Meet the Teacher | Ms Lydia

Meet the Teacher (#TEACHERFEATURE) is a St Andrews Bangkok community series that will give you a chance to get to know our outstanding educators – their thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Ms Lydia, our new Spanish teacher at the High School joins us this 2023/2024 academic year from the British International School, Vietnam. She holds a Master's Degree in Applied linguistics with TESOL, PGCE in Secondary Languages, and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish in International relations.

Your education and other work experience(s)

I graduated with a degree in Spanish and International Relations in 2017 before graduating with a PGCE in Secondary Languages in 2018.

University degree and international school experience

I’m working towards a MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL and hold a PGCE in Secondary Languages and a BA in Spanish with International Relations.

I have three years of teaching experience in Primary Spanish and French, Key Stage 3 Spanish and French, IGCSE Spanish and IB Spanish at The British International School in Vietnam. 

What areas of research/topics continue to capture your attention in your field and why?

Working towards my Master's in Linguistics has allowed me to focus my interest in the realm of listening in a non-native language. I have run a research study with a group of fifty students to find ways to increase their language acquisition and confidence whilst completing a range of listening tasks and exercises in their language class.

What hobbies do you have and what do you love about them? And what are your other interests?

In my spare time, I enjoy taking my corgi Honey for walks. I also enjoy trying lots of different cuisines.

What do you feel most passionately about and why?

I am passionate about celebrating diversity and increasing diversity awareness within schools and among staff/students. I feel it is extremely important to work in an environment that celebrates all students and staff no matter how different we all are. Teaching about diversity allows students to become more open-minded and help them in their journey to becoming international citizens.