Passion and Empathy in IB English Tuition
- Ellie Reading
- Jan 12
- 2 min read
Passion and Empathy in IB English Tuition
Many East Asian students have mastered grammar—hours spent memorising vocabulary, managing to speak just enough to get by. But they often wonder: will their English carry them far enough? Far enough to engage with literature, not just understand it, but feel it deeply; to write with both substance and flair; or to speak naturally, without relying on crutches like ‘like…,’ all while holding someone’s gaze with a confident smile.
Their learning curve is one I understand well. It reminds me of my own attempts with Korean and Japanese—languages where, unlike English or Chinese with their familiar Subject-Verb-Object structure, the order shifts to Subject-Object-Verb. The struggle? It’s like that tiny grit in your shoe, always there, making every step a bit more challenging. I passed the tests—Korean (TOPIK: Intermediate), Japanese (N2)—a while back, checked the boxes. But fluency? Speaking without stumbling over my words? Writing with style? That’s a journey
still in progress. It’s going to take more time, more effort, and the courage to face inevitable failures. And every time I trip up as a student of these languages, I become a better teacher of English and literature. Like me, my students need a patient teacher and coach who understands the frustration and the slow, steady grind of learning.
This understanding goes beyond just language proficiency. My experience with Korean and Japanese has given me insights into how these languages differ from English—how syntax, phonetics, and even the rhythm of thought shift. This knowledge helps me connect with my students who speak these languages natively, building a bridge between us. But more than that, it has made me a more empathetic teacher for all my students, including those from Hong Kong and the UK. I know what it feels like to wrestle with a language, to struggle for fluency.
Their struggle isn’t just theirs—it’s mine too. I’m still learning every day, inching closer to mastering what I’m not good at yet. As I continue to grow, I hope to explore English and literature with my students from all backgrounds, discovering, fumbling, and laughing together along the way.
