Fort Myers Language Center

Fort Myers Language Center started in October, 2004. The director moved to Florida from New York City where she received a Masters' Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and taught foreign adults for over 15 years. After working in several local English language programs, she decided to open her own language center. The concept of Fort Myers Language Center is unique. It is a program where students needs/desires come first. That's the reason for the slogan, "A student-centered language program."

Student-centered means:

1) our classes are small - never more than 12 students

2) our teachers are all trained language professionals - not just native speakers of the language they teach

3) we use an English-only policy in our ESL classes

4) we integrate all the language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) because this approach guarantees the best outcome for students

5) we don't follow a fixed program where every student is forced to fit into the same mold. We see what works for our students and vary the materials we use and the topics we cover in class. In this way neither students nor teachers get bored and the value for the student is obvious.

6) we individualize as much as possible. If there's something specific a student needs or is interested in, the teacher makes a lesson out of it in class. Language is taught through content.

7) though we pay attention to accuracy, there is a strong emphasis on building fluency. This is done through a focus on communication and vocabulary development.

8) appropriate grammar is taught in conjunction with content and not in isolation

9) we realize that learning a language is not easy. We have created a warm, non-threatening atmosphere where students are not afraid to take risks.

10) all our teachers are involved in ongoing professional development, so that new ideas in language acquisition and teaching are introduced and used in the classroom.

11) we encourage our students to give us their suggestions because we want to give them what they need and want. We listen because we want to always be improving our program.

A Student Centered Language Program