Our teachers are highly-qualified professionals with master’s degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or a related field. In addition, they have experience in teaching students with limited to advanced English proficiency and their goal is to help students feel comfortable speaking in English and understanding a new culture.
Our staff has an average of 15 years experience working at the former UC Berkeley Extension English Language Program (ELP) and they bring true dedication and enthusiasm to the English Studies Institute.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mimi received a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in language studies and certificates in teaching of composition and adult education from San Francisco State University. She has taught English composition and EFL for over 12 years. She was the Academic Director at the English Language Program for over 15 years. She has lived as an exchange student in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has taught English in Ecuador, Nepal, and Japan, and participated in linguistic research in India and Mexico. Her hobbies include skiing, sailing, backpacking, ceramic sculpture and jewelry design.
Chris was born and raised in northern New York state. Chris earned his degree from Wesleyan University. He studied for a year in France and Spain and taught English for two years with the Peace Corps in Poland. Chris was program assistant at the UC Berkeley Extension English Language Program (ELP) for eight years, prior to its closing. During that time, he traveled to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Egypt, Tunisia, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. In addition to travel, he likes to play most sports and his interests include politics and metaphysics.
Bonu Ghosh received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and her M.A. in TESL/TEFL from San Francisco State University. At ESI her main focus is on marketing and communication with overseeas representatives and clients. She also helps in course coordination, teacher supervision/training, and oversight of courses. She has been an ESL instructor and Teacher Trainer since 1990. She was a full-time instructor for the English Language Program for more than 10 years, specializing in oral communication, accent reduction, business English and TOEFL preparation. Fluent in Spanish French and Bengali, Bonu has lived and taught English in Spain and France.
An 8 year veteran of UC Berkeley Extension ELP, Stephen has taught Spanish, African-American Culture, U.S. History, and Latin American History at the collegiate level. He earned an M.A. in TESOL at San Francisco State University. He enjoys bicycling, yoga, swimming, and discussing culture and politics. He also likes to travel and has visited former ESI students in Brazil, Taiwan, and Japan.
David Frasca received his M.A. TESL from CUNY Hunter College in New York and has been teaching ESL at various university centers since 1985 [City University of New York, La Guardia, University of New Mexico, Los Alamos, Santa Fe Community College, Hudson County Community College, City College of San Francisco, Skyline College, University of California, Berkeley]. He has taught Business English in both Spain and Italy and is fluent in both Spanish and Italian. He enjoys teaching language arts, especially grammar, listening & speaking and reading skills. He also has a background in healing arts and performing arts.
Rosemary is a native San Franciscan. She has a B.A. from the University of Detroit, an M.A. from Georgetown University and has done German studies at the University of Munich in Germany. She has taught far and wide, from Michigan to Munich, and from the American Univeristy in Washington DC to UC Berkeley. She is interested in exchanging information on the values of different cultures. Mother of a son, Gregory, her hobbies include traveling and experience the outdoors.
Sarah is a native of Berkeley, California. She received her B.A. in Political Science at UC Berkeley with a focus on Southeast Asian studies and has completed her M.A. TESOL coursework at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Sarah is an experienced ESL/EFL instructor, and has taught in Thailand, Mexico and in the English Language Program’s short courses. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and sharing tea and conversation with international visitors.
A core ESI instructor, Melody has taught at ESI since its start in 2004. Meloday has an M.A in TEFL from the School for International Training in Brattleborough, Vermont.. Formerly, she taught at the English Language Program for many years as well. Melody is a Teacher Trainer and a pronunciation specialist and consultant as well. Melody has lived abroad and taught English in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Hong Kong. Her hobbies include ballroom dancing, singing and photography.
Cynthia was born in Bethesda, Maryland and grew up in Maryland and California. She received her B.A. in Geography from SSan Francisco State University and her M.A. in TESL from California State University, East Bay. Cynthia has extensive experience teaching short courses for 16 years at the English Language Program. A talented and dedicated instructor, Cynthia is very familiar with the Communication Skills course content.
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