Sydney: students and staff

My work involves:

Equipping students with the required skills for academic life in Australia.

My top tip for language learning:

In addition to the formal aspects of language learning, students will benefit from immersing themselves in the local culture.

My top tip for enjoying life in Sydney:

Sydney is not only a place for learning but also a place of leisure and entertainment.

My experience:

I have been teaching English language since 1998. Along with experience in General English, I also specialise in English for Academic Purposes with particular focus on IELTS exam preparation.

I have taught and travelled in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

My work involves:

Planning and preparation of lessons, essay and assignment marking, maintaining student records. Occasionally I teach one-to-one lessons.

My top tip for learning:

Go out and mix with the locals. Do not be afraid to take risks with language in class and make the most of the English resources at hand in an English speaking country.

My top tip for enjoying life in Sydney:

Try all the delicious multinational food choices available. It’s a good introduction to a multicultural society. Swimming is also a magical experience here as the beaches are clean and a wonderful place to meet other people. Strike up a conversation with the person next to you on the sand.

My experience:

I love my job because it allows me to come in contact with many different people with a multitude of personalities, likes and dislikes. I am open to discussion on most topics from any student who wants to have a chat.

My home country is New Zealand but it has been quite a few years since I have lived there, choosing instead to make my home in Australia where I have become part of the furniture.

My love of travelling has taken me to Japan, Thailand, China, India and Singapore and hopefully to many other places in the future.

I have been studying International Trade, so I need to study English. I made good progress in my English conversation with Embassy.
My efforts were rewarded, but I'm going to keep working hard.

I have been in Sydney for seven months; I am very happy with it here. The scenery is beautiful beyond expression. In the summer, Sydney has clear sky and lovely beaches.
 

My work involves:

Teaching both General English and Academic courses, but my overall aim is to guide my students in their English studies in a stimulating and encouraging environment so that they can strive to achieve their goals.

Along with teaching, I plan and prepare English lessons, as well as execute and mark assessment tasks.

My top tip for learning:

Be positive and speak English all the time.

My top tip for enjoying life in Sydney:

Get out and explore this beautiful city. There are heaps of fun activities to do, even free ones! Visit the famous sites, and also check out the local restaurants, markets, galleries and gorgeous beaches. Oh, and the shopping is a must for all who love to shop!

My experience:

My name is Bryanne, but everyone calls me ‘B’ as this has been my nickname since I was a child.

I come from sunny Brisbane and have only been in Sydney a short time, but I’m having a lot of fun in  this big and exciting city. 

I’ve been teaching English as a second language since 1997, including six years in Japan. It’s a fun and rewarding job, and I especially enjoy meeting students from different countries and learning more about their cultures. Another amazing thing about teaching English is being a part of my students' journey in English and seeing them improve.

Most of my free time is taken up with spending time with my family, which includes my adorable little puppy. We love taking her for big walks in the park and she loves running around and making friends with other dogs. I must confess, I love shopping and have been known to be quite a shopaholic. I also enjoy reading, music and travelling.

My work involves:

Preparing students for university at an academic, professional level; preparing students for IELTS.

My top tip for learning:

Mix with native speakers, read as much as you can, watch the news every day and have fun all the way through.

My top tip for enjoying Sydney:

Surf, swim, walk around our beautiful parks and beaches. Meet an Aussie.

My experience:

After graduating from Cambridge in the UK, I travelled to South America and lived in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil and taught English at Primary, Secondary and Private Institutes and prepared students for their first Cambridge examinations.

I graduated as a Psycologist at UBA in Buenos Aires Argentina and then kept on working as a teacher and met my husband, we got married and travelled to the USA where I lived for seven years and worked for Embassy, which I enjoyed very much.

Now I am back in Sydney and I love it. I am pleased and proud to work as an EAP teacher for such a prestigious school as Embassy.

My experience:

I came here with zero English. Now, I can make contact with people. Also I can use my English in any other countries easily.
 
Sydney is a cosmopolitan city: at the same time you can find both city life and nature.
 
At the end of my time here, I'll get a certificate to say I'm at the Upper Intermediate level of English, but I believe I should also have a certificate to show how my personality has improved! I met with so many other cultures, places, experiences. I earned my self confidence.

My top tip for learning:

A good language learner is a risk-taker.

My top tip for enjoying Sydney:

Get out and talk to people.

My experience:

I’ve been teaching at Embassy since 1994. I am an IELTS examiner and an Oral Examiner for the Cambridge Exams (FCE & CAE).

My top tip for learning:

When class is finished, I go to the library for my self-study. I review the day's lessons, do tasks and arrange vocabulary. It's a very effective and useful time for me.

My experience:

My course is the Academic Year Abroad. On weekdays, the course starts at 8:15 am; we study with our text book from 8:15 to 10:45. I learn grammar, reading and listening, and I often discuss some topics in the text book with my teacher and classmates.

After that, I go to the library from 10:45 to 11:35. I read a book, and it is very helpful to improve my reading skills.

Then I eat lunch with my international friends from 11:45 to 12:25. I always enjoy lunch time because it is good a chance for conversation in English.

After eating lunch I take an option class. This class gives the opportunity to study various fields of English.

I’m very interested  and try to study hard. I have a very nice time at Embassy!

My top tip for learning:

Reading newspapers and magazines, and watching movies.

My top tip for enjoying Sydney:

Visit the Opera House, museums and other interesting places.

My experience:

I arrive at my first class at 8:10. It's very good because I can practice my pronunciation, improve my grammar and learn new vocabulary; sometimes in this class we watch videos and play games. It's very interesting because I've met people from different countries and learned about their cultures.

Additionally, at noon I take an option class. This is great because it is possible to choose different alternatives like Business, grammar or speaking. Sometimes when my option class finishes it is time to go out and enjoy this beautiful city, visiting a lot of places such as the Opera House, Darling Harbour or Taronga Zoo. From time to time on Friday after class I take a rest because during the night I go to dance.