About WLA

Westminster Language Academy began in 2006 with a single purpose: To offer high-quality, affordable English language instruction in a warm, caring environment.

Our care for the whole person is part of what makes us different. We know that our students live busy lives, and we work to understand their specific needs—in their personal life, their work, and family. Our greatest joy is to see people move toward reaching their dreams.

Every teacher at Westminster Language Academy shares a love for learning and for serving our community. We look forward to getting to know you and your goals for the future.

What Our Students Are Saying

Our Staff

Our teachers are ESL specialists with years of classroom experience.

Leanna Busse

Leanna has been an ESL instructor for over 20 years, teaching a wide variety of students, from senior executives and business people in numerous branches of industry to university, elementary, and even preschool students. She has lived for extended periods of time in China, Germany, Brazil and The United Arab Emirates.

Leanna has a B.S. in Psychology and East Asian Studies from Valparaiso University and an RSA/CELTA certificate from International House, Hastings, England.

She enjoys quilting, singing, gardening, and camping with her family.

Mark Pedrin

Mark has been teaching English for over twenty years. He enjoys working with people from many different backgrounds, helping them to reach their personal goals.

Mark has a B.A. in English from Northwest University and a M.Ed. in Education from Seattle University. In addition to teaching in Seattle, he has taught English in Central Asia and India.

Melissa Goliath

Melissa has taught English since 2016. She holds a TESOL/TEFL teaching certificate, and has taught in the States, as well as abroad in SE Asia. She has compassion for those studying new languages, as she herself has had to learn a new language while living overseas. Her desire is to help others improve their English language skills, while learning in a fun, personal, and engaging environment.

Elsa LaRandeau

Elsa has been teaching English to speakers of other languages since 2001. She has taught students from all over the world and of all ages, from children to adults. She spent almost 7 years living in Central Asia, teaching English, training local English teachers, and learning local languages, herself. Elsa loves to share with her English language students the strategies and methods that helped her in her own language study.

Elsa has an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and a MATESOL from the University of Washington.

She enjoys hiking, camping, permaculture gardening, deep conversations and homeschooling.