OLS helps students secure basic living services, such as a cell phone plan, a car, insurance, a bank account, etc. It can be difficult to navigate the setup of a new life here in America. Tasks such as finding a homestay family, purchasing a car and auto insurance, using public transportation, opening a bank account, or obtaining a cell phone can all seem overwhelming in a new place and using a new language. We can help you through all of these processes and help you get settled here easily and comfortably.
There are many choices when setting up an American bank account. We can take you to bank near Optimus and help you set up an account to help make your purchases easier while you are here in the U.S.
You will need to set up a cell phone account with a local cell phone service provider. We will accompany you to the service provider of your choice and help you get started.
We will help you make an appointment to get a driver's license. We will also go with you to the DMV to help you navigate the process smoothly.
Since you will be spending a lot of time at Optimus, you will want to know what shopping and restaurant options your have nearby. We will take you on a tour to get you familiar with what is in the area, and then we will help you with your first grocery shopping trip.
On your application, you can mark if you would like us to pick you up at the airport when you arrive in the U.S. We will ask for your travel information and have somebody waiting for you when you arrive.
If you have not already made arrangements to stay with a friend or family member while you are studying in the U.S., you can mark on your application that you would like to sign up for the Homestay program. We will match you with an American family living close to Optimus. You will be able to experience more of the American culture by living with them. Please read our blog.
Although Optimus does not require health insurance, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you maintain health insurance while in the U.S. It is recommended that you obtain health insurance from your home country because it will be cheaper. However, if you would like to sign up for a health insurance plan once you are here, we can help you with that process.
"I enjoyed experiencing American culture very much."
Yushi R.
Q: I would like to transfer to your school but the tuition seems to be a little bit higher than language schools where I’m going now. Can I pay the same amount of tuition?
We currently offer a transfer student discount policy that will allow you to transfer to Optimus without having to pay increased tuition. Read more about our transfer student discount here.
Q: How much does it cost to attend Optimus Language School?
A: Tuition is determined by the class size and your duration of study. Please visit our Tuition and Fees page for detailed information.
Q: Is there a deadline to apply?
A: The deadline to apply is about 6 weeks prior to the start of the quarter for which you are applying. Deadlines are set to allow students enough time to complete the visa process and pay for tuition on time. Please click here for more information on application deadlines.
Q: How do I obtain an I-20 form?
A: An I-20 form is needed to apply for an F-1 visa. To obtain an I-20 form, you must first fill out an application and pay the processing fees. For more information, please click here.
Q: Is it possible to study at your school if I don’t have an F-1 Student Visa?
A: If you are here for travel or business purposes, it is possible to study at Optimus Language School. However, you would be limited to studying for less than 18 hours per week until the time you are required to go back to your home country.
Q: Other than tuition, what fees do I have to pay for?
A: For more information on “Other Fees”, please visit our website.
Q: When are the start dates?
A: Since Optimus Language School is on a quarter system, classes are 3 months long. The beginning of each quarter starts on the first Monday of January, April, July, October. Please click here for more information about our schedule.
Q: Do you offer night classes?
No. You can read more about why we don't offer night classes here.
Q: Why don’t you have conditional agreements?
Conditional agreements are usually made so that students can skip a college's TOEFL score requirement. However, we feel this often results in students entering college who really don't have the necessary English proficiency to survive and thrive in a college class. You can read more about why we don't make conditional agreements here.
Q: What is TOEFL guarantee program?
Our TOEFL guarantee program guarantees a score of 80 or above on the TOEFL after successful completion of our TOEFL class. Learn more about the program and see if you meet the eligibility requirements here.
Q: My primary goal is just to maintain my F-1 status so that I can stay in the U.S. Can I maintain my status at Optimus?
We are happy to help you maintain your status through hard work and serious study of English. We do not, however, cater to students who wish to maintain their status without dedication to improving their English.
Q: Can I take a vacation after 1 quarter?
No. After studying for 3 quarters, you will be able to take 1 quarter off without any penalty. You can read more about this policy here.
Q: Instead of 3 months vacation, can I have one month each at the end of each quarter?
No. Because we do not have rolling enrollment, you will need to follow our quarterly schedule. Our schedule allows for one week of break time between each quarter. We have found that breaks longer than a week can cause learning loss and a decrease in motivation. This is why we only allow for longer breaks after a longer sustained period of learning. Read more about this policy here.
Q: I’m worried that I might not get the visa from my Embassy because your school seems to be a lot smaller than Kaplan, EF, or other colleges. Will the size of your school affect my chances of getting an F-1 visa?
We have the same type of accreditation and authorization as schools much larger than us. Embassies are only concerned with the accreditation and authorization a school has, not its size. Many agencies use scare tactics (such as convincing students that the size of a school will affect their chances of getting an F-1 visa) to try to persuade students to apply to larger schools. They do this because they can get a higher rate of commission for each student they send to schools like Kaplan, EF, and ELS. Any government, providing that it is not corrupt, will treat accredited and authorized schools equally, regardless of their size.
Q: Why do you insist on specific class sizes unlike other language schools where there is no limit on each class?
It is our belief that the number one factor in language acquisition is the amount of conversation (speaking and listening) practice you get. With our limited class sizes, we are able to ensure maximum speaking and listening practice. Read more about the benefits of our small ratio classes here.
Q: Other local language schools are more lenient on their attendance policy, but yours seems to be very strict. Why?
Students who always attend class will get the maximum benefit from their study time. They also show their commitment to their education by showing up on time every time. Therefore, it is important to us to maintain a strict attendance policy. Read more about our attendance policy here.
