Tending this warm soil

I have twelve years of experience teaching Chinese overseas — four in South Korea and eight in Sweden — focused mainly on the first steps in Chinese for the youngest children and their onward courses, with a solid grounding in linguistics, interaction design, and teaching adapted to the individual.

My approach always begins with the child's own interest. I am convinced that every child carries a particular key that can open their own door to the language. My task is not to fill them with knowledge, but through careful observation and patient listening to find that key — and to become the guide, the listener and the companion on their road.

In the classroom I care about liveliness and interaction. I like to fold language points into enjoyable activities, so that children speak up of their own accord in an easy atmosphere rather than grinding through memorisation. I also set goals in tiers according to age and adjust the pace flexibly, so each child builds confidence and makes progress at a speed that suits them.

Language is a window that lets children see a wider world. With patience and imagination I want to help them push that window gently open. Language is also a seed, and my classroom is the soil — watching children go from being reluctant to speak to expressing themselves with confidence, like a seed sprouting, growing and flowering, is the journey that gives me the most.