Language Studies International, Berkeley Showbook 2009

Learn and live

the language
TABLE OF CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION TO LSI BERKELEY

Experience Berkeley
In and Around Berkeley
Inside LSI Berkeley
Reasons for Choosing LSI Berkeley
Facilities and Neighborhood
LSI COURSES
Most Popular Courses at LSI:
LSI Intensive 30
LSI Standard 20
International School Year
English for Business
LSI Executive Courses:
Mini Group
One to One
9-Day Compact
LSI Exam Preparation Courses:
Cambridge Exam Preparation
TOEFL and TOEIC
STUDENTS’ ARRIVAL
Orientation Day
Welcome
First Day Schedule
LSI SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
ARRIVAL AND AIRPORT TRANSFER
• San Francisco International Airport
• Airport Transfer
• Bart
• Fares
GENERAL TRANSPORTATION
• Public Transit
• Amtrak
• Bus
• Bicycle
• Car
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay Program, Student Residences, Hotels.
 INTRODUCTION
Scenic overlooks include the
view of the San Francisco Bay
and the hills of Grizzly Peak.
Acres of regional parks are
also available for hiking, biking,
and horseback riding.

Berkeley, home of the first University of California campus, is a

colorful and friendly student-oriented city that lies just across the bay
from San Francisco. Located in Northern California, the San
Francisco Bay Area affords a wealth of famous attractions and tourist
sites. As a college town, Berkeley
has everything to meet your
Berkeley itself has beautiful parks, great restaurants and shopping, needs when you need to study
and the attractions of San Francisco are just a short bus or train ride or take a break for some R&R!
away. To the North and West is the Gold Country, where gold was
discovered in 1849, and the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks
are just a few hours drive away.
With the University of California-Berkeley among the United
States’ most liberal universities, the city is not short of diversity
and freethinking minds! Berkeley is historically known for
respecting diversity and challenging close-minded people to
broaden their opinions.

Activists maintain a strong presence in the city. Their causes

range, as do their forms of self-expression. Exposure to a
variety of cultures and ways of thinking will give you insight
into how much of a melting pot Berkeley truly is.

There are plenty of adventures to

be had in Berkeley. Locals are
known for their open self-
expression and diverse approach to
having a good time!

Downtown hosts a variety of

theatrical performances,
demonstrations, and student
activities.

Berkeley residents support a

wide variety of eclectic tastes
and opinions. This Peace
Wall is a product of locals’
efforts to promote harmony As you explore, visit one of the
both at home and abroad. many wonderful restaurants or
cafes sprawled throughout the city.
You are sure to find something that
matches your taste.
IN AND AROUND
BERKELEY
Cafes and restaurants
offer cuisines and
atmospheres to serve the
range of tastes that
gather in this city.

With venues for quiet Traveling is made easy by the

study, a caffeine jolt, or variety of public transportation
get together with friends, available in the city.
local eateries cater to all
of your student needs. From Berkeley, you
can take the BART
The Daily Californian, the local student-run newspaper, (Bay Area Rapid
connects the public to local happenings and news, relevant to Transit) to San
the community. Published Monday through Friday, the Francisco. In less
newspaper retains its importance both for its media coverage than 30 minutes,
and history as the first independent campus paper in the you will arrive in the
country. The Best of Berkeley is an extension of this paper and heart of San
serves as a city guide and local arts website. Francisco.
Once there, the city’s famous
cable cars will handle all the hills
In the immediate area one can enjoy such attractions as the for you as you do your
Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, sightseeing!
Muir Woods, the artist community of Sausalito and Alcatraz
Island. The Bay Area is also the home of Silicon Valley, heart of
the computer industry as well as many biomedical companies.
Within a few hours drive there is also the famous California
Wine Country, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach as well
as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.
INSIDE LSI BERKELEY

Confidence building: We
use a variety of tools to help the students
practice everyday language.

Location: We are in the

center of town.

REASONS FOR CHOOSING LSI BERKELEY

Flexibility: LSI is large enough to offer program options and

small enough to care for each student.

Multi-cultural: In 2008 we welcomed students from 30

QUALITY
countries across Asia, Europe, South and North Americas and the
Middle East. This benefits every student. The curriculum, weekly
schedules and expert teaching
are all focused on meeting the
needs of students and
executives.

Value for money: The goal of LSI is simply to provide

students with the best value possible. We do this by
tailoring programs to our students needs.

