My work involves:

Preparing students to be successful at an American university.

My top tip for language learning:

Watch lots of American TV! Watching televesion is an excellent way to improve your listening and speaking skills, including the use of American body language.  It also helps to build your vocabulary.  You will also learn about American culture and customs.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle and Tacoma:

Don’t bother with an umbrella, just buy a light rain jacket with a hood and get outside no matter what the weather is!

My experience:

I have been working in the ESL field for over ten years. Before coming to Study Group, I worked at South Seattle Community College as an ESL instructor and advisor in the International Programs office. 

I received my Master's degree in TESOL from Manhattanville College. After graduating, I worked for five years in their English Language Institute as an administrator and instructor. At the University at Albany I pursued a degree in French Studies, but I discovered that my love is teaching international students—specifically, preparing them to go to college in the US. 

You have to go to the Pike Street Market in Seattle, especially on the weekend. It's a blast!  Tacoma's Owens Beach is pretty nice in the summer too. 

My Profile:

I fell in love with teaching the first time I experienced it as an undergrad in college. Since I took my first group of Turkish students, 16 years ago, to the University of South Carolina and I have been loving it ever since. 

My profession has taken me to Asia from where I have several years of wonderful memories. After living in an environment where learning a new language can be intimidating, I feel I am able to sympathise with students more and can assist them more effectively as I am able to better anticipate obstacles to their language learning process. 

I feel success in life is doing what you really want to do most (and get paid for it), and in that sense I have reached a level of success, being able to continue to teach in and enjoy the wonderful world of ESL!

My work involves:

Teaching Diploma of English courses and electives.

My top tip for language learning:

Surround yourself with native speakers as much as possible. When I lived abroad, I would go to the local market and write down new words and expressions in a small notebook. If I wasn't sure what they meant, I would ask another native speaker and then practice using the words and expressions.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle:

I enjoy taking long walks in my neighbourhood (Queen Anne); Kerry Park is a great place for amazing views and to enjoy a picnic with friends. I also love Pike Place Market for the unusual new foods to try and unique shops to browse. I enjoy hanging out with friends on a sunny day, taking in all the sights and sounds from a balcony table at Copacabana, a Bolivian restaurant at the market. Outside of the city, I enjoy visiting friends on Bainbridge Island, a quiet but beautiful place just a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown, or spending a weekend on the Olympic peninsula, hiking in the rainforest and snowshoeing in the mountains.

My experience:

I grew up outside of Chicago in a bilingual household and speak English and Lithuanian fluently. My parents were both teachers and because of their backgrounds (my mother is Lithuanian, my father is Moroccan), I was exposed to different languages at an early age and have always been interested in education and in different cultures.

Before coming to Embassy, I was pursuing a career in journalism. I was also interested in teaching English so when the opportunity arose, I moved to Morocco and worked as an English teacher in Marrakech. Working there was my first experience teaching, and I fell in love with it. I was able to improve my French skills and learned some basic Moroccan Arabic and I also had the opportunity to travel, visiting family and friends in various cities in Morocco, Southern Spain and France.

My work involves:

I teach two classes to Diploma students, which cover Listening & Speaking, and Reading & Writing. I also teach Academic Writing to students who are entering Pacific Lutheran University programmes.

My top tip for language learning:

Learning a new language is hard work but it should also be fun! Every moment outside of class, participating in American culture is an English lesson.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle:

Washington State is renowned for its outdoor activities and natural settings. If you enjoy hiking, skiing, and water sports (to name just a few), you're in the right place. Seattle is a waterfront city that offers many opportunities to enjoy fresh seafood, so take advantage of our open-air market, Pike Place Market, to try any seafood you desire!

My experience:

I have been a teacher of ESL for about 10 years. I have taught in countries around the world including Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, Canada, and the US. Teaching is my passion and I love to see my students improve their English skills. In my free time, I like to go hiking and camping with my husband and my dog, go horseback riding, and eat great food!

My work involves:

Teaching two core classes and one elective. Helping individual students with needs and concerns. Assisting the Academic Co-ordinator: assisting with staff training, peer development observation, teacher observations and professional development. Managing the Certificate and Diploma programs at SeaTac.

My top tip for language learning:

Study with others! Language is about communicating. The more social your experience is the more you will learn and the more fun you will have.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle:

I love exploring the mountains but I'll often head to Portland or Seattle if I need to feel more metropolitan. Take the train: it's pretty cheap, relaxing, and the scenery is beautiful.

My experience:

I knew as a child I would be a teacher. I love helping others grow, learning new things and meeting new people. Learning is something that we should enjoy and that is my primary goal as a teacher. Teaching at Embassy has been a great experience for me. It is fun for me to learn about other cultures and share what we have here in the Pacific Northwest with our English Language Learners! In my free time I like to take road trips, go hiking, see live music, watch movies and spend time with friends and family.

