"He who knows nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of his own."
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
Origins
The Conversational English Club of International Studies was born out of the concern that the focus of the English courses at the university was -and still is- very broad and generic, instead of being specifically aimed and tailored at the purposes and specific demands of each major and field of study that the university offers to the general public.
Knowing the language itself is one thing, mastering and perfecting it to specific areas of dedication is another, very different subject.
These concerns, coupled with the experience of our faculty staff and the drive to create a means by which students have the possibility to refine, practice and perfect their skills without having to enroll in an private school (incurring in a massive economic burden, an option that a lot of students simply can't afford), or having to go to a location other than the university itself were the reasons why we decided to start this initiative.
Key People
Anna Gabriela Blondell
Founder of CECIS, student of the Central University of Venezuela (International Studies) and captain of the Interacción - AUDAS debate team at the same institution. Has worked previously with eco-friendly organizations, Model United Nations groups and performed volunteering work.
Has received awards for academic merit due to her work representing Venezuela and the Central University of Venezuela in the Buenos Aires University Model United Nations (2015).
Luis Millán
Co-Founder of CECIS, student of the Central University of Venezuela (International Studies) and of the Santa María University (Law). Has majored previously at the Simón Bolívar University in Electronics Engineering, and represented the same institution at the Harvard National Model United Nations (2011).
Has been a self taught English speaker from an early age, and ocasionally does translation work for individuals and for private sector companies.