When you think of Hawaii, you think of crystal clear, blue skies with white sandy beaches with everyone walking around in shorts and tropical shirts without a care in the world. That's just the tip of the iceberg.  It offers so much more, including Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) where learning is offered in an international and culturally rich environment and getting an above average and academically challenging education is the standard.

Photos Provided by Hawaii Pacific University.

HPU has one of the most diverse student bodies in America.  With students from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, as well as the United States and a host of other countries, their student body is a perfect representation of the worlds new global environment. HPU has two campuses- an urban campus in the heart of downtown Honolulu and a rural residential campus on the windward side of Oahu, eight miles away, giving its students the best of both worlds.  There are also eight satellite campuses on military locations.

One of the reasons that HPU is so unique is their schools calendar year. By offering classes year round and so many different terms, students can start their classes at almost any time.  A student can accelerate their degree and finish their program in less time. Academically, the university's standards for admission are on par with many of the higher quality comparable facilities.  In addition, HPU has a low student to faculty ratio with an average class size of under 25 students.  They offer the students all of
the benefits and resources of attending a much larger university but the quaint, homely atmosphere of a
small university.  This can be especially appreciated by some of the students coming from very small countries who are not accustomed to the large university environment.

HPU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in most fields. Their faculty is comprised of seasoned professionals who have graduated from some of the top Ivy League schools such as Harvard,  and Yale just to name a few.   The university has one of the largest Career Service Centers in the US  assisting students with internships, cooperative education opportunities, and job placement with an impressive list of national and international companies.  The most important benefits of participating in the cooperative
education program are 1) applying what they are learning in the classroom to the workplace; 2) gaining experience in their field of study, which enhances employment opportunities; 3) earning money to help pay for tuition and living expenses; and 4) getting credits toward their degree.  Each junior, senior or graduate student is guaranteed a spot in this program.  How many colleges can top that?

Alexia C. Soares, International Relations Coordinator, was on hand to assist us with our article. Ms. Soares, an alumni of HPU, gave us a true to life story about what it was like to be a student  at HPU.  Ms. Soares came from Brazil, South America.  She said "that when choosing where to study, the US was a natural choice since I already knew the language and was familiar with the culture.  Hawaii was just perfect for me because I wanted to go to school in a place where I could get a high quality education, and at the same time be able to enjoy nature and have a good quality of life.  Hawaii's weather is wonderful and I really appreciate our average 330 days of sunshine.  I started school back in September 1996, and was able to complete my MBA studies in May of 1998. Right after my graduation I was hired by HPU to become an International Recruiter.  As of right now, I have decided to pursue a second Masters Degree in Information Systems, and I am very proud  to be a member of the HPU family."

Ms. Soares is indeed one of the  many success stories at HPU. HPU offers a balance of state-of-the-art classroom and computer technology, leading theory in diversified fields of study, and opportunities for practical application.  All of the courses have a strong component in analytical reasoning, communications, teamwork and technology.  The students are given the opportunity to work on team projects, network socially and professionally with students from over 90 countries and all 50 states.  80 percent of the undergraduate students are between 18 and 29 years old, where as  87 percent  of their graduate students are between the ages of 22 and 39 years old.

HPU's final decision for accepting students is contingent upon the following three areas; prior academic performance, professional experience, and potential for success in that field of study.  The university offers most of the standard financial assistance options available at most major institutions like  merit scholarships, federal loans, work-study programs, federal grants, and athletic and activity scholarships.  The final amount will depend upon the students budget, need, and type of scholarship or final award.

Some of the sports activities include horseback riding, surfing, tennis, fitness center, soccer, swimming, golf, squash, basketball, aerobics, volleyball, and much more.  On the weekend, there are excursions to many of the other Hawaiian islands.

As I'm sure you can see, Hawaii Pacific University  gives you a much broader and deeper perspective of what Hawaii has to offer to the world in terms of a viable, sensible and logical educational opportunity.

We would like to thank Alexia C. Soares, International Relations Coordinator and Elfi Stevenson, Finance, for providing us with the material for this article. If you would like more information on Hawaii Pacific University or any of the other information in this article, please don't hesitate to contact International Connections Consulting.

ITI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE THE ANSWER TO TODAY'S
BOOMING IT MARKET PLACE

In today's ever-changing market place, Information technology (IT) has been growing by leaps and bounds.  No matter where you are from, a small island in the Caribbean or a large cosmopolitan city in Europe, information technology has touched your life in one way or another. In response to this
growing use of IT, and the demand for skilled IT professionals, ITI Information Technology Institute opened the doors of its first school in 1984.
 

Photos Provided by ITI Information Technology Institute.

As the leader of postgraduate information technology education with six campuses across Canada, and one campus in the U.S., ITI is meeting the information technology education needs of local, national and international businesses and organizations.

Employers hire ITI graduates because they have seen the results of ITI's unique postgraduate program.  ITI graduates are equipped with the latest skills and the knowledge to successfully adapt to any environment. This has resulted in employers coming back to ITI to recruit graduates time and time again.

Ms. Susan McCurdy (SM), Manager of International Recruiting, shared her thoughts with International Connections Consulting (ICC) on the benefit of a postgraduate education from ITI:

ICC:   "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend ITI?"