My top tip for learning:

If I thought I want to do something, I would just try it. Sometimes I might fail but sometimes the trying goes well and helps my study.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle-Tacoma:

To draw a line between studying hard and playing much.

My experience:

I have already graduated from university in Japan, and I plan to study here for nine months and then move to another school to take a one month course because my goal is to become an English teacher.

I chose Embassy because I liked the look of the Diploma course, and I thought the students in the course must have enthusiasm for English. I chose the Seattle-Tacoma school because I heard the area was like Portland and the people were very warm.

I have had the chance to make contact with and make friends with PLU students. By coming to Seattle, I was finally able to watch Ichiro play baseball here.

Be sure to check out Keita's blog about student life at Seattle-Tacoma.

My work involves:

Teaching English to all sorts of student.

My top tip for learning:

Having a great attitude.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle-Tacoma:

Don't let the rain stop you from having fun.

My experience:

Hello everyone! I am so excited to teach here at Embassy.

I am an American-born Chinese. I was born in Utah and raised in Toronto, Canada along with my three brothers. I studied at BYU-Hawaii and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in TESOL. I absolutely love teaching ESL!

After I graduated from university I taught ESL in the US, Taiwan and Canada. I have been teaching since 2003 to children and adults and I enjoy meeting students from all over the world.

I have been happily married since 2001 and we now have four beautiful children. We have one daughter and three sons. Leanna was born in 2003, Joshua in 2005, Brandon in 2006 and Joseph in 2007. I love having a big family! My children bring such joy in my life and they continue to amaze me every day.

Besides taking care of my home and family, I enjoy reading, listening to music, baking, travelling, exercising and just being outdoors. While at Embassy I hope to share my skills and talents and teach you English to the best of my ability. I look forward to teaching you, and I hope you enjoy your time at Embassy.

My top tip for learning:

Only be around people that are speaking the language you are trying to learn.

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

Go to school activities and meet new people here and around Tacoma.

My experience:

I am currently enrolled at Istanbul University and my major is Electronics. I plan to finish my education at Embassy, and then I will study Physical Education at Arkansas State University.

My parents and I decided on Embassy in Seattle-Tacoma because it was on a campus that had been on the best education list for the past two years.

Our teachers here are the best . They really help with everything and the education level is perfect here. I can speak English with all people.

One of my best experiences here is going with my PLU friends to California for Spring Break and it was one of the best times in all my life.

My top tip for learning:

Learning American culture can improve your English, including speaking, writing and acting like an American.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle-Tacoma:

Release your mind and try to participate in activities that you don’t do in your hometown. You will find out that you will learn a lot more than you expected.

My experience:

I have a university degree in Mechanical Engineering from my university in Taiwan, and I am planning on studying in the U.S. for two years on an MBA program.

Embassy creates opportunities for students to talk with Americans and it has helped improve my listening and speaking skills. By doing so, I have learned American culture and it help me to be deeply involved in the conversation with native speakers.

My host mother is a PLU professor and she held a party in her house and invited her co-workers and students. I have had a lot of fun because I talked and danced with them. I have not had the same experience before that - it was awesome!

My top tip for learning:

Make an effort in everything such as hanging out with Americans and having lots of conversations with them. Just go for it!

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

Enjoy the weather, trees and flowers, go to the Museum of Glass and downtown Seattle! You should make some plans every weekend with your friends!

My experience:

I am a sophomore in university, but I am taking a year off of school to study English. I am planning to stay in America for one year because I'm planning to graduate from university in Korea as soon as possible. My goal is to learn English and to speak like an American.

I chose Embassy Seattle-Tacoma because my uncle lives near Tacoma and I also wanted to experience school life with American friends. Embassy has a lot of activities such as meeting PLU students, hanging out with Americans and so on. It is very helpful for improving my English.

One of my best experiences has been in the Volunteering elective class I took a month ago. At that time, I helped children studying in an elementary school. It was an unforgettable experience!

My top tip for learning:

Set your own long term and short term goals. Make your own plans and keep working on it.

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

Don't be afraid of something different - you know, you're here because you're not afraid.

My experience:

In China, I graduated from college and I plan to stay in the US for more than ten years to get a doctorate in Nursing. Now, I am planning to study Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University. I chose to come to Embassy/PLU because I thought it would be better for me to learn English in the US and also because PLU has a great nursing school.

I wasn't good at English before I came but now I'm getting better and my classes helped me get into the university programme in America. I have many new friends from different countries and they teach me about their culture. Now, I love learning about different cultures.

My work involves:

I work with all international students but especially with Transition students. My main role is to provide effective programs and advice to students so that they can maximize their experiences at PLU and in the US. I can answer questions on academic and immigration issues, cross-cultural transition, how to get involved on campus / in the community and more.

My top tip for language learning:

English is my second language. When I first came to the US, I lived with an English speaking host family for two years. Practicing not to be shy or afraid but to be confident and always remain curious are essential attitudes for successful foreign language acquisitions.