Q: Why do you insist on 3-month courses rather than 1-month courses?
It is important to us that students build up their skills through consistent use of the language in a comfortable environment. This requires that students get to know each other well and focus on their language education together, rather than having to constantly change classes. Read more about the reasons behind this policy here.
Q: Why do you check your teachers’ background?
We want to make sure that you (or your child) are in a safe environment at all times with us. To be sure of this, we require that all of our teachers be fingerprinted and background checked. Read more about our background checks here.
Q: How do you check teachers’ background?
After a teacher gets fingerprinted at a government-approved fingerprinting facility, we are able to request a background check from the Department of Justice and FBI. Read more about how we screen our teachers here.
Q: How do I check my daily progress report?
Students can see their daily progress report by signing into their online MyOLS account on our website. Read more about what information you can find on the daily progress report here.
Q: How do I download the app?
Coming soon! The OLS app will be downloadable from The App Store for iOS or Google PlayStore for android devices.
Q: What can I see in the app?
Using the app, students will be able to view their daily progress report with comments from teachers. Read more about what information is on the daily progress report here.
Q: What is Free eLearning and how can I use it?
Our FREE eLearning course is offered to help students prepare to begin studying at Optimus. Read more about the benefits of our FREE eLearning program here.
Q: I heard that you don’t work with agencies. Why don’t you work with agencies that could send you a lot of students?
Agencies require an average of 20%-30% commission for each referred student. This drives up the cost that we must charge students for tuition, which we want to avoid because we feel it is unfair for students. So far, it has been impossible to work with agencies because of their high commission rates. However, if there are any agencies that care enough about the students to accept more reasonable commissions that won't so strongly impact tuition, we would be willing to work with that kind of agency.
Q: If you don’t work with agencies, how do you recruit the students from overseas?
We rely heavily on word of mouth referrals. We also work on popular social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook in multiple languages.
Q: What do I do if I have children that I want to bring with me to the United States while I study here?
A: If you are coming from overseas and you have dependents (spouse or children) with you, then they must also obtain an I-20 form from Optimus and fill out a DS-160 application as a dependent.
Q: Do you have any online courses?
A: Though we don’t have any instruction online, we do offer all of our students a free e-Learning prep course that prepares students for their study in the United States. The course consists of 20 lessons that introduce basis vocabulary words, verb phrases, and popular American idioms that will make it easier to understand the English you’ll be learning in your ESL class. For more information on our e-Learning prep course, please click here.
Q: Will I be prepared for the TOEFL exam after studying at Optimus Language School?
A: Because our students take weekly exams that are similar to that of the TOEFL exam, engage in daily conversation with their classmates, and practice reading, writing, and listening regularly, students should be more than prepared for the TOEFL exam after going through our curriculum. In addition, we offer private TOEFL classes for those students who want additional help in that area.
Q: How do I know what course or level of English I will take?
A: Once you arrive in the United States, you will come to Optimus Language School before your start date to take a placement test that will determine what level of English proficiency you are. Based on your results, we will place you in the appropriate class level.
Q: Can I start your class in the middle of the quarter?
A: To ensure the quality of the learning experience for our students, we do not allow students to join in the middle of a quarter. Applicants must apply at least six weeks before the intended quarter of study. To learn more about our policy, please visit our blog entitled “The Negative Effects of Rolling Enrollment”.
Q: Is Optimus Language School accredited?
A: Yes, Optimus Language School is accredited by the CEA (Commission on English Language Accreditation). The CEA is one of only two English accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. government.
Q: Does Optimus Language School issue I-20 forms?
A: Yes, since Optimus Language School is SEVP certified, we are able to issue I-20 Forms to F-1 visa applicants.
Q: How long can I study at Optimus Language School?
A: Our program from start to finish (Basic, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5) is generally 18 months (6 quarters) long. However, a student’s length of study at Optimus is dependent on what level of English they start at. For example, if a student starts off at Level 3, then that student’s time studying at Optimus Language School will be shorter compared to a student starting out at the Basic Level since the Level 3 student will only have to complete Levels 3 - 5.
Q: If I am in the United States on a tourist visa, can I change my visa status to an F-1 student visa status?
A: Yes, someone who wants to change their visa status may do so through obtaining an I-20 form from Optimus Language School. For more information on the “Change of Status” process, please visit our blog.
Q: What kind of teachers do you have at Optimus Language School?
A: All of our teachers are native English speakers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and is TESOL certified. Along with their knowledge of the English language, they use their abilities as a native speaker to help our students master the language.
Q: Are you sure you don’t put more than 4 or 8 students in a class?
A: Yes, we strive to provide our students with an environment that will allow them to cultivate their English learning skills. We sincerely care about the success of our students so with the utmost integrity; we make it a priority to cap all of our classes at 8 students or less.
Q: Is there an attendance policy?
A: A student must attend 90% of his or her classes every quarter for their I-20 to remain valid with Optimus Language School.
Q: How can I transfer to your school?
A: To transfer to Optimus Language School, please visit our website and our blog for detailed information.
Q: What is your Guarantee Program?
A: Our ESL and TOEFL courses are guaranteed for students who sign up for one year of classes.For more information, please visit our website and blog.
Q: How soon can you issue an I-20 form?
A: We will process your I-20 right away so that you will receive it at your home within one week from the time you are accepted to OLS. Please read more about it here.
Q: Can I take a vacation while I am studying at Optimus Language School?
A: After being enrolled for 3 consecutive quarters, you will be eligible to take a break for 1 quarter (3 months) without having to reapply to OLS. For more information, please visit our website.