Experienced, engaging teachers.

Our native-speaking teachers are trained industry professionals, all possessing bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Our instructors are equipped with teaching experience and/or certification in TEFL/TESOL/CELTA. Many of our teachers are world travelers and have the experience of learning foreign languages, so they can relate to what it’s like to learn English as a foreign language. Our teaching staff is passionate about education and committed to helping you succeed.

“BETTER THAN A THOUSAND DAYS OF DILIGENT STUDY IS ONE DAY WITH A GREAT TEACHER.”

Jonathan SchneiderESL Teacher
Jonathan has been teaching English since 1994. Originally a GED teacher in the Philadelphia area, Jon switched to teaching English to speakers of foreign languages in 2005, when he moved to Boston. He greatly looks forward to continuing his career here at BIA!
Quillon ArkenstoneESL Teacher
Quillon enjoys both learning and teaching languages, and spent many years doing both before becoming an ESL instructor at BIA. When not in the classroom he enjoys reading, spending time with his family and exploring the city of Boston.”
Philip VaraESL Teacher
My academic background includes a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literary Studies and an M.B.A. I taught English at international schools in Finland for eight years and have been an English teacher in Boston since 2019 – but enough about me.

At B.I.A., learning is a blast because we are able to laugh together, among other things, at the mispronunciations. A suitcase becomes sweet case, coffee becomes cough (the second syllable mysteriously vanishes), office becomes off sea, working out everyday is musculation, and sheets become – well, you get the idea. The laughter helps in the learning process and slowly the student moves from ‘como que fala?’ (How do you say?) to ‘I know ‘ (Eu sei). When a student is laughing, they don’t even realize that they’re learning.

Ben CroninESL Teacher
Ben Cronin, Ph.D., is a historian and educator living in the Plymouth area, where he grew up and resides. His doctoral dissertation focused on Town Meetings in colonial Massachusetts. He enjoys riding his bicycle, hiking, boating, swimming, and fishing.
Josiane O'NeelESL Teacher
Josie has taught for 16 years and is well experienced in the field of ABA Therapy. With her passion to give back within her community, she has incorporated her skills for Human Development and Language into learning . Using techniques such as generalization and mindfulness within her classroom, her quirky personality truly resonates. On her down time , Josie enjoys exploring the richness of the city , writing children’s bedtime stories, but most importantly, being creative with her family.
Iris MartinESL Teacher
Iris graduated with a BA in Psychology in 2020, then shifted focus and got her TEFL certificate in 2022. Because of her background in psychology, she is adept at tailoring lessons to meet individual student needs and catering to those with learning disabilities and difficulties. Her passion as a teacher is sharing culture and empowering her students through education and community. On a personal note, she enjoys almost every creative hobby, including crochet, creative writing, and painting. She looks forward to learning and growing with you!
Adrienne HedgesESL Teacher
With her BA in Classical Languages and Literature and Art History, Adrienne has begun her language-based career as an ESL teacher. Her experience learning German while living in Germany has given her perspective on what students care about when it comes to surviving in a new country. She tries to bring humor and life into the classroom, standing with you in the trenches of learning grammar and celebrating your successes. She enjoys reading philosophy or fiction, learning languages, and cooking for her girlfriend in her free time.
Jingyi HouESL Teacher
Jingyi Hou, an energetic ESL teacher who brings a love for language and a knack for fun to every lesson. With a Master’s degree in TESOL and a passion for teaching, she makes language learning exciting and accessible for all. Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, Jingyi’s multicultural background adds richness to her teaching style. Outside the classroom, you’ll find Jingyi hitting the slopes for some skiing adventure or enjoying a good comedy.
Jonathan TardifESL Teacher
Holding both BA and MA in Russian, Jonathan taught English in Russia for over a decade, as well as for six months in Japan. He tries to infuse each class with as much humor as he can while sill teaching grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation to spark student discussion and creativity with language but also tries to connect with each student to help build rapport. When he’s not in the classroom , his passions include playing the piano, composing and singing in choir. He is also an avid walker, and has walked two marathons to support cancer research in Boston.