EC Boston English Language School

If you want to go to graduate school or business school in the US, you’ll probably have to take the GRE or the GMAT test. These standardized tests have verbal, math, and writing sections, and can be pretty difficult. EC Boston offers exam preparation courses specifically designed for international students — showing you how to take advantage of your own special skills as an international student to achieve a high score. Here are some tips that can help you get the score you need:

• Keep your regular schedule before the test: Don’t change your daily rhythm or your sleep schedule in the days leading up to your test. Eat at the same time you usually do, exercise if you do so regularly, and don’t disrupt your sleep schedule to study. Changing your schedule only introduces stress and makes it harder to focus on the test.

• Be careful of preparation books written for native speakers: The GRE and GMAT are hard for Americans, too, and there are a huge number of preparation books written for them. However, international students and Americans often have different needs. For example, you are probably much better at math than most Americans, so a lot of the math practice in some books may be too easy for you. On the other hand, books written for Americans typically have no grammar lessons, or very few. Which brings me to the next tip. . .

• Learn English: The GRE and GMAT are written in English, and even if you can read English comfortably, the faster you can read the more time you’ll have to think, even on the math sections! Many of the math problems are written, and if you read English slowly or make mistakes, you might miss an important detail. And of course, learning vocabulary will really help you on the verbal section, where words are used that most Americans don’t even know! EC Boston’s GMAT and GRE prep courses include plenty of grammar and vocabulary practice for international students, and we offer General English courses as well, if you need to build up your English before enrolling in the GMAT and GRE courses.

• Study with other people: I think studying is fun, but maybe that’s because I’m a teacher! Studying for these tests is hard work, and it’s much easier if you have someone to study with. It can be someone from your class, a friend who’s also taking the test, or even a friend who’s not taking the test but just wants to improve their English. So get out the preparation books, order some pizza, and have a great night studying and talking together!

Is there a better way to learn English than reading books you love?  If there is, don’t tell Farika!  She runs EC Boston’s Reading Club, where students read and talk about famous English novels.  With the help of Farika, and the other students, you’ll be able to learn about and enjoy the characters, settings, and themes of these classic books.  Because the Reading Club is divided into three levels, you’ll only be reading books that are at your skill level — so you know you’ll be able to understand your novel as well as learn English words for your level.  The levels are:  1) Elementary + Pre-Intermediate,  2) Intermediate + Upper Intermediate, and 3) Advanced + Proficient.  Each level meets once a month, so stop by the office, sign up, and give it a try!

Teaching English as a foreign language is one of the best ways to travel and experience other countries and cultures!   With a TEFL certificate in hand you have the potential to work in almost any country you want to travel to, with some destinations also being quite lucrative!  In addition to awarding an internationally-accredited TEFL Certificate, EC Boston’s Teacher Training program fully prepares trainee teachers for both the practical and theoretical sides of their new career.

On the theoretical side, trainees will be exposed to teaching methodologies from past and present, and learn about the foundations of language learning.  On the practical side, they’ll observe classes taught by experienced teachers, as well as prepare and teach classes to actual ESL students.  If you’re looking for a great way to see the world, or want to make a difference in people’s live here at home, ask for details here about the start dates for the next class!

Hi!

My name is Agnes and I am the new intern with EC Boston.

I am going to stay until the end of November to help the EC-team in all issues.

Normally I live in Salzburg, Austria, and work there with an agency which organizes language courses for students. My company has worked with EC for years. That is the reason why I asked if I can do an internship with this company. I like their way to work, their goals and policies.

I have finished my studies in tourism management six months ago and now decided to experience a new city, work and life for the next three months.

If you have any questions I would be more than happy to assist you at the front desk!

See you later!

Agnes

The Nichols College Campus

On Tuesday, September 15 a representative from Nichols College will visit EC Boston to answer questions about the college, and business schools and American colleges in general.  Students can learn English and get practice listening while they ask questions about American business schools!  Nichols College is a business-focused college that offers traditional and accelerated MBAs, as well as undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Economics,  Finance,  Human Resource Management, Marketing,  Sports management, and many other majors.

Nichols also offers a combined Bachelors/MBA degree in only 5 years, and the best news of all (especially in this job market) is that in 2008, 95% of Nichols graduates were employed in their major within 6 months of graduation.  If you’re looking to get an MBA, or even interested in another major related to business, this is your chance to find out everything you need to know about business school in the US!  Plus, if you’re learning English here at EC  and want to apply to Nichols, you can take advantage of EC Boston’s University Access Program, which lets you apply to one of our university partners without taking the TOEFL!