sprachcaffe orangecounty-costamesa-english-2013.pdf

7/27/2019 Sprachcaffe OrangeCounty-CostaMesa-English-2013.pdf

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O

RANGECOUNTY


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WELCOME TO SPRACHCAFFE

We sincerely appreciate your enrolment with Sprachcaffe! As an ESL student, you probably aspire to improve your

language skills and at the same time to enjoy yourself. We are confident that you will be able to accomplish both

goals at our institution. At Sprachcaffe, both teachers and students have varied cultural backgrounds, travel

experiences, and educational goals which combined provide a stimulating learning environment.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing our institution and hope it is a genuinely rewardingexperience for you. Dynamic teaching methods, a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, learning through

conversation, small group work, and presentation will all contribute to the learning experience. We have become

experts for 30 years, with 32 destinations worldwide.

In the enclosed documents, you will find everything you need to know for your trip. Please do not travel without

this information sheet. If you have any additional questions, we are pleased to assist. Please send us an email:

[email protected]

We wish you a great holiday and lots of success!

Your Sprachcaffe Team

Content

THE TRIP 1

ACCOMMODATION 2

HOST FAMILY 2

THE SCHOOL 3

SCHOOL ADDRESS: SPRACHCAFFE ORANGE COUNTY /GEOSLANGUAGE PLUS 3

GENERAL INFORMATION 6

FEEDBACK 8

LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL 9

CHECKLIST BEFORE DEPARTURE 9

CHECKLIST FOR RETURNING HOME 10

REFUND POLICY/CALCULATION 10


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Sprachcaffe Orange County / Costa Mesa

959 South Coast Drive, Suite #350, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tel: 714-662-7413, Fax: 714-662-7426, Emergency number: +1 714-615-91381

The Trip

Costa Mesa is served by Los Angeles International Airport, which is located 50 minutes from Costa Mesa, and John

Wayne Airport (SNA) for domestic arrivals, which is located about 15 minutes from our school. For those students

requesting our airport pickup service, please remember to send us your arrival and flight information as soon as

possible.

For those students who do not request airport pickup, we suggest you take a shuttle van from the airport to your

host family or residence once you pass through the immigration check point.

You will collect your luggage and then pass through customs. Once you leave the customs area with your bags, look

for the signs that say Ground Transportation. If your driver does not arrive within 15 minutes, please call Ted at:

1-310-877-7335.

Outside the terminal, there is a median with signs instructing you where to wait. An Average taxi fare to Costa Mesa

is about $100 (US dollars).

Most students will travel to school by bus once their course begins. OCTA is the name of the local bus company and

it is very modern, clean, safe, and accessible for all passengers. Please arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes

before scheduled times. Also, please have the exact fare because the driver normally cannot give change. Youcan purchase a daily bus pass for US $3 or also buy a monthly bus pass for US $55 at most of the local grocery stores.

Procedures for entry into the United States as a Visa Waiver traveller:Since January 5

th2004, most U.S bound travellers will need to provide two fingerprints, which will be recorded by an

inkless scanner upon enter. In addition, travellers entering the U.S via airport or seaport will be digitallyphotographed by American immigration officials. On exit, the travel documents of passengers are electronically

scanned and travellers are once again fingerprinted.

In the future, anyone who wants to enter the U.S must register electronically, Below is an excerpt of the website of

the Foreign Office with further information.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Since the 12th

of January 2009, all travellers from countries belonging to the Visa Waiver (VWP) program, includingGermany, are required before intended entry to obtain and electronic entry permit (Electron System for Travel

Authorization, ESTA) via internet at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

A third party applicant (travel agent) is a possibility. Once the entry permit is granted, limitless entries are valid up

to a two-year period. Within two years, the following situations require to issue a new Travel Authorization:

Change of passport Change of name Change of nationality Change of sex

On the website there is an electronic application form that is available in 16 different languages. Please visit the

website to find out if you qualify under the Visa Waiver Program, and to learn further information on how to receive

your entry permit. Sprachcaffe takes no responsibility, and it is your responsibility to make certain that you abide byall rules and follow the correct instructions.


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Accommodation

Your first address after arrival is stated in your voucher. In general, this address is the location of your

accommodation.

Host familyStudents can experience North American culture and practice their English by sharing a home with a host family.

Students will have a private room with a bed, desk and closet. They will also have most or all of their meals provided

by the family. All families have been visited by members of our school's staff and live in safe, comfortable

neighbourhoods close to the school. You will likely find many differences in the way of living in the USA compared to

your home country. The American host families are very open-minded, helpful and welcoming to their guests.

Please understand that many Americans come from different nationalities, and could originate from Asian, AfricanAmerican, Mexican, or other European backgrounds. Usually the furnishing, the division of buildings and the

cleanliness will be different. The rooms in America are usually quite small so that you will generally only have a bed,

a table and a wardrobe in there. You will share the bathroom with other students and / or the family.