SM:  "The most compelling reason to attend ITI is the fact that our graduates are so well prepared to fill the industry's demand for skilled IT professionals.  Studies show that IT is the fastest growing industry in the world.  The estimated number of job vacancies in the IT sector in Canada alone is expected to grow to 500,000 by the year 2010. Because of the reputation that ITI graduates have built within in the IT industry, our students are able to find employment before they even graduate.  In fact, 94% of our graduates secure employment within the first six months of graduation."

ICC:  "What are some of the programs that ITI offers?"

SM:   "ITI currently offers three postgraduate programs, two of which are Master level programs.  Our core program, the diploma in Applied Information Technology (AIT), is a collaborative, problem based learning program specifically designed to give university graduates the technology skills they need to succeed in today's competitive IT industry. The curriculum has been developed with the help of industry experts to meet the IT needs of the new economy. Some of the applications we teach include Visual Basic, Java, Oracle, and Windows NT.

The AIT program is the core of ITI's two Master level programs that are offered in partnership with Dalhousie University, a respected Canadian university.  The Master of Business Administration in Information Technology (MBA(IT) gives students the tools they need to adapt to the new way of doing
business - one which relies on information technology.  The Master of Information Technology Education (MITE) blends educational theory with practice.  Students who successfully complete the MITE are fully prepared for roles as educators in information technology environments.

ICC:  "Can you explain ITI's teaching methodology?"

SM:  "ITI uses a problem-based, collaborative learning methodology.  At ITI, students learn by working in teams, drawing on each team member's strengths and experience in order to develop solutions to practical IT problems.  As all teams work together to solve problems, they develop a deeper understanding of the material that is covered in the program.

While ITI's courses are intensive, they are designed as such to reflect experience that our graduates will face in the work force. The curriculum is developed by consulting with industry leaders to determine the skills that are in demand today, and those that will be in demand in the future.  Our curriculum prepares our graduates for real-world requirements, including progress reports, project plans, and presentations."

ICC:  "What type of students do you accept?  What qualities do you look in perspective students?"

SM:  "We look for students with diverse backgrounds who demonstrate maturity, teamwork skills, and good problem-solving skills. Some of the criteria used to evaluate a potential student's acceptance is a university transcript, an aptitude test/entrance test, a personal interview. Applicants do not need to have a background or prior experience in the computer field; all classes are taught with the assumption that students have no, or minimal computer experience."

In addition to all of the numerous reasons for attending ITI, let's not forget that ITI's program can be completed in an accelerated nine-month program that is designed especially for university graduates.  ITI's
programs help students develop skills such as project management, team-based problem solving, entrepreneurship, change management and interpersonal communications, all in addition to the technical skills they acquire.   ITI  also teaches students employ ability skills such as resume writing and networking/job search methods.

Included in an ITI student's tuition is the use of an IBM ThinkPad notebook computer, all text books, computer programs, registration fees, Internet account, and use of their CD ROM and Computer Based Training (CBT) library.
 

Here is what some of their students/clients are saying about ITI.

"What ITI offers is clearly a solution for business and for companies like ourselves, and more importantly, for our customers that hire ITI grads."

John Wetmore, President and CEO
IBM Canada Ltd.

"ITI was very fast and intense; you learn the basic concepts and then build on them.  It's a very responsive curriculum and it prepares you for the kind of change and pace you'll encounter in the workplace."

Samantha Tim, ITI graduate,
Management Consultant, Price Waterhouse

International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Susan McCurdy, Manager of International Marketing at ITI-Canada, Andrew Stenhouse and  Neelam Vats for providing all of the information for this article. If you would like more information regarding ITI-Canada, please contact
International Connections Consulting. 

Italian Language and Culture Flourish at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
By Lisa Richards 

International Connections Consulting talked with the Marketing Assistant, Giambattista Pace for Scuola Leonardo da Vinci about the school and what makes it a unique program.  For starters, Scuola Leonardo has campuses in three of the most famous historical world centers-- Florence, Rome, and Siena.  All of these Italian cities are unique in their own right with regards to food, wine, art, culture, and landscape.  In Italy, "everything can change within a few miles...."  This option allows the students to take courses in the three cities within in one program term.  And because the school is open all year round, and students can be enrolled anywhere from two weeks to a year, makes it all the better in terms of trotting about Italy.
 

Photos Provided by Scuola Leonardo da Vinci.

Since the schools' founding in 1977, the school has prided itself on its teaching staff which is comprised of only the best university graduates in Italy who are specially trained to teach Italian to foreign students. Also, the school is very proud of the fact that they offer their students the possibility to take the Italian Certificates "Firenze" (basic, intermediate, advanced levels) under the supervision of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (Academy of Italian Language).  In the classrooms, Italian is the only language spoken.  The school believes that this method promotes a standard for verbal communication from the very beginning, and inevitably enhances the students' confidence.  Scuola Leonardo accepts students who are at least 16 years of age and who are very interested in Italian culture and have a strong desire to learn the Italian language. The average age of a Scuola Leonardo student is 25. 

Of all the courses offered at Scuola Leonardo, the Intensive Plus, among the language courses, is the most sought after.   It's popularity can be attributed to the fact that during the six hours per day spent on Italian language a student can combine the group course in the morning and the private lessons in the afternoon.  "The real PLUS is that the students choose the subjects in the afternoon classes."  Among the cultural courses, the Cooking and Wine courses are the most popular. 

Scuola Leonardo, in all of its three campuses, affords students with a unique opportunity to learn the language, travel throughout Italy, embrace the culture and learn the art of preparing fine Italian cuisine.  Sounds like a winner to me! 

