Staten Islanders have the best of both urban and suburban worlds by commuting. You could enjoy this, too! Before the Verrazano Bridge was opened in 1964, Staten Island was known for fishing, farming, and parkland. Today it is a desirable place to live for people who work in Manhattan and other boroughs of New York City and adjacent New Jersey. Staten Island residents commute to Manhattan by car, by the ferry, which takes twenty-five minutes to get to the southern end of Manhattan, and by express bus, which takes about an hour to go to mid-town Manhattan. The English Language Institute (ELI) at the College of Staten Island offers programs in English and cultural orientation to international students, professional and business people, visitors, and members of the local community. ELI provides a supportive environment for language learning: small classes, individual attention, highly qualified faculty, and innovative teaching approaches help students acquire confidence and develop fluency and accuracy in English in an efficient and enjoyable way. Through special focus classes, field trips, and visits to the unique cultural institutions of New York City, students receive an orientation to American culture and an introduction to the US system of higher education. Programs are offered at all levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Courses are designed to address the needs of students who require English for academic, professional, or personal reasons.