Instructors

Pete Hall attended Simon Fraser University, graduating with a B.A in Physical Geography and well as a B.Ed in Teaching. He earned his TESOL Diploma from Vancouver Community College. Pete is an adventurer by heart, and has combined his love for travelling and his passion for teaching and taught in many different countries around the world, including Tanzania, Korea and China. His motto is: ”If there are no students in your class, could you do what you are planning to do? If the answer to this question is yes, then don't do it!”

After Alayna received her Bachelor of Education degree, she taught children with special needs. Several years ago she had an epiphany: all of her friends spoke English as a second language and she found their stories about their home countries fascinating. She realized that it was time to change her teaching focus to adult learning – specifically, ESL. As an ESL teacher she mentored TESOL practicum students who inspired her to turn her attention back to a career in teacher training. Alayna has expanded her role at the college in recent years, taking on the position of Co-op Coordinator. She considers herself lucky to be a part of her students’ many academic and professional successes.

Dena van Dalfsen has traveled widely and speaks three languages. Being a student of foreign languages herself, she understands the triumphs and frustrations of language students. Dena graduated from the University of Victoria with an English and Journalism degree and after winning an award for community journalism, became TESOL certified and taught in Korea, Mexico and Argentina. Dena has been a TESOL instructor in Vancouver for over 10 years.

Luc has been teaching business, from high school to post-graduate college level, for close to 20 years. Before entering education, Luc spent over ten years in the world of high finance, functioning as chief interbank foreign exchange dealer for top-graded banks in Europe and Asia. Luc has lived and worked in half a dozen different countries (Belgium, France, Japan, Philippines, Jamaica, and Canada) spread over four different continents. He obtained a BA in Oriental Languages and Culture (Chinese and Japanese) at the University of Ghent (Belgium), a Master’s in Theoretical Economics (International Finance and Trade) from Hitotsubashi University (Tokyo, Japan), and a Master’s in Religious Education from St. Mark’s College (Vancouver). Favorite motto, “Be first, be smarter, or cheat.”

Yuki Kim has a BA in education and has extensive teaching experience with various age groups from kindergarten children to adults in different settings. She has taught in Canada, Korea, and Mongolia, making an impact on the lives of both the gifted and the underprivileged. She also has provided unparalleled services to numerous organizations and people, including police officers and lawyers, as an interpreter and translator. She joined us in 2015, enriching the program with her relentless educational fervor. Armed with a great sense of humor, she is a passionate and charismatic individual, always striving for excellence. Uncompromising when it comes to quality in education, she believes learning never stops and continues to find ways to grow and challenge herself. She enjoys stand-up comedy and English puns.