We would like to thank Mr. Giambattista Pace, Marketing Assistant for providing us with the information for the article.  If you would like more information about Scuola Leonardo da Vinci's programs, please contact International Connections Consulting.

ICC'S NEW WORKSHOP AND SEMINAR PAGE

International Connections Consulting (ICC) will be launching a special seminar and workshop page. This page will be dedicated to promoting short term workshops or seminars in a wide variety of subject matters.  Whether your a teacher trying to update your teaching skills or a business executive that needs to prepare for a speech in their native or a foreign language, we will try to give you a wide variety of options.  Not only will this make your selections more concise and thorough but you can even include extra time for vacationing or sightseeing which will enhance your knowledge and experience by allowing you to take a break in an enjoyable and culturally beneficial manner.

Here are just a short list of some of the topics:

•   Acting 
•   Art
•   Cooking
•   Dancing
•   Fashion
•   Filmmaking
•   Foreign Language
•   Music Publishing
•   Opera
•   Painting
•   Public Speaking
•   Publishing
•   Teacher Training, 
•   Wine Making/Tasting
•   Writing
•   and the list goes on and on.

Finally, ICC decided to launch this page because many of our clients are constantly developing opportunities for them to showcase their seminar or workshop each month and have a specific section of our web site that just focuses on this theme.

To get a better idea of some of the various possibilities that ICC will offer, please visit our newsletter page
 http://www.intlconnections.com/newsletter.htm and check out the archives at the bottom of the page.  These are some of the previous articles featured in our newsletter over the last year and half.  Most if not all of  ICC's clients offer seminars and workshops on various themes along the lines of the list above.  This will wet your appetite for what the new ICC Workshop Page will have to offer.

If  you would like more information on any of the seminars, workshop, or the new page, please contact us International Connections Consulting.

Some of the seminars and workshops are portable and can be offered at your company, organization, or school.  If you are interested in this option, please complete our contact form and indicate the desired institution or organization.  ICC will forward your request to them and they will contact you directly.
 
 

LACUNZA - INTERNATIONAL HOUSE SAN SEBASTIAN IN SPAIN IS PART OF THE IH CHAIN

Mr. Juan Carlos Lacunza, General Director at  Lacunza-International House San Sebastian, provided International Connections Consulting with the story behind their school.
 

Photo Provided by Lacunza-International House

Lacunza opened  back in 1954 when my father decided to open his own language school. In 1978 he joined International House (Ih). This allowed him to hire qualified teachers (Ih is reputed for Teacher Training), and share ideas and experiences with other school directors. As part of the Ih affiliation agreement, we had to teach Spanish to these native teachers. This was the embryo of my school.

Being a teacher in the USA and in Spain for several years, introduced me to the rewarding world of education. Having a Degree in Mathematics, I wanted to do something else, so I took a Master inbusiness Administration and this gave me the necessary background to direct the Spanish Department in 1992. 

In 1995, we decided that the Spanish School, with so many specific services (accommodation, activities,  local teachers, marketing abroad, etc.) should  operate independently. Since then, the school hasn´t stopped growing because we understand what good service means, what it takes to have a good school, what the needs of our clients are and how complex the word quality is when it comes to teaching so many people from so many countries. 

THE MOST COMPELLING REASON FOR ATTENDING  LACUNZA - INTERNATIONAL HOUSE SAN
SEBASTIAN

Our students say that they enjoy learning with us and that is our main goal. The school has the charms of a middle size school where you notice the staff like their work. We have a system of teacher training, director of studies and senior teachers to help our teachers be successful in their profession. We are exposed to all new trends in methodology through our involvement in International House and the conferences and exhibits we attend.

We have a system of teaching that makes learning a very enjoyable experience. We emphasize the oral aspects of the language. To us it is  important that students use the language and make the most of the
vocabulary and structures they learn by putting them into practice in  different situations and contexts. This also helps interaction between the students, a fine way to fix new contents, and to make friends in class without noticing it. 

Learning a language takes some time, it is a fact. Nevertheless, when immersed in its culture, the whole process accelerates. We foster "intercambios", a formula for our students to get in touch with Spanish
students learning English for conversation. 

San Sebastian is a very attractive destination. Few places combine the charms of a seaside resort with a city full of culture and plenty to do in the evening and in the night. If you add to this the beauty of the city
(many Spaniards think it is the most beautiful city in Spain) and the reputed Basque gastronomy in a city where you can walk everywhere (population 180.000), you´ll get a perfect place you´ll love to live in.

Being by the sea, the winter climate is mild and the beaches still provide a field for sports or intimate chats. San Sebastian is the starting point for many excursions: the Pyrennees for ski or trekking, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, or green tourism in refurbished country houses for a weekend. France is just 20 minutes away, (with lovely cities like Biarritz, San Juan de Luz, etc.), Pamplona and Bilbao (with the famous Guggenheim Museum) just 50, and the North coast is beautiful.

At Lacunza we have developed our own social program and we really make an effort for the students making the most of their time with us. We organise welcome and farewell parties for students to mix up and get to know each other easily. There is something going on everyday: cultural activities like watching a film, visiting a museum, a guided visit to San Sebastian, popular festivals, or sports like football or volei-ball on the beach, cycling (mountain-bike), playing "pelota-vasca", surfing, wind-surfing or canoeing in the bay, horse riding, dancing, rafting, thermal baths, and  anything you can imagine. We are open to organise what you are dying to try!

