Countess Ute von Haller - President & Owner of BSML  

We are sad to announce that Countess Ute von Haller has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Ute was the president and owner of BSML for over 40 years, building it into America's pre-eminent private ESL school.   

Under her direction, the school attracted students from all over the world, developed curriculum and published texts that have become the "gold standard" of ESL education in America. Her warm and giving spirit infected everyone who ever attended or worked at the school and became a permanent part of BSML's culture. She created a welcoming environment for students from all over the world and introduced them not only to the English language but also to the American way of life.  

Although she retired from day-to-day management of the school several years ago, she remained active at BSML until shortly before her death in August. The school will continue under the direction of Thomas Smith, who has been running BSML since Ute's retirement. Count Jochen von Haller, Ute's husband, will also continue as a board member and advisor to the school.

Ute's life and accomplishments were celebrated at a memorial held at the school on September 7th. Although she is missed greatly, her positive spirit and commitment to excellence continue to guide and inspire us every day.  

English & Baseball 2011 

This summer we unveiled an exciting new class at BSML titled "English & Baseball." This class provided more than 30 students from many different countries the unique opportunity to learn about America's favorite pastime in an entertaining and dynamic environment, all under the watchful eye of a former New York Yankees minor league player.

The program consisted of weekly field experience in a nearby baseball field and combined in-class lectures with viewings of baseball-themed films to further highlight the game's enduring influence on American culture. In the end, students not only enhanced their knowledge of the game and their skills on the field, but they improved their English as well. The class culminated in an exciting trip to America's oldest major league stadium, Fenway Park, to see the Boston Red Sox play the Kansas City Royals. We here at BSML are excited about our English & Baseball program for the 2012 summer and look forward to sharing it with you.

You can check out some of the program's pictures on Facebook under the English & Baseball Album.  

New York, New York...  

BSML students during NYC trip - July 2011

This summer staff member Elisa Spiess went on a New York City trip with our students and this is her report:  

On Saturday morning we arrived in New York City. When we first spotted the skyline, we all ran to the front of the bus to take our first pictures of the "City that never sleeps." 48 hours in the Big Apple, the clock was ticking.

Our first stops took us to such lively destinations as Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and St. Patrick's Cathedral among others. On Saturday some of us went off to shop while others went to the Museum of Modern Art. Later, a few went to see Mamma Mia, a fantastic musical now playing on Broadway. In the evening we soaked up the electric atmosphere of Times Square, and on Sunday morning we met bright and early to go to the top of the Empire State Building. Although the weather wasn't cooperating-it was rather cloudy-the bird's eye view of New York was spectacular! How awesome it must be when it's sunny!  

As this was the very first time in New York for many of us, a trip to the Statue of Liberty was a must. We sure got some great pics of "Lady Liberty" out on the bay, circling her flowing, copper gown aboard the Staten Island Ferry. Back in Manhattan we visited Ground Zero, which was a very moving experience. Barbara, our guide, is from New York, and listening to her stories about that day was heartrending. After an informative and poignant discussion with her, we went back into Midtown for some last minute sightseeing and to pick up a few final souvenirs at the Hard Rock Café before heading back to Boston. 

On the way out, as the bus passed the John Lennon Memorial in Central park, we all burst into song, singing New York, New York. And though the city's magnificent skyline was shrinking behind us, our memories of the Big Apple and all that we had done stood tall in our minds-and no doubt will for a long time to come.

Winner of our name the BSML café contest 

Name the BSML café contest winner - Juan Biondi

The BSML cafeteria's new name  is SpeakEasy Cafe. It was submitted by Juan Biondi, a student from Venezuela.  

SpeakEasies were establishments that  sold alcoholic beverages during  prohibition in the 1920s and 1930s. The name draws a connection between an important part of U.S. history and the great atmosphere and easy conversations between students from all over the world in our cafeteria. 

BSML Student, Claudio Gonzalez from Mexico  

Claudio Gonzalez - Lawyer - Mexico

I'm Claudio Gonzalez Betancourt from Mexico City. I'm a lawyer and most of the clients that I work with speak English.  That's why I began to look for a good English school in the United States in order to improve my English.  I sent a lot  of e-mails to different schools and universities asking about their courses.

The first school that answered my e-mail was Boston School of Modern Languages (BMSL).   I saw that the service of such a school was really good. First of all, they sent  me a personal e-mail  explaining  everything about the school and its courses. This showed me that they were very interested in having me as a part of the school. After that, they sent me an e-mail with all the the information I needed  to register. 

However before making a decision, I learned about BSML on my won and when I finished my reserarch, I decided to choose that school. On my first day at BMSL, I saw all the facilities and liked them very much.  Then, when I started my classes all of the teachers were extremely helpful.  Right now, I've been at BMSL for a month and a half and i feel that I have improved my English a lot, obviously with the help of my teachers. I think that I'm studying English in the best English school in the USA. I strongly recommend studying English at BSML.

Your BSML Team - Elisa Spiess - Marketing Department  

Elisa Spiess

Staff member Elisa Spiess, who came to Boston from Germany, works in marketing. She spent a year in Brazil as a foreign exchange student, where she learned Portuguese and developed an interest in other cultures.

Elisa completed her studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin and Kings College in London, earning a degree in Cultural Anthropology. As a graduate student, she spent a year with Circus Roncalli gathering research for her thesis "The Circus as an Intercultural Microcosm." Elisa jokes that this experience prepared her for juggling the many responsibilities she has at BSML. On a more serious note, she says, "I believe that getting to know, understand, and respect different cultures can actually help make the world a better place." Some of Elisa's other interests include French kick-boxing, rowing, basketball, and travel.

English Tips from Our Teachers

Bob's Grammar Tips

Remember to use "well" as an adverb, not "good".  

Example:

Anyone who cooks "good", for example, probably prepares delicious food, but needs some grammar lessons.

Sandra 's Vocabulary Words

"Mecca", If you describe a place as a mecca for something, you mean that many people who are interested in the activity go there. The expression comes from the city of Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, which, for Muslims, is a sacred place to which they must travel at least once in their lifetime.

Example:  

Boston is a medical mecca.  

Hawaii is a mecca for surfers.

Ines' Idioms

"Far From"  means to be very different.

Example:  

The weather in Miami was cold and rainy last week, far from what we expected.

"Chances are"  means that something is probable.

Example:  

They are predicting a big snowstorm for Boston tomorrow. Chances are the public schools will be closed.