The English Island (also referred to as TEI) F-1 Visa Student Group Registration

In order to enroll in our 18-hour per week international student program, a student must be age 18 or older, preferably with a high school diploma for his/her country. Students must be literate in their own languages and have the financial capability to undertake our program. Students who do not meet some of these qualifications (particularly the literacy qualifications) and live in-country may be enrolled in private lessons in order to work up to the level where he/she may apply for entrance to our group-class program. Private lesson packages are available to in-country students and in some cases, to out-of-country students in the US on a tourist visa. F-1 Visa students who enroll with TEI agree to study a minimum of three (3), 6-week courses before discontinuing their studies with TEI for any reason; this includes transfers to other schools.

The English Island Tuition and Fees

There is a $185.00 application fee which is required to attend any F-1 course and a $50.00 registration fee for all other courses. Students returning to The English Island after more than a 12-month absence must pay the application/registration fee again. Special-case students, including but not limited to students with pending visas, are required to pay the $185 Application fee plus a deposit of $355, for a total payment of $540. All fees are non-refundable, and students are responsible for stating which visa situation they are in when applying.

All F-1 visa students must submit full payment at least 2 weeks prior to beginning their course. These students must keep a credit card on file for all other session payments. The English Island will charge the full tuition amount approximately two weeks prior to the beginning of the new term or on another payment schedule agreed to by both the student and The English Island, with the Director's approval. If The English Island cannot process a student’s payment, we will contact the student immediately to resolve the problem. If an F-1 visa student does not resolve the payment issue within one week of our contacting them, the English Island has the right to terminate his/her visa.

All students must make the first tuition payment and register for classes 2 weeks before the first day of class. Students cannot enter or continue attending class until they have paid 100% of tuition. We only accept check, debit card, credit card, automatic draft, or wire transfer.
The English Island reserves the right to change tuition and fees for students without notice. Please ask school administrative staff about current prices and session program dates.
Checks that are returned to the school for any reason will result in a $50.00 returned-check fee. Students will additionally be charged any applicable late fees that may apply as a result of the returned check.

Students placed on any kind of leave, academic, medical, or otherwise, must remain in good and current standing with the school and maintain the status of their visas until their ultimate return. These students are required to continue to pay for their English courses as if they are still attending classes and will be required to make up lost class hours at a later date or upon their return. These students that fail to pay for their courses or make up missed work may have their visas terminated.

Vacation

Vacation must be requested, with all necessary documents submitted, a minimum of 2 terms in advance of the desired vacation date with a maximum allowed vacation period of two, 6-week terms. Vacation is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a maximum of 5% of the total student body allowed on vacation at any one time. Because vacation lasts a maximum of 2 terms, students must submit their requests 2 terms in advance to ensure that the total number of students on vacation does not exceed 5%

Students must pay a deposit of $615 before vacation is approved to maintain enrollment with TEI for the duration of the vacation. This payment is due on the student’s normal payment schedule.

Students must have been in a SEVP approved school for a total of 7.5 months (or 5 terms). 3 terms must have been at TEI, and students must be in good academic and financial standing before requesting vacation (80% attendance and 75% GPA) and must maintain good academic standing until beginning vacation. Failing to follow proper vacation procedures may lead to visa termination or suspension.

Students must be in good financial status with TEI to request a transfer while on vacation and give TEI their new acceptance letter and transfer form from their new school, as well as signing a Transfer Out Form 1 term in advance of transferring.

Students on vacation must notify TEI of where and when they will be traveling and provide TEI with updated contact information.

Transferring Out

The process for transferring out begins only when the Transfer-in form and Acceptance Letter form from the new school are received by TEI. Students must also complete the following steps/criteria:

Students must be in good academic and financial status with TEI to transfer schools. Students must provide TEI with both an acceptance letter and a completed transfer form from a SEVIS-approved school they intend to transfer to. Students must fill out the TEI transfer OUT form officially notifying TEI of intent to transfer. Students must complete these steps one 6-week term in advance of their desired transfer date.

Once these steps have been completed, TEI requires up to 6 weeks to process and approve student transfers, at which time the transfer-out date will be set. Students MUST continue attending classes and remain in good academic and financial standing with TEI for the duration of the process until the student is approved for transfer and the approved transfer-out date arrives.