PROGRAMS

Our main product is Intensive courses, which can be combined with extra private lessons to improve some particular aspect or accelerate the learning process.

Intensive courses can take the shape of a Super-Intensive Mini-Group from July to September, with a maximum of 6 students in a class studying for 6 lessons a day (each lesson is 45 minutes). These are particularly apt for professionals and people who being short of time want to make the most of their time while enjoying a group.

Regular Intensive courses are 4 lessons a day (5 in the summer) in a group of maximum 12, with an average of 9. It is the classic formula, very successful among those who are not so pressed to learn fast.

A very popular formula is the Long Term Courses. They provide the students with a lifetime experience. In 8 to 26 weeks they get well acquainted with San Sebastian and all aspects of our culture and the way of life in Spain. They end up being able to point out new things in San Sebastian, and with "intercambios" and an open mentality, they will have local friends.

We regularly get professional who want to do a full One-to-one course. Sometimes I am amazed with the capacity to work and assimilate some of our "professionals" have, doing 8 or 10 lessons a day and still taking advantage of all those extra hours.

Of course, we also have some special programs like the new Basque Language and culture course in which we give a briefing on our ancestral culture and the origins of the Basque language. They even learn a few words and expressions in Basque, useful to link with people, to our ears it is very flattering to notice some interest in this culture we endeavor to preserve.

We have two programs for teachers like the Methodology and Culture course for non-native teachers of Spanish, and the Teacher Training course typical in most International House schools.

For groups we usually tailor make specific programs according to the number of participants and specific demands.

We always include several bonuses, like the activities program to help our students discover what the normal visitor would not find. It is also a way to support bonds between the students. Coming to a school like ours is a perfect way to spend a holiday, if you have to travel alone, you are certain to make friends.

We also have a library, lend books to our students (graded reading), and offer free extra tutoring. We run a small test every week to make sure students have grasped the new contents, and an exam a month to make sure they follow the pace of the class.

ACCEPTANCE

The minimum age for our intensive course is 17 years old. We accept students of all levels and we run a placement test for all new students. Starting dates for total beginners are more restricted (every 4 weeks in winter, every 2 weeks in summer), so we double-check that they start on the right date. A total beginners group starts with the past tenses after 2 weeks, and at that time they can use the present and some simple and useful  structures like I want to. I have to. I like. I need. I am going to. and they can exchange simple information, make introductions, give directions,  and most useful, go to a bar or a restaurant!

What really makes a difference when you come to Lacunza is that you really understand why we are called International House. Our students come from  all over the world and getting in touch with so many different cultures can become the most rewarding aspect of studying with us.

International Connections Consultings President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. Juan Carlos Lacunza, General Director, and Yolanda Zabalza, Marketing Director for providing all of the material for the article.  If  you would like more information or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting.
 
 

REMEMBER  ICC's SPREAD THE WORD CAMPAIGN THIS FALL

All businesses realize the importance of an effective Marketing Campaign to make their company successful.  Those who don't discover too late that without an effective and forceful effort in this area the entrepreneur will never obtain the results that he/she seeks-successful/profitable company.

For this reason, International Connections Consulting (ICC) has developed a host of  FREE Marketing Tools that allow its clients/visitors/friends/family to take advantage of and help ICC get the word out.  Its not enough to offer a quality product (web site advising services which include FREE Educational Advising, FREE Resources (funding, scholarship, and research information, etc.), Global Event Calendar, FREE Monthly Newsletter and a host of other  services.

Spread the word.  ICC has made it easy for you to spread the word about International Connections Consulting and all their services by providing you with downloadable/printable flyers with tear offs.  Print one today and hang it up in your office, school, employee cafeteria, or anywhere someone might be interested. www.intlconnections.com/brochure.htm

If you are currently working with ICC, this is an added benefit to you and your staff.  The ICC Resource Directory allows you to tap into a host of FREE resources.  Our Global Event Calendar is great for Directors who participate in conferences/workshops worldwide.  Each month, the ICC Newsletter lets you read about the quality schools that International Connections Consulting represents worldwide.  This gives you a taste of what some of your competitors offer and also insights into your own course offerings and what the latest market demands are.

Whatever your affiliation is, you can't lose by helping us get the word out about all that International Connections Consulting has to offer.

We thank you in advance for your continued support.

 International Connections Consulting Brochure.

ICC'S NEW BOOK SECTION

International Connections Consulting's (ICC) new Book Section will be in place by the  end of  May 2000.   It will allow independent publishers, writers, small, medium and some big companies (book stores, independent/university, schools-who would like to sell their own textbooks to future students or other institutions) to take advantage of our  specialized audience and continuous Marketing Program by placing a listing in the Book  Section for a reasonable fee.  In return, their book or web site will receive international exposure.  Just imagine, you have a book that you have always wanted to write and get published.  Most of us have had this dream all of our lives.  However, as many young writers realize the process can be quite tedious and lengthy let alone costly if  you don’t  obtain a big publishing contract. 

