About Us:
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The English Language Learners Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Bellevue, Washington.
Our mission is to connect non-native speakers with opportunities for improving their English skills and their knowledge of American culture through educational, cultural, social, and community events. People of all origins and skill levels are welcome. Please join us! We are run entirely by volunteers who enjoy helping others learn about the U.S. and the English language. If you'd like to help us by donating, you can click here to a make tax-deductible contribution! |
To find out more:
Watch a Video about ELLA! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events, please contact us.
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Board of Directors:
wSuzanne Sievert, Founder & Director
Suzanne founded ELLA in 2012. She has been working with English language learners since 1997 and has taught ESL locally at Bellevue College and North Seattle Community College, and at private ESL schools and community colleges in California and North Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, and a Teacher of English as a Second Language certification from Seattle University. She and her husband live in Kirkland and have two adult sons.
Nadya Obraztsova, Co-Director
Nadya is a founding board member of ELLA and brings to our organization the unique perspective of being a non-native speaker who has successfully navigated life in the U.S. She emigrated to the U.S. from Russia in 2011. She is fluent in English and Russian, and works with newcomers at Bellevue College and at ELLA, helping people learn English and find the resources they need for life in the U.S. She earned a master’s degree in Engineering from Moscow Power Engineering University and a second master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Seattle Pacific University. She lives in Issaquah with her husband and young daughter.
Denise Taylor
Denise is a founding board member of ELLA and has worked with English language learners since 1989, teaching computing to foreign students in Australia. She currently volunteers with Talk Time, a program which runs free English conversation sessions at libraries in King County. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Queensland and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. She and her husband have two grown children and are currently enjoying grandchildren.
Charlotte Thompson
Charlotte is a founding board member of ELLA and has experience tutoring adult native English speakers in reading, writing, and basic math, both in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Bellevue and Redmond, Washington. She has worked in the private sector as well as for non-profit organizations. Charlotte is Japanese-American and born in California. She has a bachelor's degree in Zoology/Psychology, a master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and additional graduate study in Cultural Anthropology. She and her husband live in Redmond and have two adult children.
Chieko Suhama
Chieko joined the board in 2018 after having volunteered as part of ELLA since its founding in 2012.
Suzanne founded ELLA in 2012. She has been working with English language learners since 1997 and has taught ESL locally at Bellevue College and North Seattle Community College, and at private ESL schools and community colleges in California and North Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, and a Teacher of English as a Second Language certification from Seattle University. She and her husband live in Kirkland and have two adult sons.
Nadya Obraztsova, Co-Director
Nadya is a founding board member of ELLA and brings to our organization the unique perspective of being a non-native speaker who has successfully navigated life in the U.S. She emigrated to the U.S. from Russia in 2011. She is fluent in English and Russian, and works with newcomers at Bellevue College and at ELLA, helping people learn English and find the resources they need for life in the U.S. She earned a master’s degree in Engineering from Moscow Power Engineering University and a second master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Seattle Pacific University. She lives in Issaquah with her husband and young daughter.
Denise Taylor
Denise is a founding board member of ELLA and has worked with English language learners since 1989, teaching computing to foreign students in Australia. She currently volunteers with Talk Time, a program which runs free English conversation sessions at libraries in King County. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Queensland and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. She and her husband have two grown children and are currently enjoying grandchildren.
Charlotte Thompson
Charlotte is a founding board member of ELLA and has experience tutoring adult native English speakers in reading, writing, and basic math, both in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Bellevue and Redmond, Washington. She has worked in the private sector as well as for non-profit organizations. Charlotte is Japanese-American and born in California. She has a bachelor's degree in Zoology/Psychology, a master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and additional graduate study in Cultural Anthropology. She and her husband live in Redmond and have two adult children.
Chieko Suhama
Chieko joined the board in 2018 after having volunteered as part of ELLA since its founding in 2012.
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ELLA Advisory Board:
Ann Breese, USA Aurelien Chanot, France Ben Grossblatt, USA Bob Turner, USA Cheryl Wang, China Chieko Suhama, Japan Kelly Almeleh, USA Leyla Reshetnikova, Uzbekistan |
Lionel Archdale, USA Lucy Liu, China Lydia Margoldova, Slovakia Lynn Colwell, USA Maryna Dudarenko, Ukraine Phuong Pham, Vietnam Tanya Savchenko, Ukraine Teri Harmeyer, USA |
Founding Advisors:
Dilek Andersen, Turkye Gamze Sezgin, Turkye Joanna Wybranska, Poland (logo design) |
