.
- Must give The English Island the paperwork & time necessary to complete the request.
Page 26
Georgia Laws
- You cannot smoke marijuana or do any other drugs legally in Georgia.
- The legal age for drinking and smoking is 21. This includes cigars and e-cigarettes.
- The age to buy alcohol and cigarettes is 21. You cannot give alcohol or cigarettes to people who are younger. It is a crime.
- You cannot own a gun.
- You need to have a physical copy of your visa & your passport at all times.
Page 27
Driving in GA
You must have a Georgia driver’s license.
You must obey all traffic laws when driving.
If you get stopped driving by the police:
- Do NOT put your hands in your pockets or bag.
- Do NOT get out of the car unless the police officer tells you to do so.
- Have your ID (copy of visa and driver’s license), car registration, and insurance ready.
- Put your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them.
- Give your documents to the officer when asked.
REMEMBER: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A TRANSLATOR!!
Page 28
You are not alone!
If you are struggling mentally or emotionally, please do not hesitate to speak to our Admin Staff.
Our Student Support Team can provide helpful resources such as Doctors, Counselors, and Helplines.
Page 29
Money
- Most places accept cash & cards.
- Many also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.
You can get cash at ATMs or use the “Cash Back” option at most major stores. - Ask the Student Support Team if you need help opening a bank account.
Page 30
Transportation
Car Rentals
- Must be 25 to rent a car
- Check rental company’s requirements about payment methods and documents needed.
Uber & Lyft - Rideshare companies
- Schedule a ride using an app.
- Simple and generally affordable.
MARTA - Atlanta public transportation
- Buy a MARTA card at a train station or online.
- MARTA operates trains and buses.
- Does not come to the school, but you can transfer between MARTA and CCT for free.
CCT - Cobb County public transportation
- The CCT 50 bus comes to the school.
- Can transfer from CCT to MARTA for free
Page 31
Religion/ Worship
There are many churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples in the area. You can find them by looking online or asking our Student Support Team for recommendations.
If you need an area to pray during the day, please let us know!
Page 32
Thank you for joining The English Island!
Page 33
Contacts and Student Resources QR Code