The Lessons That Never Appeared in a Textbook
By Mr Vincent Yap, Year 5 Teacher, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

When I first stepped into a classroom more than two decades ago, I thought I understood what it meant to be a good teacher. I believed a good teacher was someone who treated students well, gave them what they wanted and, most importantly, made them happy.

It sounded simple enough.

But standing in front of a classroom full of children for the first time was a different story! I remember wondering whether the students would listen to me, whether I would be too strict and whether I would know how to handle their different personalities. At times, I even wondered whether I might be the one who needed classroom management!

Thankfully, teaching is a profession where we are allowed to grow.

After more than 20 years in education, I have realised that some of the most important lessons I have learnt did not come from textbooks or lesson plans. They came from my students.

Every Child Has a Story

One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that every child is different.

Many years ago, I taught a boy who was intelligent but extremely playful and mischievous. He could be rude, lazy and very good at answering back. He questioned almost everything teachers said and was often sent to the discipline teacher for being naughty or failing to complete his work.

There were certainly times when he got on my nerves!

It would have been easy to label him as a “problem student”. Instead, I chose to be patient, understand him and work closely with his parents.

At the time, he often failed his examinations despite having the ability to do much better. So, we kept working through conversations, encouragement, hard work and plenty of patience.

Slowly, he changed. He became more responsible and began to believe that he could do better. His academic performance improved tremendously, and eventually, he achieved outstanding IGCSE results.

Years later, he invited me to his wedding.

Standing there, I thought about the mischievous boy he once was. That moment taught me something I could never have learnt from a textbook: we may not always see the impact of our work immediately.

Every child deserves another chance. Behind challenging behaviour, there may be ability, frustration, insecurity or simply a need for someone to understand them.

Relationships Come Before Results

I have also learnt that relationships matter just as much as results.

Students are more willing to learn when they know their teacher cares about them. They need to feel safe enough to make mistakes, ask questions and try again.

Parents are important partners too. When teachers and parents communicate openly and work together, we are better able to support a child.

Instead of only asking, “How can we improve this child’s marks?”, we should sometimes ask, “What does this child need from us?”

Teachers Must Keep Learning

When I began teaching, laptops and projectors were considered exciting classroom technology. Today, smart TVs and digital tools are part of everyday teaching.

Education continues to change, and teachers must change with it.

Experience is valuable, but experience alone is not enough. We must remain curious, adaptable and willing to learn. Being an experienced teacher does not mean having all the answers; it means knowing when to listen, change and find a better way.

The Greatest Measure of Success

Today, I still value academic achievement, but my definition of success has changed.

I ask myself: What kind of person will this child become?

Will they be responsible, kind, respectful and resilient? Will they have the confidence to face challenges? Will they continue learning even when there is no examination?

After more than two decades in education, I have learnt that teaching is a journey of continuous learning. Every student brings a different story, and every year gives us another opportunity to become better teachers.

We do not simply teach children. We have the opportunity to influence how they see themselves, treat others and find their place in the world.

If, many years from now, a former student remembers something I taught, something I said, or simply remembers that I believed in them when they needed it most, then I would consider that a success far greater than any examination result.

After 20 years in the classroom, I have learnt that the greatest lessons are not always the ones we teach. Sometimes, they are the ones our students teach us.

Vocabulary Gallery

Personalities – the different qualities, traits and behaviours that make each person unique.

Extremely – to a very great degree.

Adaptable – able to change or adjust easily when circumstances change.

Encouragement – words or actions that give someone confidence and motivation to continue trying.

Tremendously – to a very great extent; greatly.

Mischievous – behaving in a playful way that often causes minor trouble.

Discipline – the ability to control your behaviour and follow rules or instructions.

Insecurity – a feeling of uncertainty or lack of confidence in oneself.

Resilient – able to recover from difficulties and continue trying.

Influence – the ability to affect someone’s thoughts, behaviour or development.

Whether you are a student, teacher or parent, you are an educator in your own way. There is one thing you should know as an educator. We never stop growing.

