Robert read Oriental Studies (Chinese) and Philosophy at Cambridge University (Corpus Christi College). Upon graduating he completed a Trinity College Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages before continuing his study of Chinese at Taiwan Normal University, the National Palace Museum, and the Nanjing-Hopkins Centre.

Robert worked as a translator, tour organizer, and teacher of English in China, Korea, Japan, and the UK before completing a Mathematics enhancement course for prospective teachers of Mathematics and then a Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education (Community Languages - Mandarin Chinese & German).

For the last 14 years, Robert has taught at prestigious international schools in Hong Kong such as Kellett, HKIS, and various ESF schools. He has a Master’s in Education from Hong Kong University (in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) and is familiar with curriculums such as AP, IB, IGCSE, HKDSE, and A-level.

On becoming ateacher:

My family has a tradition of teaching. My grandfather taught Music and my uncle taught Mathematics at Brighton College. When I was at sixth form college, I taught piano, and then before university, I trained as a teacher of English and taught in Fuzhou, China. After university, I continued my training as a teacher of English as a Second Language, so that I could have a side income while continuing my studies of Chinese. After a stint of working as a full-time legal translator, I yearned for human engagement and trained to be a Mandarin teacher because I hoped my students would have more fun than I did when learning Chinese. Previously I had also taken a six-month course in mathematics designed for prospective mathematics teachers because that is also a subject I enjoy greatly. Teaching is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the world and other humans. I especially enjoy getting to know my students and integrating their interests into the subject taught while helping them improve their fluency and competency.

Other interests that reflect on my personality as a teacher:

One of my interests is endurance running like Trailwalker, the Gobi March, the Sahara Race, and the Atacama Crossing. These require patience, grit, perseverance, and determination - all qualities I try to infuse in my students. Yoga and martial arts are other hobbies that keep me flexible and mindful. Wherever possible I like to use some movement in classes.

Music has always been an important part of my life. I used to organize tours in Asia for world-renowned performing artists, and I value the use of music, chants, and raps to help with memorization.

I also love coding and solving problems by using technology and am proactive in learning about new educational technology and utilizing new technology where it can help solve a problem.

Another interest I have is languages in general, and I am always eager to find opportunities to improve my Cantonese, Japanese, French, German, Latin, and Hong Kong sign language.

People I find inspirational and why:

The Chinese writer, translator, and inventor, Lin Yutang wrote amazingly well in both English and Chinese. He translated great Chinese literature into English and introduced Chinese culture, literature, and history to a Western audience. His book, The Importance of Living was a best seller in the 1950s and there was a copy on the bookshelf as I grew up. It introduced me to Chinese thought, especially philosophical Taoism. I like to give copies of it to people who feel overwhelmed.

The singer Kate Bush is an inspirational and authentic genius who creates musical stories with great emotional depth. The haunting sounds of her first hit Wuthering Heights inspired by Emily Brontë’s novel, were often in the background on the radio when I grew up. She rarely performs live, so a few years ago I jumped at the opportunity to fly back to the UK one weekend to experience her show, which included a dramatisation of one of my favourite albums. It was amazing!

Top tip to younger self:

My younger self might have been encouraged by Carol Dwek’s ideas about the power of a growth mindset and the problems of a fixed mindset which may arise from praise and criticism of abilities rather than behaviours.