Overview of Program

Southern States University (SSU) was founded in 1983 and has been providing ESL courses since 2006 with the mission of giving international students English language instruction of the highest quality at very affordable prices. Southern States University offers all levels of English instruction as well as a TOEFL preparation course. Classes are offered in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and all classes are led by trained, native English-speaking teachers.

SSU’s pedagogical approach gives students the opportunity to develop truly comprehensive English language ability, by developing skills in English reading, writing, grammar, conversation, and pronunciation.  In addition, Southern States University offers preparation courses for specialized tests, including the TOEFL and TOEIC.  SSU’s fun, challenging, and productive learning environment is well-suited to prepare students for success in their future personal, academic, and professional pursuits.

When you’re not studying, Newport Beach, in the Orange County area, is one of the most beautiful and glamorous places in America.  Gorgeous beaches, high fashion shopping areas, delicious restaurants, and exciting nightclubs are all within a few miles of your new home.  Of course, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills are nearby as well and we will be here to help you see it all. We even have seasonal school trips to explore our most interesting cultural spots!

Southern States University is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue the legal documents required to obtain a student visa (SEVIS form I-20) for studies at its Newport Beach campus.


Attendance Policies and Federal Regulations

Due to strict regulations by US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) (formerly known as the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service—INS), students who miss more than 5 hours per week in any one-month period are in jeopardy of losing their I-20 Student Eligibility Form issued by SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY, which may lead to additional legal problems for the student during his/her stay in the U.S.  Additionally, students who have less than 70% program attendance are in jeopardy of being expelled from SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY.

Teachers record attendance on a daily basis and students are expected to be in class, on time, every day. Students with an I-20 are required—by Federal law—to attend 18 hours of school per week. If a student falls below 70% attendance, he/she risks being “out of status.” 70% represents five hours of absence per week. Elective classes are a required portion of the 18-hour school week.

Any student arriving fifteen minutes after the official class start time will not be permitted to enter the classroom until the break and will be marked absent for half the class. Any student leaving school at break will be marked absent for half the class. Any student returning late from the 15-minute break will not be permitted in the classroom and will be marked absent for half the class.

Teachers do not have the authority to make exceptions regarding student attendance. Please do not ask teachers for special treatment in order to fit your schedule.  If you have any concerns regarding these policies, please speak with the Academic Director.

Placement & Orientation Procedures

Upon receipt of initial payment and necessary legal paperwork by SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY, students are given a placement test and briefly interviewed to determine their English language skills. Placement testing is only done on Friday mornings at 9:00 AM. It is important not to be late.  Immediately following placement testing, all new students are required to participate in a general orientation session to review several important topics such as schedules, books and materials, attendance policy, academic advancement, and other related matters. 

Based on the results of the placement test, students are enrolled in the appropriate level of instruction as determined by the SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY Academic Director. Students who feel they have been placed at the inappropriate level may be able to move up or down one level based on the Core teacher’s recommendation. Students must talk with their teacher by Monday of the second week.  There will be no changes after the 2nd week of a student’s enrollment in classes. 

Level Progression

Classes are set up at SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY on a twelve-week cycle.  Students are tested twelve weeks after their start date to determine if they are eligible to change levels.  If students do not test at a sufficient level to move forward, they are permitted to repeat the level until proper skills are developed.

Core Class Description Example: (SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY may combine classes due to enrollment)

LEVEL I/II:  Beginning
For the English language beginner. Focuses on basic grammar and simple comprehension of spoken and written English. No prior English study is necessary for this level.
Required Text: New Interchange I


LEVEL III:  Upper Beginning
Level II focuses on basic grammar and sentence structure. Students at this level can follow simple directions in English but are not expected to communicate detailed ideas.
Vocabulary is enhanced through basic reading exercises and conversation skills are improved upon through simple in-class dialogue and discussion.

Required Text: New Interchange II

LEVEL IV:  Low Intermediate
For students with a basic understanding of the language and basic conversational skills. This level focuses on building a strong grammar foundation through thorough and deliberate guided exercises as well as simple application activities.
Required Text: New Interchange III

LEVEL V: Intermediate
This class emphasizes advanced grammar, reading, and listening proficiency. This level is for intermediate students with a good grasp on the English language. Students at this level are confident in their conversational and writing skills but may have trouble with the finer details of the language.
Required Text: Focus on Grammar 4

LEVEL VI:  High Intermediate
This level focuses on reading comprehension, building vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills. Most students at this level have a good understanding of the language and are generally ready for standardized testing.
Required Text: Understanding and Using English Grammar - Volume B + Consider the Issues

LEVEL VII:  Advanced
For advanced students nearing fluency in English.  This level focuses on fine-tuning grammar points, pronunciation, reading and listening comprehension.
Required Text: Focus on Grammar 5

LEVEL VIII:  High Advanced
For highly-advanced students who are nearly fluent in English.  This class focuses on accent reduction, presentation skills, critical thinking skills, and the improvement of students’ command of sophisticated vocabulary and complex structures.
Required Text: Advanced Grammar in Use + Newsweek

TOEFL

Focuses primarily on taking and achieving a satisfactory score on the TOEFL test, including reading comprehension, structure, listening, and writing. Strategies for successful TOEFL testing are discussed as well as simulated testing in the classroom. Additionally, students will have at least one timed writing per week.
Required Text: Delta's Key to the TOEFL Test

Textbooks

Students are required to obtain the proper textbook(s) for their classes, which they should bring to each class on a daily basis. Students may also choose to purchase textbooks from departing students, at a local bookstore, or order them online.

Conversation Classes

Students are required to attend conversation classes.  The conversation gives each student a chance to focus on the use and practice of the methods learned in Core class. We currently offer Conversation levels 1-7.  Conversation levels directly correlate with the students core level (i.e. a student in Level I/II core will be in level 1 conversation.) Additional classes may also be offered depending on students’ needs.


Certificates

A certificate of completion, an official document verifying enrollment and attendance at SOUTHERN STATES UNIVERSITY, is available to students in good standing who have completed their studies with the required 70% attendance rate. Certificates are dated and signed by the Director/Administrative Director and the Academic Director with the final level completed at the end of the student’s studies.

Vacation/Breaks

A 2 -week break will be allowed after 3 months of continuous class attendance. If the 2 weeks are not used after 3 months, you can hold them and take a 1-month (4-week) break after 6 months of class.

If you are away from the school more than 2 weeks without notifying the administration in person, you will have to pay a $50.00 late fee, and you risk having your I-20 canceled.  If your I-20 is cancelled, you will have to request Reinstatement from Immigration Services

SSU has SEVIS Approval to issue I-20s for the ESL and MBA programs at
our Newport Beach Campus