Purpose of These Policies
These policies explain the academic, financial, attendance, conduct, and administrative requirements that apply to students enrolled at The English Island, also referred to as “TEI” or “the School.”
Students are responsible for reading and understanding these policies before applying, enrolling, submitting payment, or attending classes. By enrolling at TEI, students acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to follow the policies that apply to their program.
Nothing on this page constitutes legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and government procedures may change. Students should consult a qualified immigration attorney when they need legal advice regarding their individual circumstances.
1. Eligibility
Applicants to The English Island must:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Be able to read and write in their native language;
- Meet the academic and language-related requirements for their selected program;
- Demonstrate sufficient financial ability to pay tuition, fees, and living expenses; and
- Provide complete and accurate information during the application process.
Applicants who do not yet meet the requirements for group classes may be considered for private instruction or another appropriate program, when available.
2. Tuition, Fees, and Payment Requirements
2.1 Application and Registration Fees
The following fees currently apply:
- Registration fee: $50
Students returning to TEI after an absence of more than 12 months may be required to pay a new registration fee.
All application fees, registration fees, and deposits are non-refundable.
2.2 Tuition Payment
Students must pay all tuition and required fees before beginning or continuing classes unless TEI has approved a written payment arrangement.
Students may not begin or continue attending classes when an account is past due.
TEI currently accepts:
- Checks;
- Debit cards;
- Credit cards;
- Authorized automatic payments;
- Zelle; and
- Wire transfers.
Students using a credit card or automatic payment method may be required to complete a separate payment authorization.
2.3 Returned Payments
A check or payment returned for insufficient funds or another reason may result in:
- A $50 returned-payment fee;
- Any applicable late-payment charges; and
- Suspension of the student’s ability to attend classes until the account is resolved.
2.4 Changes to Tuition and Fees
TEI may revise tuition, fees, payment schedules, and program prices for future enrollment periods.
Students should confirm current prices and program dates with TEI before registering or renewing enrollment. Changes will not be applied retroactively unless permitted by the student’s enrollment agreement and applicable law.
3. No-Refund Policy
The English Island maintains a strict no-refund policy.
All payments made to TEI are final and non-refundable, including, without limitation:
- Tuition;
- Application fees;
- Registration fees;
- Administrative fees;
- Books;
- Learning materials;
- Technology-related charges;
- Private-lesson packages;
- Late-payment charges; and
- Any other payment made to the School.
TEI does not issue:
- Full refunds;
- Partial refunds;
- Prorated refunds;
- Tuition credits;
- Account credits; or
- Refunds based on unused class time.
This policy applies regardless of the reason the student:
- Cancels or withdraws;
- Stops attending;
- Changes plans;
- Transfers to another school;
- Leaves the United States;
- Is unable to enter or remain in the United States;
- Experiences a visa denial, delay, or immigration-related problem;
- Is dismissed or terminated from the program;
- Fails to maintain attendance, academic, financial, or immigration requirements;
- Becomes ill or experiences a personal emergency; or
- Is otherwise unable or unwilling to complete the purchased program.
TEI will not make discretionary exceptions to this policy. A refund will be issued only when TEI is legally required to provide one under applicable law.
Students are responsible for reviewing this policy carefully before applying, enrolling, or making any payment.
By submitting payment, the student acknowledges that the student has read, understood, and accepted TEI’s no-refund policy.
4. Cancellations and Unused Instruction
4.1 Group Programs
Failure to attend, withdrawal from the program, dismissal, transfer, travel, or another interruption does not create a right to a refund or credit.
Students remain responsible for all financial obligations arising under their enrollment agreement and approved payment schedule.
4.2 Private Lessons
Private-lesson students must provide at least 48 hours’ notice to request that a scheduled lesson be postponed.
When sufficient notice is not provided, the scheduled lesson will be considered used and will not be replaced, credited, or refunded.
Unused private-lesson hours may be held for a maximum of 30 days, subject to availability and TEI’s scheduling procedures. Hours not resumed within that period may expire without refund or credit.
