Arhīvs
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Academic Director |
Bruce Bax
About myself: I was born in Zimbabwe in the middle of the ‘swinging sixties’. My parents are both British but after they got married they emigrated to Southern Africa to raise a family so my first memories are of blue skies, warm weather, chameleons and millipedes in the garden and going out to game reserves on holiday to see elephants, lions and hippopotamuses. We moved back to England when I was six and I was brought up in London, I am really not a Cockney, though.My hobbies/ interests: My hobbies outside work include reading literature, films and music as well as following the fortunes, (whenever I can bear to watch), of Newcastle United Football Club.
My educational background: I did a degree in English Literature and when I graduated in 1990 I decided I would like to be a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and I have been doing this ever since. I did the DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Adults in 2001) .
My teaching experience: I started off in Slovakia and since then I have spent time in Germany, Turkey, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Poland again and Hungary. Sadly I am not fluent in the languages of all these languages. I arrived in Latvia in September 2004 to be an Assistant Director of Studies.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia: I love living in Riga. It’s a beautiful, lively city with plenty to do and see and the people are friendly and welcoming. During my time here I hope to see as much of Latvia and the surrounding countries as I can. IH Riga is an exciting place to work and has a culture all of its own (I’ve never experienced anything quite like it in all my years of teaching).
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Costanza Piccinini
;)
About myself (country, family, character…)My family are from Florence, Italy, most of my friends are British. I am very sociable and love laughing, but take work very seriously.
My hobbies/interests
I like cooking, spending time with friends, music and reading.
My dreams and ambitions
I would like to become a teacher trainer and do an MA in linguistics…but without ever giving up teaching.
My educational background
I studied German at Reading University, then did an MA in European Literature at Cambridge University.
My teaching experience
I have been teaching for 6 years at all levels and all age-groups. My youngest student so far was 5 years old, my oldest 75! I’ve taught in Poland, the UK and (now) in Latvia. In the UK I also taught Italian.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
Besides having absolutely beautiful, Riga feels like a very vibrant and dynamic city.
What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
Staff and students.
What surprised me in Riga
That it’s not -20◦…yet!
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Mark Davies
;)
About myself (country, family, character…)I was born in England but grew up in North Wales where my parents still live. I have one sister who works in the local hospital and we have one dog.
I am pretty easy-going and like the simple things of life.
My hobbies/interests
I love music and play the electric guitar. I love films and try to go to the cinema at least once a week. I also like to read and have written my own book as well. However, most of all I like to travel- especially in Asia where I have spent about 20 months.
My dreams and ambitions
All I ask for in life is to be content and have piece of mind.
My educational background
Left high school with 5 ‘O’ levels and 3 C.S.E.’s. I went to technical college and studied Electronics and Electrical engineering. I did my teaching course in Bournemouth, England in 1993 and also have 4 computer qualifications and a qualification in Psychology.
My teaching experience
I have taught for over 8 years in Portugal, Czech Republic and Austria. This summer I was teaching all the staff at the Thai Restaurant in my local town.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
My first impression of Riga was how beautiful it really is. I love walking around. The lovely parks and cobbled streets of the old town and the art nouveau is just amazing! My second impression of Riga- Why am I here? Everywhere I go everybody speaks English!
What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
Where do I start? All the teachers are so friendly and very helpful, the admin. Team is incredibly efficient and very professional but the thing I like the most are my truly wonderful students of course.
What surprised me in Riga
Well, there’ s been a few surprises but who knows… maybe the biggest surprise is yet to come.
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Matthew Donley
;)
About myself (country, family, character)I'm a multilingual Californian who loves traveling and new experiences. I've lived in Indonesia and Ghana, won a cake decorating contest, and seen the Bosporus. Given the choice between a life of comfort and stability and a life of risk and excitement, I'd take the latter.
My hobbies/interests
I love language: learning about the history of words, reading, writing, just talking. I'm a news hound, a crossword-puzzle fanatic, and an avid consumer of anything written down. I also make a frighteningly delicious tiramisu.
My dreams and ambitions
As long as I never stop learning, I'm up for whatever great opportunities come my way (hence my recent decision to move to Latvia!).
My educational background
I spent four years at the University of California at Santa Cruz studying politics and education, received my CELTA from International House Krakow, and have worked on a variety of other educational projects for nearly ten years as a participant and as a coordinator.
My teaching experience
After acquiring my CELTA in 2005, I moved to steamy Bandung, Indonesia, where I taught English for a year. Before that, I'd led a group of international affairs students in simulations and other reality-based projects for five years.
My first/second impressions of Riga:
My first impression was one of awe at the beauty of the built environment: coming from a place where most houses and buildings weren't constructed earlier than a hundred years ago, to walk past houses every day that date from before Columbus' voyage to the Americas is pretty amazing. As time has gone on, I've been really thrilled with how friendly most people are here, usually willing to help out even if we don't speak the same languages.
What I like most about IH Riga:
I feel very well supported in my work so far, and there are many, many opportunities to develop as a teacher - be it participating in running input sessions and meetings, creating long-term projects, or taking courses to build my skills in certain areas of teaching that I'd like to work on making better.
What has surprised me about Riga:
The weather is actually not as completely terrible as I had feared it might be!
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Elizabeth Grinberga
;)
About myself:I am from America , with a Latvian heritage on my father’s side. I am the oldest of four children. I am quiet and may appear shy until you know me, but really enjoy talking.
My hobbies/interests:
Painting, cooking, sewing, nature, friends, writing, music…
My dreams and ambitions:
To be an excellent teacher, and travel using English .To be a mother and raise exceptional children.
