“Speak out and don’t worry about mistakes, it’s all part of learning”
Nathanel is a 21-year-old who works as an English teacher in the Stellar Center. He’s been teaching there for more than a year now, since the beginning of the classes in the newly opened center, and it is his first job as an English teacher. The team that works in the center is an essential part of the program, so we are proud to introduce their faces to you.
Growing into the role
Nathanel has a class of 22 students, and teaches basic English to students aged 7 to 15. At first, he felt a bit uncertain about teaching, as he didn’t have any experience, but “after all these months”, he says, “I have grown in confidence and become a better teacher”. And that’s precisely what he encourages in his students: “Don’t be afraid – practice consistently, be patient and believe in yourself”, he says. An important tip, considering some students feel a bit shy to speak it out loud or practice for fear of making mistakes. “It’s all part of the learning process”, he remarks.
“Don’t be afraid – practice consistently and believe in yourself”
A safe space to learn and speak
Speaking English in Andong can be quite challenging, as there are not so many opportunities to practice, so Nathanel insists on the importance of doing it in class: “For me it’s important to keep encouraging them. Outside the class, the opportunities are limited, so speaking together and out loud in class is important”. That’s why creating an inviting and friendly environment is crucial, so they can feel safe while practicing. He achieves this in his lessons by combining grammar or vocabulary with conversation and games, giving students both structure and space to practice naturally.
To support this structure, they use an English workbook that offers lesson plans and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammar, building a strong foundation for learning a new language. In addition, they practice conversation, and from time to time, he introduces interactive games so students can apply what they have learned and have fun while doing it
He explains, “My typical class starts with a warm-up activity, such as a greeting and a short conversation. Then I introduce the topic of the day, and we practice grammar or vocabulary using this topic as a starting point, followed by different exercises”.
Nathanel gained confidence in teaching over time and, of course, with the help of the rest of the team. The other teachers and education manager of Stellar helped him prepare lesson plans and manage the classroom, something that can feel like a challenge sometimes. But it is pretty rewarding at the same time; by teaching he has been able to see meaningful progress in his students: “I enjoy seeing them improve and gain confidence.”
This progress is clearly visible, as “when they came to study, they didn’t even know the alphabet, now they can spell and expand their vocabulary and grammar”. A progress he is most proud of: “I’m happy to be a (small) part of their success in the future by educating them”.
“It’s really important to encourage them to speak together and out loud in class”
Learning, laughing, and building confidence
But it’s not only about learning and formal education. The class is the perfect time for kids to interact with each other and create good memories. He recalls one of them about his student, Radi, who couldn’t finish his work and said “My pen ran out of ink – so my brain ran out of ideas too!”. He remembers this moment with tenderness: “We all laughed so loud. I love having these memories with the class”.
Nathanel is deeply involved in his work and with the students. He hopes to improve their future possibilities through his classes: “In Cambodia, speaking English now is required and important for future jobs, so having this skill can make their lives easier and more successful”.
So he keeps encouraging them not to be afraid to speak outside the classroom. “Keep practicing everyday, even for 5 to 10 minutes; watch a video, listen to a song, or read a book – and speak English with each other and friends”. These simple actions can “help them learn and grow in confidence.”
With committed teachers like Nathanel, each lesson becomes a safe and supportive space where children can interact, learn, and build their self-confidence. Please support us to ensure that teachers like him can continue making education accessible to every child.
Support this work by making a donation and be part of their journey.
And if Nathanel’s story inspired you, we invite you to discover Kuntheak’s story on our blog as well. Together, we can create lasting change.