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Bonnie Dahnke has been ILI's intensive ESL Program Coordinator since 1991. Bonnie was born and raised in Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska, where she received a B.A. and later an M.A. in English. "I really didn't decide to become an ESL teacher/coordinator. I began my teaching career at the University of Nebraska, teaching composition. Then my husband and I moved to Germany, and there I had many opportunities to teach English to international students. I am fascinated by words, meanings, grammar, and other cultures, so ESL is perfect for me. It gives me all these things." When asked if she had a favorite story about teaching, Bonnie couldn't name just one. "I have lots and lots of great stories about students. Each and every student success story is my favorite story. I love hearing from students who went on to graduate school or who were able to apply their English skills directly to their work back home. Lots of students keep in touch, long after they've completed their studies at ILI." Although there are many schools which teach ESL, Bonnie thinks that ILI is different. "Many schools have a similar curriculum, but the faculty and staff of ILI are unique. The people who run this school foster an atmosphere of concern and respect for the individual. Also, there are teachers here who have been teaching at this school for a long time -- 7, 10, 15 years. That kind of longevity speaks for itself." Back to Top

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in the blanks with wh-question words.

Ivan: Hi, Susan. __________ are you? Susan: I'm fine, thanks. Ivan: Would you like to go to a movie tonight? Susan: I'm not sure. ________ time does the movie start? Ivan: At 7:30. ______ should we meet? Susan: Ummm. _____ about the library? Ivan: ____ don't we meet at the coffee shop? Susan: Well, I need to get some books. Ivan: Oh? ____ kind of books? Susan: English books on grammar, reading, writing.... Ivan: ____ so many? Susan: Because I need a lot of practice in English. Ivan: But Susan, you don't only learn through books. Susan: _____ do you mean? My books help me. Ivan: Yes, but enjoy your life too! Go to a museum or Rock Creek Park! Susan: ____ would I find the time? I'm always studying. Ivan: Susan, you also learn English by listening and speaking to others. Susan: _____ can I speak to? Sometimes I don't understand people. Ivan: Well, first you can practice by watching TV, renting videos and listening to music. Susan: But my family only watches the Spanish channel. _____ can I do? Ivan: Well, come to the movies with me so you can practice English and have a good time. Susan: ______ movie should we see? Ivan: The latest one so that you'll learn some American idioms and expressions. Afterwards, we'll go to a party. Susan: ______ party? Ivan: Tim's party. I'll introduce you to him and a lot of other friends. Susan: Sounds great! Click here for the answers.

INSTRUCTIONS: To complete the crossword puzzle, print out this page and answer the questions below.

Across 1. Everybody wears them. 2. You can read about movie stars and other famous people in them. 6. Everybody needs this to travel. 9. Use this to take photographs. 10. This can help you to understand English words. 12. You can listen to music from your country or the U.S. with this. 13. You need this for the Metro, food, and other things. 14. You must have this to get on the airplane. Down 1. If you don't have cash, you can use a ___ ____ (2 words) to buy things. 3. Wear comfortable shoes or ______ when you are sight-seeing. You will be walking a lot. 4. You can use this to find the street and location of Washington, D.C.'s famous places. 5. You need this to go to another country. 7. Your friends' addresses and phone numbers are in here. (2 words) 8. You can listen to news and music with this. 11. It is important to have health or accident ______ when you travel. Click here for the answers.

Ivan: Hi, Susan. HOW are you? Susan: I'm fine, thanks. Ivan: Would you like to go to a movie tonight? Susan: I'm not sure. WHAT time does the movie start? Ivan: At 7:30. WHERE should we meet? Susan: Ummm. HOW about the library? Ivan: WHY don't we meet at the coffee shop? Susan: Well, I need to get some books. Ivan: Oh? WHAT kind of books? Susan: English books on grammar, reading, writing.... Ivan: WHY so many? Susan: Because I need a lot of practice in English. Ivan: But Susan, you don't only learn through books. Susan: WHAT do you mean? My books help me. Ivan: Yes, but enjoy your life too! Go to a museum or Rock Creek Park! Susan: WHEN would I find the time? I'm always studying. Ivan: Susan, you also learn English by listening and speaking to others. Susan: WHO can I speak to? Sometimes I don't understand people. Ivan: Well, first you can practice by watching TV, renting videos, and listening to music. Susan: But my family only watches the Spanish channel. WHAT can I do? Ivan: Well, come to the movies with me so you can practice English and have a good time. Susan: WHAT movie should we see? Ivan: The latest one so that you'll learn some American idioms and expressions. Afterwards, we'll go to a party. Susan: WHOSE party? Ivan: Tim's party. I'll introduce you to him and a lot of other friends. Susan: Sounds great!

Across Down 1. Clothes 1. Credit Card 2. Magazines 3. Sneakers 6. Passport 4. Map 9. Camera 5. Visa 10. Dictionary 7. Address Book 12. Walkman 8. Radio 13. Money 11. Insurance 14. Ticket