At Approach, we teach, embrace, guide and support our students from day one. Our mission is “To provide high quality, flexible and affordable English and Test preparation programs to students from all over the world.”
Our programs are designed to help you achieve your academic and professional goals as fast as possible and, as inexpensively as possible. We teach over 900 students each month highly specialized teachers and a broad range of student supporting services to help you succeed including housing placement into host families, airport transfer, translations, interpreters, university placement, immigration advising and career counseling.
On your first day at APPROACH, you will take a placement test and undergo an interview to determine program eligibility. You might be placed into one of the 8 levels of our English program or qualify for the TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT, and Advanced Academic Preparation. Our university placement program helps you make a smooth transition from our school to the University of your choice. If a professional career is what you are looking for, we are here to help you providing a specialized career and immigration advising.
Our teachers prepare and organize monthly curricular activities to ensure you can apply what you are learning outside of the classroom. The school also offers a calendar full of extra-curricular activities including sightseeing around Boston, the international Lunch, the monthly writing contest, the annual Summer barbecue, the Thanksgiving dinner in November and the end of the year Holiday party. Students are encouraged to consult with the Activities coordinator for guidance in forming a new club. Current clubs include theater groups, chorales, sports teams, book clubs, music groups among others.
Read MoreWhen you first join classes at APPROACH, you will be interviewed by our Academic and Career counselor to help you plan and decide on deadlines to successfully achieve your academic goals. Some of the reasons a student may stop by to visit with their counselor are to ask questions about joining one or our partner Universities, inquire about scholarships for international students, ask questions about school policies and procedures, discuss academic and career goals, clarify a student's academic status and the requirements to be in good academic standing, discuss possibilities of applying for H1B sponsored jobs or inquire about transferring credits to prospective universities.
Read MoreAPPROACH’s student success workshops are offered every month and signup sheets are available on the activities board. The success of our students represents our success and the workshops offered aim in helping you be as successful as you can possibly be. Workshops are offered on demand at no extra cost and participation is optional. Among the monthly offerings are: Return to learning workshop for adult students (over age 25); Effective study strategies; Test-taking strategies, Exploring careers & choosing a pathway program; Writing an effective resume and cover letter; applying to Colleges and Universities and, Dynamic interviews.
Read MoreI'm From Santos, São Paulo and I'd studied At approach 17 years ago for 6 months and it was the most incredible experience in my life! I've so thankful for great and so "rich" times!
Great value, perfect location, awesome instructors. Their test preparation and Business English programs are the best. I highly recommend it!
Approach International Student Center helped me to achieve some of my personal goals. The staff is extremely professional, capable and helpful. They answered all my questions, always with a nice smile and sympathy. I highly recommend this school.
John Ziemba holds a Masters’ of Arts degree in Asian studies from University of Pittsburgh and has over 15 years of formal test preparation teaching experience. He lived and taught in Japan preparing students for the TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, GTEC, GMAT and LSAT. John joined our team in 2015 and is the coordinator of the TOEFL program. He also teaches Business English and helps students preparing the essays for University Admissions.
TOEFL FacultyJonathan was born and raised in Vermont, but has spent most of his adult life abroad. After completing a Bachelor's in Linguistics at The Ohio State University in 2005, he traveled to Spain for TEFL training. Since then he has taught in South Korea, Taiwan and Bolivia and has traveled extensively throughout Asia and South America and is currently pursuing his Masters' in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Academic CoordinatorActively sought out by students for all kinds of academic questions, Michael has an enviable educational background, having completed his BA in Comparative Literature at Brown University and his MA in TESOL at Columbia University. Michael has lived in various countries such as Japan, Korea, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, France and Italy throughout his career. He joined Approach’s faculty in 2006.
ESL Faculty