DIRECTIONS

Watch the Orientation for F-1 Visa Students video. Then take the Quiz to prove you watched the video. Use the script below and the "Need to translate this page?" option if you cannot understand the video. You can take the quiz as many times as you need to.

ORIENTATION - GENERAL INFORMATION

Page 1

English Island Student Orientation

Page 2

Staff

  • Billy Satterwhite – Director
  • Eric Jan – Assistant School Director
  • Melina Mello – Office Manager
  • Student Support Specialists
  • Director of Curriculum and Instruction
  • PDSO / DSO
  • Student Services Coordinator
  • Registrar

Page 3

Teaching Method

  • Integrated skills classes
    • Speaking, listening, reading, writing
  • Communicative
    • Focused on student speaking
  • Task-based
    • Using English to do things like purchase food at a restaurant or return an item to the store

Page 4

Placement

  • TEI Speaking Test and Ventures/Keynote Written Test
  • Basic Literacy (1A-1B)
  • Low Beginning (2A-2B)
  • High Beginning (3A-3B)
  • Low Intermediate (4A-4B)
  • High Intermediate (5A-5B)
  • Advanced B2 (6A-6B)
  • Advanced C1 (7A-7B)
  • Advanced C2 (8A-8B)

Based on the The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Page 5

Class Schedule

  • Terms are 6 weeks long. Every 6 weeks, you take a test to move up to the next level.
  • 1 general class (12 hours)
  • 2 specialty classes (3 hours each)
    • Grammar
    • Conversation
    • Pronunciation
    • Reading
    • Vocabulary (Phrasal Verbs, Academic Vocabulary)

Page 6

Academic Calendar

Page 7

  • The grade for this course consists of the following elements:
    • 30% Weekly quizzes
    • 35% Midterm
    • 35% Final
  • To move to the next level, you must have an overall average of 75 each term.
  • If you make lower than 75, you have failed the level and must take it again. If you continue to fail classes, you can be dismissed from our program.
  • You will get a grade report every 3 weeks to see your progress.
  • You will meet with your teacher every 6 weeks to discuss your academic progress.

Page 8

Graduation

  • Non F-1 Visa Students
    • 12-hour program
    • Complete level 8
    • Certificate of completion
  • F-1 Visa Students
    • 18-hour program
    • Complete level 8
    • Program diploma

Page 9

Attendance

  • Attendance=how often you come to class
  • Procedures
    • When you come to class each day, you must sign in with your name and the time you arrive.
  • During online classes, students must have their camera turned on to receive attendance

Page 10

Late/Tardy

  • You must arrive on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your teacher will mark you “late.”
  • Tardy Tardy + Tardy = Absent
  • If you miss more than 0.5 a class, you will be marked absent.

Page 11

  • Attend all classes
    • Late or absent? Tell your teacher!
    • You are still responsible for the work covered in class and the 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 visa.

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 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
  • online: if you’re in a car, cooking, shopping, watching TV, talking to other people, or keep your camera off/muted
  • anything else that makes class difficult for everyone

Page 13

Book Policy

All students must buy the books for their classes. (General class= student book and workbook. Specialty classes= student book)

  • Your first term, we will be a little flexible, but you still need to order books as soon as possible.
  • You can buy your books from the school!
  • Teachers and students are not allowed to share photocopies or scans of the book.

Page 14

Make-Up Classes

 

Make-up classes are on Fridays.

Make-up classes are online.

ONLY Friday make-up classes are online. All other classes are in person.

Online classes use the program ZOOM. Your teacher will send the Zoom link for the class.

Page 15

Inclusivity

  • The English Island is a diverse international community.
  • We want all people to feel included and comfortable.
  • We support everyone, regardless of race, sex, gender, orientation, identity, religion, education level, nationality, ethnicity, and ability.
  • We expect students to be polite and considerate of others.

Page 16

Dress Code

OK

  • Eye glasses
  • Religious 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
  • Bathing suit tops
  • Completely visible underwear

Page 17

Health Insurance and US Healthcare

  • Visiting the doctor in the US is expensive ($120-150 per visit before labs and tests.)
  • Health insurance is not required, but strongly suggested.
  • To save money, visit urgent care clinics before visiting the hospital emergency room.
  • 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 Services Coordinator, or visit isoa.org

Page 18

TEI COVID-19 Policies

  • COVID-19 vaccination is not required, but it is strongly encouraged.
  • Respect social distancing at the school.
  • Clean classroom before leaving.
  • If you are exposed to COVID-19:
    • Isolate and get tested.
    • If you test positive, 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.

