Langara English for Academic Purposes (LEAP)

Paul has an MA in Counselling Psychology (UBC), a BA in English and Political Science (UBC), and a TESL Diploma (UBC). He has taught English in Vancouver since 1993.

Carmita has an MEd in TESL/TEFL and a BSc from the University of Manitoba. She has developed and taught classes in ESL, EAP, exam preparation, and teaching training programs for almost 20 years. Her teaching experiences have been in private institutes and universities in Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, the USA, and Vancouver.

"For me, an energetic, engaging, and interactive classroom environment is the key to creating an effective learning experience for my students."

Christine has a BSc from SFU, SME Diploma from UBC and a TESL Certificate from VCC. She has been teaching English to new Canadian immigrants and international students in the Vancouver Lower Mainland since 1993.

"It's great to see students improve their confidence in English both inside and outside of the classroom over such a short period of time.  The new skills they learn in class are further developed out in the community, where they can explore new places, participate in fun and interesting activities and meet people from different cultures in Vancouver."

Kristi has a BA in Anthropology (University of Missouri), an MA in Applied Linguistics (Georgia State University), and a CELTA certificate (RSA-Cambridge). She has been teaching ESL and academic skills since 1998. Prior to joining the LEAP Program in 2010, she taught in the United States, Chile, and Turkey.

"I enjoy teaching in the LEAP Program because I like being a part of the students' academic journey. It's very rewarding to see them progress and move closer to their goals. Along the way, I also learn a lot from my students and am able to grow both as an instructor and as a citizen of this multi-cultural society."

Patricia has a BA, a BEd (UBC), and a TESL Certificate (VCC). She has been teaching ESL since 1996.  Patricia has taught in Taiwan and Vancouver.

"I enjoy teaching English in LEAP because I can witness students building their confidence and accomplishing their goals."

Magda has an MA in Applied Linguistics (A. Mickiewicz University, Poland), a BEd, and a TESL Diploma (Vancouver Community College). She has been teaching ESL since 2002. She has taught in Poland and Canada, and has experience in working with both international students and newcomers to Canada. 

"The best thing about teaching in LEAP is watching students get closer to achieving their academic goals and knowing that I am part of their jouney."

Baljit has an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy with a minor in Psychology (EGS, Switzerland), a BA and a Diploma in Education (UBC), and a Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (Kwantlen). She has taught English at Langara since 2003.

"I am passionate about engaging students in the learning process. It is rewarding when students utilize their resources and discover their strengths. The LEAP program gives them the structure and support that they need to achieve their educational goals."

Alan has a BA in English, a CERTESL (U. of Saskatchewan), and has been teaching English as a Second Language to adults since 1986. He has taught in Japan and Canada.

Keith has a BA in Communications (SFU), a CELTA Certificate (RSA-Cambridge), and has been teaching English since 1997. Keith has enjoyed teaching in Canada, the USA, and Japan.

Sophie has an M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Global Change (UBC), a BA (UVic), and a BEd (U. of Western Ontario). Sophie has been teaching ESL and EAP since 1992, and has taught in colleges and universities in France, Hungary, and Canada.

"I am happy to share my passion for languages and curiosity about life with my students. I aim to help students understand, shape, and enjoy their own learning."

JoAnn has an MA (Uni. of Hawai'i), a BA, and TESL Certificate. She has been teaching ESL since 1992. JoAnn has enjoyed teaching post-secondary students in Hawai'i, Japan, and Vancouver.

Ashley has a BA in Psychology (UBC) and a TESOL Diploma (VCC). She has taught ESL and EAP in Langley and Vancouver since 2000.

"Being able to teach students from around the world and empowering them to succeed in their settlement and academic goals make my job a very rewarding one."

Leslie-Anne has a BA in English, and BEd in TESL (Brock U.). She has been teaching ESL since 1992. Leslie-Anne has taught in Japan and the Czech Republic.

"My goal as a teacher in the LEAP program is to help students reach their academic goals by improving their academic English skills. When a former student tells me they have been accepted to UT or other university programs, then I know I have helped them reach that goal."

Farid has an MA in TESL (UBC), a BA in Linguistics, and a TESL Diploma (SFU). He has taught English in Iran and has been teaching adults and college students in Vancouver since 1995.

Branca has an M.Ed. in English Education (UBC) and a BA in English Language and Literature. She has taught English in Europe and has been teaching English as a Second Language in Vancouver since 1997.

"Through our program students acquire the ability to communicate not only with each other, but also with imagined selves in journals and academic selves in research. I enjoy following their progress through readings, projects, paragraphs, and argumentative essays."

Kim has a BA in Applied Communications, a Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA), and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). She has been teaching since 1999. She has taught exam preparation and young learners in Spain for 6 years and 3 years of Cambridge exam preparation in Vancouver.

"Teaching in LEAP, I am motivated everyday because I feel so fortunate to work with such a dynamic group of instructors and because I love helping our dedicated students achieve their academic goals."

Amanda has a BA in Education Studies and English (U. of Wolverhampton), a CELTA Certificate (RSA - Cambridge), and a BEd in TESL (U. of Amsterdam). She has taught English in the Netherlands, China, and South Korea and has been teaching English as a Second Language since 2001.

"The LEAP Program allows me to make the learning experience rewarding for students as well as for myself. I learn new things from my students every time I enter the classroom, and my aim is to make sure my students experience the same thing - they learn to be more capable and comfortable with academic English."

Andrea has a BA in English and History (U. of Western Ontario) and a TESL Certificate. She has been teaching ESL since 1990. She has taught in Slovakia, Japan, and Canada.

Sylvia has a BA in English Literature from UBC and a TESOL Diploma from Vancouver Community College.

Sylvia has been teaching English since 1994 and has taught both in Vancouver and in South Korea.

"I love watching each student grow in confidence and ability. I am also very interested in students' lives and all the stories they bring with them to Canada!"