Many of the stories lead us to believe that you could become rich overnight.  The reality is quite different.  So many up and coming writers never realize their dreams due to time, money, and  a saturated market, etc.  Self Publishing is a viable option but it can be quite costly and possibly never allow you to reach your desired goal of making the bestsellers list.   International Connections Consulting decided to offer their new ICC Book Section to facilitate this market niche.  By listing in this section and paying a fixed monthly fee, you can get the word out about your book, publishing company, writing services, workshops, etc. without having others cut into your bottom line.  With ICC’s monthly marketing campaign (e-mail, fax, flyer distribution, media, book publishing companies and  related associations-to commence in May), each listing receives maximum exposure.  It's like having a Marketing and Public Relations Department built in throughout the year. 

The topics and subject matter of each book will have to meet certain guidelines predetermined by ICC to ensure that the quality and mission statement of our web site is not compromised.  As far as company listings, the firm has to be a legitimate and reputable one.  Please view our web sites information (www.intlconnections.com/brochure.htm) and Resource Directory  (www.intlconnections.com/directory) to learn more about what we market and  promote before submitting request to avoid potential conflicts of interests.  ICC thanks  you in advance. 

ICC will explore combining this new section with the upcoming audio/video online conferencing.  This would allow entities to increase their sales via advanced online tools that can augment desired results (for example, author book signing or meet the author  online). 

Contact ICC today for more information and pricing. 

ZONI LANGUAGE CENTER IN NEW YORK MAKES THE GRADE WITH THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES

When people think of the Statue of  Liberty, the World Trade Center or Broadway, New York City comes to mind.  What better place to learn the English Language. There are numerous opportunities to put your new linguistic skills into practice in a historic and entertaining way.  Zoni Language Center gives their students ample opportunities to learn and master the English Language in the Big Apple. 

Since 1988, Zoni Language Centers have provided the best language programs in the New York metropolitan area. Zoni offers you:   Flexible schedules - morning, afternoon and evening classes, Monday through Friday and weekend classes. New classes begin every Monday - a class to fit any schedule.   Their  high-quality, experienced instructors meet the standards of the New York State Education Department.   Conversation classes are available to practice English with other students.  TOEFL classes and a computer laboratory are available to prepare for the TOEFL exam.   A multimedia resource center includes books, cassettes, and CD-ROMs that enhance the learning and development of your English language skills. Students can use the center's audio, video, electronic and computer equipment during school hours. Zoni also offers students access to the internet.  Free placement in one of 20 courses from beginner to advanced.  Spacious, modern facilities are available for language activities.  They have five locations to serve their  students needs.   Their Manhattan school is located in the heart of New York City, next to the landmark Empire State Building.
 

Photo by Zoni Language Center

Mr. Jose Mendez (JM), International Coordinator for Zoni Language Centers, gave International Connections Consulting (ICC) an inside track as to why prospective students choose their centers. 

ICC:   " What is your role at Zoni Language Centers?  How long have you been at the school?  (any other background information that you wish to provide)." 

JM:     "At Zoni Language Centers, I am the International Coordinator in charge of the programs we offer to all international students.  I have been in the business of international education for four years.  I hold a Masters in International Education from New York University.  After obtaining my masters, I worked at the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the Fulbright Placement Division.  I worked at another English 
language school before joining Zoni at the end of 1998." 

ICC:    "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend Zoni Language Centers?  What makes Zoni Language Centers unique?" 

JM:     "There are some obvious reasons to study here at Zoni.  We have the  best location of any language school in New York City, and our prices are the most affordable of all the International schools in the area.  However, there is more to the school than just the location and the prices.  We have developed one of the most comprehensive curriculums of any English language schools.  Our curriculum has two phases.  The first is for developing fluency.  The second phase is to help students develop important academic skills, such as writing, reading and listening comprehension.  Our classes help students improve their skills in areas that are essential for their future development.  We offer courses that would help them at the university level, during their professional development and throughout their careers." 

ICC:    "Explain some of the programs that you offer?  How does this enhance the learning experience for your students?  What types of courses do you offer?"

JM:     "As mentioned above, we offer courses that augment the learning experience of the students by helping them learn English and develop skills in many areas. We offer pronunciation classes, American culture classes, writing and reading courses as well as many others.  We also have a TOEFL Preparation course and a Business English Program that is ideal for students interested in learning more about the American business environment."

ICC:    "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? Language proficiency?"

JM:    " We are open to all students interested in learning or improving their English.  There is a minimum age of 16.  We accept total beginners and offer courses for students of all levels."

ICC:    "What type of student do you accept?  What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student?" 

JM:     "Basically, we look for students with a desire to learn and seek new experiences in their lives.  They have to be motivated to learn English, and we want them to actively participate in their learning." 

ICC:    "Explain your teaching methodology." 

JM:     "Zoni Language Centers uses an eclectic methodological approach to teaching English, employing many methods and techniques in achieving student-centered learning.  The Zoni approach entails challenging students by use of the following techniques to be employed in the classroom: eliciting information, vanishing techniques, student-to-student interaction, role-play, action sequence, information gap, and others." 

ICC:    "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistantships to help defray the costs of tuition, room and board? academic scholarships?  dance scholarships?  If so, what is the eligibility criteria?" 

JM:     "We offer financial assistance, depending on the student's need.  We award these based on their academic background, recommendations and essays.  The students must come from countries facing financial, political and/or social problems." 

