If you’re in Chicago or Boston on an F-1 Student Visa, you have already passed the preliminary hurdles for being in the U.S. legally. You have shown that you have been accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, have a residence abroad, intend to leave the U.S. after completing your course of study, and have sufficient financial resources to pursue your studies. But how do you maintain your visa?

       One authority on the topic is the Computer Systems Institute (CSI), which is currently offering its affordable, $3,300-a-year Intensive English (ESL) program in multiple Chicago and Boston campuses.

       According to CSI, the key requirements for maintaining your F-1 status are that you must:

• Maintain a full course load of 18 hours or more at an SEVP-certified school
• Register for each term by the specified date
• Notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of any changes of school or address
• Remain in good standing both academically and financially
• Complete your studies by the expiration date listed on your I-20 certificate of eligibility form

       It is also important to remind all international students of the new law that has taken effect, “ in accordance with the Accreditation Act, all ESL programs of study that are SEVP-certified must either possess or have applied for accreditation before Dec. 15, 2011, by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education,” (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/accreditation-act/). International students should be careful and make sure that they are enrolling in regionally or nationally accredited schools such as CSI.

       “Through the years, we have helped thousands of students not only obtain and maintain their F-1 visas but also gain the English language skills they need to continue their studies, acclimate to the U.S. while they are here, and meet other international students,” said CSI President Ella Zibitsker. “It’s one of the easiest and most affordable ways of maintaining your student status while also immersing yourself in the U.S. language and culture.”

       Launched in 1989 to provide computer training, CSI began offering English language instruction for students on visas as well as new immigrants and permanent residents in 2005. Since then, thousands of students from over 40 countries have completed ESL courses at four CSI campuses in metropolitan Chicago and Boston.

       Each 10-week Intensive English course includes the 18 hours of weekly instruction required to maintain a student visa, with 10 hours of face-to-face instruction and eight hours of labs. Morning, evening and weekend classes are offered to fit students’ schedules.

       Course choices in the Intensive English program include beginner, intermediate and advanced reading, vocabulary, writing and oral skills. Course level is determined by standardized tests offered by the school. CSI also offers Academic English programs; these programs are suited for students who have advanced English proficiency. Academic English programs are $3,900 a year.

       Additionally there are also Business English programs which are non-language programs that allow students get professional development in a variety of business fields while working legally with CPT. Business English programs are $4,500 a year.

       CSI’s Intensive and Academic English curriculum combines classroom instruction with computer-assisted learning and group projects to help build English proficiency and students’ comfort level with English communication. Professional language training software used in CSI’s labs reinforces what is learned in the classroom through activities such as practice conversations, vocabulary and grammar exercises, interactive learning games and sentence dictation.

       All ESL instructors at CSI have masters degrees in linguistics or teaching English as a second language plus at least three years of experience teaching English as a second language. International Student Advisors provide counseling on student visa requirements as well as assistance in assembling the documentation required for visa applications.

       Please call 888-848-8260 or visit esl.csinow.edu for more information.