5. Payment Questions and Chargebacks
Students who have a question or concern regarding a charge should contact TEI’s administration promptly so the School can review the matter and provide supporting records.
Initiating a chargeback does not automatically cancel a valid financial obligation to TEI.
When a student disputes a valid and properly authorized charge, TEI may provide the bank or card issuer with relevant records, including:
- Enrollment documents;
- Payment authorizations;
- Attendance records;
- Communications;
- Signed acknowledgements;
- School policies; and
- Evidence that services were made available or provided.
When permitted by applicable law and the student’s agreement, the student may be responsible for unpaid balances, collection expenses, and other costs arising from an invalid or unsuccessful payment dispute.
Nothing in this section limits any right that cannot legally be waived under applicable law or card-network requirements.
6. Attendance
6.1 Group Students
Students must attend every scheduled class and arrive on time.
Group students must maintain at least 80% overall attendance to:
- Remain in good standing;
- Continue enrollment; and
- Qualify for a certificate;
TEI does not classify absences as “excused” for purposes of calculating attendance. An absence may still affect the student’s attendance percentage even when the student provides an explanation or documentation.
Students who fall below the required attendance level may receive:
- An attendance warning;
- Attendance probation;
- Required counseling; and
- Dismissal from the program;
6.2 Private-Lesson Students
Private-lesson students must attend all scheduled lessons.
A student who cannot attend must provide at least 48 hours’ notice to request rescheduling. Lessons missed without sufficient notice will be considered used.
7. Academic Progress
7.1 Group Students
Students must maintain an overall weighted grade average of at least 75% to remain in good academic standing and advance to the next level.
Students may receive progress reports approximately every five weeks.
A student who does not maintain the required academic average may receive:
- An academic warning;
- Academic probation;
- A requirement to repeat a class or level; or
- Dismissal when satisfactory progress is not restored.
7.2 Repeating Levels
A student may be required or permitted to repeat a level because of:
- A failing grade;
- Insufficient attendance;
- Lack of satisfactory progress; or
- The next appropriate level not being available.
A level may generally be repeated no more than two times, subject to academic review and applicable school procedures.
7.3 Homework
Homework is a required component of TEI’s English-language programs.
Students should plan to study and complete assignments outside class. Teachers may provide additional expectations based on the student’s course and level.
8. Placement and Level Changes
8.1 Group Classes
Before entering a group class, students complete TEI’s placement process, which may include speaking and written assessments.
Students may be placed in an appropriate instructional level, including:
- Beginner;
- High Beginner;
- Low Elementary;
- Elementary;
- Low Intermediate;
- Intermediate;
- High Intermediate;
- Advanced; or
- Proficient.
A student who believes the placement is not appropriate should first speak with the teacher.
When appropriate, the student may submit a request to the Director for additional review or reassessment. Changes during an academic term are not guaranteed and are generally limited to special circumstances.
8.2 Private Lessons
Private-lesson students may also complete placement assessments. TEI develops the course plan based on the student’s assessed proficiency, goals, and instructional needs.
9. Student Conduct
Students must treat teachers, staff members, visitors, and other students respectfully.
Students are expected to:
- Participate appropriately in class;
- Follow teacher instructions;
- Complete assigned work;
- Use English during class when instructed;
- Avoid disruptive behavior;
- Protect school property;
- Respect the rights and safety of others; and
- Follow all lawful school instructions.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Threatening, intimidating, harassing, or discriminatory behavior;
- Physical violence or fighting;
- Possessing a weapon on school property;
- Possessing or using illegal drugs on school property;
- Attending class while impaired by alcohol or drugs;
- Theft or intentional property damage;
- Academic dishonesty;
- Recording another person without authorization when consent is required;
- Repeated disruption of instruction; and
- Retaliating against a person who makes a good-faith complaint.
Violations may result in a warning, probation, suspension, dismissal, or other appropriate action.
10. Dress Code
Students must wear clean, appropriate clothing suitable for an educational environment.
Clothing may not contain messages or images that are threatening, discriminatory, sexually explicit, or that promote illegal activity.
Students must wear shoes or appropriate sandals while on school property.
