Sd 2009 Prospective Student Lsi San Diego Info

Dear Prospective Student, Thank you for your interest in Language Studies International in San Diego, California! We are pleased to present you with information on our programs. The Language Studies International group of schools has been teaching languages to students from around the world for over 40 years by immersing students in the language, the culture, the country and in the homes and families where the language is spoken. LSI students are diverse in age, background, profession and nationality. They range from high school students and university age to professional people such as diplomats, teachers, business and retired people. Nationality breakdowns vary at different times of year but throughout a good part of the year, the mix of nationalities allows for heterogeneous classes and a multinational experience.

THE CITY: San Diego, often called “America’s Finest City”, lies along the southernmost point of California on a beautiful natural harbor along the 70 miles of Pacific coastline between Los Angeles and Mexico. Fantastic weather and proximity to beaches, islands, mountains and deserts mean that recreational opportunities abound in the San Diego region. LSI San Diego is located in a modern building in the heart of the city, close to all amenities and is easy walking distance to attractions such as the world-famous San Diego ZOO, the historic Gaslamp District and Balboa Park with its numerous museums, as well as the San Diego Bay.

OUR EXPERIENCE IS YOUR SUCCESS: Opportunity to “learn and live” the language San Diego is the official Cambridge Test Center – FCE, CAE, CPE and BEC Qualified, friendly and helpful faculty and staff with international experience An English-only environment with an international atmosphere An interactive, motivating, and cross-cultural experience with 6 levels, from Beginner to Advanced/Proficiency An LSI Certificate upon successful completion of your course as proof of your language competence A rich and varied Social Activities Program Excellent accommodation programs with quality inspected homestays Free Internet and Wireless access for all LSI students

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS: In San Diego, as in all US locations, we offer a wide range of Intensive English courses varying in length from two to fifty weeks (or more). All lessons are 50 minutes long and all group courses have a maximum of 14 students per class. Standard 20 Course - fulltime course of 20 lessons per week Monday through LSI San Diego | 1706 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor | San Diego, CA 92101 : 619-234-2881 | 7: 619-234-2883 | š: [email protected] | ü: www.LSI.edu rev Apr 2009 sn

Friday, morning integrated-skills class only Intensive 30 Course – fulltime course of 30 lessons per week Monday through Friday, morning integrated-skills class and afternoon options such as Conversation (Pronunciation, Fluency, Idiomatic Language, Vocabulary Development, etc), TOEFL/Academic Skills, TOEIC Preparation, English for Business (other elective options vary by time of year) Plus Courses – 5 (Plus 5) or 10 (Plus 10) One-to-One lessons in the afternoon may be added to any program English for Business Course – offered as part of the Intensive 30 course to Intermediate and higher levels Cambridge Exam Courses – First Certificate (FCE), Advanced (CAE), Proficiency (CPE - if sufficient enrollment), and BEC (Vantage and Higher); 30 lessons per week for 10 or 12 weeks TOEFL & TOEIC Preparation course – offered as part of the Intensive 30 course ISY - International School Year – long-term, 24-, 30-, 36-, or 48-week programs with a choice of either Standard 20 or Intensive 30 courses One-to-One courses – individual lessons for those who wish to improve professional English skills or develop English for specific purposes; 20, 30, 40 or 50 One-to-One lessons may be selected Mini Group Course – 20 lessons per week, maximum 5 participants, Intermediate and higher levels. Includes general grammar and skills, with a focus on negotiations, presentations and meetings, and is relevant in business and nonbusiness situations. 9-Day Compact Course – 82 or 92 One-to-One lessons in 9 consecutive days, suitable for those with exacting needs that must be met in a short space of time (Berkeley, Boston and San Diego only) Multi-center Courses – allow you to learn and live the language in more than one LSI location Work Experience Programs – English classes followed by short- (up to 8 weeks, unpaid), mid- (3-9 months, unpaid) or long-term placements (10-18 months, unpaid or 12-18 months, paid)

ACCOMMODATION: Integration into the American way of life is important for students to gain a meaningful cultural experience. With this in mind, LSI San Diego offers the following optional accommodation choices: Homestay – a wonderful way to meet local people and to use the language the student is learning in the classroom; it also affords a very different experience from that which a typical tourist might have; placements are with a carefully selected host family in a private home or apartment with 2 meal plans to select from: breakfast only or breakfast and dinner; locations are within 50 minutes on public transportation from LSI. Residence Hotels – more economical than hotels, therefore, offer a more limited service; maid service will vary based on hotel and some residence hotels have kitchen facilities - please, check with LSI San Diego for options or special requests LSI San Diego | 1706 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor | San Diego, CA 92101 : 619-234-2881 | 7: 619-234-2883 | š: [email protected] | ü: www.LSI.edu rev Apr 2009 sn

