Meet the Staff: Lauren at Reception

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In this post we are happy to introduce you to Lauren. Lauren works at reception where she helps students with general enquiries. She is also fluent in Japanese and so she is able to help our Japanese students if they need to speak in their first language.

We asked Lauren to answer a few questions so you can get to know her better. Here they are 🙂

1. What is your role at BBELS? 

My job is student services and reception. I help our students adjust to life in Byron Bay and assist with any questions or problems they might have. I’m also in charge of Japan marketing because I can speak Japanese.

2. What did you do before coming to work at BBELS?

I worked as an English teacher in Japan for 6 years. I spent a lot of time traveling around the country and lived in Tokyo, Hokkaido and Kyoto. I have just moved home to Australia recently and was lucky enough to have the chance to continue my connection with English education at BBELS.

3. What are your tips for learning a 2nd language?

Do what you love in English! Whether it’s watching movies, listening to music, reading. Whatever keeps you interested will keep you motivated and help you to learn how to communicate in natural English, not just textbook grammar.

4. Where is a nice place you enjoy going to in the local area?

Byron Bay is very beautiful, but I also recommend visiting the surrounding areas such as Ballina (my hometown), Lennox Head and Bangalow. They have all the charms of Byron but without the crowds!

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If you would like to know more about our courses, you can contact Lauren at info@bbels.com or visit our website.

Meet the BBELS Staff: Mamiko

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Meet Mamiko, our friendly new staff member, from Japan

This week we would love to introduce you to Mamiko. Mamiko arrived here with lots of experience working for ESL schools in New Zealand and Sydney. You can see Mamiko working behind her desk at the BBELS reception office 5 days a week. She is always ready to have a friendly chat with our students.

What is your role here at BBELS:

I work in Student Services, Administration, Japan Marketing

Where are you from? How is your life in Byron Bay different from your life back in your hometown?:

I am originally from Japan but I lived in New Zealand for many years before coming to Australia.
Byron Bay is very different from Tokyo (Japan) where I grew up till I was 18 years old. Byron Bay has just the right amount of shops, restaurants and cafes and a lot of nature which I feel comfortable living in
whereas Tokyo is overcrowded with many buildings and people.

What advice would you like to give our students at BBELS?:

Enjoy every new experience and challenge, especially enjoy meeting new people in Byron Bay.

Where are some of your favourite places to spend your free time in Byron Bay?:

The Pass/Wategos Beach are perfect places to swim, read books, and sun bathe. I also love looking at the vinatge shops and the beach at Brunswick Heads.

Meet the BBELS Staff: Marcos

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This year BBELS has had the pleasure of adding some new members to its staff. In this post we would like to introduce you to Marcos. Marcos works in our Student Services team at reception 5 days a week. Marcos is always extremely positive and willing to help you. He is originally from Brazil and he studied in one of our IELTS classes a couple of years ago.

What is your role here at BBELS:

My role is to look after reception, acting as a Student Services officer, and administrative assistant. Lately, I have been getting more involved with the Brazilian Marketing initiatives, dealing with Brazilian agents, students and direct enquiries. I have also been looking after our social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and Facebook Brasil, with the support of our team-mates.

Where are you from? How is your life in Byron Bay different from your life back in your hometown?:

I am from Santos/SP – Brazil. My life in Byron is quite simple and a lot more fun compared to my latest busy years when I was living the rat race in São Paulo. The amount of time that I have to dedicate to things that I love is the main difference in my life here compared to my life in Brazil. Living in São Paulo, I was waking up, working and going back home to sleep. It is also important to mention how close I am to nature, which matters a lot to me, living in Byron Bay. On a daily basis, I am able to go to the beach, work and go out – which is almost impossible in Brazil.

What advice would you like to give our students at BBELS?:

Be open! I usually tell the students that I have the opportunity to meet and chat, that they are going to write their own story in Byron Bay. So, being open to what arises is crucial!

Where are some of your favourite places to spend your free time in Byron Bay?:

White’s Beach for the beauty and secluded atmosphere. Broken Head, Tallows Beach and The Pass for the surf and beach sports. Main Beach if you want to enjoy the talented artists playing free gigs by the beach, the drum circle, tourists, and so on.