Maintaining Status (F-1 Students Only)

To “maintain status” means to have legal permission to be in the US. In order maintain status, you must:

  • Take 18 hours during every 6-week term (1 General English class and two specialty classes)
  • Maintain a 75 weighted overall average and attendance of 80 percent each term
  • Have a current, accurate address on file with the PDSO and report any address changes to the PDSO within 10 days
  • Have current, accurate information on file regarding your financial support and report any changes in sources of financial support within 10 days
  • Notify the PDSO before traveling. If you are traveling in the US, you may notify by email. If you are traveling outside the US, you must have your I-20 form signed by the DSO before being allowed to leave. If you are traveling with your spouse, your spouse’s I-20 needs to be signed as well.
  • Report any desire to change your status (e.g. visa type) and provide paperwork necessary to make that change
  • Report your desire to transfer
  • Let us know if you want to extend (not always possible)
  • Obey all traffic laws if you are driving
  • Pay tuition payments in full and on time

You must not:

  • Have attendance less than 80 percent or a grade point average of less than 75 percent
  • Work a job
  • Commit any crimes (including drinking and driving, driving without a license, taking marijuana or any other drugs)
  • Carry a weapon
  • Participate in any political protests

Student Cancellations/Refunds

The English Island does NOT offer refunds of any kind for any situation for any fees, books/materials, tuition payments (almost always), or other payments made to the school.

However, a possible 70% refund may be considered for F-1 visa students enrolled in the International Student (General) Program that have arrived in the US and have already begun their course and through no fault of their own and due to circumstances outside of their control cannot complete their course(s) and must return home before 30 percent of the lesson package has been completed, and it is not possible for the student to return at a later date to complete his/her course.

This possibility for a 70% refund does NOT apply to fees, books/materials, or tuition for: VIP courses, Dentistry English courses, or to students that are not already in the US and have not already begun their course.

With a minimum of 48 hours notice, private course hours may be held for sickness or travel. Unused private course hours will be held for up to 30 days only and will be cancelled if students do not resume using them within the 30-day window.

Student Placement and Transfer

Group Classes

Before entering class, you will take the TEI Speaking Test to determine your level. This speaking exam places you in one of the designated NRS Levels—Beginning Literacy, Low Beginning, High Beginning, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, or Advanced. You are eligible for general courses and electives based on your placement scores. In some cases, you may take a written placement exam as well to ensure proper placement.
If you think you are in the wrong level, you should speak to your teacher. If the teacher does not feel you should move, you can enter a request with the School Director to retake the entrance exam for an opportunity to move up.
Moving levels in the middle of the term is generally not possible except in special cases.

Private Lessons

Private-lesson students also take the TEI Speaking Test to determine the most appropriate level for the coursework. We create a syllabus based on the student’s level and individual needs.

Student Progress

Group Class

To remain in good standing, you must maintain a C+ grade point average. You will get a grade report every 3 weeks. If you don’t have a C+ average or better, you will receive a warning. If your grades do not improve within the next 6-week period, you will be on academic probation and will repeat any courses that you have failed. If lack of progress continues, you may be dismissed.

Private Lessons

To remain in good standing, you must attend all scheduled lessons and complete work as assigned. An assessment at the end of the term will demonstrate your progress. We require at least 48 hours notice to postpone private classes without losing hours. We only hold unused hours for up to 30 days.

Repeating Levels

Group

Students may repeat levels in the case of obtaining a failing grade or due to absence. Levels may be repeated only once.

Homework

Homework is a required part of the ESL courses at The English Island. You should allow two to three hours outside of class each day for homework. You can do homework at home, in the library, or with other students. Students who study 2 to 3 hours each day will most likely earn good grades and advance quickly.

Moving Up

Group

The terms at English Island are 6 weeks long. At the end of every 6 weeks, you will take a test. The score on this test combined with your other exams, your homework grade, and your attendance will determine if you move up to the next level. You must have an overall grade of 70 in a class to move up to the next level. You must have an overall average of 75 and attendance of 80 percent to remain in good standing with the school.

Attendance

Group

All ESL students must be in class every day on time. Attendance in all classes is required. Students must have a minimum of 80% attendance overall at all times to continue studying at the school and be in good standing with the school or to receive a certificate of any kind. There are no excused absences for any reason. Students who don’t maintain 80 percent attendance will be on attendance probation and may have their visas terminated if they do not resolve their attendance issues according to school policy explained to all new students during new student orientation and clearly stated in the student handbook given to all new students.