Progress: We help students to identify their weaker skills

and support their improvement.
LOCATION INTERNATIONAL
LSI is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Berkeley and
is an easy walk from the University of California at Berkeley,
ATMOSPHERE
We have had students from 30
California’s top ranking public university.
countries this year. Studying at
LSI gives students a wonderful
Dining, entertainment, shopping, major transportation routes, and
chance to interact not only with
many major attractions are also easily accessible from our Center
Americans, but also with
Street location.
professionals and other students
from around the world.
RANGE AND FLEXIBILITY
Between the range of courses we offer and the flexible weekly Because of this interaction,
schedules we provide, we are confident that LSI can meet the students develop a better
needs of any student or business executive. In addition, LSI San understanding of other cultures
Diego and LSI Boston follow the same program. This makes it and learn more about themselves
easy to study at either of these schools without any additional and each other.
fees. LSI New York is on the same program as well, but students
may need to pay additional fees since their pricing is different.

ASSESSMENT
During their first morning at LSI, students are welcomed before
being assessed in their current skills in reading, writing, listening,
and speaking English. Following this session, our Director of
Studies will create a “Personal Study Plan” with each long-term
student before placing them into the class level which will give
them the most benefit. Regular review of project work, weekly
test results, and personal attention all help to improve students’
English skills.
STAFF AND TEACHERS
Students will find our staff friendly,
supportive, helpful, and happy to
listen. Every teacher at LSI is
fully qualified, experienced, and
professional.

Teacher development is very

important at LSI. Training
sessions are held regularly to
ensure that teachers know the
most recent trends in TESOL.
MULTIPLE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM
LSI has many different accommodation options available to
students. Students may choose between homestay, student TECHNIQUES
residences or hotels. All accommodation options are carefully LSI’s goal in our general English
selected to ensure their quality and safety. classes is to give students the
opportunity to practice their English.
To make the learning process
enjoyable, we use a range of multi-
media tools with a variety of teaching
techniques. LSI wants to give
students the chance to learn English
in the practical way so that they can
confidently use these skills in the
future.
ACTIVITIES
The LSI program includes a busy calendar of social activities
for students to enjoy in their free time. The city abounds with FACILITIES AND
restaurants, cinemas, cafes, and bookshops, thanks to its NEIGHBORHOOD
large student population from UC-Berkeley and the BART
provides easy access to many Bay Area attractions. Visits to
places such as the Wine Country and the Monterey Peninsula LSI Berkeley is only a short walk
are easily arranged. Students will find many chances to meet from the UC-Berkeley campus.
new friends and practice their English skills at the same time. There is a range of activities in the
downtown area. Local
establishments include many
comfortable and unique restaurants,
cafes, pubs, and boutiques. One of
two downtown stops on the BART,
“Downtown Berkeley” is a 2-minute
walk from LSI. Busses stop along
Shattuck Avenue, the main street in
downtown. For access to the Bay
Area, the BART is available.

LSI’s main office can be found on

the second floor of a modern two-
story office building on Center
Street. We offer free Internet
service to students and are Wi-Fi
capable. 14 computers are in our
Student Computer Labs.
CERTIFICATE
Upon the successful completion of their course, students
receive our “Certificate of Completion”. Signed by the School
Director and the Director of Studies, it indicates the students’
English level, as well as the duration of their program.
Students have access to a microwave, refrigerator, and toaster
oven in our kitchen and can bring food to the atrium to eat.
LSI COURSES
Up-to-date audio/visual equipment, software, and learning
materials all help our teachers to deliver lessons that are “FLEXIBLE AND TAILORED”
challenging, creative, and practical for the future.
LSI offers a range of quality programs
for any need and any schedule.

For example:

We offer both intensive and semi-

intensive programs.

We provide courses from one week to

48 weeks.

Whether students need General

English, Business English, or
preparation programs for TOEFL or
TOEIC exams, we offer it.

Please note that, as is true of all public buildings in California,

there is no smoking allowed in the building. As of 2008 there is
no smoking allowed in downtown Berkeley.

Executives looking for tailored

English for Business classes should
look no further than LSI.

LSI provides the answer!

MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS AT LSI
BERKELEY

LSI INTENSIVE 30
LSI invites students to select as many weeks as they need
from 1 to 48 weeks. As a result, this 30 lesson per week
program is perfect for students who want the same
afternoon options as the ISY 30 but need less than 24
weeks study.
MULTI-CENTRE COURSE: Students
are welcome to share their time between LSI
San Diego, LSI Berkeley, LSI Boston, and/or
LSI New York (where additional costs apply).