And one of the best ways to keep learning and growing is to master and level up your English. 📚✨

At ILTI, that is what we do best — helping you build confidence, improve your English and keep growing every step of the way.

Come learn with us and take your English to the next level! 💙

Your English journey starts here.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

A Year at KGSR: Growing Together, Learning Together
By Ms Kasthuri, Year 7 Teacher, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

My first year at Knewton Global Schools, Rawang (KGSR) has been a journey filled with new experiences, meaningful connections and personal growth.

When I first joined KGSR as a Bahasa Melayu teacher, everything felt new. I was entering a different school environment and meeting new students and colleagues. From the beginning, I experienced a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel comfortable and supported. Little by little, I became familiar with the school, the people and the way we work together.

The students have been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Each child is different, with their own personality, strengths and potential. There have been many moments when I have watched students overcome challenges, gain confidence and discover something new. These moments remind me why I chose teaching as my profession.

I also appreciate the trust given to teachers at KGSR. We are given opportunities to share our ideas, use our creativity and make decisions that support our students’ learning. This trust has encouraged me to grow in confidence and become more independent in my teaching.

Throughout the year, CPD sessions and other professional learning opportunities have encouraged me to reflect on my teaching and explore new ideas. Each experience has contributed to my developing skills and helped me become a better teacher.

Looking back, I have learnt that growth does not always come from big achievements. Sometimes, it comes from a conversation with a colleague, a challenging lesson, a new idea or a simple moment with a student. Every experience gives us something to learn from.

As I look forward to another year at KGSR , I hope to continue to contribute, learn and grow together with the KGSR Family.

After all, teachers are not only here to guide students.

We are lifelong learners too.

 

Key Vocabulary

1. Welcoming – friendly and making people feel comfortable.
2. Potential – the ability or possibility to develop and achieve something in the future.
3. Trust – the belief that someone is reliable, responsible and honest.
4. Grow – to develop, improve or become better.
5. Reflect – to think carefully about an experience or situation.
6. Professional – relating to a person’s work, career or professional skills.
7. Growth – the process of developing, improving or becoming better.
8. Developing – gradually improving or gaining new skills and abilities.
9. Contribute – to give ideas, help or effort towards something.
10. Lifelong learners – people who continue learning and developing their knowledge throughout their lives.

At ILTI, we believe learning is not just about passing examinations. It is about building confidence, discovering new ideas and growing a little more every day.

Whether you are learning your first new word or preparing for your next big challenge, every lesson is a step forward. Because just like teachers, learners are lifelong learners too.

Your English journey starts here.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

More Than Friends, A Journey We Shared:
By Ms Syahidatul Iryani, Head of Early Years, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

How Friendship Shaped My Journey Through College

Some of life’s most meaningful lessons are not always found in textbooks or lecture halls. Sometimes, they are learnt through the people who walk beside us — through laughter, challenges, tears and memories that slowly shape who we become.

My college journey was never just about earning a diploma. It was also about the friendships I built along the way. For three years, we attended classes, completed endless assignments, shared meals, laughed over the smallest things and supported one another through stressful days.

Then COVID-19 changed everything. We had to adapt to online learning, complete assignments from home and find new ways to stay connected. There were times when we felt overwhelmed, tired and unsure of what would happen next. But we continued to encourage one another and somehow, we got through it together.

Of course, our friendship was not always perfect. We had disagreements and misunderstandings. However, we learnt to communicate, forgive and understand one another. Those experiences taught us compassion, patience and the importance of having a strong support system.

Looking back, those three years gave me more than a qualification. They taught me resilience — the strength to recover when things become difficult — and perseverance, the determination to keep going even when the journey feels challenging.

And then, we reached graduation.

Standing together that day, we knew that every late night, difficult assignment and little sacrifice had been worth it. We had started as students with dreams, and we left as stronger individuals, ready for the next chapter of our lives.

Today, we may follow different paths, but I am proud to see my friends pursuing their dreams and celebrating their own achievements. The memories we created will always have a special place in my heart.

A Message to Every Learner

When I look back, I realise that success does not happen overnight. There were many moments when I felt tired or wanted to give up, but I kept going.

