Fast Forward American English and Culture

Ana Iriarte – PhD student and teacher, Madrid, Spain

xo — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:59:52 +0000

My problem with the previous English classes I had attended is that even if I actually learned grammar and vocabulary, in the end I always felt that I was unable to really communicate in English. It was in Mike’s classes where I really developed the ability to have real conversations, to speak about everyday topics and to express my opinions in English. With the help of a great variety of games and activities that he conceives himself, Mike has the ability to create an environment where the students feel comfortable to speak and where the learning comes in an easy, almost unconscious, way.

Kimberly Gan, Consultant of Residential & Relocation, Shanghai China

Mike Ward — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:18 +0000

I attended Mike’s class for 2 semesters. It was a great experience. Mike’s class is different from most of the classes you find elsewhere. You don’t just sit and write and listen, instead, you communicate, you express yourself, you learn other cultures, you also learn from playing games and having fun, and, last but not least, you will have a lot of new friends by the end of the semester.

Emanuele Rossi – MPS Bank, Rome, Italy.

Mike Ward — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:59:47 +0000

“Mike is great! I attended his classes for 4 months in 2009. He gave me the opportunity to learn English in a very informal environment, together with people from all over the world. He always arranged a big number of activities also outside of the school, which made his lessons always interesting, and never boring. You got the chance not only to learn the language, but also to make international friends. Attending Mike’s classes are an experience you will never forget.”

NATÁLIA ANGELO MASO – BRAZIL STUDENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT UNIVERSIDADE DO SUL DE SANTA CATARINA (UNISUL)

Mike Ward — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:16:42 +0000

Mike was more than just an ordinary English teacher.

I noticed as soon as I started attending his classes that he had passion in what he did and he loved more than any of my other teachers to see improvement in his students.

Since I returned to my home country I’ve been studying International Relations and I plan on working as an international business woman as soon as I graduate. I’m so grateful to Mike, because he was and has been of huge importance to my personal and professional life.

Aurelia Tarchini, French teacher, Geneva.

Mike Ward — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:13:51 +0000

Being a language instructor myself, I know how tricky it is to teach speaking skills as opposed to grammar and vocabulary. Of course, it is nice to have good grammar and an extended vocabulary, but it doesn’t help to understand what your new American landlord just told you or what the guy sitting next to you in a restaurant is trying to communicate. In Mike’s class, I learned a lot of idioms that people use all the time and feel like many blanks in my understanding were filled. Also, he really emphasizes pronunciation, which helped me develop a better ear as well as reduce my accent. Plus, you can expect to have a lot of fun! The games Mike developed are not only pedagogically helpful; they make you feel like a ten-year-old at a birthday party.

Yu Murayama – Crime Researcher of Intelligent Systems Lab, SECOM Co., Ltd., Japan

Mike Ward — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:15:48 +0000

I took Mike’s classes while I was enrolled in the MS program in Criminology at University of Pennsylvania from fall 2008 through spring 2009.

Mike’s classes are remarkable for three reasons:

He was always well-prepared with a wide variety of materials and activities ranging from Internet topics to guest speakers.
Secondly, it was obvious that he enjoyed teaching English.
Finally he made every effort to recognize and promote the cultures of his students thereby promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Oscar Montoya- Spanish Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia

xo — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:23:41 +0000

My experience with Mike completely changed my outlook on studying English. He really understands the meaning of “advanced” conversation and treats his students as intelligent educated people. I’ve also worked with Mike on grammar and pronunciation in order to improve my communicative skills. We’ve even discussed American film and literature. Mike has been the best English teacher I’ve ever had. I hope to keep working with him for a long time.

Paloma Souza –ESL teacher, Sao Paolo Brazil

Mike Ward — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:59:15 +0000

Mike makes learning English enjoyable. During my one and a half years as an au pair, I took several English classes, but Mike’s was the only one that made me feel I was really in America. His classes were very dynamic and he always tried to engage us in conversations related to US Culture. I’ll also never forget his explanation of the Present Perfect tense. The after class activities let me meet really nice people and have lots of fun. Now I’m back in Brazil teaching English!

Dr. Chiara Gentilomo Venice, Italy

Mike Ward — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:00:51 +0000

Mike’s classes are great because he has fantastic pronunciation and a clear way of speaking, easy to understand, so students can learn from just by listening.