Orite Shapiro
Director of Studies (DOS)

Hi, my name is Orite Shapiro, and I am the current Director of Studies (DOS) at Brown's English Language school. The following, is some information about my background, education, interests and thoughts about BROWNS.

After graduating from high school in Melbourne, I studied at Melbourne University and completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology, Politics and Religion. I then travelled to Jerusalem, Israel to study for a year at the Hebrew University. There I discovered what it was like first-hand to be an international student, living with 5 other girls in a small apartment on campus - from France, Brazil, America, and Israel. The friends I made there were lasting ones, and I am still in contact with them 18 years later. Many of the students at BROWNS have had similar wonderful experiences, and have made lifelong friends. You will too.

After returning to Australia, I completed a Diploma of Education at Sydney University, a Master of Arts (International Relations) at Macquarie, and a Graduate Certificate in TESOL. I also continued my studies in Hebrew and Arabic. I moved to Canberra to undertake my Ph.D at the Australian National University, and then worked for Foreign Affairs in Canberra assisting international diplomatic students with their English. I moved to the Gold Coast in late 2000, and am currently undertaking a Doctorate at Southern Cross University on the topic "Building bridges across cultures and faiths in the ESL classroom".

My interests include swimming, walking and horse-riding. I have traveled extensively in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and really enjoy interacting with people of other cultures and backgrounds.

For the past ten years, I have worked with International students in the field of education in universities and colleges in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast. In the classroom, I am really interested in creating a global community of students who enjoy learning with, and from each other.

I believe that BROWNS has a unique style, academic excellence and really care about their student community, and this is exemplified by its wonderful teaching team. Our methods are successful, and we have a high level of satisfaction and appreciation from our students. This is evident from our students' results and the level of fluency they have achieved after studying here. We welcome all nationalities, cultures and creeds and have a supporting family environment which makes each individual student feel welcome and comfortable. I am positive that you will enjoy and cherish the BROWNS experience.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
2:58:43 AM