Head coverings worn for religious, cultural, medical, or disability-related reasons are permitted.
TEI may ask a student to correct attire that materially disrupts instruction, creates a legitimate safety concern, or violates this policy.
11. Cheating and Plagiarism
Students may collaborate when the teacher authorizes collaboration.
Students may not:
- Copy another student’s examination or assignment;
- Allow another person to complete their work;
- Use unauthorized materials during an assessment;
- Present another person’s ideas or language as their own;
- Fabricate information or sources; or
- Use artificial intelligence or another technology in a manner prohibited by the instructor.
Students must properly identify and cite outside sources when required.
Academic dishonesty may result in:
- A failing grade on the assignment or examination;
- An academic warning;
- Academic probation;
- A requirement to repeat coursework; or
- Dismissal for serious or repeated violations.
12. Student Complaints
A student who has a concern should first attempt to resolve it with the appropriate teacher or staff member when reasonable.
A student may submit a formal complaint to the Director using TEI’s complaint form.
TEI will generally:
- Confirm receipt of the complaint within two business days; and
- Provide a written response or status update within seven calendar days.
Some matters may require additional time to investigate. TEI will inform the student when additional time is reasonably necessary.
Students may submit complaints without retaliation for making a good-faith report.
Information regarding any applicable external complaint procedure should be provided in TEI’s Student Handbook or accreditation disclosures.
13. Media and Promotional Consent
Participation in photographs, videos, voice recordings, testimonials, or promotional materials is voluntary.
TEI should obtain separate written consent before using a student’s identifiable image, voice, name, testimonial, or recording for promotional purposes.
Declining media consent will not affect a student’s admission, enrollment, academic standing, immigration reporting, or access to TEI’s educational services.
A student may withdraw consent for future use by submitting a written request. Withdrawal will not necessarily require TEI to recall or remove materials that were lawfully produced, published, or distributed before the withdrawal was received.
14. Accuracy of Student Information
Students certify that all information and documentation submitted to TEI are complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
Students must promptly report material changes involving:
- Name;
- Address;
- Telephone number;
- Email address;
- Immigration status;
- Financial sponsorship;
- Passport or immigration documents; and
- Emergency contact information.
Submitting false, altered, misleading, or fraudulent information may result in denial of admission, dismissal, cancellation of school documents, and reporting to the appropriate authority when required.
15. Legal Terms
15.1 Governing Law and Venue
These policies and the student’s enrollment relationship with TEI will be governed by applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Georgia.
To the extent legally permitted, legal proceedings arising from the student’s enrollment or agreement with TEI will be brought in the appropriate court located in Cobb County, Georgia.
15.2 Severability
If a provision of these policies is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the extent legally permitted.
15.3 Policy Updates
TEI may revise these policies to reflect operational, academic, accreditation, legal, or regulatory changes.
Material changes will apply prospectively unless immediate implementation is required by law, regulation, accreditation requirements, or a government agency.
The version in effect when a student enrolls or renews enrollment will govern unless the student receives notice that an updated requirement applies.
16. Student Acknowledgement
By applying, enrolling, paying tuition or fees, or attending classes, I acknowledge that:
- I have read and understood TEI’s School Policies, or I have requested assistance understanding them.
- I understand that I am responsible for following the academic, attendance, conduct, financial, and administrative requirements that apply to my program.
- I understand that all payments made to TEI are final and non-refundable and that TEI will not issue refunds, partial refunds, prorated refunds, or credits, except when required by applicable law.
- I understand that withdrawing, transferring, stopping attendance, leaving the United States, experiencing a visa problem, or being dismissed does not automatically cancel my financial obligations.
- I certify that the information and documents I provide are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
- I certify that I have sufficient funds to pay my educational and living expenses.
- I understand that TEI cannot guarantee a visa, admission to the United States, an extension of stay, reinstatement, transfer, or another immigration benefit.
- I understand that TEI may take appropriate action in my SEVIS record when required by law, regulation, or school procedure.
- I agree to follow TEI’s policies and procedures throughout my enrollment.