San Francisco Institute of English

I have only had good experience with this school. After attending classes here several years ago. One of my nephews was able to pass the TOEFL and therefore attend university and now graduated, he said that he enjoyed all the teachers and found the education process very satisfying. The principal has also been very understanding and helpful-willing to be flexible in most situations. Another of my nephew is now a student here. more

I am one of international students who highly recommend this affordable school which is full of high stand qualification. I received a warm welcome from this school when I first arrived. The director,teachers and students make me feel like I am at home. They never threatened me at all. Whenever I have a problem and I don't know who to talk to,I feel like I can depend on anyone at school to share my personal problems. Teachers are great .They work so so hard and love their job as well as I love school.SFIE has several classes and levels that suit your needs. There is free harrassing so you don't have to worry that you will have to pay to whole year to attend this school. Pay as you go. If you ever feel like need help translating because you just arrive and can't speak English fluently, there are students who help translating in the school office.Looking for a place to live,of course you can talk to the office persons ,they will be more than happy to help you.I consistently bring my friends and relatives to study at this school. They all love it. Last, tution fee and what I learn from this school is the primary reason why I recommend this school to all of you. more

I would recommend this school for anyone who really wants to improve their English. All teachers are very nice and they make it easy for students to understand. I've been going to San Francisco Institutes of English for almost a year now and my English has improved so much. Last year they renovated the school, now we have a really nice building with new paint and everything looks so clean and new. And most of all, I love the school's director. She is so nice to me. She listens to my problems and she always tries to help me the best possible way she can. I feel like I am home away from home. And I have made a lot of friends from this school. All the students are so good to one another because we come from different places and backgrounds but we are here to learn English and share some experience from home. I love this school!!!!! :-) more

I've been a student for 3 years now and I have to say that I made the right choice. They have all the levels available for a very affordable price. Many people believe that by going to an expensive school would ensure that the quality of the education is high, but it is just not true. SFIE is a perfect example of providing a high quality education for an affordable price. more

ESL students and teachers,\r \r I have been attending an ESL Adv. Class for almost 9 months at San Francisco Institute of English and I would not recommend the school for anyone.\r We spent our last week after spring break in front of the school supporting our teachers who were striking for better conditions of work, fairly salary and health care.\r The students tried to help and went to talk with the SFIE Director; Mr. John Kainlauri whom we never saw before at the school, didn?t want to talk with the students and asked for a letter as a formal complaint of the situation. On this letter, signed by dozen of SFIE students, we made clear that we would like to hear from him on Thursday, 20th March 2008 before we start transferring to another schools. Mr. John called in sick!!!!\r We spoke with Mr. John?s representatives who were not allowed to give any position, and lied for the students saying that they will negotiate with the teachers. We found out later that the last word from the school directors was: ?let the teachers go, let the students go, we don?t really care. There will be new ones?...\r A school is made of its teachers and students. The best teachers that I ever had left because they were not respected by the school director. Many of SFIE students are transferring to different schools.\r If you are coming to San Francisco and you are looking for an ESL school, please be careful with schools like SFIE. They don?t really care about you.\r In addition, the building is deteriorating; no heater, dirty windows and the walls are covered with mold. The neighbourhood have complained but they don?t care!!\r \r I am inviting the SFIE students and ESL studants from other schools to leave their comments and experiences about the unfair situation of the ESL teachers in San Francisco and the lack of respect with students.\r \r Alessandro de Melo Cons: Service, Ambience, Management more