Meet the teachers: Prue

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Prue

In this post we are happy to introduce you to Prue. Prue has been teaching here for over 1 year. She always gets great feedback from students who love her enthusiasm and humour. Prue is currently teaching the Advanced General English class and the Hospitality and Tourism elective in the afternoons. She has also just finished teaching  some Japanese High School study tour groups.

Prue, tell us about yourself. Are you originally from Byron Bay?

I grew up in country Queensland – from a really young age I lived on really big farms all over the state, from Stanthorpe to the Gold Coast Hinterland. Basically my parents moved whenever it didn’t rain! However, growing up, I spent a lot of time hanging out and visiting Byron – it feels like home.

How long have you been working at BBELS?

I have been working at BBELS for just over a year.

Prue

 

What other fields did you work in before you started teaching English at our school? Has it helped you as a teacher?

I’ve been an English teacher since 2003 and have never looked back. I love the satisfaction that you get from teaching and seeing students improve. I also have a Masters in Journalism and still work as a freelance copywriter and journalist, so as you can guess, I love words, languages and grammar!

What do you like most about teaching students of different nationalities?

The diversity and richness the students with their life experience and cultures can bring to the classroom – I have discovered so many interesting things about so many countries, simply through listening to student’s stories – this has saved me a lot of money on flights!

Prue

Do you have any tips for the new students who want to improve their English skills?

Get out of the house, be confident in your ability and practice your English on some Australians – the pub is a good start. Try to immerse yourself in the English language – be it movies, the radio or conversation with other foreigners. Other than that, all I can say is that practice makes perfect!

What do you like most about working at BBELS?

My work colleagues, the management team and the DOS – what a hilarious, creative and inspiring bunch of people. I also love the fact I can walk to the beach in 5 minutes after work!! I guess the students are ok. (Just joking, you guys rock!)

Prue

Byron Bay has (got) so much to offer. What are some of the things you’d recommend students to do while they are here in the Byron Bay area?

Don’t stay at home watching DVD’s, get out there and explore all the surrounding nature and beaches Byron Bay has to offer.

Meet the teachers: Ash

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Ash1

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Ash, who is one of our favourite teachers here at BBELS. Ash is our longest serving teacher and is extremely experienced in teaching Cambridge classes and General English. The students love him for his clear and focussed lessons as well as for his dry sense of humour.

Ash, tell us about yourself. Are you originally from Byron Bay?

I originally came to Byron about 16 years ago to study primary school teaching at Southern Cross University in Lismore, and I never left. Before that I grew up in Sydney but when I go there these days, I definitely feel like I’m from a small town. In Byron I love to surf, play golf and squash and to read grammar books in my free time. The last one is my favourite activity 🙂

How long have you been working at BBELS?

Let’s just say that when I started I had lovely blonde hair!

Ash2

What do you especially enjoy about working with the students at BBELS?

I really enjoy teaching English, especially to higher levels, and It’s always nice to see smiling faces in the morning. I also like working with people from all over the world … it lets me feel like travelling without actually travelling.

What other fields did you work in before you started teaching English at BBELS? Has it helped you as a teacher?

I used to be a primary school teacher, which has definitely helped with teaching English…especially discipline! 🙂

Why would you recommend a student take a Cambridge course?

Cambridge is great as it is a fully structured 12 week course which teaches grammar, interesting vocabulary topics, and improves student’s writing, reading and listening. And of course you get an internationally recognised certificate at the end of it. It’s also great for general English students who want something a little more academic to finish their studies with.

Ash3

As a Cambridge teacher, what advice would you give a student who wants to do a Cambridge course at BBELS?

Some general English study is very useful prior to studying Cambridge, but aside from this, trying to expose yourself to as much English as possible is always a good thing.

What are some of the things you’d recommend students do while they are here in the Byron Bay Area?

The usual things like surfing and spending time at the beach is common, but many students don’t realise how amazing the area around Byron is. Travel up into the area west of Byron, check out towns like Bangalow and Brunswick.