My top tip for enjoying life in Seattle:

One of the great aspects of living in Tacoma is that the city is located at a close distance to several other attractive cities, such as Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and Victoria BC. It is fun to take weekend trips to those cities. To find activities nearby, I read the weekly Volcano newspaper. There are also a lot of interesting activities and events that PLU offers on-campus and off-campus. I check those opportunities all the time.

My experience:

I am originally from Tateyama, a small city located south of Tokyo in Japan. My parents and my younger sister still live in Japan. I came to the US soon after I graduated from high school and started my new life in Bellingham, WA. I received both my bachelors and masters degree from Western Washington University. I am married to Kyle whom I met in college in 2007.

I am passionate about my work in the field of international education. It is a dream come true. If you are a student reading this, I encourage you to stop by my office and say, "Hello!". I very much look forward to getting to know you!

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

Visit the local attractions. The centre is located conveniently right beside the bus stop, which allows us to visit the most popular places in Tacoma including the Theatre District, Tacoma Mall, the Museum of Glass and other museums. I believe there is something comforting about Tacoma that you can’t understand until you experience it.

My experience:

Studying at Embassy Seattle-Tacoma is great because the centre has a monthly schedule full of interesting activities. They also give you a Pacific Lutheran University student ID card that allows you access to the university’s facilities such as the library, gym, swimming pool, sports fields, and participating in PLU events.

As a scholarship student my government chose a program that suits the academic English spoken at universities. I like that the centre has developed teaching techniques and beneficial elective classes.

During my course, I am applying to several universities for my graduate degree. Improving my English is important to me as I am going to study in the United States, and it will help me to get a job in Saudi Arabia or with an international company.

My experience:

The centre is located in a really calm and peaceful area that allows you to focus and relax at the same time.

The best thing about the centre is the chance to interact with people from many different places around the world, as well as the opportunity to meet native English speakers who study at Pacific Lutheran University.

I chose this course because my friends recommended it to me. I like the course because I have to use English in every moment!

After this course I will go back to Venezuela to start college and after I finish college, now I hope to use my English to get a job in the US or Australia as an engineer.

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

What I like most about the location in Tacoma is that you can enjoy nature with the National Parks, and you can also visit modern cities such as Seattle and Portland.

My experience:

The best thing about the centre is that you can feel at home here. Not only do the teachers teach English to foreign students, but they also try to help with integrating us into U.S. society. Embassy prepares some activities during the course inside and outside the centre in order to help us have a genuine American experience.

I chose this course because it could improve my overall speaking and listening skills. Teachers here add to traditional classes some tools in order to improve each skill. They suggest websites to improve vocabulary and pronunciation. In addition they use tools like VoiceThread where students can record their voices and listen to their voice and see how they have improved in one year.

It is very useful knowing English if you want to work in business. Also I want to get a job in the USA and I need a high level of English to get it. That is why Embassy teachers are helping me to take the TOEFL test to achieve that level.

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

If you want to enjoy outdoor sports, culture, and the arts when you stay in America, I would recommend Embassy Seattle-Tacoma. Tacoma not only has a lot of museums, but also a variety and beauty of nature that I have never seen in Asia before. In addition, the best thing is that you can enter the museums for free every Thursday!

My experience:

Embassy Seattle-Tacoma has three advantages for helping you to learn English quickly. First, they have a strict rule of only speaking English. Secondly, they have a friendly staff. You can ask them anytime about English, and they help you feel comfortable like a native speaker. Third, Embassy Seattle-Tacoma is located on Pacific Lutheran University campus so it is easy to meet American University students and use the University facilities.

I chose the Intensive Diploma course because it allows me to see my progress in English as I finish each stage. At each stage, teachers use different teaching styles and strategies to fit your level.

English skills will help me to get my ideal job. I am also interested in current events, and learning English allows me to get information about the world quickly.

My top tip for enjoying Seattle-Tacoma:

I like many things here in Tacoma. First, I like the people here. They are friendly and kind. You will never get lost, because if you ask anybody about any direction, you will find help. Second, I like the transportation here. The local public transportation system is reliable and inexpensive. The bus network in Tacoma is wide-ranging and convenient, and makes transportation to downtown Seattle very easy. Some public transport is free! Downtown Tacoma has a free light rail system that carries passengers within the local area, and Seattle’s underground bus system provides free transportation inside the downtown area.

My experience:

The centre of Embassy in Tacoma has great teachers. They are qualified to teach English as a second language. In fact, they have many ways to make you improve your English language easily and effectively. Also, I like the activities in this centre. They help you to improve your language and enjoy the life here.

The Embassy Diploma helps me to know more and more about the American culture and some different cultures in the world. It also gives me a chance to express my opinions and share ideas by using English language all the time. As a result, this kind of knowledge helps me to understand the world. Also, they improve my English skills very fast.

Being in USA was a dream for me many years ago and this dream has now come true. I believe that this great country will help me to find myself.