The 2023-24 school year marked a vibrant beginning for Year 2 at LEH International School Foshan, adding a fresh burst of energy to our Prep School. The transition and adaptation of these young minds to a new learning phase have been remarkable, a success largely attributed to the dedication and expertise of our Year 2 teachers, Mr Gary Lodge and Ms Poppy Wilkinson.
In this feature, we are happy to first introduce Mr Lodge and share how his expertise and approach guarantee a seamless transition for your child into our British curriculum.
Mr Lodge is a dedicated and experienced Prep School Teacher, bringing his passion for education and over 10 years of teaching expertise to LEH Foshan. Previously a Homeroom Teacher and Supervisor in Foshan, he created nurturing environments and delivered exceptional instruction. He has guided students to achieve Trinity College London Drama Certificates and developed engaging resources for home learning, enhancing vocabulary, reading, and phonics skills. With a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Sheffield and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Durham University, Mr Lodge offers a unique combination of knowledge. As a qualified English as a Foreign Language teacher, he is devoted to fostering a love for language in his students.
To gain deeper insights into Mr Lodge’s teaching philosophy and methods, we posed a series of questions to him:
Mr Lodge, could you share with us your experience working at LEH Foshan?
I decided to join LEH Foshan, due to the high standard of education provided by the school. Teaching the British curriculum enables me to challenge and stretch children holistically. It is also very important for me to be working alongside professional and passionate teachers, and this is truly the case at LEH Foshan. Naturally, you face many challenges as a teacher. At LEH Foshan, I feel I am part of a family. In the face of challenges, I am always supported from my colleagues and Head of Prep School, Ms Bateman.
In your view, what are the primary challenges students face when joining LEH Foshan in Year 2, and how do you assist them in adapting to this new educational setting?
The biggest challenge for children generally is the transition to a fully immersive English environment. The majority of Year 2 children have come from schools with an English-speaking programme or have no English teaching at all. First, at LEH, all staff communicate with children in English only. Children quickly realise that they must learn the language to learn and communicate. All our staff are very caring and motivated to help children use English, so, if children do not know how to say something in English, we guide them. It does not matter if they do not understand at first; through repetition, they learn very quickly.
I also work closely with Ms Wilkinson to develop strategies to encourage children to learn and speak English. We do this primarily through the Talk4Writing approach, teaching children both questions and answers and awarding children for their efforts through our house-point system. Overall, this was the biggest challenge we faced when opening our year 2 classes and I am so delighted to now witness children, who did not have any English background prior to LEH, to being able to effectively communicate in English after only one school term.
What specific supports are in place at LEH Foshan to aid the development of Year 2 students?
All children come to LEH with different abilities, skills and interests. It is our role to ensure that each child is individually supported to combat their weaknesses, enhance their existing skills and pursue their interests. There is a wide range of support available. Children who have a low level of English when starting at LEH are supported individually and in small groups with our English support teachers. If class teachers observe a weakness or gap in mathematics, we can request the assistance of support teachers to fill in the gaps missed in kindergarten education. We also have a wide range of ECAs outside the curriculum, and children can pursue their interests each day in music, art, sport, drama, Chinese, dance and reading. Every child can succeed at LEH, and I am therefore proud to work as a teacher here.
What key achievements do you hope your students will attain by the end of Year 2?
The British curriculum is very demanding, especially so for children with minimal or no English experience when joining LEH. Ms Wilkinson and I are working closely and diligently to accelerate our children’s learning to ensure they are prepared for Year 3 in September. More importantly, we wish our children to be lifelong learners. Therefore, we strive to ensure the education we provide is enjoyable and engaging. In this way, children will have a passion for learning from a very young age, which will continue throughout their education into IGCSEs, A Levels, and their future professional working life.
Collaborating closely with the Prep School team, Mr Lodge’s commitment to educational excellence and his innovative approaches are pivotal in ensuring that our youngest learners not only adapt to but thrive in LEH Foshan’s dynamic environment.
Stay tuned for upcoming features on other exceptional Prep School teachers!
Meet Mr Lodge!
Don't miss the opportunity to meet and interact with Mr Lodge in person.
Prep School Open Day
9:30-12:30, 20th January 2024
Join us for an enriching experience! Discover all the incredible opportunities our Prep School offers, meet our Head of Prep and British teachers, learn about our ethos and curriculum, and let your child experience captivating British taster lessons. Sign up now!
Teacher's Talk -
Why Children Need to Play
16:00-17:00, 26 January 2024
Join us to explore together how our children play and why it is crucial for their development.
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