"This group is open to RCIIS students of all levels. If you want to practice your conversation skills, share your knowledge in various fields and have fun, you are welcome to join us!
Practice time: every Wednesday, 4 - 5 pm
Location: RCIIS classroom."
Friday, October 21, 2011
Josef-Our STAR teacher will be part of the team for improv, please enjoy the show
Toronto’s Opening Night Theatre company literally “makes-up” a brand new show on the spot each Saturday when it takes to the stage with its “Smash Hit” improvised musical.
Each week the team of comedians and musicians take an audience suggestion and transform it into an imaginative series of sketches, combining comedy and song in an hour long side-splitting spectacle. Every Saturday is their opening night and closing night….meaning anything can happen
Continue reading on Examiner.com Kensington's Augusta House hosts hot new improv musical - Toronto bars | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/bars-in-toronto/kensington-s-augusta-house-hosts-hot-new-improv-musical#ixzz1bR87zd00
Each week the team of comedians and musicians take an audience suggestion and transform it into an imaginative series of sketches, combining comedy and song in an hour long side-splitting spectacle. Every Saturday is their opening night and closing night….meaning anything can happen
Continue reading on Examiner.com Kensington's Augusta House hosts hot new improv musical - Toronto bars | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/bars-in-toronto/kensington-s-augusta-house-hosts-hot-new-improv-musical#ixzz1bR87zd00
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
ITE-ESL In International Trade
The ESL in International Trade Program focuses on the continuing improvement of students’ English communication skills while introducing concepts and vocabulary of international trade. It is an extension of our Business Communication Program.
The Program introduces students to the challenging and interesting world of international trade. Assignments and exercises help students to improve their competence and confidence in English communication. Students will use speaking, listening, reading exercises to practice the skills of teamwork, negotiation and presentations throughout the program. Also, students read and discuss selected case studies.
The Program introduces students to the challenging and interesting world of international trade. Assignments and exercises help students to improve their competence and confidence in English communication. Students will use speaking, listening, reading exercises to practice the skills of teamwork, negotiation and presentations throughout the program. Also, students read and discuss selected case studies.
Mr. Glenn Berry
Glenn Berry worked for three large Canadian companies (Bell Canada, Nortel Networks and CGI) involved with telecommunications and information technology. He started his career as a mathematician and computer programmer. Then he became a software designer, a manager, a salesman and finally a consultant.
During his career, he witnessed (and sometimes worked on) the introduction to organizations of Unix, PCs, Apple computers, LANs, email, voice mail, call centres, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, mobile phones, wireless data and video conferencing. He remembers when large air-conditioned rooms were required to house technology that now fits in a smartphone.
His work took him to South America and across North America where he met many interesting people with a variety of challenging business and technical problems. His clients included some of the largest and smallest phone companies in the world.
When he retired, he was attracted to teaching. Glenn has over 5 years of experience teaching ESL and business subjects to international students in Toronto.
Glenn never stopped learning new skills. For many years, his emphasis was on software development, rapidly changing technology and management. More recently, he has been a member of TESL Toronto and OBEA (Ontario Business Educators' Association).
He continues to follow his twin passions (information technology and teaching) in order to create a connected and supportive classroom.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Mr. Luke Norton
Luke Norton is an energetic and dedicated young teacher with years of international teaching experience. Always interested in education, he has made consistent effort throughout his life to become a more effective and engaging teacher through both personal study and hands-on experience. His passion for language and study grew and evolved at the University of Guelph, where he was trained formally in English Literature. He also received his TESL / TEFL certification shortly after completing his degree, in anticipation of an international teaching career.
In early 2008 he headed overseas to Korea, where he fell in love with the culture, the people and the language. He completed a full year's contract of teaching - including lesson planning, classroom management, and resource creation - before returning to Canada to further augment his own education. He returned to Korea the following year to work for an even more language-directed school, one which focused heavily on both pronunciation and conversation techniques. His time in Korea has given him the confidence, skill and knowledge necessary to impart English to aspiring intermediate and advanced students looking for increased technique, vocabulary and eventual fluency.
Luke's teaching technique focuses on a combination of three specific areas: First, vocabulary expansion. With a limited vocabulary, students are unable to express themselves effectively, and the research and use of idioms, phrasal verbs, and common slang are all key to more natural sounding speech. Second, focused learning. Specific areas will always need work, but these areas change depending on student's specific needs. Luke is always prepared to focus on these learning difficulties and target them as the situation arises to correct problems with both pronunciation and grammar. Finally, a relaxed classroom environment. Enjoying what one is doing is an often overlooked, but crucial part of learning. Without a comfortable environment, students will not be able to fully explore their abilities and push the limits of their speaking skills. A happy and relaxed student is a successful one!
