What is T.I.E.?

True International Experience is what students expect when they decide to study and live in a new culture. And I think it's what they deserve. But so often it's not what they get! (More about this shortly...)

My name is Jason Levine and I'm an English language teacher in New York City. Three years ago, I co-founded a school for Japanese English learners with my business partner, Muneaki Goto. The school is called encaré english and we are located in Manhattan at 12 E. 41st street Suite 903. You can see our website at www.encare.us

I am creating this blog for anyone from a country or culture outside of the United States who is currently studying English and learning about American Culture (or would like to do so in the future). I envision a forum where English learners and native English speakers can exchange thoughts, ideas, and stories. I will begin with my own, and then hopefully other people will contribute theirs soon.

Now, back to the idea of T.I.E.

When people choose to study in the U.S., they usually imagine a life entrenched in a new culture: speaking English every day, meeting Americans, making American friends. After all, if this is not the case, why come all the way here? It's easier to take English classes in your hometown!

Unfortunately, what students imagine is not always a reality. For some people--and I'm thinking of many of my students--it is indeed quite far from a reality. Why? There is no simple answer to this question. Surely, it involves many factors. But one thing is certain: the solution to the problem lies in creating opportunities to build relationships between foreign students and Americans!

This is what I mean by T.I.E.