Kim Andersen is founder and director of Empire State English and the Capital Region Language Center, both based in Albany, NY. She recently traveled to Mexico and Colombia through the EnglishUSA 2024 Certified Trade Mission. Mexico and Colombia are two of the top-sending countries with high levels of interest in English language programs. Andersen joined two dozen EnglishUSA member programs from 18 states. The trip was planned in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial and Foreign Services, from April 20-27, 2024. The group traveled to Merida & Mexico City (Mexico) and Medellin & Barranquilla (Colombia).
Kim Andersen (2nd row, 4th from left), joins 24 EnglishUSA member programs from 18 states in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial and Foreign Services for a Trade Mission to Merida & Mexico City (Mexico) and Medellin & Barranquilla (Colombia).
Andersen Joins EnglishUSA Board of Directors
Over the past 20 years, Andersen, a former public school language teacher, has grown Empire State English and Capital Region Language Center. Today, both language instruction schools serve all of New York State. Andersen is a new member of the EnglishUSA national board of directors. Founded in 1986, EnglishUSA is the largest and most diverse professional association of intensive English, pathway, and support programs and courses in the U.S. It boasts a membership of over 240 accredited English language programs.
During the trade mission, Andersen was part of the EnglishUSA delegation. She participated in a variety of activities promoting individual programs and institutions, including Empire State English.
“I am deeply grateful to EnglishUSA for this exciting opportunity,” she said. “It is an important opportunity to showcase what Empire State English offers to students and professionals who come to our area in need of intensive English language instruction.” Andersen, who teaches both Spanish and English, continued, “This is also a valuable opportunity to listen to partner organizations, schools and businesses in Mexico and Colombia. It helps us better to meet English language needs here in Albany, across New York State and the country.”
Trade Mission Targets Mexico and Colombia
U.S. Commercial Service officials in both countries planned networking opportunities and meetings between the EnglishUSA delegation and potential agents, as well as academic and business partners. EnglishUSA coordinated student fairs with prospective students and parents in both Mexico and Colombia. EnglishUSA and its member programs also engaged with representatives from the US Chambers of Commerce, officials from the Consular Offices and U.S. Commercial Services Branch offices, and hundreds of prospective students who are eager to come to the U.S. to study English.
The EnglishUSA 2023 Annual Report, along with the most recent Open Doors Intensive English Program report, find Mexico and Colombia continue to be top-sending countries with high levels of interest for all types of English language programs.
This trade mission collaboration with U.S. Commercial Service is part of other initiatives included in the three-year project with the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP). The MDCP project, “Promoting and Supporting English Language Programs (PASELS)” focuses on Latin American markets for English language training in the U.S.
Kim Andersen (left) is founder and director of Empire State English and Capital Region Language Center in Albany, NY. Here, she is meeting students from Escuela Normal Superior de Yucatán (ENSY) in Mexico. Andersen recently traveled to Mexico and Colombia as part of the EnglishUSA 2024 Trade Mission. Joining 24 other programs from 18 states, Kim engaged with representatives from the American Chambers of Commerce, officials from the Consular Offices and U.S. Commercial Services Branch offices, and hundreds of prospective students who are eager to come to the U.S. to study English.
A NYS Licensed & CEA Accredited Language School
Andersen founded Empire State English to serve students and professionals coming to the Capital Region in need of intensive English language training. While the flow of students to the area dropped significantly during Covid, Andersen says it is starting to rebound. She is currently recruiting more English language instructors. Since the pandemic, her schools have also begun offering classes and one-on-one instruction online.
Capital Region Language Center is a certified New York State Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). This opens the sister school to participate in state grants targeting workforce development, for both English and Spanish. The school also provides business communication skills to teachers, health care workers and customer service professionals.
Founded in 2012, Empire State English is licensed by the New York State Education Department. It is accredited by The Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA). Empire State English is approved by the U.S. government’s Student Exchange and Visitor Program. This allows the school to provide ESL to international visitors with an F-1 visa.
About Empire State English & Capital Region Language Center
About Empire State English: Empire State English offers English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for university students and adults. This includes those living in the Capital District as well as visitors to the area. Founded in 2012, Empire State English is licensed by the New York State Education Department and accredited by The Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA). Empire State English received approval in 2016 from the U.S. government’s Student Exchange and Visitor Program to provide ESL to international visitors with an F-1 visa. www.esenglish.org
About Capital Region Language Center: Capital Region Language Center (CRLC) provides world language instruction and services across New York State. Our team of more than 20 teachers provides in-person and online instruction in a dozen languages: Albanian, American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, English and Business English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian and European) and Spanish. A NYS-certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise, CRLC also offer an array of language-related business services, including English and Spanish language instruction for health care and education professionals, as well as business communication workshops. www.crlcalbany.org