English Studies Institute

Specialties

The English Studies Institute (ESI) is an English skills school for international students and those who speak English as a second language. We specialize in multi-​level classes for all aspects of English communication. Located just across the street from the world famous UC Berkeley campus, ESI students blend in with the campus community and experience US campus life first hand.

ESI is known for it’s high standard of quality with instructors that have more than 10 years of experience teaching and specialized Masters degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign/​Second Language. ESI supports Berkeley campus by providing classes. UC Berkeley students often take classes at ESI to brush up on their English and ESI teachers have been teaching classes at Haas School of Business and UC Village for over 6 years. This collaboration with Berkeley campus makes ESI an unique option. Come to ESI and we will help you achieve the language skills you need for success.

History

Established in 2004.

ESI was established by the staff and faculty of the former English Language Program (a department of UC Berkeley that was closed in 2004). ESI opened its doors on the summer of 2004 to serve the need of international students and the general Bay Area community.

Since the time of its inception, ESI has offered quality and excellence through state-​of-​the-​art methodology, high-​quality teaching (all ESI teachers hold Masters degrees), small class size, and a great location across the street from the famous UC Berkeley campus.

Since 2004, ESI has steadily grown and developed with a focus on exchange students, university transfer students and short term visitors from other countries. The variety of nationalities, excellent curriculum, on-​campus lessons incorporating the UC Berkeley campus and community have made ESI a popular destination for those interested in improving their English communication, reading, writing and pronunciation skills. In 2013 ESI welcomed over 700 students.

Meet the Business Owner

Bonu G.

Business Owner

Bonu Ghosh got her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at UC Berkeley and her M.A. in TESL/​TEFL. As co-​owner of ESI, her main focus is on marketing and communication with over-​seas representatives and clients. She also teaches and helps in course coordination, teacher supervision/​training, and oversight of courses. She has been an ESL instructor and Teacher Trainer since 1990. She was a full-​time instructor for the former English Language Program for over 10 years, specializing in oral communication, accent reduction, business English and TOEFL preparation.

Bonu has been representing ESI by teaching courses at Haas School of Business on the UC Berkeley campus since 2006. She also teaches a course at UC Village called America 101 which was featured on NPR. Bonu’s life work is to help speakers of English as a second language become great communicators and through improved language skills reach pinnacles of success.