North American English Training in the Philippines

Bridge Seminars,(The Study) Iloilo City:
For many students, an important reason for studying English at Bridge Seminars is affordability. We offer EAP seminars that meet international standards of excellence for a fraction of what you would pay in Canada, the United States, Australia, or the United Kingdom. In these times of strained family budgets, studying academic English (North American-style) with us is a very attractive option.

English is widely spoken in the Philippines, and it is used as an official medium of instruction from elementary school to university. Consequently, studying at Bridge Seminars will expose you to North American-style English during your daily routine as well as in the seminar room. Researchers agree that living and studying in an English speaking environment greatly accelerates acquisition of the language.

Iloilo City is a picturesque tourist hub in the province of Iloilo, located on the southeast of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

A further reason for choosing Bridge Seminars is our faculty.

Our academic director and head teacher, Professor I.G. MacDonald, received his Bachelor of Arts (honors) degree from Queen's University in Canada in 1997, his Master of Arts degree in 1999, and passed the comprehensive examination for his PhD in 2003.

Before joining the faculty of Dankook University in Korea in 2005, he taught at Queen's University School of English and Seoul Women's University. From 2005 to 2016 he was Professor of English Composition and Rhetoric in the Department of English Language and Literature, the Graduate School of English Education, the Department of Anglo-American Humanities, the Graduate School of TESOL, and adjunct professor of English at the Korean Institute of Justice.

Intensive English for Academic Purposes / University Preparation Seminars for international students planning to study abroad:

Our seminars are rigorous. The 8 week course ( 2 consecutive month-long sessions) comprises 240 hours of classroom time, which is equivalent to 4 semesters of English study at most Asian universities. Success in the program, therefore, requires a high level of dedication and commitment. However, hard work does have its rewards. At the end of 8 weeks, you will be well prepared to embark on a successful university or professional career anywhere in the English speaking world.

Sincerely
Ian MacDonald
Academic director / head teacher

In addition to our intensive academic English program, we also offer Cambridge English examination preparation classes. With a combined 25 years of experience, our teachers can help you successfully prepare for the prestigious Cambridge English examinations. We offer preparation study sessions for all five levels from Beginner (A2) to Proficiency (C2), with each level requiring approximately 120 hours or 4 weeks of study. Cambridge English helps you to learn English and prove your English language skills.

Preparing for a Cambridge English exam will give you the confidence and skills to communicate with people from all over the world. Over 20,000 organisations accept the Cambridge English certificates worldwide including leading companies, universities and ministries like Deloitte, Volkswagen, McGill University Canada and Immigration New Zealand.

Our Cambridge English examination preparation seminars are in session continuously, so you can begin at any time that is convenient. Tuition for each level, including accommodation and study materials, is only $1400. We will assess your level when you arrive and then mentor you as you prepare for the appropriate examination.

International Legal English is an upper-intermediate to advanced level course for learners who need to be able to use English in the legal profession. The course is intended for law students and practising lawyers alike.
Since the vast majority of practising lawyers in the world deal with commercial law. ILE focuses on the use of English for this purpose. Within the field of commercial law, a number of important topics ( such as company law, contract law, intellectual property, real property law, employment law, and sale of goods) have been selected as the legal subject matter of the lessons.

Our International Legal English seminars, suitable for B2 and C1 level students, require 120 hours (4 weeks) of intensive study and begin on the first Monday of every month.

Professor McDonald helped me greatly with my academic writing skills. His help was vital while I was trying to complete my MA thesis. The lessons were well planned and organised, yet fun and interesting and always had a clear objective. I found Professor McDonald to be an excellent teacher and would highly recommend his classes to anyone looking to improve their English. - Stuart Jones. Seoul Korea

Ian MacDonald taught me English writing for academic papers. He was a fantastic teacher. He is able to explain complicated concepts clearly and make subjects like grammar very interesting. He is one of the best teachers I have ever had. - Tim Yackley Seoul Korea

Professor MacDonald is a powerful writing teacher who is always well prepared, enthusiastic, and professional. From his courses Creative and Discursive Writing and English Composition at Dankook University, I have gained the knowledge of how academic writing should look and the practical application. I highly recommend him for those who would like to learn English at an academic and professional level. - Yesol Lim Seoul Korea

Written communication, both technical and non-technical, plays an essential role in today’s healthcare industry. As a result, strong writing skills are crucial for registered nurses.

Writing plays a key role in nursing today. How effectively nurses are able communicate through writing can have a major impact on the impression they make on both patients and peers. Whether it’s writing memos about patients, drafting emails to other healthcare providers, or creating papers and presentations for academic study and research, all nurses must have the ability to express themselves clearly, effectively, and professionally through their writing.

Fairly or not, in many cases people judge a person’s professional capabilities, even their intelligence, on their ability to demonstrate a proper use of grammar and language in written communication. The capacity to exhibit strong writing skills is a great advantage in a nursing career, and can provide nurses with a competitive edge when applying for positions in a tight job market.

Small mistakes in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, can reduce a nurse’s credibility, result in a strong resume or cover letter going overlooked, or potentially ruin an otherwise excellent academic paper or presentation.