What brought you to Beijing?
I came in 2009 with my husband, who works for a German car company. My older son was three at the time and compared to home, the opportunities for him to engage in group play were either non existent or really expensive. I decided to set one up myself and contacted all the big international schools if they could offer me their gym for free, as I did not want to charge money for the play group. The British School of Beijing (BSB Shunyi campus) was the only school helping me – that’s how I came to BSB in the first place. A year later the former Head Executive asked me if I was interested to set up a native German program at BSB, knowing I had been a professional German teacher back home. I agreed and started working at BSB in 2010.
What’s was your favorite subject when you were a student?
Besides PE, I loved history, biology and German – they just were subjects that really interested me as they brought something new every single lesson. And I had great teachers in those subjects.
How would you (or your students) describe your teaching style?
I try to get a good mix of styles in my lessons. In the beginning of each year, I ask my students which topics and activities they like most and consider that in my planning. I think teachers should give students the chance to decide how they like to learn and give them responsibility for their own learning.
What was your favorite book growing up? What are you currently reading? I read typical girls’ books and Enid Blyton books. I am currently reading The Girl who saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson – hilarious & highly recommended!
How do you like to relax on the weekends? Spending time with my family in and outside of Beijing.
Where do you like to go on holiday? We love to travel around in Asia as it offers so many exciting places.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I am terribly scared of snakes.
What’s currently on your playlist? Mainstream chart hits as well as “old” songs like from ABBA, Madonna, and Bon Jovi, as well as some German music from the charts and classical music.
What’s do you find most rewarding about teaching?
I would call it the symbiosis between student and teacher: Seeing the progress students make, when they think hard and then suddenly scream, “I got it!” and when you manage to get them excited about something. Having good relationships with students as I learn so much from them every day!
Meet the Teacher is a new beijingkids blog series designed to help the Beijing community learn more about international school teachers. If your school would like to participate in the series, please email the school editor at yvetteferrari@beijing-kids.com
Photo: Courtesy of BSB
