ORIENTATION - GENERAL INFORMATION

Page 1

English Island New  Student Orientation

Page 2

Staff

  • Billy Satterwhite – Director
  • Eric Jan – Assistant School Director
  • Melina Mello – Office Manager
  • Andrea Alexander – Director of Curriculum & Instruction
  • Ricky Prior – PDSO
  • Gloria Chan – DSO
  • Mari & Tici – Student Support & Services
  • Amanda – Lead Teacher
  • Beth – Admissions
  • Eric & Beth – Registrar 
  • Tighearnan – Admin Assistant

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

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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).

Students who meet certain requirements are eligible to take IELTS and TOEFL prep classes. For more information, speak with Administration.

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Class Schedule

  • Terms are 6-7 weeks long. Every 6-7 weeks, you take a test to move up to the next level.
  • 1 general class (9-12 hours)
  • 2-3 specialty classes (3 hours each)
    • Grammar
    • Conversation
    • Pronunciation
    • Reading
    • Vocabulary (Phrasal Verbs, Academic Vocabulary)

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Academic Calendar

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  • The grade for this course consists of the following elements:
    • General Class
      • 40% Weekly quizzes
      • 20% Midterm
      • 40% Final
    • Specialty Classes
      • 40% Midterm
      • 60% 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 6-7 weeks to discuss your academic progress.

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Graduation

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

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.

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 (3 Tardies = 1 Absence)
  • If you miss more than 0.5 a class, you will be marked absent.

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  • 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.

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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 or tardy 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
  • anything else that makes class difficult for everyone

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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!

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Book Policy

All students must have 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.

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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.

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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 or skirts
  • Bathing suit tops
  • Completely visible underwear

Page 17

Health Insurance and US Healthcare

  • The US does NOT have universal healthcare! Visiting the doctor in the US is VERY expensive!
  • Health insurance is not required by the government 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,    Student Services & Support, or visit isoa.org
  • COVID-19:
    • 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.
    • 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.

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Student Support and Services

  • Student Activities
  • Answers to common 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 19

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 20

Contacts

If you have a visa or immigration question, 

If you have a question about books or classes,

If you have a personal or emotional problem, have a question about a student activity, need help adjusting to the U.S., or have a general question,

If you have a technology problem during online classes,

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/

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Thank you!

ORIENTATION - F-1 Visa Cultural Orientation

Page 22

F-1 Visa Specifics

Cultural Orientation

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Visa Rules

  • 1. Take 18 hours during every term (1 General English class and 2-3 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.

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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 1-term vacation when you are eligible. The PDSO will verify whether you are eligible for vacation.

Page 25

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 26

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.

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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, 
    • 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!!

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Medical Problems

  • 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
  • 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 prescription. These medicines are very effective for helping minor illnesses

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Mental Health

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

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Money

  • Most places accept cash and cards. 
  • Many also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • You can get cash at ATMs or use “Cash Back” option at most major stores. 
  • Ask the Student Services & Support if you need help opening a bank account.

Page 31

Transportation

MARTA

  • Atlanta public transportation (busses and trains).
  • 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 (where the school is) bus system.
  • The CCT 50 bus comes to the school.
  • Can transfer from CCT to MARTA for free.

Car Rental

  • Must be 25 to rent a car.
  • Check rental company’s requirements about payment methods and documents needed.

Uber and Lyft

  • Ride companies.
  • Schedule a ride using an app.
  • Simple and generally affordable.

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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.

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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.

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THANK YOU!

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Contacts and Student Resources QR Code