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ILI

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

You are here: Home / News / #VoicesofILI : Samira Artur

July 24, 2020

#VoicesofILI : Samira Artur

#VoicesofILI : Samira Artur

Up next on #VoicesOfILI is a true role model for all of our students. Samira Artur, who originally started at ILI as a Spanish teacher, knows first hand how vulnerable it can feel when you are placed in a situation you know little to nothing about.

Samira lived in Brazil up until the age of 14, when she moved all the way to Maine. She didn’t speak much English, as a matter of fact, there was no English program at her school so her Spanish teacher tutored her brothers and herself before classes. Samira had an easier time with numbers however and shared that her favorite subjects in school were math, science, and Spanish – because she saw similarities to Portuguese. She even continued on to study Spanish in college, got her Masters degree, and started teaching languages.

It wasn’t until a few years after Samira moved to the Northampton area that she found ILI. Since then she has made quite the impact on not only the students but also her co-workers. Although Samira began her journey at ILI as a Spanish teacher she then went on to get her TESOL certificate and started teaching ESL, also became the coordinator for the Hampshire College Spanish program, started a Springfield College ESL class program, and most recently has been training teachers for the World Language Program. To add on to this list of accomplishments she also provides career and college support as a counselor for the Free English Program and offers support around the office whenever needed.

Samira considers herself a life-long learner and said that ILI pushes her to continue learning and growing in both her professional and personal lives. She is presented with opportunities to learn about many different things which she says makes her feel challenged and fulfilled. Samira also shared that a key component of why she loves her job at ILI is her ability to connect with students through her personal experiences. Being able to identify with students about going through the immigration process, learning a second language in a different country, and other hardships help her build stronger bonds with current ILI students.

Outside of ILI Samira enjoys spending time with friends and family, although sometimes the two can get intertwined. Samira’s mother actually enrolled in the Free English Program! She brought her to class and the roles reversed, she said she continued to check in on her and was so proud of her mother for improving her skills and building a community of her own.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us Samira, you are a wonderful mentor for all students at ILI!

Article by ILI Staff / News

ILI News

  • ILI is a finalist for the PIEoneer “Language Educator of the Year” 2022 award! June 15, 2022
  • ILI’s Caroline Gear featured in Rotary magazine! June 13, 2022
  • Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer June 8, 2022
  • An Interview with MJ Adams: An International Host and Global Citizen June 2, 2022
  • How to Improve your Academic English and Business English Writing Skills May 25, 2022
  • ILI board member Reynolds Whalen earns “40 under Forty” recognition! May 11, 2022

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A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for award A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for awarding ILI the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award! We are grateful to be among all the amazing winners of this prestigious award! Receiving  the award is Sonya, a member of ILI’s Board of Directors. Caroline, ILI’s Executive Director and Beth, ILI’s Career and College Advisor.
ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleyc ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleycoop 's Austin Miller Award alongside Riquezas del Campo and The Nolumbeka Project! 

The nonprofit award winners receive $500 each and split the proceeds from food sales at River Valley Co-op's annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social and June Change for Change contributions.

➡️Read more here: https://rivervalley.coop/event-details/strawberry-ice-cream-social-austin-miller-awards?fbclid=IwAR3Uh8pZ0v5jO4jbYLG50xFVNcq5OEKPXj6HOmmU6F8e0toyzhFp6Dokt1A
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of vict “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” — Barack Obama

Resources to learn more about Juneteenth:
• https://naacp.org/campaigns/juneteenth
• https://www.history.com/.amp/news/what-is-juneteenth
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2022/
After months–or years—of studying online at ho After months–or years—of studying online at home or taking English classes in their home countries, millions of students want a breath of fresh air. 💨

Sunny days, warm weather, cool winds–summertime is a wonderful time to enroll in an Intensive English program. 📚

➡️Check out our recent NEWS Item titled, "Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer" here: https://ili.edu/2022/06/08/top-7-reasons-to-do-an-intensive-english-program-iep-in-the-summer/

➡️Interested in learning more about ILI's Intensive English Program? Email macey@ili.edu.

#ili #internationallanguageinstitute #Massachusetts #northampton #studentlife #intensive #englishprogram #iep #language #education #summerclasses #newblogpost #news #academicarticle #blog #ialc
For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City Arts Festival that happened a few weeks ago! 🎨

Thank you @paradise_city_arts_festivals for designating ILI as the silent auction beneficiary this year. Thank you to the 75+ generous artist for donating their art and thank you to the 20+ volunteers for staffing the table and booth sitting for artists. ✨ What a generous community we live in!

#ili #paradisecityartsfestival #2022 #silentauction #community #festival #nonprofit #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton #ialc
We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that are the Change for Change recipients at @rivervalleycoop along with #NolumbekaProject and @riquezasdelcampocoop ✨The three of us will not only receive all Change for Change donations made in June but also the proceeds from this year's Strawberry Ice Cream Social, which returns on June 23rd.

The Nolumbeka Project envisions a Connecticut River Valley where the histories, cultures and persistence of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples are recognized and celebrated, and where all beings coexist in balance and reciprocity.

Riquezas Del Campo is an immigrant-led, worker-owned cooperative farm in Hatfield, MA that began leasing land on the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in 2021. 

✨Pictured here is Megan, a cashier at RV. Next time you’re shopping, please consider rounding up in support of these nonprofits.

#changeforchange #roundup #rivervalleymarket #rivervalleycoop #nonprofit #local #community #ili #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton
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