EC Boston English Language School

From February 16th to February 19th, 2012, at the historic Park Plaza hotel in downtown Boston, EC Boston students again joined over 3,000 university students from over 35 nations around the world for the 58th annual Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) conference. Each year the conference seeks to mirror, as closely as possible, the workings of the actual United Nations in an attempt to promote instructive dialogue and cultural exchange while engaging in lively, informed debate about the most pressing political and social issues of our time. The conference also includes delegate mixers and other social opportunities for students from world-class colleges universities (and language schools!) to network and connect with tomorrow’s leaders.
“They were extremely involved in what they were representing and highly concentrated in stating what they thought,” said EC Boston student Stefania Rambaldi, who appreciated a chance to see a Model United Nations conference for the first time. “I’ve never had an experience like this in my past. Right now I’m extremely satisfied to have had this opportunity that opened my mind to this new and interesting world.”
The EC Boston students again took part in the Page Corps Volunteer program, responsible for delivering diplomatic messages between delegates during committee sessions. “Well, it really represents grassroots diplomacy.” said EC Boston teacher Chris Ward. Chris was, himself, an HNMUN delegate during his undergraduate days at Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts (’04) and now returns as a faculty adviser. “We shouldn’t forget that the best leaders are servants first and never lose that mentality.”
The issues before the HNMUN are as close to reality as possible to give the future diplomats and international leaders in attendance an opportunity to discuss them. In some cases, however, the issues may have mirrored the frustrations of international diplomacy a little TOO well… “They were talking about international security, especially in the Middle East” reports EC Boston student Wed Alotaibi, “But in my opinion they were lost and still walking in the same empty circle.”
“Actually, I would have preferred to interact and participate like delegates have done because the topics were really interesting,” Said Ms. Rambaldi, “but on the other side, I know it requires complicated preparations.”
“This is our second year participating in HNMUN.” Said Chris, who also teaches a diplomacy elective for the school. “Next year my goal is to build a team, if at all possible, to compete against these schools in debate. Our students are clearly capable, and I think we’d surprise a few people.”

Harvard National Model United Nations is just one of the ways that we at EC Boston Language Centres go beyond language instruction to offer activities and programs that answer to the needs of the whole student. If you find living and working in an international atmosphere, such as exists at EC Boston, to be an enjoyable experience then there may just be a career in International Relations waiting for you!

How do you feel about reading in English? Are you scared and nervous? Does it take you a very long time to finish reading something?

Here are some tips for you to help you become a better reader in the English Language!

• Reading in your native language and reading in English should not be very different! You can use the same strategies!
• When you read, first ask yourself, “Why?”
  • If you are reading to find specific information, you can just scan
  • If you are reading to find the main idea, you can just skim
  • If you are reading for fun, you can take your time
• When you read, you must put your dictionary away!
• • When you use your dictionary while reading, you can’t understand the story!
    • Using your dictionary when you are in the middle of a sentence will make you forget the sentence. You will have to read the same sentence again, which will slow you down.
• Try to understand the meaning of the paragraphs without looking in the dictionary
• Use the sentences before and after to help you understand the meaning of new words
• If you are reading to find the main idea, knowing every word is not important!
• If you can’t understand a word from the context of the paragraph, finish reading first, then look-up the word in your dictionary.
• Reading faster can actually improve your comprehension!
  • Reading slowly, focusing on every word can distract you from the main point
  • Reading faster can help you see main ideas
    • Check your habits; Do you:
      • Say the words in your mind when you read?
      • Follow the words with your finger or pen?
      • Read every word ?
      • Use your dictionary in every sentence?
    • If these describe your reading, you must STOP!
      • Making the sounds of words is not necessary to understand!
      • Following words with your finger or pens forces your mind to slow down
      • Reading every word is not important for comprehension
      • Your dictionary will make you forget what you are reading

Eva grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. Her love for the ocean and
insatiable thirst for travel, combined with a very unique opportunity sent her
travelling at age nineteen. With a plan of sailing to the Caribbean and back in
one year, she waved Stockholm goodbye in June 1991 from the deck of a 44’
sailboat. She never returned. The U.S. has been her home since 1994 but she’s
also lived in Portugal and travelled extensively, with many destinations still
on her list. She speaks English, Swedish, some French, Spanish and Portuguese
and holds a B.S. in Tourism and Travel, with a minor in Meeting Planning and
Conventions as well as her TEFL certificate.

In her free time you will find Eva in the outdoors kayaking,
horseback riding, running, skiing, hiking, sailing or swimming.