International melting pot

Firstly, thanks Allan for setting this up.

I trained as an EFL teacher at International House, Palace Court under Ellie and Lynne, and started teaching my first classes in Hastings in 1998. The intensive CELTA course I took then is something that I remember more vividly than many other years of education. Ellie and Lynne had a huge impact, giving of themselves to make us into teachers. Exhausting, exciting and inspiring. Thank you.

Then, in the summer of 2006, after many years away, I came back and was welcomed into the wonderful staff room at Gensing Manor, now Embassy CES. I was struck by how supportive all the teachers were to me and how positive the atmosphere was. I immediately felt at home. I have never worked with more friendly students or more committed and talented colleagues…and with such high speeds on the Guardian crossword.

Thank you everyone. I’d particularly like to thank Jan for helping me out of a tight spot with a bunch of Russians last year, Steve for always being supportive and Phil the cleaner for being so cheerful.

ABOVE: Lovely pre-intermediate afternoon class July 2006. Libya, China, Italy, Colombia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Libya, Japan and UK.

RIGHT: Dynamic intermediate morning class August 2007. Fascinating discussions and nine different nationalities, UK, China, Spain, Italy, Ivory Coast, South Korea, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic.

BELOW LEFT: Embassy School at Gensing Manor in November 2007.

I’ve really enjoyed my relatively brief time with Embassy and International House. It is truly an international melting pot where people from all over the globe arrive to learn English and then leave with more than that: a wealth of cultural understanding and new friendship. I think it’s a tremendous shame that such a great school with fantastic teachers and marvellous support staff and so much goodwill should be set to close.

Good luck to everyone.