Emily Lydall from the United Kingdom is the Early Years and Junior School Physical Education (PE) coordinator at Dulwich College Beijing. Lydall has been in Beijing less than two months and come to experience Chinese culture as a family. She shares her favorite subjects when she was child and her teaching style.
What’s was your favorite subject when you were a student?
PE because I loved the physical and mental challenge or competing with others and working to better myself.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What other career options did you explore before teaching?
I wanted to be an actor. My friends thought I would be a great Blue Peter presenter and I was a contestant on a game show for kids called “Fun House” hosted by Pat Sharp.
How would you (or your students) describe your teaching style?
Fun and energetic
What was your favorite book growing up? What are you currently reading?
The Twits by Roald Dahl. I am currently reading a number of children’s books to my two daughters. Favorites include; Giraffes Cant Dance, The Smartest Giant in Town, and Room on the Broom.
How do you like to relax on the weekends?
As a family we like to go and explore different places in the city and enjoy eating some of the beautiful dishes that Beijing has to offer. This weekend we walked from HouHai Lake to BeiHai Park to Tianhimin Square and ate some ice cream and Duck pancakes; yummy!
Where do you like to go on holiday?
We will be going to Hong Kong during the holidays, but we also like to go to visit friends and family in UK and UAE.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have a twin sister who is an actor and lives in London.
What’s currently on your playlist?
I love to listen to music. My children and I listen to the music from Disney as well as Taylor Swift and One Direction!
What’s do you find most rewarding about teaching?
Seeing people face their fears and overcome challenges shows their strength and determination. Listening to kids laughing and enjoying themselves is the most rewarding part of my job.
Meet the Teacher is a 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 webeditor@beijing-kids.com
Photo: Courtesy of Dulwich College Beijing
