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Here is news sent by our graduates since the last newsletter was
written:
Jen Huerter (August ‘01)
I'm living in DC (since August 2003) and am in my last semester of a
graduate program at American University. My degree will be in International
Training and Education. It's not ESL, more along the lines of promoting
and developing education (adult ed., basic ed.) in developing countries.
Prior to that I spent about 15 months teaching ESL in Taiwan and enjoyed
my experience.
Bill and Linda Schreiber (December ’01)
Linda and I have accepted positions at Suqian College in Jiangsu Province,
China. We will be teaching 16-20 hours/week with a typical class size
of 40!
Dave Buerger (April '04 P-T)
I've been sort of 'invisible' around the BLI ever since I picked up
(with GREAT HAPPINESS) my TEFL certificate, but that doesn't mean I've
forgotten about everyone at the BLI. Acting on your advice, in September
I enrolled in Cambridge College's BA in Multi-disciplinary Studies program,
with a focus on education. I'm almost finished with my2 classes this
semester, and it's been a terrific experience. Successfully completing
the TEFL Program gave me the extra confidence to know I can 'do it'[finish
a B.A.]!
Rosangela Basso (July ’02 NNS)
I would love to be in touch with all of you....Here are my new e-mail
addresses in Brazil.
home: er.basso@wnet.com.br
university: rbasso@cesumar.com
Gwen Atkinson (September ’02 P-T)
I'll be moving to Kangnam station, to a lovely (though completely empty)
little bungalow-type studio. It's a perfect 5 minute walk to work. I'll
be working a "split shift" teaching adults at "Pagoda" hagwon/English
School. I'm really looking forward to the change and to the 2nd year
in Seoul!
Betsy Stolzfus (November ’03)
Here are a few photos of one of my English classes (6th grade)here at
an elementary school in Caceres, Spain. As you will note, the theme
of our lesson was Christmas. I am enjoying teaching these kids as well
as a class of 3-5 year olds.
Bill Kearney (January ’04)
Since September, I've dedicated myself to dancing salsa and chasing
around some of the most beautiful women this world has to offer in Quito,
Ecuador...and of course, teaching English on the side...
I truly enjoyed the course at BLI and, in turn, the experiences it has
allowed me.
Marissa Basch (May ’04)
I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your help when I
first started teaching my class here in NY. Just to update you, I am
working for a place called Literacy Partners, Inc., which is a non-profit
organization that offers free classes to over 1400 adults in the Metropolitan
NYC area. I have a regular ESL class, and I am currently substituting
4 other classes in Pre-GED and ABE levels.
I wanted to tell you that I learned so much from Boston Language Institute.
It really helped me learn about teaching adults, and I absolutely love
it! I was just promoted to full-time at Literacy Partners, Inc. and
my job will include me being a site coordinator as well as teacher in
two different centers that we offers classes in.. I just wanted to let
you know that I actually used my certificate and that I am going to
keep moving on to bigger and better things. So, thanks for everything,
and I'll be in touch.
Matt Dexter (October ’03)
I'm back teaching again [in Madrid] for the same agency, at the same
schools. Everything is working out great. I've found a University here
to finish up my studies. Suffolk Boston has a Madrid campus. So I'm
going to do a few years there studying International Business. If you
come across anymore Spain-bound TEFLers send them my way. Take care
and keep up the good work. Oh which reminds me, I was talking to some
people who had done their TEFL here in Madrid and and they did not seem
prepared [to the degree we were].
Linda Miele (August ’02)
Last year I started full-time at The New School taking courses for their
TEFL certification and will be finished with their program end of 2004.
I did my practicum in Istanbul this summer and also taught Business
English at the Xerox company on the side for great money. It was very
rewarding and I plan to go back there in the spring. I am currently
teaching Business English at The International Center while completing
my last three courses: the Sound System, Principles of Teaching ESL
and Using Authentic Materials. I've really enjoy all my courses and
the teaching experience at The Boston Language Institute has proven
very helpful to me.
Will Potter (June ’03)
Here's a picture me with Hamutaro, getting busy in Japan (where else
could this possibly go on) during the fall festival! Thanks again for
the fantastic instruction, i must admit I think back upon my wonderful
training all the time.
Matt Graber (October ’03)
I'm in Israel right now in a master's degree program for TESOL. My classes
haven't started yet, but I've been teaching for the past month. I'm
an intern teaching English to 5th and 6th grade students 3 days a week.
It's interesting. The school is about 90% immigrants from Ethiopia.
The kids speak Hebrew at school, and outside and with their parents
they speak Amharic, so English is their 3rd language.
Sara McGavic (December ’01)
Professionally, I just recently took a job at UNC School of Law as the
Director of International Programs. This semester I have 10 students
form 4 countries, and they are all great. I will be traveling to Australia
this summer for 5 weeks to administer a study abroad program we have
in Sydney. I'm excited to be traveling again after a long post-marriage
traveling drought. It's a lot more difficult now that I'm not a single
student! I plan to start Grad school maybe next year in Public Health
Education/Public Policy with the hopes of going back to West Africa
to live for an extended period.
Lia Kennedy (July ’02)
I am back in France and going to school full time. I am also working
at Wall Street English Institute, teaching English. I was in Greece
for two years, where I taught English. The wages are so low there that
I had to work in several schools and give a lot of private lessons to
be able to pay my way. There are a lot of openings for native speakers
who want to teach in Greece. One doesn't even need to have a job lined
up before going, you can just knock on doors and drop off resumes and
leave a phone number and schools will call back. All that information
that I gained in Boston that summer really paid off. Thanks.
Charles Homonnay-Preyer (April ’04 P-T)
It took almost 2 months but with some lucky timing and connections I
found a position at a private girls' junior high school in Yokohama
[Japan]. The students are very friendly. I teach 14 hours a week at
almost $40 per hour. Lots of vacations, class sizes of 13-25. The students
love my lessons. I got my work visa. Thank you BLI for all the great
training and advice. I couldn't have done it without you.
Eliza Bent (October ’04)
I'm in Rome (ahhh!!!) its great here but much different than the little
town of Parma where I studied when I was a Junior, I got a job yesterday
(hoorray!) and hopefully it will be good. Tomorrow i have three lessons
to teach... but i believe i will be relying on a textbook a bit more
than on CPs and FPs and previews. Nevertheless, I think the final project
and letter of recommendation really helped... and of course all of the
training.
D. Russell Cromwell (June ’01)
In September 2001, on the first day (Sunday) planes were allowed to
fly again after the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center, I made
my way overseas to Valencia, Spain. I didn't know anyone except a friend's
brother, whom I'd met only briefly. I did not have any jobs lined up
but I did plan to stay with my friend's brother. Everything worked out
despite the country's language barriers and the initial lack of work.
I finally landed a job teaching English to 3 to 5 year olds in a public
school system. Through the same company, I also taught business English
to young adults. It was a great time in my life and I met some wonderful
people. The experience enhanced my every day way of life and I am more
confident because of it. Viva Espana! It's worth the trip!! And why
not get paid a little bit while you're there?
Walter Barlow (September ’04 P-T)
I am writing to let you know that I found work as an English teacher!
I am teaching at a small school called the Liberty English School in
East Providence. Right now, I have one private class and two larger
classes, which consist of about four people each. All of my students
speak either Spanish or Portuguese. I have been able to use many of
the techniques the trainers taught in class. I think that this job is
a good way to get my feet wet. Hopefully, it will lead to a full-time
position somewhere. Thank you so much for all the help you've given
me.
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