RESUME
Emily Blake
Education
American University of Paris: TEFL Certificate, 2000.
The Sorbonne: Cours de Civilisation française pour les Etrangers, 1999.
University of California, Berkeley: B.A. summa cum laude in French,
Theatre and History, an independent major.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania: French literature/history.
Concord Academy, Concord, Massachusetts: high school diploma.
Work Experience
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, New York, NY, 2017-present
Instructor in Writing and Literature in the Humanities and Sciences Department, introducing first-year international college students to the canon of Western literature, from Plato and Shakespeare to Kafka, Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson and Arthur Miller. Drawing on the rich and demanding Humanities curriculum, lead lectures to acquaint foreign students with the chronology of Western literature and some of its greatest exponents, while addressing the mechanics of English grammar, sentence structure, and essay form. Focus on in-depth essays and critical thinking. Incorporate oral presentations throughout the year to improve confidence and comprehensibility. Final projects, research papers, and field trips to sites of cultural significance (NY Public Library Reading Room, Lincoln Center, relevant art exhibitions, etc.).
CUNY (City University of New York): CIET Program, 2016
Instructor in Family Literacy to beginning students of English in the CIET (Center for Immigrant Education and Training) program of LaGuardia Community College. Preparing adult students with children for parent/teacher conferences, helping them bridge the gap to their children’s schools, collaborating on homework, improving speaking and listening skills, referring to relevant NYC programs (IDNYC, health insurance, one-on-one tutoring, etc.). Working to increase confidence and self-sufficiency within the context of school and family and beyond, through close attention to pronunciation, presentations, reading, writing, and computer skills. Field trips, in-class speakers and projects by arrangement with MOMA (see Awards below), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, etc.
ST GILES COLLEGE, New York, New York, 2012-2014
Private instructor to international students in the Platinum Program, designed for adults seeking intensive training in English while staying in New York. Focus on fluency and confidence in speaking through presentations and free discussions of cultural differences, history, theatre, literature and art. Outings to significant sites (New York Public Library, Pierpont Morgan, Metropolitan Museum, etc.). Students included professionals from Russia, Latin America, Europe, and Japan.
YVES SAINT LAURENT, Paris, France 2007-2011
Private English coach to the Director of Human Resources. One-on-one sessions in preparation for presentations in London and around the world to board and committee meetings of YSL and its subsidiaries. Translation of texts on marketing, branding and employee affairs.
LANGUAGE ASSOCIATES, Paris, France 2002-2006
Numerous teaching assignments with an emphasis on grammar, presenting and business skills (telephoning, negotiations, meetings). Collaborative editing and translation of presentations, professional documents and e-mails in the relevant disciplines (journalism, fashion, luxury, advertising, communications). Clients included Chanel; Cartier; the Artistic Director of Publicis & Nous; the CEO of Morgan Group; the Human Resources Director of Boucheron; the Director of the Hotel Bristol; the Communications Director of ISS France; and a wide array of other companies.