Ms Amy Johan Thomson

What was your major at university?
I double majored in International Affairs and a foreign language. Initially, I planned on taking the Foreign Service exam and working for the US government, but while I passed the exam, the government wasn’t hiring, so I took a teaching job in Hong Kong, which is where my family was living at the time.

What do you teach?
I teach English and will also be teaching speaking and Language Arts to different classes throughout the year.

How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a kind and energetic teacher. I most want students to be willing to participate and speak in my classes, so I like my classes to be a little less formal.

What are your hobbies?
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and playing video games. I also do a lot of baking and especially enjoy making bread and cookies.

What is your hometown like?
My hometown, Boulder, Colorado, USA is a smaller city just at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is very dry and sunny in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter. Because of the beautiful scenery, outdoor hobbies are very popular. People generally spend their weekends outside hiking, skiing, or biking.

Why do you love teaching?
I love helping students to grow and succeed. Seeing a student struggle at the beginning of the year but then master a topic by the end of the year is such a rewarding thing.

Can you give our students some tips on learning English?
You already have the tools to success. You just need to expose yourself to the language as much as possible. We teachers can give you the skills you need, the grammar, and the guidance, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to commit yourself to practicing. You can easily immerse yourself in the language, watch videos, read books, and play games in English, but you have to be willing to do it.

What was your first impression of the students at our school?
The students are very respectful and diligent. I have a very good impression of them from these first weeks.

What expectations do you have of our students?
I expect students to always try. They might not know exactly how to do something the first time, but they should always keep trying.