To all ILTI students, if learning English feels difficult sometimes, please do not be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning. Every new word you learn, every sentence you practise and every conversation you have is progress.

Be confident enough to try, determined enough to continue and curious enough to keep learning. Do not compare your beginning with someone else’s success. Everyone has a different journey.

One day, you may look back and realise that the small steps you took every day brought you much further than you imagined.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
— B. B. King

Key Vocabulary

1. Meaningful – important or valuable.
2. Adapt – to change to deal with a new situation.
3. Overwhelmed – feeling that something is too difficult or stressful to manage.
4. Encourage – to give someone confidence or support.
5. Compassion – caring about others and wanting to help them.
6. Resilience – the ability to recover from difficulties.
7. Perseverance – continuing to try despite difficulties.
8. Sacrifice – giving up something for an important purpose.
9. Achievement – something accomplished through effort.
10. Confident – believing in your own abilities.
11. Determined – having a strong determination to achieve something.

At ILTI, we are committed to supporting every learner throughout their English journey — helping you develop strong English skills, confidence and the determination to succeed.

Learning is not about being perfect. It is about making progress, one step at a time.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

Beyond Borders: Finding the True Meaning of Learning
By Mr Roham Yeganeh, Year 4 Teacher, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

Looking back, I often think about how much of life begins by chance.

We are born into a country, a family, a language and a culture that we have no role in choosing. In many ways, the beginning of every journey is random. What matters most is not where we start, but how we respond to the opportunities that come our way.

One of the biggest decisions in my life began in much the same way when I decided to continue my studies in Malaysia simply because my brother-in-law encouraged me to do so.

From tasting nuts and sambal together for the first time to the stress of trying not to go the wrong way around a roundabout because I had never driven on the left, I never saw any of it as culture shock. To me, it was simply a new flavour of life. No matter where I went, I always tried to carry something meaningful from my own culture.

One saying often connected to the ancient Persian teacher Zoroaster has stayed with me:

“Helping hands are more valuable than praying lips.”

To me, this means that good thoughts and good words should lead to good deeds as well.

Even though I come from a family of educators, I have realised that the most valuable lessons I have learnt were never found in textbooks. One of the most valuable lessons I learnt about education came when I read Think Again by Adam Grant, one of the books that deeply changed my view of life and education.

One idea from the book stayed with me: intelligence is not simply about having the right answers. It is about being willing to question our assumptions, rethink our ideas and continue learning throughout life. It takes humility to accept that we may need to unlearn something before we can truly grow.

As I reflected on my own journey, I realised I had already been living that lesson. The further I travelled, the more I understood that education is less about collecting certificates and more about collecting perspectives. True learning, perhaps, begins when we are brave enough to change our minds. I realised that my journey from Iran to Malaysia was never simply about changing countries. It was about learning to embrace new experiences, rethink old assumptions and continue growing as both a teacher and a person.

Just a few days ago, someone asked me,

“If you could go back ten years, what would you change?”

I told him,

“Even if I went back and changed some things, I believe that ten years later, I might still look back and wish to change something else.”

Life is not about fixing every mistake until the story becomes perfect. It is about learning when to change direction, when to bend and when to keep moving forward.

Every wrong turn can reveal a new path.

Every disappointment can carry a lesson.

Every challenge can quietly shape the person we become.

Life is often about give and take, and many times we must give more than we expect to receive before we truly understand the value of what we gain. Perhaps wisdom is not found in having a perfect past, but in allowing every experience to teach us something valuable.

If I want my learners, or you who are reading this, to remember only one lesson from me, I hope it is this: growth begins when we are willing to rethink, to unlearn and to begin again.

 

Key Vocabulary

Opportunities – chances to do or achieve something.

Deeds – actions or things that people do.

Ancient – belonging to a very long time ago.

Intelligence – the ability to learn, understand and think well.

Assumptions – things we believe are true without being completely sure.

Humility – being modest and willing to accept that we may be wrong.

Unlearn – to let go of something previously learned or believed.

Perspectives – different ways of seeing or understanding something.

Embrace – to accept something willingly and positively.