ICC:    "We would like to thank Mr. Jose Mendez for the interview. Spanish Program A 6-week program with class meetings twice a week for two hours (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday)" 

Objective:  To acquire basic grammar and vocabulary through conversation
Focus: listening and speaking skills
Spanish conversation includes: 

• Greetings
• Introductions 
• Name 
• Age 
• Telephone number 
• Birthplace 
• Occupation 
• Weather 
• Use of simple present tense with information questions 
• Use of the simple past tense with information questions 

Be able to speak and understand the language with confidence Be able to ask and answer basic questions Understand simple spoken statements and questions. 
Final Exams: oral and written 

Testimonials: 

"I started to study English at the university in Taiwan.  But after I visited a friend last year who went to Zoni, I realized I could learn English faster here.  I plan to go on to college and study photography, so I can live and work in New York - my dream" 
 Hsiao-Chun Huanga, 25, Taipei-Taiwan

"When you compare time and money, Zoni is a good investment.  Zoni is a very good English language education.  My time and money are well spent."
Toros Tarpinyan, 30, Istanbul-Turkey

In today's constantly changing society, the importance of  having a bilingual/multilingual education is becoming increasingly necessary.  Not only from a cultural perspective but from an economical point of 
view as well.  In order to be able to compete and secure an optimal future for your child, his/her education has to include a foreign language.
 

Photo Provided by Trinity School S.L.

TRINITY SCHOOL in Spain was established in 1984. It is a language academy located in El Puerto de Santa María, a city of a hundred palaces and also the home of Christopher Columbus. A city full of history, yet young enough to have plenty of activities ranging from day time amusement parks, to night long discos. Its beautiful, long, golden sandy beaches on their own guarantee a wonderful time, in fact there are more than 22 km of beaches in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

The area is well known by the Spanish tourists as the only authentic holiday place left, as the rest of Spain is saturated by sun loving tourists from every corner of Europe, who do not want to find Spain, but
their own second home with food and culture that are familiar to them. But in El Puerto you will hear only Spanish spoken, which is another guarantee of a successful language holiday.

You will find extremely friendly Spaniards willing to help you in every possible way to make you feel welcome.

The staff at TRINITY SCHOOL strive to give students all the support they need in order to fully integrate them into the Spanish life and giving them at the same time an excellent tuition.  The teachers are all from the local University of Cadiz and their preparation to teach Spanish as a foreign language is of a very high standard, some also have Masters in this area.

Mr. Ian M. Walsh (IW), Director at Trinity School, welcomed the opportunity to give International Connections Consulting (ICC) a wealth of reasons why students choose their school.

ICC:   " What is your role at Trinity School? "

IW:     " I am the director. "

ICC:    " How long have you been at the School? (any other background information that you wish to provide).

IW:     " I have been with the School since the very beginning. I founded the  original Academia de Idiomas Trinity School Ltd in 1984. In the beginning we only taught English and French. Then Trinity School started sending Spanish students to study English in England and Ireland and finally we started our Spanish courses for foreigners. Since then we have expanded and moved to a new building as the old one became too small after just 3 years. I started teaching in Dublin, Ireland before moving to Spain. "

ICC:     "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend the Trinity School?  What makes Trinity School unique? "

IW:     " I think that all good language schools do good courses so I  cannot say that we are better in this respect. We are as good as the others but what makes us a little special is the area of Spain where we are.

This is a typical Spanish coastal town/small city with about 75,000 inhabitants, which is still unknown abroad. This means that in this part of Spain we get very little international tourism. There are always some tourists and foreign students but nothing like Malaga, Madrid, Sevilla or Salamanca where there are thousands of tourists from everywhere.

Also being in the South our weather is very beautiful. On average we get 305 days of sunshine per year. It is a lot cooler here than inland in the summer because of the sea (Temp 28 -32ºC), and as the town has 22 Kms of magnificent sandy beaches, so you always can find somewhere to cool off. "

ICC:    " Explain some of the programs that you offer?  How does this  enhance the learning experience for your students?  What types of courses do you offer? "

IW:     " Our programs are intensive 3 hours per day or super intensive 4 hours per day. The classes have a lot of emphasis on conversation.  Our idea is that it is not good learning to read and write a language if you cannot speak it.

An important factor also is that here the majority of the local people do not know English or any other European Language so our students must speak in Spanish all the time.

We also take students to visit other towns and cities in the area so they can enjoy the beautiful architecture of this area. "

ICC:    " What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance?  Age? language proficiency? "

IW:      "Our courses are for 18 years old or over. Each student is given a placement test on his/her first day. We accept students of all  levels.

Students must first get in contact with us to see if we have places on the course which the students wishes to do and on the dates chosen. "

ICC:  " What type of student do you accept?  What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student? "

IW:     " We accept all types of students from University students to Businessmen. We like our students to take their courses  seriously and to be punctual and to participate as much as possible in their classes
and  during the excursions. "

ICC:     "Explain your teaching methodology. "

IW:     " This is a secret. But more or less we do all aspects of the language,reading, writing, listening and speaking. We use different  methods for different levels but all with the same aim: the student learns the maximum possible in his/her course. "

ICC:    " We would like to thank Mr. Ian Walsh for the interview. " 
 

More about the Spanish Language Program 

It is for adults aged 18 and over. 

Classes are of a maximum of 6-8 students. 

The levels of courses range from beginners to advanced.

The course books are provided by the school and do not cost you anything extra, and there is an extensive stock of supplementary material for use in the classroom.

The programs are 2 to 4 weeks (but can be longer), with 3 or 4 hours of classes every day.  The summer courses are held from June to September. In the winter they hold courses for small groups and provide private intensive classes.  Commercial Spanish for Companies is taught in groups and private classes.