Hotels – LSI can advise you on different categories of hotels available Shared Apartments – LSI can place you in an apartment where you have a private bedroom and share the rest of the facilities (kitchen, bath, and common area). Check with us for availability It is highly recommended to book housing as early as possible to ensure a smooth placement process. Housing in San Diego can be limited, especially in the summer time as San Diego is a large tourist destination. LSI needs a minimum two-week notice prior to the course start date if you require accommodation. Please, note that residence hall / hotel accommodation is based on availability. Also, if you plan on booking a double room (with your spouse or a friend) then please allow a little extra time for booking a host family as it can sometimes be a little more difficult to find a double room as opposed to a single room.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM: The ongoing program provides LSI students with a variety of weekday and weekend activities and excursions, ranging from day trips, museum and gallery visits, cinema and theater outings, restaurants and bars to international as well as sport events and more. Fantastic weather and proximity to beaches, islands, mountains and deserts mean that recreational opportunities abound in the San Diego region. Students have opportunities to go on organized tours to Los Angeles including Universal Studios and Disneyland, Las Vegas, Magic Mountain Theme Park (one of the largest roller-coaster parks in the world) or even take a trip after the end of their course to tropical Hawaii! The choices are unlimited!

VISA INFORMATION: The F-1 student visa is the appropriate category for those whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to study. In order to apply for an F-1 student visa, you will need to receive an I-20 document from LSI and make an appointment at the US Consulate in your home country for a visa application interview. Please note there is a $200 fee payable to the US Government for SEVIS Registration. LSI issues I-20 documents for all courses (4 weeks or longer) of 20 lessons per week or more. In order to receive an I-20 document, LSI will need to receive the following: Financial Certification - a bank statement showing that you or a sponsoring party has the necessary funds to provide for your stay while in the United States. If the bank statement is from a 3rd party sponsor, LSI will need a letter or affidavit of support from the sponsor. The bank statement must have enough funds for the course and living expenses. $120.00 enrollment fee and full payment for course and accommodation (if booked).

Additional student or general visa information can be obtained at http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html LSI San Diego | 1706 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor | San Diego, CA 92101 : 619-234-2881 | 7: 619-234-2883 | š: [email protected] | ü: www.LSI.edu rev Apr 2009 sn

***Immigration requires that anyone coming to the US with the main intent of studying must obtain an F-1 student visa and I-20. However, LSI will accept enrollments on any visa status. Ultimately, the type of visa that you decide to come to the US on is your decision.

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION: Courses start every Monday with Registration, Placement Testing and Interview, and Orientation. If Monday is a holiday, then courses start on the following Tuesday. You will begin classes on Monday afternoon if you have booked a full-day course. The test consists of an oral interview, a listening test, as well as reading, writing and grammar. Students are placed in various levels depending on the outcome of their test. They receive class sets of level-specific textbooks to use or they may purchase copies of their own if they prefer to be able to write in the books. To process your enrollment, LSI will need to receive the following: Signed and dated LSI Enrollment Form (mailed, faxed, emailed or can be completed online at www.LSI.edu or www.LSI-SanDiego.com) $120 Registration Fee (non-refundable) Documents + Payment for an I-20 to be issued (see above) Full payment is due before an I-20 can be issued or the accommodation details can be sent. If no I-20 or accommodation is requested, full payment is due before the course start.

PAYMENT INFORMATION: Acceptable forms of payment are as follows: Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard or American Express (Credit Card Authorization Form available upon request) Bank Wire Transfers (banking information available upon request) Checks payable to “Language Studies International” Money Orders drawn on a US bank payable to “Language Studies International” Please refer to the enclosed materials and the LSI Worldwide website at www.LSI.edu or the website for San Diego specifically at www.LSI-SanDiego.com for additional information. If you have any further questions, please, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to your enrollment! Best regards,

LSI San Diego

LSI San Diego | 1706 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor | San Diego, CA 92101 : 619-234-2881 | 7: 619-234-2883 | š: [email protected] | ü: www.LSI.edu rev Apr 2009 sn