Learning English 101
By David L. Harris/ Staff Writer
Thursday, July 22, 2004

Reynaldo Manero, a 72-year-old retired business administrator from Mexico,
has dreams of starting his own consulting business. Oranun Udompharp, a
23-year-old nurse from Thailand, wants to get her master's degree in
nursing.

Both come from different countries and backgrounds, though they've
learned a few lessons in their short stay at the Boston School of
English in Roslindale, where they're also beginning to understand the
various idiosyncrasies of the English language.

"You learn that people are different ... the way they look, of course,
but the way they think, the way they feel," said Manero, who carries around
a camera to document his American adventures. "We all have the same
problems. We all want peace, freedom, justice, we hate corruption, we need a
better world."

Both differ in age, but both Manero and Udompharp are eager to improve
their English skills at the school's 814 South St. address.

One of Udompharp's favorite classes focuses on idioms. At one point
during an interview last week, she set her hands on a large wooden table and
exclaimed: "I'm all set," excitedly showing off her use of the newest idiom.
Full-time students take a total of six classes. Udompharp, who has already
spent two months here, will finish the program in another six months.

Manero, who wants to work as a business consultant back in his native
Mexico City, left his wife for 10 weeks to come to Roslindale, and live in a
nearby apartment with a younger roommate and learn English.

"I was looking for a school to study English," said Manero. "I chose
this one ... this one is the one I needed."

Manero, Udompharp and the school's 120 other current students, who come
from 21 different countries, pump some $60,000 per month into the Roslindale
economy, according to director Jeffrey Nichols.

The school bills itself as the finest English training institution in
New England, home to everyone from 12-year-old children to executives from
major multinational companies. Nichols said he must keep quiet about the
latter.

"We're ordered by the State Dept. not to reveal their presence or their
names," said Nichols. For executives, the school has exclusive, private
apartments on Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay and a high-ceilinged executive
classroom, complete with its own kitchen, shower and fitness room.

One thing about the school, which is housed in a picturesque
79-year-old church (formerly the Church of Our Savior) and sits in the
center of a triangular slice of land near the Roslindale Village commuter
rail station, is that virtually nobody knows it exists within the community,
Nichols said.

"That's why I put the giant sign out front," said Nichols, who started
his job as director about a year ago after working in Thailand in marketing.
"This is sort of an enclosed market."

All of the students stay in Roslindale, some in West Roxbury. The
school owns five three-family apartments across the street from the school,
but also has a network of 60 area families who are paid to host the
students.

Nichols explains that many of the students come to the school as a
prerequisite to applying to a major university in New England. Recent
graduates of the school of gone on to MIT and Harvard, among other schools.

And certainly there is an almost limitless supply of students willing
to make the trip to Roslindale from points across the globe. Revenue is up
30 percent in the past year alone, said Nichols. But the numbers might not
tell the full story, which can be revealed after talking to students here.

"We've had people say that this school has changed their lives,"
Nichols said.

Manero and Udompharp can surely attest to that.