LSI STANDARD 20 EXECUTIVE COURSES

This 20 lesson per week program follows the same
morning schedule as the ISY 30 and Intensive 30. As a
semi-intensive course, this is perfect for students who
need integrated skill without afternoon classes.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL YEAR (ISY)
PROGRAMS
Elementary to Intermediate Levels.
Designed to meet the needs of tomorrow's international
professionals, this course lasts 24, 30, 36 or 48 weeks.
This course is comprised of 20 or 30 lessons per week
and gives students the chance to build a very solid
foundation in English. It also provides the opportunity to
study a variety of electives, including our preparation
courses for Cambridge, TOEFL and TOEIC exams, or the
English for Business course. The key word in this program
is flexibility, accomplished by creating students’ “Personal
Study Plans”.
ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS
Intermediate to Advanced Levels.
MINI GROUP
Intermediate to Advanced Levels.
English for Business or Professional People.
This Intensive seminar includes general
grammar and skills with a focus on
negotiations, presentations and meetings
relevant in business and non-business
situations. This program is 30 lessons per
week and is limited to 5 students.
ONE-TO-ONE
This is ideal for students who have very
specific needs that they would like LSI to
concentrate on.
9-DAY COMPACT
This executive program is for all those with
exacting language needs that must be met
quickly.

This class can be the afternoon portion of either an

Intensive 30 course, or the ISY 30 program. 10 lessons
per week following a cycle of 12 weeks, each one dealing
with a specific area of business (e.g. leadership,
marketing, negotiating, team building, etc.). Each of these
business areas will be practiced with special focus on
speaking and listening skills.
LSI EXAM PREPARATION COURSES TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS
CAMBRIDGE EXAM PREPARATION A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

10 lessons per week - Intermediate to Advanced Levels
The Cambridge programs cover a wide range of academic
and vocational topics, including examinations specially
designed for the international market.
LSI Berkeley offers preparatory courses for the Cambridge
FCE, CAE, which are internationally recognized as
standards of competency in English.
The programs last up to twelve weeks and combine theory
with practical skills.
TOEIC (TEST OF ENGLISH FOR
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION)
10 lessons per week - Intermediate to Advanced Levels.
10 lessons per week - Intermediate to
Advanced Levels
This class can be the afternoon portion of
either an Intensive 30 course, or the ISY
30 program.
TOEFL is a standard test for entry to
colleges and universities throughout the
United States and Canada.
The class prepares students for four
components of the examination. Students
entering this course will join morning
classes for integrated skills, and then
attend classes each afternoon (Monday
through Thursday) specifically for TOEFL
iBT instruction.

TOEIC measures the everyday English skills of people

working in an international environment. It may be used
when applying for jobs or for entry into certain international
study programs.

In this course, students join morning classes for integrated

skills and attend afternoon electives chosen in consultation
with the Director of Studies.
TABLE OF APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENCY
BETWEEN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
EXAMINATIONS:
LSI Level / Exam Equivalency Chart
Class Cambridge
Level Skill Level IELTS Level TOEFL TOEIC
PBT CBT iBT
106 Advanced 9+ CPE
105 Post-Inter. 9 CPE 670 293 120 920
104 Upper-Inter. 8.5 - 8 CAE 635 272 110 905
104 Upper-Inter. 7.5 - 7 CAE 600 250 100 810
103 Inter. 6.5 - 6 FCE 530 197 71 660
103 Inter. 5.5 - 5 FCE 460 140 48 520
102 Pre-Inter. 4.5 - 4 PET 400 97 32 380
102 Pre-Inter. 3.5 - 3 PET 220
101 Elem. 2.5 - 2 KET
100 Beginner 1.5 - 1 KET
ORIENTATION DAY LSI SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Welcome!
On the first day of school, new students will be
evaluated for level placement and given an overview of
our programs.
From the results of the placement test and oral
evaluation given before the orientation, students are
placed into the appropriate level for them.
In the classroom, teachers use a communicative
approach to teach English. The students develop
language skills, which they can use in the situations
they find themselves in while living in Berkeley.

LSI organizes social events during the week as

well as many weekend tours and excursions.
These activities give students the chance to
appreciate other cultures within the ‘LSI family’.
In 2008, we welcomed 30 nationalities.

Activities include trips to museums, concerts,

The entire curriculum is structured to follow a
progression from level to level. New skills are
introduced, while existing skills are reinforced through
listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
dance festivals, world music festivals, baseball
games, soccer, other sporting events, and
seasonal activities for holidays such as
Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. Additionally,
there are party nights and dinners, pub crawls,
walks, visits to markets, and wine tastings
locally.

SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST DAY

9:10 am: Welcome, introduction of staff and
registration takes place.
9:30 am – 10:50 am: Placement test
10:50 am – 11:10 am: Break
11:10 am – 12:50 pm: Orientation
12:50 pm – 1:50 pm: Lunch
1:50 pm – 4:00 pm: Standard 20 students are free to
explore the city.
1:50 pm – 4:00 pm: Intensive 30 students will begin
the afternoon portion of their course.
ARRIVAL AND AIRPORT TRANSFER
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT (SFO)
After exiting the plane, students should simply proceed to
the Baggage Claim Area to pick up their bags from the
baggage carousel corresponding to their flight number. If
their flight had a connection, they will have already gone
through customs and immigration at the airport in the US
city.
From the airport, there are three ways for students to
reach their host family, residence hotel, or hotel.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
If the student has booked an airport transfer, and LSI has
received accurate flight arrival information with the name
of the airline, flight number, and arrival time at least one
week prior to arrival, LSI will arrange for the student to be
met at the Baggage Claim by an LSI representative.
Please advise students to look carefully for a sign with
his/her name on it. If for some reason the student does
not see our representative, he/she should wait in the
Baggage Claim area until the representative is located.
Additional fees may apply for early/late arrival & out of
county destinations.
BART (BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT)
The BART has a bus available for transport from the
SFO to the nearest BART station. Students can ride the
BART from San Francisco to the Downtown Berkeley
stop, one block away from LSI-Berkeley. The cost is
minimal and the location is convenient for easy transfer.
FARES
BART tickets are like debit cards and deduct
based on mileage traveled. Therefore,
weekly or monthly passes are not available.
All BART stations sell tickets through
automatic ticket machines that accept nickels,
dimes and quarters as well as $1, $5, $10
and $20 bills. Credit cards may be used at all
stations in select machines. The BART
covers the entire Bay Area and both
affordable and accommodating. Trip
Planners and Fare Calculators are available
at http://www.bart.gov/, the BART
website.
GENERAL TRANSPORTATION
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Berkeley’s transit system includes city buses
and the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
AMTRAK
Amtrak is a national train service company
that offers transportation across the United
States. Its Capitol Corridor route runs from
San Jose to Auburn with many stops in
between, Berkeley among them. The trains
run daily and prices vary depending on where
you are traveling. For accessibility
information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
BUS
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is the
largest bus-only transportation agency in the United
States.
AC Transit buses connect with nine other public and
private bus systems, 21 BART stations, six Amtrak
stations, and three ferry terminals. With a 364 square
mile service area, AC Transit includes service to
Berkeley/Richmond and downtown San Francisco
via the Bay Bridge, among other Bay Area cities.
BICYCLE
Many people, including some of our teachers and
students, commute to school by bike. It is
economical and sometimes faster than any other
means of transportation. You can even bike part of
the way and then take the bus and/or BART part of
the way. Bicycles can be purchased either new or
used throughout the city.
Many people love to ride their bikes downtown after
school in order to relax and keep fit.
CAR
There are many car rental agencies in Berkeley
where short or long-term economy rentals are
available.
Renters must be at least 25 years old (21 at some
agencies) and have a valid driver's license and major
credit card.
Remember that driving laws in California may differ
from the ones in your home country. Please be
aware of these differences and make sure that you
feel comfortable with them before renting a car.
ACCOMMODATION
All of LSI Berkeley’s accommodations are
carefully selected to ensure that they meet our
quality standards.
HOMESTAY
The majority of students who attend classes at
LSI Berkeley choose to live with American host
families during their stay. The greatest
advantage of a homestay experience is the
opportunity to communicate and interact with
Americans outside of the classroom.
Our hosts provide a comfortable private room,
completely furnished with all the amenities of a
home. We offer two types of homestay to our
students: a half-board program that includes
breakfast and dinner and a bed and breakfast
program that includes breakfast only.
Hosts are within 50 minutes commute of LSI
Berkeley by public transportation. Our
Homestay Coordinator carefully selects all host
families to ensure that each student’s stay will
be comfortable, enjoyable and that students will
be made to feel at home and safe. Our families’
homes range in size from condominiums to
larger homes.
Americans are very good about welcoming
students in as a part of their family, so students
should not be surprised if their host encourages
them to join them in the kitchen to prepare a
meal.
Most hosts will involve students in menu selection and
some hosts are able to accommodate special dietary Thank you for choosing
requirements.
LSI Berkeley!
STUDENT RESIDENCES
Student Residences are more suitable for an
independent student, who is looking for clean, basic LANGUAGE STUDIES
accommodation at an economic price.
INTERNATIONAL
LSI BERKELEY
2015 Center Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Tel: 510 841-4695

Fax: 510 841-3015
Email: ber@lsi.edu
All students must be 18+ unless otherwise noted. For Web site: www.LSI-America.com
most options students can book through LSI or directly or www.LSI.edu
with the residence.

--- Accredited ---

The best advantage of that option is to live with other

students from all over the world and share your
experience and culture, as well as practice language.

--- Member ---

HOTELS
We also have a selection of hotels available. Please
contact LSI Berkeley for more information.
We hope to see you soon!