Private Lessons

Private-lesson students must attend all scheduled lessons. If unable to attend, the student must give the teacher 48-hour notice so the teacher can reschedule the lesson. If notice is not given, the student will lose the lesson. We only hold unused hours for up to 30 days.

Behavior in Class

Students must show respect to teachers and classmates through words and actions, participate in all classroom activities in a friendly manner, speak English only in class, and do all homework assignments.
Poor behavior may result in suspension or dismissal.

Dress Code

You must wear appropriate clothing to school. You can wear t-shirts, but the shirts can’t have offensive messages or advocate unhealthy behavior. Shirts with alcohol, drugs, sex, or violence are not allowed.
Hem of shorts must be fist length when arms are resting at the sides. Skirts and dresses must be fingertip length. Tank top straps must be at least 1” in width to cover all under garments. You can’t wear swimwear to class.
You must wear shoes or sandals at all time. You cannot wear hats or head coverings unless it is for your religious beliefs. You can’t wear sunglasses in class.

Student Complaints

If a student has a major problem with the school, instructions, or anything else pertaining to his/her experience, he/she may file a formal complaint with the school Director by completing a complaint form. The administration has 48 hours to notify the student that it has received his/her form and one week to respond to the specific complaint itself.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Students can work together on projects, homework, and in-class assignments. However, students may not work together on any exams. Students who cheat (copy from someone else’s paper) during an exam will fail the exam and will be on academic probation immediately.
Plagiarism is using someone else’s work and pretending that it is your original idea. If writing papers or doing presentations for class, students must cite any materials used. For these assignments, students must use MLA format on a Works Cited page or in the presentation or on the bottom of the page for anything copied from another text (ex. last slide of a PowerPoint). Your teacher will review citation procedures for you in class.

Legal

In the event that legal proceedings, including but not limited to lawsuits, are brought against The English Island for any reason, both jurisdiction and venue of said proceedings will take place in Cobb County, Georgia.
IMPORTANT—IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN READ THE SCHOOL POLICIES BELOW AND AGREE TO THEM FOR YOU.
PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT/COMPLIANCE. If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or guardian register for you. By agreeing to these terms, you attest that you are at least 18 years old (or, if you are not at least 18 years old, you have your parent’s or guardian’s permission to use the Services, and your parent or guardian has read and agreed to the school policies on your behalf).

Student Acknowledgement

I have read and understand this document or have had this document verbally explained in my native language. I further agree to adhere to the policies explained above. I understand that this contract is legal and binding. I attest that I am at least 18 years of age or have had my parent or guardian register on my behalf. I understand that I will pay the tuition and fee amount as designated in this contract for each subsequent session.
Furthermore, I hereby voluntarily and without compensation authorize pictures and/or voice recordings to be made of me by The English Island. I consent to the use of my name, my picture, and/or voice, for promotional, informational, or other purposes in any medium. I permit The English Island to use written statements or quotes by me that I may provide to them about The English Island and my experiences there. I further understand that no royalty, fee, or other compensation of any character shall become payable to me by The English Island for such use. I understand that consenting to the use of my picture, video, voice, and/or written statements is voluntary, that I may at any time exercise the right to cease being filmed, photographed, or recorded, and may rescind my consent for up to a reasonable time before the picture, video, voice recording or written statement is used. Said material is the sole property of The English Island and its assignees. I release The English Island, it’s owner, administrators, faculty members, and staff from liability for any claim or course of action resulting in any way to the use or publication of such photographs or statements.

  • I declare that the information on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
  • I hereby affirm that I have sufficient funds to pay for all course costs and living expenses while studying and living in the US.
  • I understand that the school application/registration fee is non-refundable and that The English Island does NOT offer refunds of any kind with the possible exception of a tuition only refund for F1 Visa students that are denied entry into the country under no fault of their own or that must leave the country under no fault of their own.
  • If accepted, I agree to follow all of the rules and regulations of the English Island.
  • If accepted, I understand that payment for my first term will be due 2 weeks prior to my first day of class. Subsequent payments will be due 2 weeks prior to the start date of the next term. I understand that late payments will incur a penalty of 15% and payment problems can affect my visa.

The English Island reserves the right to update school policies at any time and without notice.