Luke is a new addition to the RCIIS team, and is excited to bring his energy and ability to the classroom.
Friday, June 24, 2011
OUR TEAM
- Our Teachers:
Laura
Laura Vekemans has had many years of experience in business as well as education. She attended Sheridan College’s Business Management Program and The University of Toronto’s General Arts program in the early 80’s. After completing, she worked in the women’s fashion retail industry.
Laura started her career as a District Sales Manager for a Montreal based retailer and held various positions including Regional Training and Development Manager for 42 locations, Regional Merchandising Manager for Eastern Canada as well as Regional Visual and Display Manager for Ontario, Western Canada, and The Atlantic Region with 67 locations.
In 1995, Laura then moved on to work for Club Monaco, a recognized Canadian fashion leader. She was the Toronto District Manager accountable for sales in excess of $10 million. While at Club Monaco, Laura was also the Ontario Regional Management Training and Development Facilitator. In this position, she designed, planned, organized and facilitated training programs for Management. This included motivational and informative seasonal fashion product roll outs.
In 2000 Laura made a decision to become an ESL Teacher. She went back to school to receive her TESL and TEFL certificate. Laura then worked as an ESL teacher and International Marketing Co-coordinator for an academic private language school where she received outstanding performance feedback from The Ministry of Education Inspectors. Laura taught, designed and developed English Academic syllabus for international students. Her students have always enjoyed her classes because of her enthusiasm, energy and creativity. During the summer months, she also travelled to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and India to promote, market and recruit students. In addition, Laura has received recognition for mentoring student teachers.
Since 2006, Laura has taught at the University of Toronto’s International Summer Program and in December of 2008, she joined the team at RCIIS.
Albert
Business English teacher for 7 years and Economics Teacher (Department Head) for 3 years, Albert holds a Masters of Arts Degree (Economics) from the University of British Columbia and a BA from the University of Toronto.
For the past several years, he has worked as an award-winning music producer and most recently has started selling background music online to clients around the globe. In 2001, he received a TESL certificate and has since been actively engaged in teaching Business English.
Jim
Business English Instructor for more than 5 years.
Market Research experience for more than 7 years.
Experience as Associate Project Director for 2 years.
Jim strongly believes that knowledge is the most important tool in the modern economy. Therefore Jim seeks to facilitate, encourage, and motivate students to improve their skills, not only in matters relating to business English, but to general education as well.
Jim believes that critical analysis and independent thought are crucial, fundamental skills that every individual should possess. Therefore he strives to cultivate and foster these skills in all his students. Moreover, he seeks to improve each student's ability to express themselves in a manner that is thoughtful, clear, and insightful.
Jim has a TESL certificate and two B.A. degrees (Political Science and Psychology, respectively) from York University.
Josef
Josef Addleman has been a teacher with RCIIS since August, 2007. In his hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Josef pursued a degree in psychology and drama production. He then spent two years as a teacher in Tokushima, Japan, during which time he developed his love of teaching and a great interest in Asian cultures.
Since returning to Canada, Josef moved to the city of Toronto to further study education in various subjects, including English, business, and drama performance. In his free time, Josef enjoys performing improvisational comedy, and playing with Arashido Taiko, a Toronto-based Japanese drumming group.
- Our Staff:
Tong, RCIIS Director
Laeya, Korean Councelor
Sachiyo, Japanese Counselor
Karla, Latin American Market Promoter
Camille, European Market Promoter
Thursday, June 23, 2011
OUR PROGRAMS
- Business Communication Program
The Business Communication Program is designed to train students to communicate
accurately and effectively in an English-speaking business environment. Students will practice and improve their Business English and learn practical North American business methods inside the classroom combined with hands on work experience in a Canadian Business.
Current international business media and topics are used along with Power Point to keep students connected to the real world with authenticity.
Relevant case studies provide occasion for problem solving, decision-making, teamwork and communication skills.
The classroom imitates a business meeting and focused presentations give practical improvement opportunities.
Combined with reading, vocabulary and writing exercises, each student develops their English skills for today’s business market.
- Canadian Working Experience-Internships at RCIIS
Our Internship Program gives students the career advantage they need for a successful future! We place you in a global or local Canadian company to expand your knowledge, improve your English skills and gain practical experience in a real working environment! The internship is available in a variety of business fields. Check our Testimonials page for real student experiences!
Benefits of doing an internship:
• Canadian work experience
• A letter of recommendation or evaluation from employer which can be used for future employment
• The opportunity to use English in an English-speaking working environment
• The application of acquired knowledge and skills to a Canadian or international company
- ITE- English in International Trade Program
The ESL in International Trade program will equip the students with the knowledge to succeed in a career in international trade. Students will improve their language proficiency, confidence in negotiation and learn required terminology through an engaging process of learning.