Wisdom – the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions.

At ILTI, we believe true education begins when we are willing to question what we know, embrace new perspectives and continue growing.

Join us at ILTI and discover a learning journey that goes beyond certificates — one that challenges you to think differently, learn boldly and see the world through a wider lens.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.

What He Taught Me About Growing
By Ms Lee Hwee Theng, Mandarin Language Specialist, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

Every child has their own rhythm of growing.

And my son, now eight, has spent these years teaching me what growth truly means.

Before he was even one, a nurse at a government clinic asked us to complete a developmental questionnaire. Based on the results, she told us that he had limited eye contact, did not respond when his name was called, and would stare intently at things that spun. She suspected that he might be showing signs of autism.

At the time, I never imagined that the word “autism” would become part of my life. We struggled to accept it. There were tears, and we constantly worried about his future. I spoke to friends about what we were going through, but many did not truly understand autism. Perhaps when something has not happened to you, it is difficult to understand the pain that comes with it.

At three, he was formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He was also registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM), received his OKU card, and began his journey with EIP (Early Intervention Programme).

The years between three and six were challenging. He struggled to express himself, and when he could not have what he wanted, he would easily become frustrated. Taking medicine, brushing his teeth and using the toilet were all daily challenges.

But slowly, time taught me something: children really do grow.

He loves numbers and enjoys creating questions to test us. At first, they were simple, such as, “What is 10 + 5?” Then, one day, he asked:

“300 + Dinosaur = ?”

We said we did not know.

He answered very seriously:

“300 dinosaurs!”

When he had a cold and kept sneezing, he once told me:

“Mama, I want Ah-Choo medicine!”

He also enjoys rewriting the lyrics of familiar nursery rhymes. Before almost every sentence, he calls out, “Mama”. If I do not respond immediately, he simply changes his tone and calls again until I answer.

These little things may seem insignificant, but they are among the everyday moments I treasure most.

At five, he came home from kindergarten and called us “Daddy, Mummy” for the first time. At eight, he began quietly observing the world around him. The things we thought he would not notice were often the very things he had been watching all along, only to suddenly tell us about them.

Last year, he attended a PPKI special education class in a government primary school and achieved first place in his class. His teacher told me that he could complete his classwork independently and had begun speaking some Malay. Sometimes, when he saw a classmate behaving badly, he would even imitate the teacher’s tone and “tell them off”. I was incredibly proud—and could not help but laugh.

Being his mother has also changed the way I see children as a teacher.

When I see a student being naughty, not following instructions, or becoming deeply curious about something, I now pause and ask myself:

“Is there something I have not yet understood?”

I do not always get it right, but I have learnt to observe more, be more patient, and understand more.

I often remind myself:

If I do my best to teach other people’s children well, perhaps there will also be a teacher who will patiently teach my child well.

Back then, I was deeply afraid of his future.

If I could speak to the tearful mother I once was, I would tell her:

Do not be afraid. You will discover that he is far more wonderful than you imagined.

A child does not have to follow the path we once imagined for them. Let them grow at their own pace and walk their own unique path.

Because every effort, every little achievement and every step forward shines brightly—and deserves to be celebrated.

And the “future” that once frightened me is now becoming the view I treasure most.

 

Key Vocabulary

Developmental – relating to the process of growth and change in a person, especially during childhood.

Questionnaire – a written set of questions used to collect information from people.

Spectrum – a range of different levels, types, or degrees within a particular condition or group.

Formally – in an official or recognised way.

Intervention – action taken to help improve a situation or provide support when difficulties arise.

Frustrated – feeling upset or annoyed because you cannot achieve or express what you want.

Insignificant – not important or meaningful.

Independently – without needing help or support from another person.

Imitate – to copy the way someone speaks, behaves, or does something.

Curious – wanting to know or learn more about something.

Every effort, every milestone and every achievement of a child means so much to their parents. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to experience the best possible education journey.

At ILTI, we believe every achievement deserves to be celebrated. From their first step to their biggest milestone, we are here to celebrate every achievement with them.

Come to ILTI, where every achievement matters.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.