Meet the Staff

ILSC-Montréal Teachers
Teachers at ILSC-Montréal are energetic, friendly and creative! Their training, experience and open-mindedness provide a positive environment for international students to feel right at home in the classroom.

French Teachers

English teachers at ILSC - Montreal, Quebec Canada
English Teachers

ILSC-Montréal Administrative Staff
Daniel Lefort Director	Favourite part of the job Working in a multicultural environment with students from all over the world. It’s fun to watch their enthusiasm when they arrive here and see how their language skills progress throughout their stay. It’s a motivation for me to be part of their experience. Activities when not working at ILSC I am an amateur artist and enjoy painting and taking photographs. I especially like abstract art. Montreal has many cultural venues and there is always an opening to attend or a new exhibition to visit. Favourite Montreal attraction I like my neighborhood very much. ‘Le Plateau’ is a vast area at the bottom of Mont Royal where you will find a multitude of bars, cafes and restaurants. A nice mix of bohemian and trendy. Plus, if you like nature, it is very close to Mount Royal and has other nice parks.

Mark Schurman Director of Corporate Training	Favourite part of the job Working in a multicultural environment which allows me to constantly improve my knowledge and understanding of the world. Activities when not working at ILSC Walking/cycling on Mount Royal, playing soccer, watching movies… Eating out at one of the wonderful restaurants Montreal has to offer. Favourite Montreal attraction I can't narrow it down to one: Mount Royal for its green spaces, the 'Plateau' for its atmosphere and the Latin Quarter for its festivals.

Jessica Giles English Program Coordinator	Favourite part of the job Seeing students from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds exchanging and sharing ideas, and coming to an understanding together. It really is inspirational! Activities when not working at ILSC Trying to see as much of this HUGE beautiful country that I can! Favourite Montreal attraction The eclectic mix of cultures melding and making Montreal the remarkable city that it is.

Marie Hélène Langlois Directrice du programme de français	Favourite part of the job It is amazing to see how our students not only improve their French but also grow as people. Being in contact with people from all around the world is so beneficial for them and it is great to see how international friendships are made. I really enjoy talking to the students, not only for counseling, but also to get to know them. In addition, I like creating new material for teachers and helping them during little creativity crises! Activities when not working at ILSC I am the lucky owner of two beautiful (but very energetic!) dogs, so I enjoy walking on the river side with them. Also, I am a big horror movie fan: I enjoy watching zombie movies at home! Favourite Montreal attraction Because I love to eat, I would have to say Montreal’s restaurants are the best attractions! You can find a restaurant for every budget and every taste! Bon appétit!

Najma Ali-Secours CELTA program Coordinator and Tutor	Favourite part of the job I am thrilled that my job allows me to meet people from all over the world. What a privilege to be introduced to new cultures every day! Activities when not working at ILSC When I'm not working, I love to spend time with my family and new son and enjoy vacationing somewhere hot. Favourite Montreal attraction In Montreal, I can be found at Atwater Market most weekends stocking up on fresh fruit, bread and cheese.

Christopher Cooke CELTA Program Tutor and ESL Teacher	Favourite part of the job The opportunity to meet interesting students from a variety of backgrounds and working in a fun, supportive atmosphere. Activities when not working at ILSC Cycling, going to Jean Talon market, taking advantage of Montreal’s many festivals. Favourite Montreal attraction Parc La Fontaine, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Jean Talon and Atwater markets.

Sarah Milburn TESOL Program Coordinator and Instructor	Favourite part of the job Seeing the TESOL trainees conquer their fears, learn and improve, successfully teach real students, and graduate – the whole process! And of course, hearing about their continued successes when they get back home – I’m so proud of them all! Activities when not working at ILSC As much as I can! Favourite Montreal attraction I love the whole city – from the view from Mont Royal, to an afternoon at Piknic Electronik, to poutine at La Banquise, to the summer festivals, to drinks on Crescent Street, to sangria and crepes at Le Jardin Nelson, to cycling along the canal and river – I love it all!

