Melissa Rea, Soo Park, and Lina Jae Kim at EEC's Annual Recognition Ceremony 2024.
Lina Jae Kim has been teaching at the English Empowerment Center since February this year, and her impact has been immeasurable. Drawing from her own experiences learning English, moving to a new country, and teaching a variety of ages and skill levels, Lina is passionate about creating a comfortable environment where EEC learners feel safe and excited to learn.
Born in Thailand, Lina moved to Canada between the ages of 8 and 9, where she began learning English through immersion. After graduating high school in Canada, she returned to Thailand to reconnect with family, where her passion for teaching English was born. Initially teaching to earn an income, Lina quickly realized her love for the work and the transformative power of helping others.
She decided to pursue a master’s degree in English Language Teaching at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand, and since then, has guided many English language learners on their journeys. Since joining EEC, Lina has taught both in-person and online classes, sharing insights on how she connects with her students and builds their confidence alongside their language skills throughout each semester.
When learning a new language, many students prefer a teacher who speaks their native language and shares their culture. Lina encountered this early on at EEC when some learners were apprehensive to learn from someone who didn’t speak their language. Lina took this challenge head on and makes it her mission to win their hearts. She takes time to learn about her students’ cultures and memorize their children’s names. The first 15 minutes of each class is dedicated to catching up with one another and having open discussions on how everyone is doing. She has seen how an open and welcoming environment leads to a successful classroom and a place where learners feel comfortable to ask questions and lose the fear of making mistakes. By the end of the semester everyone is truly united in their shared journey of growth and learning; they have not only improved their language skills but also built lasting friendships.
Lina describes the U.S. as a melting pot of individuals from diverse cultures, and this diversity is reflected in EEC’s classrooms. While language barriers can be challenging at first, Lina believes they encourage students to build confidence in their skills and find creative ways to communicate in English.
Teaching English at EEC goes beyond imparting language skills—it's about empowering learners, and instructors like Lina play a pivotal role in the success of beginning-level students. We are proud to have such dedicated educators who are passionate about helping learners thrive.