秉持 “Building Confidence Through Collaboration and Debate”这一教学理念，国际教育学院的外籍教师Eric Emborsky致力于构建一个以学生为中心、激发批判性思维并增强表达自信的英语学习环境。Eric凭借多年专注于英语口语及跨文化交流的教学经验，他坚信语言学习的真正意义在于赋予学生力量——让他们不仅敢于表达自我，还能熟练地进行比较思维和辩论思考。在他的课堂上，学生们不仅仅是在练习语言，更是在一个充满活力的空间里激发思想火花、连接多元文化、展现个人独特的声音。现在，就让我们一同走进Eric那充满魅力的课堂，感受其中蕴含的无限可能吧。
About Eric Emborsky
Eric Emborsky is from the United States. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and Master’s degree from East China Normal University in Shanghai.
With a focus on English speaking and communication, his teaching emphasizes helping students become confident, natural, and expressive speakers. Lessons are designed to build practical fluency, critical thinking, and cross-cultural awareness, encouraging students to use English effectively in real-world situations. Eric’s classes aim to create a supportive and engaging environment where every learner can develop the confidence to share their ideas and communicate with clarity.
This semester, our classroom has focused on developing students’ ability to communicate clearly and confidently in English through structured group activities, discussion, and argumentation. By creating a supportive, low-pressure environment, students have been encouraged to take risks, share ideas, and actively participate in every lesson.
Small Groups Fuel Confident English Speech
A key feature of our classes has been small-group work, where students collaborate to discuss questions, compare perspectives, and prepare their responses before sharing with the class. These activities allow every student the opportunity to speak, while also give them time to organize their thoughts and build confidence in expressing themselves clearly.
Comparative Thinking Sharpens English Communication
Throughout the semester, students have placed a strong emphasis on comparing and contrasting ideas. Whether discussing lifestyles, opinions, or preferences, they have learned to identify similarities and differences, support their viewpoints with reasons, and respond thoughtfully to others. This has helped them move beyond simple answers and develop more structured, meaningful communication.
Argumentative Dialogues Build Key English Skills
In addition, students have continued to engage in argumentative dialogue, practicing how to agree, disagree, and build on each other’s ideas in English. By working through topics together, they are learning not only how to express their own opinions, but also how to listen actively and respond respectfully, an essential skill in any international or academic setting. These interactions reflect a classroom environment where communication is active, inclusive, and student-centered.
Overall, this semester highlights students’ growing confidence, improved fluency, and ability to think critically in English. Through consistent practice and meaningful interaction, they are developing the skills needed to communicate effectively in both academic and global contexts.
School of International Education
Written by: Eric Emborsky
Edited by: Rose Zhang, Melody Lin