Facilities: All host families have washing machines and detergent, which are available for students to use at no

additional charge. Some host families may prefer to wash the students laundry for them. Students can use thephone for local calls. They may also use the phone for international and long distance calls but they have to purchase

calling cards beforehand. Services: The host family does basic cleaning but students should keep their rooms clean.Bed-linens and towels are provided.

In general, the families will explain to you their house rules on the day of your arrival, such as, for example, house

key responsibilities, times for meals, and how to use the washing machine. You normally share the bathroom with

other members of the family. Please make sure that you always leave your room and bathroom clean and tidy. If

you damage any property in your host-familys home, you are held responsible for fixing and/or replacing the

damaged property.

Please take the family into consideration and avoid unnecessary noise. Especially late in the evening.

Please inform your host family beforehand if you will not be home for a meal, if you plan to go on a trip for a few

days or if you are not staying at home overnight. Communication is a key aspect in keeping up a good relationship

with your host-family. If you would like to have a friend over at your host-familys home, please ask for permission

and arrange the date/time before. Please discuss with your family any specific rules of the household. Students may

be expected to help in small household chores. Please ask permission before using the phone. Please also note thatmost of our American families do not allow students to smoke in their rooms or in the rest of the house. When

staying with a host family, bed sheets and towels will be provided.

Sprachcaffe homestay rules indicate that we do not place two students with the same native language in the same

home. If there is another student in the home who speaks the same native language, please let the school know

right away.

If you would like to move out of homestay, there is normally a 2-week notification required, and if you leaveearly, you would be responsible for these fees. If students go on vacation while in homestay, they are still

responsible for the accommodations fees.

Most families have wireless internet at home. Whether or not students have their own computers, they should still

ask their host family about the rules for using the internet at home.

Alcohol: Please make sure you know the legal drinking age in the city in which you are studying. In terms of drinkingalcohol at home, please make sure to check the rules with your host family, as different families have different rules

about alcohol consumption at home.

Please make sure to let Sprachcaffe know in advance of any food allergies, pet allergies, or special food

requirements that you may have.


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The school

Sprachcaffe English Academy is located 37 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Residents enjoy an ideally mild Southern

California climate. Our location provides easy access to many of Southern Californias major attractions such as

great beaches, mountain areas and deserts, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Palm Springs and LA with its many

sports arenas and major league teams.

The school has been a progressive ESL academy since 1989. It is located in a modern building at the classy MetroPointe in Costa Mesa. Right in front of the building, there is an open air food court where students can enjoy the

weather and have their lunch. Students can then enjoy the classic California architecture as it leads them along a

walkway with retail stores, movies, colorful kiosks, and a picturesque water fountain. Sprachcaffe LA-Orange

County is also directly across from the South Coast Plaza Shopping Center, the largest shopping mall in all of

southern California.

On the first day of school we expect you to be there at 09:15am. Orientation begins at 9:30am. Students should

bring their passport, letter of acceptance and student I-20 if they received an F-1 student visa.

School Address: Sprachcaffe Orange County / GEOS Language Plus959 South Coast Drive, Suite #350Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tel: 714-662-7413, Fax: 714-662-7426

Emergency number: +1 714-615-9138

The schedule for the first day of school:

9:30am 11:00am Welcome & Testing (Michigan test 55 minutes listening, grammar, vocabulary, &

reading; followed by interview approx 15 minutes)

11:00am 12:00pm lunch

12:00pm 02:00pm School orientation, rules, class schedules, expectations, services, etc& homestay

orientation for those students in homestay; followed by walking tour

The general time table for an intensive course:

09.00-10.30 Lessons

10.30-10.45 Break

10.45-12.15 Lessons

12.15-13.00 Break13.00-14.30 Lessons

14.30-14.45 Break

14.45-16.15 Lessons

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday

Languages spoken by the staff at the school: English, German, French, Spanish

Student card: A student card with photo is issued on arrival.

Bistro, Snacks and Drinks: Students may choose from many delis, cafes, and restaurants just outside the building.

Students usually sit and eat with friends in the beautiful courtyard outside the building.

Internet room: There is a computer lab and free wireless internet throughout the school.

Study Room: A study room where students can work on/revise their homework is available.


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The LessonsAll teachers have English training certifications, and have earned at least a bachelors related fields of English

language or Education.All teachers are so-called native speakers, this means they teach in their mother tongue.

The teachers are competent, committed, and they are also your advisers. The topics of the lessons are various. Our

course teachers also use newspaper articles including socio-political topics, and theatre or literature critics as a form

of teaching. We find communication as a teaching method very valuable, for example in dialogues. It is, however,

necessary also to teach grammar and vocabulary! The students come from all around the world such as Europe,

South America and Asia.

