Teachers and Staff
Bonita
Director
Bonita holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from Columbia University Teachers College and has many years of valuable experience in the ESL field in New York City. She founded Manhattan Language in the year 2000 and has happily watched it develop into a very special school that provides unique learning experiences for hundreds of students every year.
Ellen
Academic Director/Activities Coordinator
Ellen holds a bachelor degree from Concordia University in Montreal as well as a CELTA certificate which she got while living in Budapest, Hungary. She has traveled, lived and taught throughout Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia. Most recently she was living in Honolulu, Hawaii but decided to return to the East Coast to be closer to family and the exciting city of New York. Ellen really enjoys exploring New York and meeting all the wonderful students at Manhattan Language.
Daniel
Marketing and Sales
Daniel is originally from Spain, although he has been living in New York for more than 20 years. He has been working in the International Education industry since then, and being an international student himself once, this experience provides him with a unique perspective and adds a valuable insight to what he does. He spends his free time playing basketball and hanging out at trendy New York spots.
Nese
Office Manager and International Registrar
As a former ESL student herself, Nese knows how challenging it can be to come to a different country to learn a new language. With this in mind, she helps students have the easiest and best experience possible from before they arrive to the moment she hands them their certificate.
Gerald
“Laughter and learning should go together. There is never a dull moment in my classroom.”
Gerald has lived all around the world and continues to travel whenever he gets the chance. With over 10 years of experience in teaching ESL, Gerald knows how to make his classes both entertaining and informative. His students love that they can learn and have fun at the same time. When he's not handing out gold stars to fantastic students in his classes, he's busy writing novels. He has three out already!
Susie
“Our activities are about seeing the “real” New York, not just the one you see in the guide books an movies. I want our students to see all the hidden treasures New York City has to offer.”
After receiving her TEFL certificate in Prague, Susie taught English in the Czech Republic for three years and came to Manhattan Language in 2005. She quickly became known for her classes filled with laughter and her friendly, patient approach. Susie makes sure to include slang and idioms in her classes so that students can learn how native speakers talk and be better able to understand them.
Anthony
“I have high expectations of my students and push them to do the best they can. But my main goal is to instill in my students the confidence and desire to pursue their goals.”
Anthony came to Manhattan Language in 2007, returning to teaching after working for several years in the financial services industry in New York City. Anthony holds an International MBA from York University and has over 20 years of ESL experience. He has taught English in Japan, Greece, and France, as well as in public schools in the UK and Canada. Drawing on his experience, Anthony has created a very successful Business course at Manhattan Language and frequently teaches classes that help students gain real-world skills like resume writing and passing job interviews.
Larry
“I hear from students in the international community that Manhattan Language is ‘serious, friendly, and creative’ in its commitment to language learning, and I totally agree.”
Larry joined Manhattan Language in 2011 after many years in ESL teaching and administration in New York and abroad. With over 30 years of experience, Larry strongly supports the integrated skills approach that characterizes the Manhattan Language program, and is especially delighted by the way it works in the advanced levels, where he continually works to help students meet and surpass their goals. Larry’s Signature Elective class, English through Film, allows students to explore American culture and build vocabulary and fluency by watching and discussing classic American films.
Douglas
“There’s no better feeling than seeing a student’s English ability and comfort level grow over time. I love my job!”
Douglas has been teaching at Manhattan Language for over a decade and in that time has come to be known as a grammar expert by students and teachers alike. He is known for the high standards he sets for his students and his ability to help them overcome problems and increase their fluency at any level. He teaches an early morning class for anybody who wants to start practicing English bright and early!
Caroline
“Learning a new language is an exciting adventure. I make sure my students have all the tools to grow and the confidence they need to enjoy their journey here!”
Having lived in other countries like Spain and Vietnam, Caroline knows the challenges of adjusting to a new culture and language. In her classroom, she makes sure to create a safe and supportive environment for her students to learn and connect. Outside of teaching, she loves theatre and the arts. Before becoming an English teacher, Caroline opened her own theatre production company that toured all over United Kingdom and the Netherlands!
