Tag Archives: F-1 visa

HVCC and ESE sign agmt

ESE signs agreement with HVCC

Articulation Agreement for International Students

On March 1st, Empire State English (ESE) and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) signed an articulation agreement that will allow each school to transfer international students to the other. Students in the US on the F-1 visa, who would like to attend HVCC but don’t have strong enough English skills, can start at ESE to improve their English in our Intensive English Language Program, and then be transferred to HVCC to begin or continue their undergraduate studies.

ESL Presentation on February 15, 2017, at Empire State English

Empire State English to Answer English as a Second Language (ESL) Questions for Prospective Students, Local Businesses, and Education Partners

To respond to growing interest in its new intensive ESL program, Empire State English will host an evening reception on Wednesday, February 15, at 7 p.m. at the school’s Colonie location, 24 Aviation Rd., Suite 100 (just off Wolf Road). The event is open to the public, including the Capital Region’s international residents with family members abroad who wish to study in the U.S., and also business and education entities that work to attract international students and professionals.

The school’s founder and president, Kim Andersen, and other members of the school’s leadership team will answer questions informally and offer a short program about the ESL opportunities for international students. Empire State English offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to university students and adults, both those who live in the Capital District as well as visitors to the area. The school provides ESL programs to international visitors with an F-1 visa, enabling non-immigrants to improve their English during visits lasting one to 18 months as they prepare for higher education or for personal or professional reasons.

Earlier in January, the school launched an enhanced website with additional information about all of its English-language programs, at www.ESenglish.org. The school is licensed by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA).

For more information and to RSVP, please call the school at 518-729-5407 or email EmpireStateEnglish@gmail.com.

Empire State English certified to issue I-20 government form

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Empire State English language school certified by federal government to issue I-20 form to non-immigrant international students for intensive English program

School expects strong interest from international students seeking to improve English before attending regional colleges

(September 27, 2016; Albany, NY) — Empire State English, a locally-owned language school in Albany and Saratoga Springs, has recently been authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enroll non-immigrant students in intensive English study programs under the F-1 student visa program. Students in the program at Empire State English are required to attend 20 hours/week of English instruction for a minimum of four weeks and up to 18 months. Admission is ongoing and students are placed in classes according to a placement test; they can begin classes at any point in the year.

“We have been approved as an academic and language program as part of the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) administered by the federal government,” explains Kim Andersen, president of Empire State English. The school is a sister organization to the Capital Region Language Center, which offers language instruction to corporations, schools, and private citizens.

Empire State English has been certified to issue the I-20 form, which is required for any individual seeking an F-1 visa after an interview at the U.S. embassy in their home country.

“Becoming certified to issue the I-20 was a multi-year process for us, as we went through appropriate certifications and training. We’re honored to take on this new role as we welcome international students to learn English with us,” comments Andersen.

“Our school has very good relationships with area colleges already and this allows significant expansion of our support for their education programs. They can broaden their pool of students who are academically prepared for their programs but whose English needs strengthening. We will offer English as a Second Language (ESL) training so that they really flourish when they begin their studies, with a solid command of English,” states Andersen.

Beyond the college market, other types of students Empire State English thinks the new intensive program will attract include international businesspeople who need to improve their English for professional reasons, as well as relatives of those already living in the region who want to come for an extended visit to study English.

In addition to providing full-time instruction, Empire State English will be coordinating lodging for its students. The school is actively seeking area residents and families interested in hosting students in-home, as well as those who may own lodging or residential properties available for short-term rentals. The school will hold information nights for those interested in applying to be homestay hosts on Monday, October 17 at 7 p.m. in Colonie, and Tuesday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in Saratoga Springs.

“We are directing a community effort in terms of welcoming these international students and housing them. For anyone hosting a student in their home, we offer a stipend to offset living expenses,” states Andersen. For additional information about the homestay program, call Empire State English at 518-729-5407.