Please note that you need to pay for the course books. The approximate prices are:

$40 - 60 for part-time course

$80 - 100 for standard course

$120 - 140 for intensive course

(changes during the year are possible)

Students will be charged per class and will be given their own book to use, write in and keep. If you are enrolled for 4

weeks or less, you have the option to rent the books instead of buy them. The fee would be $40 per book plus $5 per

book per week non-refundable rental fee.

We offer different types of courses

Part-time course2 lessons per day; 10 lessons per week; 5 days a week (Monday to Friday); 1 lesson = 45

minutes

Standard course4 lessons per day; 20 lessons per week; 5 days a week (Monday to Friday); 1 lesson = 45

minutes

Intensive course6 lessons per day; 30 lessons per week; 5 days a week (Monday to Friday); 1 lesson = 45

minutes

(A Student Visa is needed for this type of course!)

The general time table will be as follows:

09.00-10.30 Lessons

10.30-10.45 Break

10.45-12.15 Lessons

12.15-13.00 Break13.00-14.30 Lessons

14.30-14.45 Break

14.45-16.15 Lessons

Students may change into a lower or higher level class after consulting the course academic coordinator or following

his/her recommendation. The maximum number of students in one group is 14.

During your whole stay, we will offer you the highest quality of teaching. Our employees and teachers have much

experience with long-term students and especially with examination preparation courses. However, please also take

into consideration that the teachers, despite their years of experience, cannot be held fully responsible for the

examination results. Only if you participate actively in the lessons, will you be best prepared for the examination.

Lessons are not held on the following public holidays in 2013: 01.01., 21.01., 18.02., 27.05., 04.07., 02.09.,

14.10., 28.11.-29.11. and 25.12.. Please note that lessons lost due to public holidays, late arrival or early

departure will not be made up.

It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issues during you stay please talk to

the school staff directly.


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School closures due to force majeur

'In cases of force majeur, the school will be closed. In such cases, group lessons are not recuperated or refunded.

Private lessons will be rescheduled with the agreement of the student, teacher and the school management.'

We wish you a successful language course!


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General information

The warm, sunny weather and bright atmosphere will make anyone feel welcome. Find out for yourself why

students love Los Angeles - Costa Mesa. Located about 45 minutes away from Los Angeles and an hour from San

Diego, Costa Mesa is within Orange County, a posh community in southern California. Students can enjoy suburban

living with urban conveniences. The city provides easy access to many of the major attractions, including sports

arenas, beaches, mountain areas, deserts, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Palm Springs. Besides its notable

shopping centers such as the South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, Orange County is also known for the diverse artgalleries and art-orientated events that take place on Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach. It is

also well-known for the annual Orange County Fair, which is the ninth-largest fair in all of the United States. The fair

runs for a total of 23-days and attracts over a million visitors every year. Entertainment includes exhibits, food

stands, rides, a carnival, and even a summer concert series.

Despite the abundance of beaches and activities, Costa Mesa is not just about play. The area is well known for its

emphasis on education, with over 60 high school campuses, 2 large state universities, 4 community colleges, and

several private postsecondary institutions. When you combine climatic brilliance, fun activities, exciting attractions,and friendly people, the definition is Costa Mesa, Orange County, California.

Los Angeles is the entertainment capitol of the United States. Los Angeles is famous for its impact on the world ofentertainment, sports and culture. It has a rich multi-cultural heritage that has influenced generations of artists,

writers, and everyday people. The city was founded by Spanish and Mexican families in the 1700s looking for new

frontiers and new opportunities for growth and prosperity.

MoneyPlease let your bank inform you about the current exchange rate. We recommend to pay by credit card (such as Visa

Card, American Express or Euro card) or to use Traveller Cheques rather than changing large amounts of money in

the United States.

Tip

10 to 15 % of the total amount is standard in the United States.

Transportation

Public transportation is convenient and Costa Mesa has been voted as one of the safest cities in America. It is

possible to plan trips from Costa Mesa to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and San Diego since these are popular

destinations to travel to on weekends.

Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out a health insurance plan during your stay. Medical service in the U.S. can be very

expensive if you dont possess the corresponding insurance.The loss or damage of luggage and valuables is always a great disappointment but this risk of less can be covered by

also taking out a luggage insurance.

TimeThe time lag is: MET - 9 hours.

DocumentsWe strongly recommend copying all your important travel documents (such as flight ticket, insurance policies,

passport, driving licence, documents of the rental car) before you start your language trip to Los Angeles. In case

you lose one of these documents, authorities can help you more efficiently on the basis of your copies.

Office and shop hours

Credit institutes/Banks: Mo to Fr 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.

