Boston Downtown: staff

My work involves:

Making sure that all students have a wonderful experience in Boston from arrival to departure and everything in between. Please come and speak with me so that I can get to know you personally.

My top tip for learning:

Make as many friends from other countries as you can, and speak only English. Take advantage of our elective courses or private lessons; you’ll make better progress in a shorter time.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Take advantage of school arranged activities - you'll love them. Also, take an interest in Boston sports such as the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, Patriots and Revolution. You’ll find you life more interesting if you enjoy the local sports.

My experience:

I look forward to welcoming you to Embassy Boston Downtown. Our lovely school is an excellent place to study, and to feel part of an extended international family.

I love it here, and I know you will as well! Whether you are preparing for an American university or improving you English for job prospects in your home country we offer the perfect environment for your future success.

My work involves:

Everything academic. As the Director of Studies I work with teachers and students to create dynamic classes and maintain a high level of learning. I hire the best teachers possible for each level and place students in classes that best suit their language learning needs.

My top tip for learning:

Think in English! Whatever you think in your own language, try to translate into English in your head. The more you think about what to say, the easier it is to actually say it.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Walk as much as you can. There are so many things to see that aren't in a guidebook.

My experience:

In college, I lived and studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina for six months. Ever since then I have loved to travel and learn about new places and people. After I graduated, I began my English-teaching career in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia volunteering with the Peace Corps. When I returned to the United States, I moved to Boston to pursue my ESL profession.

I have been the Director of Studies at Embassy Boston since the beginning of 2007. Even though my main responsibilities are administrative, I still substitute sometimes. Maybe I’ll teach you!

My work involves:

Teaching. I love the variety: it's dynamic, it's always different. You never know what is going to happen round the corner. I like planning lessons, being creative. I think every class inspires you in a different way, so I really like that side.

My top tip for learning:

Meet people from other countries and learn about their cultures; try to get involved with meeting each other after school and doing things together.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Boston is a wonderful place to study and live - there is so much to see and do.

Being the home of some of the best universities in the world (Harvard University, MIT), it is a great place to study. Boston is a lively city with a lot of attractions.

There's lots going on for students - cafes, bars, cinema, sports, facilities, theatre, ballet, music concerts, lots of shops - this makes it impossible to be bored in the breaks between studying.

My experience:

My name is Alaleh (the Persian version of Lily) but people call me Ali. I moved here from England.

Embassy is a great place to work. The atmosphere is friendly and motivating. I love seeing students learn about each other's countries and cultures and making friends, all through the medium of English.

I am so excited to be teaching students who are enthusiastic about learning. I am looking forward to seeing you here in the Embassy  Boston.

My work involves:

Teaching, listening, speaking, correcting.

My top tip for learning:

Use English to learn English. Speak English all the time.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Try to explore. Go to other places than the usual tourist. Check attractions such as Harvard Square on a Saturday afternoon.

My experience:

I could say I am a teacher, but in reality the students teach me. 

I love coming to work anticipating what adventures the day in the classroom will bring. Embassy attracts interesting people from all over the world, who inspire me with their ability to work together and form friendships that are an inspiration to witness. I consider this position a privilege and thank the students for continually challenging me to be a better teacher.

I believe that I always get the best students who edify me about human nature, how to approach life in a new and different way, and most of all how to make sense of this amalgamation of words, rules, sounds, symbols and cultural cues that we call English.

I came to Embassy five years ago in response to an ad for substitute teachers. I had just finished an undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts and was starting a Masters program in TESOL.

In the winter of 2002, at the age of 46, I completed a semester of French immersion at Université Laval in Québec. So, I know from experience what challenges daily life can present while living in foreign culture and communicating everyday needs in a second language. 

With all my passion I strive to make my students' experience here a profitable era in their lives, and we continually work together to make a lasting memory of their time in America.

My work involves:

Helping students with anything and everything. I sell phone cards, extend classes, answer questions about visas, show students how to use the T, and do anything else that will make our students' experience in Boston enjoyable and fulfilling.

The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with the students. They are awesome! I love working in such a fun and international environment.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Explore. Don't be afraid to take a wrong turn every now and then. 

Boston is a city with a rich mix of the past and the present.  You can stop by Paul Revere's house, and then enjoy a Red Sox game at Fenway! There is something for everyone in Boston.

My experience:

From a very young age I was interested in meeting people from other countries and learning about different cultures. During college I studied abroad in Uruguay and Chile. 

My experiences living away from the U.S. help me to relate to students studying here in Boston. I know that it is challenging to study away from home, but also extremely rewarding. In the future I hope to visit every continent (three more to go!).

My work involves:

Classroom teaching.

My top tip for learning:

Speak English at all times! If it,s difficult for you to express yourself in English, that should not be the reason not to practice it. It should be your motivation.

Also, trust your teacher. This means paying attention to teacher's corrections, doing your homework and taking part at our activities.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Boston is located in Massachusetts, which is incredibly interesting to explore. Cape Cod, Rockport, Lexington, Salem, Cambridge - and of course Boston - are just a few places that will blow your mind away with diversity of culture, architecture, environment. I love it here, I hope you’ll enjoy it too!

My experience:

I am an experienced ESL [English as a Second Language] teacher, and I'm proud of being a member of the Embassy team. I've been teaching English since 1999.

I started my career in Russia, my home country. I think not being originally from the US gives me a great opportunity to join my international students in a constant discovery of American culture and English language.

If you are an aspiring Embassy student reading this, welcome!  Have a great time in the US! Study hard and explore more!To my colleagues I'd like to say, being a part of such a big warm family feels truly incredible.

My work involves:

I am the Housing Coordinator for Embassy in Boston. My job is to manage accommodation for our students. I place our students in Homestays, and manage our dormitories.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

I love Boston. What ever your interests, there is so much to do here! I encourage you to explore the area while you are here. Whether you enjoy history, nature, the arts, sports; you will find it here!

My experience:

I really enjoy being in such an international environment. I like meeting students who come here from so many different parts of the world. It is so interesting to learn about different countries, cultures, and languages. I also meet wonderful, friendly hosts who welcome our students into their homes.

Originally I am from Washington, D.C. but have lived in Boston for many years, and have raised my three children here.

My work involves:

Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and Business English

My top tip for learning:

Use English as often as possible and read a lot.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

Tour the city with mixed groups of fellow students.

My experience:

Embassy is probably the best teaching opportunity that I have had.

The administration, staff and faculty are very friendly and helpful. Every member of this team keeps the goal of improving the students' language abilities in mind. The students are a very friendly and committed group, from many countries.

In addition to working on English together, we explore Boston's interesting historic and recreational possibilities together.

My work involves:

In addition to teaching, I am Assistant Director of Studies and I will help you answer any questions about classes and Internships.

My top tip for learning:

Speak English every chance you get.

My top tip for enjoying life in Boston:

If you don't like the weather, just wait a day. :)

My experience:

I am passionate about language education, travel, and learning about other cultures, so working at Embassy is truly a great match for me.

As well as teaching here at Embassy, I taught English for nearly two years in Peru. It is a great experience for me to have students from all over the world here at Embassy.

It is rewarding to see the students' English improve so much and also to learn about so many different cultures. I grew up in Boston and I enjoy sharing with my students the culture and history that Boston has to offer.