Unlock English: Helping All Learners Succeed in English Curriculums

If we want children to learn in a way that's developmentally appropriate- which is really the only way to actually learn- then we need to respect them as individuals, not view them as just incomplete adults. That kind of view can get us rushing them along too fast, projecting a very narrow view of what "learning" looks like on to them, and not noticing or honouring the learning that happens when they get to explore, play and follow their interests. 💕 #

Why you might (probably are!) already be teaching your little one skills for reading. Phase 1 phonics precedes the stage where children are introduced to letters and their sounds. It shouldn't be skipped as not only is it great fun and fosters a bunch of other skills, but it also gives them a solid foundation in language and sound awareness for when they are ready to learn phonics more formally!

So many parents tell me their children are 'bored with phonics', 'sick of writing', 'not interested in English'.

There are so many possible reasons for this, which we can explore further elsewhere. But some key initial things to aim for would be: Are we taking the time to provide real, legitimate, engaging reasons to communicate in English? Is the learning age appropriate? Are we breaking down the skills required to, for example, write a sentence (fine motor skills, phonics knowledge, a wide bank of appropriate vocabulary, etc.
) and working on those individually and systematically BEFORE we go straight to the task?!

How can we do that in a play-based way that excites young minds? Do we help learners see how understanding phonics will help them write to Santa 😁? Or do we just drill sounds with them like a drill sergeant?? 🫠 Let's make literacy learning age appropriate, relevant, systematic and FUN! And let's look at the bigger picture, where literacy learning is more than just 'pen, paper, flashcards, sentence.' (although we need those too! 😅). years teacher

Some very sweet words from my clients in China about my upcoming maternity leave. So far, everyone has said they would like to stay with me! :)

Lovely 8 year old Peter was a "refuser" at first! Our first English lesson started really late because he was refusing to come home to attend the class. He was suffering with extreme shyness and lack of confidence. Now he is thriving, particularly in his reading and vocab. The main thing that seems to have helped him relax in class is my rubbish jokes 🤣 Thanks for laughing at them Peter...or are you just laughing at me? 🤣

I've so many lovely words from clients but am not great at sharing them, will be trying to share some more in the upcoming weeks! This is a family I've been working with for about a year now, and have taken their lovely daughter from being unable to read to knowing advanced phonics. 💕

Working on my HSK 4 Chinese today! There is sooo much new vocab to learn at this level. I love this hobby so much. It is great fun and it supports my understanding of my Chinese learners and the kinds of mistakes they are prone to making. I make sooo many mistakes learning mandarin and it is a lesson in humility. Sometimes the only way to learn is to be willing to make yourself uncomfortable! 💞💖 #汉语 #学汉语 #英文老师

Here are some lovely emails I received from clients today. A reminder of how meaningful my work is! 🥰 Some of the children who come to me start out very frustrated and feel English is something they "can't do"; we work on them being successful right from the start and they realise they absolutely can!! I haven't posted lately as life has been moving very fast. Now WE are moving down south! It will be very sad to leave Edinburgh but we may be back one day, and right now there are new adventures to be had down in Colchester! I will be teaching entirely online for a while, and working on some creative ideas, so watch this space... 😊

On my way to a client in Scotland today in the rain 😅. One of my new clients messaged and said 'You're just the right teacher for us!' 😊

How will you know I'm the right teacher for you and your child?! Well, most likely:

-You have a child whose first language is not English, who is currently studying in the UK, OR wants to come to the UK.

-Your child might be finding it hard to understand his or her teacher or to communicate with other children.

-Your child might need help passing a UK entrance test, but with some extra language support from a specialist.

- You probably want a teacher who prioritises making your child feel comfortable and safe, and making learning engaging, positive and fun.

- You may be looking for some help understanding phonics or pronunciation in English.

If this sounds like you, I might just be the right teacher for you too! 🤗

More sweet words from a client today. There is something really magical about working with early years children in particular, as I am often their first real English teacher. Everything is done through play and attention to the child's emotional and physical development are as important as the intellectual (if not more). This feeling of treasuring our time together is very much mutual. 🥰 #英文老师