Dear students,

Did you know that I used to teach General Paper at Yishun Junior College? That’s some high-level English I taught to teenagers.

However, although I teach functional English at NorthLight, I never miss my General Paper days. I don’t think that teaching in NorthLight is effortless. In fact, it requires me to work diligently because NorthLight students behave in countless different ways.

I don’t know how you remember things, but when I hear a word I want to learn, I become restless. I must get someone to write it down. Remember my form class, 1S6? They taught me the Malay phrase for ‘fat leg’: kaki gemok. Once I figured out the spelling and wrote down the word, I remembered it. Now, I use it on students who are shameless to put their leg on their chair.

Some NorthLight students are talented at drawing, so I got them to make eye-catching posters to learn spelling. Others are great at listening. They just need to hear a word once and then, they will remember it. Joyless lessons become purposeful ones.

Because I teach students with dyslexia, I gained the chance to learn how words are formed. I never realised that English has so many patterns. Knowing that English is so structured makes me love teaching more. I feel like a detective trying to uncover the great mysteries of English. I am never helpless.

So, I love English more. What is your passion? What do you love to do? Do you hope to turn your passion into your job in the future? I hope you are not aimless! Let me know!

Love, Sensei