Lynda Robitaille Cooperative Education Program Coordinator	Favourite part of the job Meeting new students from all over the world. Activities when not working at ILSC Walking on the lakeshore in Lachine, “hanging-out” with my kids, studying at university. Favourite Montreal attraction Old Montreal.

Stephanie Overend Cooperative Education Program Coordinator	Favourite part of the job Speaking both French and English!!! Activities when not working at ILSC Dancing, being outdoors, studying. Favourite Montreal attraction The skating ponds in winter, the amazing restaurants, the incredible shopping, and all the countless festivals!

Dimitrios Paraginis Homestay Program Coordinator	Favourite part of the job Helping students improve their “Montreal experience”. Activities when not working at ILSC Traveling, having fun with friends & family, movies, sports Favourite Montreal attraction The Old Port / Old Montreal

Areli Perea Homestay Program Coordinator	Favourite part of the job Seeing how the students improve their languages skills and the world suddenly opens in front of them! Helping them to have a great and complete experience in Montreal. Activities when not working at ILSC Dancing (jazz and hip-hop), jump in the back of a motorcycle and do wheelies, trying new things like jumping from tree to tree (arbraska tours) Favourite Montreal attraction Fat squirrels in the snow, the blooming of flowers in spring, the multicolor of maple leaves in autumn, sliding and playing in the snow and of course SUMMER when the sun goes down at 9 pm !!

Tanja Geurtsen Head Registrar	Favourite part of the job The vibe is unbeatable. We've got a great thing going here, my colleagues are like family and our students are always a great source of entertainment!! Activities when not working at ILSC In the spring I go for drinks on terraces, in the summer I swim at PJD, in the winter I cheer for the Habs, and in the fall I go for long walks on the mountain. Favourite Montreal attraction The feeling I get watching free shows at the Jazz Fest under starry skies on a warm summer nights, my dear Mt. Royal, the 4 distinct seasons, all the amazing restaurants!

Nelly Chavez Registrar, Latin Counsellor	Favourite part of the job Meeting wonderful people from different countries. Activities when not working at ILSC I like hosting dinner parties, cooking, watching movies. Favourite Montreal attraction Old Montreal

Yuri Sato Registrar, Japanese Counsellor	Favourite part of the job As a Japanese counselor, I’m always happy to talk with the students, to give them advice so that they can enjoy their life in Montreal. It’s a great experience to meet the students from all over the world! Activities when not working at ILSC I love cooking and eating!! I always try to invent some new recipe mixing Japanese and Canadian. I also like hiking in the countryside in Quebec. Quebec has so many beautiful places to visit !! Favourite Montreal attraction First of all, World Film Festival! Montreal is the great city where we can see almost all kinds of films. There are several film festivals held in Montreal all year around. The Jazz Festival and Fire Works are my favorite activities as well.

Yue Mei Wu Head Accountant	Favourite part of the job I love all parts of my job. Activities when not working at ILSC Reading, cooking, Internet. Favourite Montreal attraction The multiple cultures

Qian Zhu Accounting Clerk	Favourite part of the job I like to meet students who come from different countries. Activities when not working at ILSC Internet, reading, cooking... Favourite Montreal attraction Mont-Royal.

Susanne Millard Accounts Receivable	Favourite part of the job Helping students with questions they have about payments or options for classes. Activities when not working at ILSC Reading, hanging out with friends, re-decorating my place … Favourite Montreal attraction Gorgeous Mont Royal, all the walking trails there.

So Young Park Cultural Counsellor	Favourite part of the job The interaction with the students! Learning about their backgrounds, their culture, their language and tradition makes this job so dynamic and fascinating. Activities when not working at ILSC I like lying on the green grass, looking up at the sky and talking with friends. You can easily find me in the Mont-Royal Park. Favourite Montreal attraction I just arrived in Montreal, however I discovered so many interesting activities; Sugar Shack, Igloo Fest, also I'm waiting for "The Jazz Festival"!

Maria Isabel Gonzalez Student Liaison	Favourite part of the job Receiving new students at the beginning of every month! Activities when not working at ILSC Taking long walks with dog, having dinner parties for my friends and exploring Jean-Talon Market, there is always a new little stand to discover! Favourite Montreal attraction Jean-Talon Market for sure!