Page 19

Student Activities

  • Run by the Student Services Coordinator
  • Monthly activities
  • At the school and off-campus
  • Updated activities calendar posted in the school and on our website
  • Past activities
    • Visits to local festivals
    • Picnics in the park
    • Potluck lunches/dinners
    • Conversation club

Page 20

Contacts

  • If you have a visa or immigration question,
    • DSOadmin@theenglishisland.com.
  • If you have a personal or emotional problem or have a question about a student activity,
    • Contact lead@theenglishisland.com.
  • If you have a technology problem during online classes,
    • admin@theenglishisland.com.
  • If you have a general question,
    • Contact sales@theenglishisland.com.
  • If you have a complaint,
    • Speak with administration if the complaint is less serious.
    • For formal complaints, fill out a form in the Complaint Binder at the front desk.
  • For a list of useful information for current students,
    • visit Student Resources – www.theenglishisland.com/student-resources/

Page 21

Rules for Success

  • Respect your investment
  • English at all times
  • Study at least 1 hour a day and do all homework
  • Patience
  • Everyone matters
  • Come to all classes and arrive on time
  • Teamwork and tolerance

Page 22

Thank you!

ORIENTATION - F-1 Visa Cultural Orientation

Page 1

F-1 Visa Specifics

Cultural Orientation

Page 2

Visa Rules

You must:

  • 1. Take 18 hours during every 6-week term (1 General English class and two specialty classes.)
  • 2. Maintain current personal and financial information. Report any changes to the school within 10 days.  
  • 3. Maintain a minimum of 80 percent attendance and a 75 average grade each term. 
  • 4. Working with an F-1 visa is illegal.   
  • 5. 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 3

Travel

  • The PDSO will verify whether you are eligible to travel. 
  • For any travel, you need to tell the English Island where you will go and how long you will be there. 
  • International travel is only in 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 can take a 2-term vacation after you study at a SEVIS-approved school for 5 terms (7.5 months). The PDSO will verify whether you are eligible for vacation.

Page 4

Immigration Advising and Transferring

  • Immigration Advising
  • Transferring
    • Must be in-status with the school (see the PDSO for more information)
    • Must tell The English Island 2 terms before you want to transfer 
    • Must give The English Island the paperwork necessary to complete the request

Page 5

Rules and Laws in the US

Police:

  • You can not 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 can not give alcohol or cigarettes to people who are younger. It’s a crime. 
  • You can not own a gun.  
  • You need to have a physical copy of your visa and your passport at all times.

Page 6

Police:

  • You need to have an international license or a Georgia driver’s license. 
  • Obey all traffic laws. 
  • If you get stopped driving by the police, 
    1. 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. 
    2. Have your ID (copy of visa and driver’s license), car registration, and insurance ready.
    3. Put your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them.
    4. Give your documents to the officer when asked.
  • REMEMBER: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A TRANSLATOR!!

Page 7

Medical

  • We don’t go to the hospital for minor illnesses like colds or fevers. 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.
  • Sometimes you can make an appointment on the phone or online. The clinic will let you know when you are next in line. 
  • Do not go to the emergency room unless you are very sick or hurt. It is very expensive, and it takes a very long time (sometimes 5-6 hours.) Do not call an ambulance unless it is a major injury or illness. The ambulance is very expensive,
  • 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 Services Coordinator, or visit isoa.org

Page 8

Pharmacy

  • Pharmacists can only fill prescriptions written by doctors. They don’t give recommendations for medicines.
  • Most American medicine can be stronger than it is in other countries, so you might not need to take as much for it to be effective.
  • It is not necessary to go to the doctor for a cold or the flu. You can buy medicines without a prescription. These medicines are very effective for helping minor illnesses.

Page 9

Mental Health

If you have a mental health problem, talk to the Student Services Coordinator. They can help you find a counselor who speaks your language.

Page 10

Money

  • Most places accept cash and cards. 
  • Many also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • You can get cash at ATMs. Try to use ATMs that are inside a building in a secure place. Do not give your card or code to anyone else. 
  • You can also choose the “Cash Back” option when buying something at most major stores.
  • Information on local banks is in your handbook if you want to open an account. Ask the Student Services Coordinator if you need help.

Page 11

Travel

  • Marta is the Atlanta public transportation. You buy a Marta card at a train station or online. You can load money on the card at a train station, application, or website.
  • Bus- you can use exact change cash or a Marta card. The fare is $2.50 for each direction. The CCT 50 bus comes to the school.
  • Car rental-You must be 25 to rent a car. Local companies include Enterprise, Alamo, and Hertz. Check each company’s requirements about what documents and payment methods are needed.
  • Uber or Lyft are ride companies. You can schedule a ride using an app. It is simple and generally affordable.

Page 12

Gym

  • There are many gyms in the area. These include Planet Fitness, YouFit, LA Fitness, and 24hour Fitness.
  • Most offer a free 1-week trial and then you pay a registration fee and a monthly fee. See your handbook for information.

Page 13

Religion/ Worship

  • Your handbook has a list of local churches, mosques, and temples. There are many more in the area. You can find them by looking online.
  • If you need an area to pray during the day, please speak to the Student Services Coordinator.

Page 14

THANK YOU!