Hi, I’m Aurora.
Everything I have explored, cherished, dabbled in, and evaded in my life has compelled me to this work. It is the organic result of my commitment to equality and an urge to honor my mother and every person who I’ve encountered who gave their all to conquer English despite their limited resources. They have left an indelible mark on me, and I dedicate my life’s work to them.
My study of language can be traced back to some 30 years ago. As the daughter of a Korean immigrant who struggled to speak English, I developed an early awareness of the limitations it created in her life and how people received her. She didn't speak freely, was embarrassed by how she sounded, and it affected her personality and how she values herself in society. As early as I could speak, I translated Korean to English for her. I first understood the power of voice and sound when I spent a summer in Korea and assisted my cousin who was determined to master the pronunciation of the letter “R”. We spent hours on it together and when she got it, I had a chemical reaction to the empowerment she felt in conquering this elusive sound.
During my role as a private jet flight attendant spanning a decade, my understanding of the significance of the English language was deepened. The extensive international travel required by the job immersed me in other cultures where I witnessed firsthand this single language as the common nexus for international business, diplomacy, travel, news, media, science. Today, living in New York City, I continue to observe immigrants relying on English as a means to thrive, survive, prosper, and adapt to their new lives.
My Approach
I wasn’t sure if I should refer to myself as a “teacher” or “coach”; these names don’t quite capture my role. My approach is to be an ally, and one of many important stops on someone's path. Being an ally is an act of love and care that involves building trust, lending courage, meeting someone where they are, and bringing all my creativity and intelligence to bear. Together, we map out how they can achieve their vision for their life and bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to go.
My guiding philosophy is that language learning is so much more than just vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. It is a deeply personal endeavor, and allowing someone to teach you the nuances of a language and shape your voice for self expression, requires the highest level of trust.
To learn a language and do it well, is an invitation to step out of the comforts of one’s own language and culture, and step into another. In the expressions and idioms of a language, a speaker can find narratives that reflect the culture’s rich history. Within the grammatical framework of a language, a speaker may discern the embedded social dynamics of another’s culture. The rhythm and musicality of a language can invite the speaker to discover new ways to convey emotional expression. This awareness underpins all that I do.
My intention as an ally is to rouse the confidence and full expression of self of each client I work with. Every session is a gathering of what a client already knows, challenging the limits they may have set on themselves, and equipping them with crucial new skills. Together, we prepare for the moments that count – stepping onto the stage, delivering a presentation, making essential requests, expressing empathy, and using our voices to stand up for what we believe in.
Additional Background
Aurora holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from NYU where in addition to her academic program, she learned about how much inequity there is in our world. She also holds a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from Columbia, where in addition to doing academic research, she learned the power of self advocacy.