Ahadi Iskandar I.

As an interpreter and translator, my experience has given me the skills to learn languages in fast and effective ways, rewarding diligence and hard work over inherent talents. As a playwright and author, I value using a creative and fun approach to language acquisition, seeing it not just as a tool to communicate but more importantly to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

As a teacher, I believe my role is as a guide rather than a dictator. I always foster a safe space for my students to practice and make mistakes, while also continually checking for understanding as we go. Mistakes are important feedback that reinforces language learning. They will feel assured that they can make mistakes and receive immediate, constructive feedback. This creates a fun learning environment where I encourage curiosity and inquisitiveness. Future lessons will also be modified depending on which areas the student has mastered and which areas require improvement. My students range from children to adults, whereby my approach changes depending on my client's needs and goals.

As listening skills are where language learning begins, I teach language through immersion using real-life material appropriate to my student’s comprehension level. This will familiarise them with diverse accents and pronunciations, which will also help them speak with more confidence.

Similarly, I adapt lessons to the student’s level of proficiency and to their interests, encouraging them to draw from real-life experiences. We will learn vocabulary relevant to their daily conversation, using interactive activities such as role-playing, presentations, or topical discussions to help them gain confidence in the language.

For writing composition (an email, an essay, or a story, for example), I provide students with model texts to help them understand. They will learn how to reverse-engineer these works for their own use.

I also teach them drafting, emphasising brainstorming and outlining skills, so they can organise their thoughts before writing clearly and effectively. The students will also be encouraged to independently draft their own works to confidently practice their skills.