During the lessons you will learn the five different aspects of Spanish:

• listening
• reading
• writing
• grammar
• and most importantly...... speaking

For those who would go on excursions or other cultural activities, these are also arranged by a local travel agent, but the cost of these are not included in the price of the program.  Trinity School normally takes its
students on at least 3 excursions during a months stay. These excursions are free.

They can offer students a wide range of accommodation. Most people prefer to stay with one of the carefully selected families, where they can practise their Spanish in authentic everyday situations. Some may prefer to stay in a hostel near the school or in a hotel or yet again in a self contained apartment.
Camping and pension (rooms) are also available, the choice is yours, just tell them and they will
organise it for you.

International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. Ian M.. Walsh, Director at Trinity School, for supplying all  of the material for the article. If you would like more information or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting.

AT GREEN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, YOU CAN GET A JUMP START ON YOUR EDUCATION ALONG WITH MUCH NEEDED WORK EXPERIENCE

The demand for qualified and top notch employees has been increasing each year with all of the technological innovations and fast paced work place.  Green River Community College (Green River) is meeting the challenge of giving their students the initial foundation to undertake this competitive and tech savvy environment. 

Green River is located in Auburn, Washington; only 40 minutes from Seattle. Auburn is a beautiful, safe and friendly city with a population of 35,000 people.  Auburn is a small city with all the facilities of a big city such as a large shopping mall, movie theaters, parks and sports facilities. Nearby is Seattle a major international city, home to The Boeing Company and Microsoft. 

Over 400 students from over 30 different countries choose to study at Green River Community College every year.
 

Photo Provided by Green River Community College

Their new high-tech Holman Library has over 100 computers equipped with  CD-ROMs, Microsoft Office and free Internet access for students. Additional facilities include: a cafeteria, gym, fitness center, free tutoring center and KGRG, a real radio station run by students.

Ms. Wendy Lee Stewart (WS), Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Green  River Community College,  was able to give International Connections Consulting (ICC) a host of reasons why students attend their institution. 

ICC:     "What is your role at Green River Community College? " 

WS:     " I am the Regional Director for Southeast Asia.  I do the marketing and advise students from this area of the world. "

ICC:    " How long have you been at the school? " 

WS:     " Six years ".

ICC:    " What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student  to attend Green River Community College? "

WS:     " Low cost, small classes, excellent services. " 

ICC:    " What makes  Green River Community College  unique? "

WS:     " Our location (close to Seattle) and our safe, friendly and beautiful campus. Also, with six advisors we are able to offer personal advising for each student. "

ICC:     "Explain some of the programs that you offer?  How does this enhance the learning experience for your students?  What types of courses do you offer? " 

WS: "ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 

University transfer (top universities such as UC Berkeley and University of Washington) 

Academic majors include:

*       Architecture 
*       Art 
*       Aviation 
*       Biology 
*       Business 
*       Chemistry 
*       Communications 
*       Computer Science 
*       Economics 
*       Education 
*       Engineering 
*       English 
*       Forestry 
*       Mathematics 
*       Music 
*       Nursing 
*       Photography 
*       Physical Therapy Assist. 
*       Psychology 
And many more... 

High school completion (same classes count for both high school and college)

JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS 

Green River offers over 90 job training degrees and certificates ranging from Aviation to International Business. 

Programs vary from three months to two years. In addition, as part of the programs, student may have the possibility of work experience in the U.S. 

Customized training can also be specially designed for companies. 

Internship Students, graduates, and working professionals can benefit from practical experience in their field with an internship in an American company. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS 

*       Intensive ESL (academic preparation) 
*       Summer IESL (short program) 
*       Summer Study and Fun (study/tour program) 
*       Customized private English (individual or group) 
*       Group English for specific purposes (ESP)  "

WS:      "17 years old.  No TOEFL required for admission into the English Language program.  500/173 TOEFL for admission into the academic program. "

ICC:    " Explain your teaching methodology. "

WS:     " We are committed to offering small classes and personalized attention in order to maximize student success. " 

ICC:     "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistantships to help defray the costs of tuition, room and board? academic scholarships?  dance scholarships?  If so, what is the eligibility criteria? "

WS:      "Unfortunately we do not offer any scholarships or financial aid. However, as a community college, our tuition is much lower  than most universities.  You can save a substantial amount by  studying two years at Green River then transferring to the university to complete the final two years of your
Bachelor's  Degree.  This 2+2 program offers significant cost savings." 

ICC:    " We would like to thank Ms. Wendy Lee Stewart for the interview. "

International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Ms. Wendy Lee Stewart, Regional Director of Southeast Asia, Tania Fernandez de Castro, Regional Director-Latin America, and Ms. Stephanie Scoby, Regional Director-Northern Europe/CIS International Programs, at 
Green River Community College for providing all of the material for the article.  If you would like more information regarding any of their  programs or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting.

INLINGUA NORMANDY PICARDIE, ANOTHER AVENUE FOR LEARNING 
FRENCH

France is known for many things fine wine, foods, culture and of course its beautiful language, French.  Studying French in France can be an excellent opportunity to combine all of the wonderful things this country offers while developing a native flair for the language.  At Inlingua Normandy Picardie, you can find what you desire in learning French in country. 