The ESL in International Trade program centres on necessary language skills in the following core subjects related to international trading, and is complimented by an intensive Industry Trade Study:
• Import and Export procedures
• International Trade Logistics
• Legal Aspects of International Trade
• International Trade Management and Documentation
• Negotiating Effectively (role play or exercise throughout the program)
- S.T.A.R- Stage Technique Accent Reduction Program
The S.T.A.R. Program is a truly unique training program designed to improve ESL students’ mastery of the English language. Students will gain a detailed understanding of English intonation and rhythm, in addition to the more traditional phonics-based pronunciation taught by most speech classes. The S.T.A.R. system also includes a from-the-ground-up muscle training approach, with one-on-one coaching from an experienced teacher.
Finally, S.T.A.R. emphasizes taking control of spoken English outside of the classroom. We use a dramatic approach to understanding complex, natural language, and learn to perform it with real expression. Using these skills, we work towards generating truly fluent speech in the context of unrehearsed conversation. S.T.A.R. students can see their results after one or two months, as video recordings are taken throughout the course, and provided on a DVD after the program is completed.
What is the STAR technique?
STAR is all about “accent reduction”: reducing your foreign accent when you speak English, so that you can communicate more clearly. But it’s not as simple as you might think!
We will focus on five different, interrelated areas:
Intonation: The pattern of your voice as it rises and falls in pitch.
Rhythm: The way we stress, stretch, or speed up on certain parts of a word or sentence.
Pronunciation: The specific tongue and mouth movements needed to make all the different vowel and consonant sounds used in English.
Muscle Training: Some English sounds are difficult or impossible to create until you teach your speech muscles to relax and move in a particular way. This might be very different from your first language!
Expression: Putting everything together to clearly and confidently express the feeling, as well as the meaning of your words.
- Power speaking program
The popular Power Speaking program includes dynamic classes that focus on conversation skills in typical scenarios. Students gain the skills necessary to speak more naturally and with greater fluency while also building confidence. Useful vocabulary, idioms, slang and culture-specific language is also highlighted to ensure communication success outside the classroom.
The program reinforces and improves speaking skills using:
• class participation
• role playing exercises
• vocabulary building techniques
• word stress and intonation
• pair and group discussions
• effective public speaking techniques
- Grammar & Vocabulary program
In order to be successful, competent and confident in the English language, students need to have an excellent understanding of English grammar, a good knowledge of vocabulary and great listening skills. Our G&V class is designed to help students acquire the grammar, vocabulary and listening skills they need to become effective communicators in English.
• Practical ways to gain more necessary vocabulary, slang, idiomatic expressions and acronyms.
• The crucial grammatical structures needed to put it all together correctly.
- EBC-Business Writing and Telephone skills Program
In an ever-changing, fast-paced global business environment, no one can escape from email and telephone communication.
Business Writing: In order to be effective, business writing must be complete, concise, and accurate. Content must be written in such a way that the reader will be able to easily understand what is being stated or asked.
Telephone Skills: . Students will learn how to focus on listening, make and receive telephone calls effectively, receive and leave messages, and manage unexpected situations.
- TOEIC
Our TOEIC Preparation Course combines the four key elements of language that are tested: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
We also provide students with the tips, techniques and strategies needed to substantially improve their individual TOEIC scores.
Each class is test-focused with practice, corrections and review, followed by a simulated TOEIC exam every Friday that is assessed to discover problem areas.
Email us for additional information at: education@rciis.ca
ANNOUNCEMENT
It has been a great honor for The Royal Canadian Institute of International Studies (RCIIS) to receive the “Best Business School in Toronto 2008” award from Will Education Consulting. We would sincerely like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to all the students who have recognized all the hard work that our staff have devoted to maintaining and continually innovating our programs and continuing to be the market leader in this industry. Furthermore, our Counselors will continue to make our school an enjoyable environment for all past, present and prospective students. We will continue to pursue our high educational standards and student-friendly approach throughout 2009 and beyond.
Email us for additional information at: education@rciis.ca
ABOUT RCIIS
The Royal Canadian Institute of International Studies (RCIIS) invites you to come and study with us! Our dedicated staff, innovative curriculum, and convenient, exciting location make this school an excellent choice for students wishing to develop their English and business skills and experience life in Canada's biggest, busiest city.
Why study at RCIIS?
- Learning by doing; Original and innovative teaching methods.
- Extremely knowledgeable and highly qualified teaching staff.
- Highly personalized learning environment.
- Located in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Email us for additional information at: education@rciis.ca
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