My teaching experience:
I have taught English for the past two years in Latvia to variety of levels.
I spent a summer teaching English in China.
My first/second impressions of Riga, Latvia:
(They were so long ago- 1996). But it would have to be a feeling of coming ‘home’.
What do you like most about IH Riga-Satva:
Teacher care and development.
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Galen Olson
;)
About myself (country, family, character…)I am American. My family lives in Flagstaff, Arizona where I grew up with my sister. She’s a ballerina, I am not. My character is friendly and open, but generally reserved around large amounts of people.
My hobbies/interests
I like to read books, play sports, weightlift, and go out into nature.
My dreams and ambitions
I don’t know. My dream is to follow Christ the Son of God wherever He would lead me, helping people and giving them hope in this world.
My educational background
I graduated high school from Coconino High School in 2004 and graduated from Southwestern College in ‘ 07 with a major in Biblical Studies.
My teaching experience
Very little. I have taught in English camps throughout the Latvian countryside and other than that, I have been a camp speaker or guest lecture in a class.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
My first impression of Latvia was beautiful. My second impression was in summer: ‘Does it ever get dark here?!’
What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
The teaching style is the most efficient way for a person to learn something.
What surprised me in Riga
How much Latvia has changed in three years as there are so many more nice cars on the streets.
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Michael (Mike) Orr
;)
About myself: I am from the beautifully scenic, green, soggy country of Scotland. I’ve left my family (my parents, wee brother and dog (a cheeky little West Highland Terrier)) behind in the U.K. so I’ m currently up for adoption.My hobbies/ interests: Football is my greatest interest. I like to play and my favourite team is called St. Mirren from Paisley, Scotland. I find reading, cooking and drinking fun (up to a point). I’m up for anything, though...
My dreams and ambitions: I plan to be as happy as possible (even if that involves mind-altering medication) for the rest of my life. I want to learn how to pole vault (or something similar) and continue teaching.
My educational background: I went to school and university in Scotland; got a degree in Psychology and tried my hand at computing during an I.T. Post Grad. I attained my Trinity Teaching Certificate this year.
My teaching experience: I am a fairly new teacher. Most of my experience is of Asylum Seekers in Glasgow, Scotland- ranging from teenagers from Turkmenistan to adults from Iran.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia: It’ s the most stunning city I’ve ever had the good fortune to visit. I’m delighted to be living here because everyone (just about) is friendly and beautiful.
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Daniel Puzzo
;)
About myself (country, family, character…)I have lived in a variety of places in both Europe and the U.S.A. With my peripatetic lifestyle, I’m often not sure where to say I am from. But for the purposes of categorization, let me say half American, half Northern Irish (In general, I am happy with that).
My hobbies/interests
I’m curious and open-minded; thus nothing fails to interest me. In particular I enjoy reading, music, football ( Ipswich Town supporter) and cooking ( I am ambitious, not necessarily good). Oh, and drinking beer, of course.
My dreams and ambitions
To find a perfect sense of well-being in the world, preferably on the lighter side. Life if far too important to be taken seriously.
My educational background
BA in History from Tufts University (USA)
MSc in International Relations from Edinburgh University.
CELTA from IH Prague.
My teaching experience
I have taught for over 8 years in Portugal, Czech Republic and Austria. This summer I was teaching all the staff at the Thai Restaurant in my local town.
Before TEFL, a few months as an assistant lecturer at Niger Delta University in Nigeria. Then, a stint at summer school outside of London, 1 year at IH Lviv, Ukraine and 1 year at IH San Sebastian, Spain.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
First, the women here are remarkably beautiful. Second, it’s a damn shame they all seem to be married.
What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
The very friendly, welcoming and hospitable staff. And everything is extremely thorough and well-organised.
What surprised me in Riga:
The black balsam is actually quite tasty.
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Bryony Russell
;)
About myself: I grew up with my dad and three brothers on an island in the north of Scotland (called Orkney if you are interested, which you are probably not…). I am a fairly optimistic person and enjoy meeting new people and trying new things.My hobbies/ interests: I enjoy reading, cinema, learning languages and going out with friends.
My dreams and ambitions: To learn to play the guitar, to see Lake Baikal (Siberia) and to write a book.
My educational background: I received an MA (History) from Edinburgh University and then went on to do my Trinity TESOL in London
My teaching experience: After handing my CV out to what seemed like every school in London, I finally got my first teaching job working with a proficiency class at a small school on Oxford Street. At the same time I worked part-time as a teacher at my training school (very strange being observed by soon-to-be teachers, who think you are an experienced teacher!). From there I went on to teach in north Italy and Moscow and have now ended up as a teacher at IH Riga.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia: I had no idea what to expect before I came here but I have been truly impressed by the place so far. Riga is a beautiful city and as yet largely undiscovered by the hordes of tourists. And as for Jurmala…well it has to be seen to be believed.
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Ruth Waters
;)
About myself (country, family, character…)I am from Northampton in England. I am married to Dave and we have three children who have all left home. Bob is in Australia, Harry is in Brazil and Ellie lives in Bristol.
My hobbies/interests
Reading, yoga, crosswords, walking, travelling.
My dreams and ambitions
Our house will soon be sold so Dave can come to Riga to work. To travel to 10 countries in the next 10 years.
My educational background
Bachelor Degree- English and Politics.
Diploma in French.
My teaching experience
In the1980s I taught English language, English Literature and British Politics at a private school in England.
My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
Very pretty city with lots of parks and some amazing art nouveau architecture.
What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
Very friendly staff.
What surprised me in Riga
How expensive everything is!
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