Rouen is the principal city of the region of Haute Normandie. It is a thriving commercial centre, yet one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with a rich historical past. Whether you enjoy the sights, art, history,
shopping, or just sitting outside a cafe watching the river and the world go by, the list of things to see and do in Rouen and the surrounding countryside is endless.

Normandy has many links with the past (William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, Jeanne d'Arc) with art (the impressionists, Monet, Boudin, etc) and literature (Maupassant, Flaubert, Victor Hugo...).

It also has a rich regional cuisine thanks to local cream, cheeses (Camemberts, Pont l'Evêque...), fish, Cider and Calvados ! 

The coastline offers some of the most particular scenery in France - yet the capital Paris is just 50 minutes away by train ; perfect for a busy day out !

Ms. Eleri Maitland (EM), Director at Inlingua Normandy, was only to happy to provide International Connections Consulting (ICC) with a list of reasons why people make their school their study or vacation choice.

Photo Provided by Inlingua Rouen

ICC:     "What is your role at Inlingua Normandy?  How long have you been at the  school?  (any other background information that you wish to provide). " 

EM:      "My name is Eleri Maitland and I am Welsh but have lived in France for 12  years. I am the director of the centre which I started with my husband in 1992. I have always been in Education and we decided to start a Language Training centre with a Human face to it.  We enjoy working together and we chose this region because there is so much to do and see and the regional cuisine is some of the best in France. " 

ICC:     "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend Inlingua Normandy?  What makes Inlingua Normandy unique? "

EM:      "We are a small family run school that specialises in personal programmes for all our students. " 

ICC:     "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? Language proficiency?  "

EM:      "Our maximum number of students is 50 and we accept all  ages from 12 years upwards , unless it is for groups of students where we accept from 6 years upwards. "

ICC:     "Explain some of the programs that you offer?  How does this enhance the learning experience for your students?  What types of courses do you offer? " 

EM:      "We have special programmes for older students coming to France as either a group or as individuals. These programmes that we call French Plus are designed to allow students to learn or
improve their basic language skills and to discover the less tourist side of our  region. 

We offer French and Cookery, French and gastronomy where students will get the chance to taste the best of our local products. Don't forget that Normandy is home to the best and most well known French cheeses (Camembert, Livarot, Pont L'Eveque etc.) as well as Benedictine Liqueur, Cider and Calvados. We are also a region that is not only one of the most beautiful in France but one of the most historical. Normandy has many links with England, some wonderful castles, and of course the Landing Beaches. 

For those wishing to study French for their professional development we offer specialize intensive courses for individuals or Business French in small groups of 4 students maximum. For those working in Restaurants, Hotels and Catering we have a series of programmes that incorporate work experience.

Our most popular course is the Holiday Course that we run in the summer where students have 3 hours of French a day , at any level from beginner to advanced, and in the afternoon the course offers a guided visit of Rouen plus 2 afternoon visits or activities every week. These are of great benefit to our students because it allows them not only to explore the region but also to speak French and to have a really different cultural experience.  We think it is very important that students get the chance to practice their 
language skills in real situations and not just in classrooms because then they get more confident very quickly. "

ICC:     "What type of student do you accept?  What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student? " 

EM:      "Most of our students are 25 years old or more but we often have complete beginners ,some of our students wish to learn or perfect their French for professional reasons but most come to enjoy the language and culture of  France. Our aim is not only to make sure that all our students have the best 
language teaching possible but also that they enjoy every minute of their time with us. Our families are chosen for their hospitality as well as the  quality of their accommodation and they very much enjoy the
friendship and contacts that they establish with our students. "

ICC:     "Explain your teaching methodology. "

EM:      "Our pedagogical philosophy is very simple, our lessons are given in the  target language and French only is spoken in the centre.  Lessons are communicative and the time spent with the teacher is
for oral work, role play and guided conversational practice not for studying grammar and exercises which we feel is for extra input at home.

We try and get students to express themselves in French at all times, for those who are really worried or have any sort of problem, request, travel arrangements to sort out or for those beginners doing a gastronomy or cuisine course there are always interpreters available or someone who speaks their language. So all in all students just do not have problems in Rouen!!! "

ICC:     "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistanceships to help defray the costs of tuition, room and board? academic scholarships?  Dance scholarships?  If so, what is the eligibility criteria? "

EM:      "We offer  scholarships to schools / educational establishments / agencies  who send groups to us; for example a school wishing to send a group of students for a month will have the benefit of a free place with French lessons for the teacher  or the accompanying person as well as a competition for a free place for tuition for one or 2 students depending on the size of the groups. "

ICC:     "We would like to thank Ms. Eleri Maitland for the interview. "

INLINGUA Rouen offers you a varied choice of sports, cultural and social events which will make your stay with us an unforgettable experience.  On Wednesdays and Saturdays we organise full and half day excursions. Some typical destinations are : Caen and the Normandy Beaches, Dieppe, DisneyLand, Etretat and Fécamp, Giverney, Martainville Castle, Mont Saint Michel, Paris, Rouen, Vascoeuil Castle, Versailles... 

 ACCOMMODATION

All our families are carefully selected and receive regular visits from our welfare officer. We offer half board during the week and full board at the weekend. All families will offer you a single room, some with en suite
facilities. Our host families are all within walking distance of the school or within 10 minutes walk from a metro stop. Maximum journey time to the school is 25 minutes.

International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Ms. Eleri Maitland, Director of Inlingua Normandy Piccardi, for providing all of the material for the article.  If you would like more information or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting.