What Our Students Say...
Kilian, SWITZERLAND
I am an ICT systems engineer. I wanted to learn English for myself and to understand it better. It fixed my problems with the grammar. I am a freelancer for Microsoft and a teacher for Microsoft so it is good to speak and understand both languages, English and German. My grammar improved the most in my 4 weeks here and I know more words. I hear the words and hear English everyday so I must not try so hard to think about what the words mean. It’s easier now.
Paula, BRAZIL
I work for the executive branch of the federal government evaluating public policies. I am planning to work more with international politics and Brazil’s position globally. I am passionate about social policies and social issues. I had lots of expectations for my trip to CISL San Francisco. My two goals were to improve my English (after more than a decade without studying), and to live abroad in a different culture. I achieved both goals. I learned a lot about the English language as well as the American society and values. I am glad after five and a half months I achieved my main goals. I am updated with international politics. I enjoyed discussing local newspapers in class as well as the New York Times and The Economist. It was the actual news and contemporary issues. My vocabulary improved. The Economist was the hardest at first, but now when I pick up some news I think I can understand at least 80% of what I am reading. When I arrived at CISL San Francisco, I could understand 60-70% of what people said in conversation, but now I have 80-90% comprehension! My listening improved. When people speak with me, I don’t have to think about it so much. Before I didn’t have enough practice writing, but now I really enjoy it. The last part of my improvement was my speaking, mainly because of my pronunciation. This was the most difficult for me, but I took the opportunity for private lessons and you can improve a lot. I like languages. English can contribute to my job, and overall to my life! The goals of my life are to learn and help people. I am more focused on doing things in the right way with some utility, more than being “successful”.
Ni Wei, CHINA, Premier English
I am a Systems Engineer in an IT Company. My company will expand to the overseas market someday and I have to speak English for new connections with Vietnam and India. At CISL San Francisco I studied in the Premier English Program. I learned lots of words of economy, presentation techniques and negotiating techniques. This was very useful. I enjoyed my class because I could learn a lot of economic technology and vocabulary. The tutorial lesson is good because I can talk to another American people and my teacher corrects my mistakes. It is very useful. Thank you.
Martin, URUGUAY, Intensive English
I am a pilot and I studied English at CISL San Francisco for 4 weeks. As a crop dusting pilot, I spray fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides on crop farms. I think it is better for me to stay here at CISL San Francisco and learn English a different way. My listening and speaking improved the most. All the classes were good for me. In the morning we did more writing and in the afternoon more talking and speech. I liked the Intensive class. Now I can talk with other people in the street and call them, before I can’t.
Julien, FRANCE, Standard English
Originally I was going to study at CISL San Francisco for 4 weeks, but I wanted to add another week because I liked the course and I thought it was good for me. I liked my teacher. I just finished my second year of Medical School. For my future job, I’d like to work in another country, maybe in Europe or the U.S. All the countries need doctors. I also wanted to learn English for personal development. I have family in America and I like to speak with them in English. I like the morning class because you have the afternoons to discover San Francisco. It’s the best way to learn English in the morning and practice in the afternoon with American people. There were a maximum of 8 people in our class, but we normally had less. You can speak a lot in the class because the teacher asks you to express your sentiments and your mind.
Petra, GERMANY, Standard English
I am a Tax and Trade lawyer and the author of a children’s book. I studied at CISL San Francisco for 4 weeks. I read and watch movies in English, but I wanted to be surrounded by native English speakers. My motto is, “If you are springing in the cold water, give yourself a push. Don’t talk about it—Do it!” My grammar improved because this was my biggest problem. I learned a lot of words, phrases, collocations and now I am allowed to use the present progressive. My first day at the school one of the teachers heard me using it incorrectly and told me I was not “allowed” to use the Present Progressive tense until I learned how to do it correctly ;) I really enjoyed the small classes and the teachers were not only teachers, but were really interested in us students. In my class we were all social whirlwinds so there was a lot of talking, chattering, and a good flow. I enjoyed staying in San Francisco. The school wasn’t my first choice (because I was concerned that I would be older than the other students), but it was a good decision!
Francesco, ITALY, Standard English
I am studying business back in Italy and I wanted to improve my speaking mainly. I write, read, and watch movies, but I don’t have the opportunity to speak often, so I came here. All of my English improved, especially vocabulary and grammar structures like Conditional and more advanced grammar. I improved my fluency since I spoke every day. I did not speak one word of Italian during my time here. It was a great thing that there are people from everywhere and it was a cool chance to try to understand the way people think and react to various issues. We were not only learning, but we also discussed many issues and read articles everyday. The class would be interesting even if it was in Italian! I liked the organized trips to know about the “Real San Francisco”. I had the opportunity to sightsee and meet people. In two weeks, I can say I lived in San Francisco.
Hadeel, SAUDI ARABIA, Intensive English
I studied Nutrition in Saudi Arabia and came to the United States for my Master’s in Nutrition. I improved all parts of my English because I couldn’t speak English the first day. I think I made a lot of progress. I was Level 1 when I arrived, and now I am Level 7 after almost one year. My speaking and writing improved the most. I liked the class because it is small, makes me more comfortable, and I get to know everyone. It is easier for the teachers to focus on us and we have time for every person in the class. I preferred my Intensive class because it made me work hard and that’s what I needed. I came to study and not just take a vacation. The Intensive course gave us a lot of vocabulary and now I can read a book in English if I want. People are very, very friendly in San Francisco. The teachers are very good too. They are friendly and helpful not only about subjects in class, but everything. Even if I am in a high level class and have a question, they don’t make me feel like I’m not good at English, they explain it to me. I made a lot of friends because of school and I have friends from every country. Now it makes me think about visiting countries that I never thought about traveling to before.
Pilar, SPAIN, Standard English
I am a Computer Consultant and Project Manager and I studied at CISL San Francisco for 4 weeks. The main reason I wanted to study English is because I want to change my job and work in another company doing other things. I need to improve my English because you must speak, write, and listen in English. I wanted to meet new people and learn different things about other countries and peoples. Listening and speaking were most important to me and I improved my listening the most. It was difficult but I was able to do it. If you told me 2 months ago that I could communicate in English at a dinner with 3 Germans, I would not have believed it. The classes are good and the teachers are very kind and friendly. I felt very well with them. The school activities are the best because you can learn English while you are enjoying San Francisco. This is the beginning of something in my life. I discovered a new world and I am feeling very open-minded.
Jawon, SOUTH KOREA Standard English
I work for a Korean IT company and provide semi-conductor customer service. I studied at CISL San Francisco for over 4 months. I began my studies at Level 8 and then moved to Level 9. Some Koreans tend to hesitate when they speak because they are obsessed with grammar. I wanted to get over that fear, but I didn’t expect to improve that much in 4 or 6 months. My speaking improved the most. I used to take a long time pulling out words from my brain, but now I am much better. I was worried that I would be the oldest student in the school, but there were many workers here with a long-term vacation for friendship and talking about work. I made friends who are German, Japanese and Belgian. There were also nice teachers.
Patrizia, SWITZERLAND, Standard English
I am a secretary in a hospital and I studied in the Intensive English program at CISL San Francisco for 4 weeks. I wanted to improve my English for Personal Development. I wanted to come to the United States 22 years ago and my family helped me realize this dream. Conversation was my favorite part and I met lots of people from all over the world. I not only improved my English, but I really learned about cultures and developed my conversation skills.
Vlad, RUSSIA, Standard English
I am a Marketing Manager for an international beer company. English is important for my career and traveling. I love traveling, and I have many friends in other countries so I need English to speak with them. Maybe I’ll study psychology in another English-speaking country. The English program here at CISL San Francisco is flexible and the teachers are friendly. We had people from 8 different countries in my class! There were only 2 Russian students in the school so this was very good for me. I needed grammar and more speaking practice. We had more chatting in class and now I can understand conversations better. At first I was shy and afraid, but I became more confident.
Simone, SWITZERLAND Standard English
I am an elementary school teacher and I studied at CISL San Francisco for 10 weeks. I wanted to improve my English for my job so I can teach English in the future. People are open, helpful, and friendly. The course was well-organized, and my speaking and grammar improved the most. I liked my homestay because no one could speak German. I spoke English in the school and in the streets. The city is just amazing. I loved the rooftop terrace at the school and I liked the school activities because there were lots of different things to choose from. It was easy to make friends.
Jesus, SPAIN
I studied at CISL San Francisco for 6 weeks and now I will participate in the Volunteer English program for 8 weeks. I wanted to improve my English because it is very easy to feel handicapped in Spain without it when you are looking for a job. After studying at CISL San Francisco my speaking improved the most, and I have a good vocabulary. I wanted to stand out and improve both my English and my resume. I am looking forward to my Volunteership where I will work in a rental company that helps people find homes, apartments, and hotels in San Francisco. I can learn from my experience being in an environment mixed with American people and I can learn the “real English” Americans use in the workplace.
Juliano, BRAZIL
I work at a bank in Brazil. I studied in the Level 8 class at CISL San Francisco for 3 weeks. I want to improve my English for work as well as my own personal development. I am still deciding if I want to receive my Master's degree from a university in the States. The purpose of my study was to improve in grammar points where I made silly mistakes. Now I can avoid them because I am more conscious. My listening skills also improved, and now I can answer things easily. Come to CISL San Francisco and enjoy as much as you can and you should go to the activities and parties because you can make good contacts where you have to speak and explain. Everything helps to improve your English and apply what you learn here.
Lauriane, FRANCE
I studied at CISL San Francisco for 6 weeks. I have my degree in Law and I am studying English for personal development. My comprehension and grammar improved and now I feel more confident when I speak English. At CISL San Francisco, I met many people from different cultures and it’s cool because we can speak English all the time! The teachers are open and we can ask many things. Its good to come out of your country because you can learn very fast when you are immerged in the country.
Piero, ITALY
Hello! My name is Piero and I studied at CISL San Francisco for 8 weeks. I work in IT back in Italy, so I came for my job. I like to speak English, it’s the international language. And I really like San Francisco. My speech improved the most and maybe some grammar. Overall, all of my English improved. At the school I met many good people, both staff and students. It’s a good school with good methods of teaching. We also do a lot of speaking and for me, speaking is most important.
Seddorj, MONGOLIA
I work with a Coal Mining Company in Mongolia and I studied at CISL San Francisco for 20 weeks. Next year, my company is beginning a BIG project in exporting coal to China, so I need English. I want to study and I need it. My company does too. My grammar and listening are really better. My speaking is getting better, but not enough. The activities of the school were good and planned well. I learned American customs, culture, food, and public transportation. The school location is good and the student population is diverse. There are students from many countries and many different jobs. We can even “gossip” about our country. Now I’m going to study Communication Skills and Management Skills in Kansas City for 2-3 months. My English skills are a key to American management and American people’s skills.
Fabricio Riquelme, BRAZIL
I had no idea how studying in San Francisco would be. My main worry was with the English school credibility. As soon as finished my first week at the Converse School, however, I realized that I had made the right choice.
Besides the sophisticated classmates, that school amazes me. I am just nuts about their teachers. During classes I feel like I am in good hands and I must mention that they have a impressive sense of humor.
My last good choice was to start additional private lessons. Now I am able to focus on my weakest point: clear conversations. I am confident because I am learning some tricks of the trade from an experienced teacher.
If I had this opportunity again, I would make the same choices.
Thank you.
Chikako Murakami, JAPAN
I think that the U.S is rooted in helping out others when they see a person who needs help.They give him or her a helping hand.
One day, I waited for a bus and the bus arrived at the bus stop.A teenager helped a young mother who had a baby carriage to get off the bus.When I saw this happening,I was very surprised because almost all young Japanese won't do it.
I will learn many things in America in addition to English.When I go back to Japan,I want to practice what I learned here.
Thank you
Ashwag Al Muteri, SAUDI ARABIA
I am student from Saudi Arabia. I came to San Francisco for complete study university post- graduate
in major nano technology. I chose Converse school. This school good. In school must been find exam to
change level any students. The city S.F. is very beautiful, there are here different nationalities from all
countries.
Yun Qing Li, CHINA
I am from China. I have been in San Francisco since April 21, 2011. This is my first time to come here.
It fit me very much. I am a student study abroad. I applied for a university in Ashland, Ohio before I
came here. But I like S.F., because I have many Chinese friends here and the weather in S.F. is great. My
friends help me found this school. CISL on internet. The school agreed me transfer to here, and gave me
the I-20. There are many international students here and the teachers are very friendly. So I like to stay
here. I think I can communicate with them to improve my English speaking.
Ahmed, SAUDI ARABIA
Hello everyone! I'm Ahmed from Saudi Arabia. I have been living in San Francisco and studying at Converse International School of Languages for 10 months and I'm going to stay 2 more months. Life in San Francisco is such a great experience that I've ever had. While I am in "The City " I experienced many things. The best thing in the school is the 8 students per class, where the student can improve speaking ability fast . At CISL I have taken several courses such as Intensive English, TOEFL, and Business English. I can not decide which class is my favorite, because they are all are good!
A school with a variety of people, cultures, and foods is definitely a good experience for anyone! I have met people from all over the world in a year. Isn't that GREAT? In addition, I started to learn Spanish while I am here. In my opinion, living in San Francisco for a year equals a 5 year experience back home....
Pablo, SPAIN
I’m a Website Designer from Spain and I studied at CISL San Francisco for 3 weeks. I was here for personal development although I speak English at work too. Learning idioms was so nice for me, it was actually my first time to learn about idioms in the classroom. CISL San Francisco is a great place because the classes don’t end in the classroom, they end with Bill (Activity Coordinator) and activities!
The school facilities are nice. Many days we went to the Multimedia Room to spend time after lunch learning and working with friends. We even translated our resumes into English. Its great to have friends from many different countries. My closest friends are from Korea and Switzerland and we HAD to speak English to each other because we all speak different languages!
Everyone at CISL San Francisco is so nice. It’s like being at home, of course!
Matthais Hoffmann, GERMANY
I was excited by the small groups in the course. By this reason, I was very engaged in the lessons.
Marco, SWITZERLAND
I had a great time learning English at CISL San Francisco. It was a pleasure to meet so many students from different countries.
Solange, BRAZIL
I studied at CISL San Francisco for 3 weeks in level 9/10 and my English program was very intensive. I think the environment of the school is very nice. A friendly atmosphere is the most important thing for students to feel confident speaking English. My last week at CISL San Francisco, I studied Business English and now I’m sure that I am returning home with more confidence and better English.
Marta Ruiz, SPAIN
It has been a very useful month. While learning English and practicing it all the time, I have lived in one of the most incredible cities I know. I have improved my speaking, and I feel more confident to start my internship in an American company. Thanks to all the staff and especially to my teacher, Marlene!
Michael Quillent, FRANCE
I very much enjoyed working with Converse’s team. I improved my English for 4 weeks. It isn’t an impossible Mission. Nice activities, comfortable classrooms. I’m more confident with Shakespeare’s language. Go Converse! Thanks and enjoy.
Vitaly Andreev, RUSSIA
It’s a very good school. I strongly recommend studying here. English will surround you everywhere.
Said Jarir, W Hotels, NETHERLANDS
I really enjoyed studying English in San Diego. CISL really helped me a lot with my Cambridge Exam preparation.
I was impressed by the passion of the teachers. What I really liked, were the small classes. There are not more than 8 students in the English classes, so we had more time to focus on the speaking and listening skills. The teachers welcomed any questions and were open to discuss anything that would help us to make more progress in our Cambridge Exam preparation
Learning English with other students from many different countries gave me a lot of opportunity to improve my English. I made many new friends, who allowed me to learn English, because I only could communicate in English with them during and after classes.
I would definitely recommend CISL as the best place to study and improve your English skills.
Stephanie Rossi, SWITZERLAND
My experience at Converse was very great in terms of English learning, but above all in terms of human contacts. The teachers were incredible and very interesting. I will miss them a lot.
Judit Garcia, SPAIN
I recommend this school to everyone! Firstly because you learn and improve your English a lot, and secondly because you will meet people from around the world, and CISL offers you a lot of activities to do. Finally, I just have to say that I’ve lived one of the best experiences in my life!
Jun Liu, Senior Vice President, Lenovo Group
Beijing, CHINA
It was my great pleasure to study in CISL during the past months. I really appreciate you offer me this good opportunity. Your program of study has helped me improve significantly, not only in English speaking, but in reading and writing as well. I was highly impressed by your faculty’s professionalism, customer orientation, hard-working spirit, and high-quality teaching. In a word, my benefits from the program is incredible. It is authorizes to publish my comments to your school and the program.
By the way, I’d like to share with you some good news: I have been accepted by Harvard University recently to join their Advanced Management Program. I will start my study there by the end of next month.
Please pass this message and my appreciation to my teachers who are Martin and Melanie S. as well.
Thanks again!
Stefan Lednicky, Director, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Let me great you and all my teachers again from Slovakia. This is my second day at work and I can write you just now, because of so much to do. I have slept until now just a couple of hours – terrible jet-lag. Let me also thank you for your friendly approach and all your arrangements. I
really value professionalism of CISL staff. I hope to have a chance meet you sometime in the future. I wish you good luck and all the best.
Michael Wirth, Lufthansa, GERMANY
First of all, it was very nice to study at CISL. All the people were very kind and helpful. I have improved my English very much because our teacher explains the lessons very clearly and well. We have learned many phrases and words. We did listening exercises too, which helped me to improve my speaking.
Ann Wirth, Lufthansa, GERMANY
The people at the language school are very friendly, and the teacher (Melanie) explained very well. One week is too short to be learning English, but I benefited from the program. When I come back, I will go into Level 8.
Celine Stekelorom
I have spent almost eight months at CISL—San Francisco and I’m really glad to have made this choice. This stay has given me the opportunity to get to know a lot of people form everywhere in the world. Thanks to the school—and of course, the teachers—I progressed faster than I could have imagined. I’ve never had problems with the school, but if something had happened, I know they would have been here for me.
Giovanni Loperfido
I found a very kind atmosphere [here at CISL]. I have improved my English skills through talking with classmates, and I did interesting tasks. I had a great experience.
Camilla De Leo, August 10, 2007 (also internship)
Studying at CISL was really great; everyone is very professional, available and friendly. The atmosphere at the school is always positive, so it becomes a pleasure to learn English under these conditions. The school provided a contact with a communications company, which turned out to be the best place to have an internship experience. Last but not least, Gregory helped me out with some visa problems and also found my luggage! Thanks top everyone. This experience has been really cool
Marie-Christine Mitzloff, TOEFL PREP
I attended the 6-week TOEFL class at CISL, and I felt really comfortable with it. I learned how to handle all the different kinds of questions and required skills in an “easy” and understandable way. Moreover, I was very happy that my class wasn’t large; with only five students, you can learn more effectively. Therefore, I think that this class was the best preparation for me to take the TOEFL.
Enrico De Matteis, TOEFL PREP
I really enjoyed taking part in the TOEFL preparation class. The teacher was very professional and able to create the perfect atmosphere to make us work with enthusiasm. CISL’s rooms were comfortable, and all the school’s staff were helpful and showed a caring attitude toward the students. Both the teacher’s professionalism and the school’s facilities were up to my expectations and contributed to giving a good value for the money spent. Because of the above-mentioned reasons, I would recommend that other students attend courses at CISL.
Maiko Tanimitsu
I really enjoyed studying English at Converse. I like the school because the students and t4eachers are serious and work very hard. I also like the school policies (like the strict attendance policy) and having to do a presentation. Even though I have been a student for only a few months, I realize I have improved my English a lot here. Specifically, my TOEIC score increased 60 points (780—840)! I guarantee that CISL’s educational system is effective. Thank you!
Pierre Nachon
Due to my special interest in perfecting my American English in an American business environment, and so that I could gain an understanding of the American business culture, I came to San Francisco six months ago. After having made some comparisons among the schools in S.F., I chose Converse, and I am very satisfied with this school for the following reasons.
First, as a Frenchman, I had a very strong accent. With the help of the teachers, I learned to tame it. The professionalism of the teachers of the school was very useful because not only was my French accent was very stressed but I was also fixated on it. All the teachers of this school had taught abroad—France, Germany, Slovakia, Russia, Korea, Japan, and so on—for many years. N I think that the international experienc4e of the teachers helped them to deal with my accent problem.
Second, the content of the courses focuses on the communication practice. Different materials are used, such as audio CDs, movies and newspapers of the day. Moreover, your learning process continues after the class. How? The school organizes a lot of activities such as sports events, museum tours, biking across the Golden Gate Bridge—every day—to push you to communicate in English.
Finally, another reason to choose Converse is the quality of the host families. For the first eight weeks, I lived with a host family in the West Portal neighborhood. That is an experience I would recommend. In fact, a host family can help you to boost your progress in a significant way.
For all these reasons, I sincerely believe that you will have an efficient, enriching and fun experience learning American English at Converse. The Converse team is really here to make sure your stay with them is very successful.
Abel Calvet Amado, CISL PREMIER
It has been a pleasure to be in the CISL Premiere course. Even though I have been here for just one week, I think that it has been a good opportunity to practice my English and improve it. I have enjoyed my stay in San Francisco a lot.
Stefan Schulz
This is a very good school and a highly professional but personal environment. There are very good teachers here, and it is located in the center of San Francisco with good facilities. It is the right place to combine language-learning with your own personal development in an exciting city.
Achim Neuhaus, Certified Financial Planner, Neuhaus Weller & Partner
GERMANY
Dear Sirs,
I want to take the chance and say again thank you for the great experience as student of CISL Language School in this summer.
The school organized the stay in San Francisco in a perfect way. The teachers were of an absolutely high knowledge and enthusiasm I never experience before. And also the whole staff was always friendly and helpful, who difficult the question might be.
I only can recommend the OISE school to everybody who is interested in a high sophisticated education which grand best results.
Yours sincerely,
Neuhaus, Weller & Partner
Remi Cluset
I spent really good time in San Francisco Converse School. Feel like home in this friendly school and nice town. One month was really too short to discover the wonders of this place. The class are very interesting and interactive, learning a lot about English language, American traditions and class mate from all over the world. I will be back.
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