Post offices: Mo to Fr 08.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.

Shops: Mo to Fr 09.00 /10.00 a.m. to approx. 09.00/10.00 p.m.Weekends: depending on the shop, mostly open until 06.00 p.m.


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Smoking and DrinkingSmoking is disapproved of in the United States! The United States has published several strict laws concerning

smoking in public areas. Restaurants and public buildings only offer special zones for smokers. It is strictly

forbidden for people under the age of 21 to drink alcoholic drinks in public areas such as bars, restaurants or

beaches! It is illegal to drink alcoholic drinks and smoke for all ages on public beaches. It is also forbidden to smoke

at trains and bus stops.

Climate

Los Angeles is provided with a very mild climate the whole year round, though the nights can become quite cool even in the summer!

Month Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Precipitation

January 19C 9C 103.9 mm

February 19C 10C 125.2 mm

March 19C 11C 89.9 mm

April 21C 12C 21.8 mmMay 21C 13C 8.6 mm

June 23C 15C 2.8 mm

July 25C 17C 0.5 mmAugust 26C 17C 4.1 mm

September 26C 17C 8.1 mm

October 24C 15C 14.5 mm

November 22C 12C 34.3 mmDecember 19C 10C 60.7 mm

(Source: http://beta.weather.com/weather/)

For further information visit: http://gocalif.ca.gov .


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Feedback

Before the everyday routine sets in back home completely, we would be very pleased if you could give us your

feedback. As a participant you can tell us about your experiences. Just fill out the online form at

http://www.sprachcaffe.com/english/feedback.htmWe always welcome ideas, tips and constructive criticism!

Address: Sprachcaffe Languages PLUS

Headquartes Gartenstrasse 6

D 60594 Frankfurt/Main

Tel.: 069 (0) 6109 120

Fax: 069 (0) 603 1395

Email: [email protected]

www.sprachcaffe.com

We wish you a wonderful stay and a successful language course!

Your

Sprachcaffe Team


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Location of the school


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Checklist before departure

Things you might want to think of when packing your luggage

Important travel items

Travel guide

Reading material

Dictionary

Cash, credit card

Phone number of your credit card company, in case you have to block the card

Vaccination card

Inform Sprachcaffe about arrival time

Alarm clock

Sunglasses

First-aid kit

Sunscreen

Any medicine required Insect spray

Medicine for stomach trouble

Plasters

After-sun lotion

Tweezers

Travel documents

Identity card

Flight or train ticket

Student ID

Sprachcaffe travel documents

Sport/Hobby

Camera

Extra film, extra memory card

Music / radio

Batteries

Sports equipment

Insurances

Travel health insurance

Luggage insurance

Insurance card from your car insurance

Phone number of your car insurance

Checklist for returning home

Buy souvenirs for friends and relatives at home

Exchange addresses with people during the course, teachers and host family

Pick up course participation certificate

Tidy and clean up your room

Pack and check the rooms for anything you may have left behind

Refund Policy/Calculation


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Due to U.S. government regulations, GEOS Languages Plus is obliged togive proof that every student has read their Refund and Cancellation Policies. Because of this we ask you to

read and sign the following form. It is important to sign and date this form BEFORE you leave your home

country. Please bring it to school with you on the first day. The school staff will collect it from you during

orientation. You will not be able to take part in your class without this form.

A student must give a written notice to cancel their program before starting.

A withdrawal from the program after the start date may occur because of a students written notice to withdrawal or because of

a students conduct, including, but not necessarily limited to, a student's lack of attendance.

Cancellation Term Refund

By the 1st

class session, or the 7th

class day after

enrollmentTotal refund, less non-refundable fees as outlined in the

school catalogue and enrollment agreement

After completing 60% or less of the program Total refund, less the number of days already attended and less any

non-refundable fees included in the tuition.

After completing 61% or more of the program No refund

Expulsion due to misconduct or violation of local, state

or federal law

No obligatory refund

All refunds will be made within 45 days of a student's cancellation or withdrawal.

Students who enrol at GEOS with an overseas agency should collect their refund from that agency directly.

Student Loans and Financial Aid

(This section is ONLY for students who are receiving money from the U.S. government to help pay for school).

If you have received federal student financial aid funds, you are entitled to a refund of moneys not paid from federal

student financial aid program funds.

If you obtain a loan to pay for an educational program, you will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of

the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund.

If you are eligible for a loan guaranteed by the federal or state government and you default on the loan, both of the

following may occur:

(1) The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against you, including applying any

income tax refund to which you are entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan.

(2) You may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government

assistance until the loan is repaid.

I have read, understood, and agree to my rights and responsibilities. The institution's cancellation and refund

policies have been clearly explained to me.

X____________________________________________

Date Signed ___________/_________ /____________